Lawyer Monthly Magazine - August 2019 Edition

16 WWW.LAWYER-MONTHLY.COM | AUG 2019 Lawyer Moves recent appointments Linklaters announced that Jonathan Gafni has joined the firm’s Washington, D.C. office as Senior Counsel and Head of US Foreign Investment Practice. Jonathan will focus on representing international clients before the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), the Defense Security Service and other US government authorities responsible for cross-border investment controls. Jonathan has significant government experience having served as deputy national intelligence officer for CFIUS support at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI). He also led US intelligence community support to the CFIUS process as a member of the Senior National Intelligence Service, where he directed the preparation of national security threat analyses of more than 500 cross-border transactions. Jonathan joins the firm from Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom. There has been a rise in global activism in the approach to foreign investment and oversight of certain types of transactions. In the US, new legislation—the Foreign Investment Risk ReviewModernization Act of 2018 (FIRRMA)—has broadened CFIUS’ authority to review certain transactions that were traditionally outside of its purview. Christian Ahlborn, Linklaters’ Global Practice Head for Competition and Antitrust commented, “A veritable ‘arms race’ towards stricter foreign investment controls is in full swing in many jurisdictions and it is having a real impact on timing and strategy for M&A deals. Jonathan brings unparalleled experience to help clients navigate the complex and increasingly unpredictable regulatory environment.” Tom Shropshire, Global Head of Linklaters’ US practice added, “Jonathan will enhance our excellent US and global corporate and competition practices and will give us greater breadth to offer fully integrated advice and assistance on potential foreign investment control risk to clients.” Linklaters Hires Market-Leading CFIUS Lawyer Cooley is continuing its growth in the Asia-Pacific region with the addition of corporate partner Ferish Patel, who will join in Hong Kong. He arrives from Gunderson Dettmer, where he served as head of the firm’s Singapore office. Cooley intends to continue its expansion into Southeast Asia and will pursue setting up a Singapore office to be led by Patel. The opening of such an office will be subject to obtaining regulatory and other approvals. “Ferish is well-known and highly regarded for his extensive experience advising high-growth companies and investment funds in Singapore, India, China and elsewhere across Southeast Asia,” said Mike Lincoln, chair of Cooley's global business department. “His practice is synergistic with our deep commitment to the region and building on our momentum. We are excited to add his strengths to the team.” Patel advises high-growth technology companies at all stages of their life cycle, including through exit. He guides founders, management teams, investment funds and boards of directors on strategic decision-making, private financings and corporate governance issues, as well as IPOs and M&A matters. “I have long been impressed by Cooley’s collaborative approach in delivering success to clients in the US and globally and have been closely watching the firm’s substantial investments in Asia,” Patel said. “I am thrilled to join the team and contribute to our further growth.” For more than 15 years, Patel has represented clients in every major market in Asia, Europe and the US. Based in Asia for the last nine years, he has practiced in New York, India, Hong Kong and Singapore. Patel, who is US and Hong Kong qualified, began his career at Simpson Thacher in New York and previously has practiced at Davis Polk. Following the success of Cooley’s Shanghai and Beijing offices, which opened in 2011 and 2018, respectively, the firm launched in Hong Kong earlier this year. In April, the Law Society of Hong Kong approved Cooley HK as a registered foreign law firm and its entry into an association with Cai, Lee & Partners, which Patel also joins as a partner. Cooley represents some of Asia’s most innovative and dynamic technology and life sciences companies, advising on financings, M&A, joint venture, capital markets and other strategic transactions. In addition, Cooley has helped more than 80 fund managers in Asia form 100+ venture capital and private equity funds. It was named Investment Funds International Firm of the Year at the China Law & Practice Awards and has been broadly recognized for its powerhouse technology, life sciences and venture capital practices. Cooley Expands in Asia