Fenwick Grows Santa Monica Office, Adds Startup Partner Sarah Chambless
Santa Monica, CA (July 23, 2019)– Fenwick & West today announced that Sarah Chambless has joined the firm as a corporate partner in its Santa Monica office.
“As startup investments in technology and life sciences in the greater Los Angeles region have grown over the past few years, so too has our presence in the market. There is strong demand from emerging technology and life sciences companies for our focused services,” Fenwick chair Richard Dickson said. “In the few months since we’ve opened an office in Santa Monica, we’ve added numerous clients and now serve over 200 companies in the region. We’re growing to meet this significant demand, and know that Sarah’s extensive experience in the Los Angeles startup community will be an asset to our clients and that our deep roots in technology will be a benefit to her clients.”
Chambless advises technology clients on startup company formation, early-stage finance, technology licensing and regulatory considerations, VC investment transactions, and mergers and acquisitions. She counsels emerging companies in digital media, technology, consumer products and social enterprise and has represented growth companies and VC investors as well as buyers, sellers and issuers in transactions. Chambless is deeply involved in Los Angeles’ startup ecosystem as an organizer, lecturer and collaborator and dedicates significant time to supporting female entrepreneurs and investors.
Chambless said, “Fenwick is synonymous with technology and the firm’s brand and footprint in the market are unmatched. I am always focused on giving my clients the very best, and I can’t think of a better place than Fenwick. I’m excited to join the new Santa Monica office and help grow the startup and VC practice.”
“Santa Monica has a tremendous startup and investor ecosystem, and one that’s growing considerably,” said Alan Smith, Fenwick corporate chair. “We’re excited to welcome Sarah, a talented startup lawyer deeply enmeshed in the local community, to help meet the increased demand in Los Angeles.”
“Sarah is a wonderful addition to Fenwick and an ideal fit for the type of collegial, collaborative culture we foster,” said Fenwick corporate partner Michael Brown. “We’re committed to making a difference in the tech ecosystem in the greater Los Angeles region, and Sarah is closely connected to the region’s startup and VC communities. It is a natural fit and we look forward to working with Sarah to continue our remarkable growth in the region.”
Fenwick’s Santa Monica office has grown rapidly since opening in early 2019, recently welcoming five new associates to the firm, and now boasts more than 20 professionals in that office.
Fenwick is one of the top U.S. law firms for technology startups - representing more than 2,000 startup and emerging growth companies - and is primary legal counsel to 26 unicorn companies with valuations over $1B.
Fenwick in Los Angeles
Fenwick opened its Santa Monica office in early 2019 to better serve its clients in the Los Angeles region — which include innovative startups, established companies and venture capital investors. Responding to the increased demand from Southern California’s technology, life sciences and investment communities, the firm also partners with incubators and accelerators to support the newest generation of Los Angeles-based innovators.
The office — located at 228 Santa Monica Boulevard — is anchored by corporate partners Michael Brown, Faisal Rashid, Ran Ben-Tzur and Sarah Chambless, and associates Elizabeth Gartland, Thomas Kang, Liz Federowicz, Carson Jackson, Christian Olano, Aaron Ginsburg, Johnny Meraz-Debraine, Melody Khorsandi, Chance Goldberg and Najee Thornton.
One of the world’s top law firms focused on technology and life sciences, Fenwick was recognized among North America’s most innovative law firms by the Financial Times. The firm services the needs of technology and life sciences clients around the globe from its six offices, located in Silicon Valley, San Francisco, Seattle, Shanghai, New York and now Santa Monica.
About Fenwick & West
Fenwick & West LLP provides comprehensive legal services to leading technology and life sciences companies — at every stage of their lifecycle — and the investors that partner with them. We craft innovative, cost-effective and practical solutions in areas ranging from venture capital, public offerings, joint ventures, M&A and strategic relationships, to intellectual property, litigation and dispute resolution, taxation, antitrust and employment and labor law. For more than four decades, Fenwick has helped some of the world's most recognized companies become and remain market leaders. For more information, please visit fenwick.com.