News
Leading Capital Markets Partner Calise Cheng Joins Freshfields in Silicon Valley
Move reinforces the firm’s unparalleled resources for technology companies across the corporate lifecycle.
Silicon Valley (December 5, 2024) – In a move that reinforces its position as the premier law firm for tech clients, Freshfields announced today that prominent corporate lawyer Calise Cheng has joined the firm’s capital markets group as a partner in Silicon Valley.
Calise represents companies at all stages of their lifecycle, from startup to mega-cap, as well as venture capital firms and other institutional investors. Her corporate practice includes IPOs and other public offerings, venture-backed private financings, governance and disclosure matters.
U.S. Managing Partner and U.S. Head of Capital Markets Sarah Solum said: “Calise has led numerous IPOs, direct listings and other transactions for category-defining companies in the technology sector. I have had the opportunity to work across the table from her on numerous fast-paced and complicated deals over the last several years and hold her in the highest regard. She’s a true leader in the profession and a calming, confidence-inspiring presence on deal teams. We’re excited to bring her sought-after expertise and guidance to our team and clients.”
Co-head of the firm’s U.S. Corporate and M&A practice Ethan Klingsberg added: “Calise’s leadership in board rooms, exemplary corporate law skillset and experience supporting important tech companies on demanding projects make her a perfect fit in the mosaic of value-additive resources that we are providing to clients.”
Recent tech sector transactions led by Freshfields include representation of:
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Publicly listed software clients, such as Coupa, PowerSchool, PropertyGuru, Qualtrics and Zuora, in sale transactions to private equity buyers in the largest tech sector take-private transactions of the last couple of years
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Acquiror clients, such as Crowdstrike, eBay, Ericsson, Keysight Technologies, ServiceNow and Uber on cutting-edge strategic M&A
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Clients in capital markets and finance transactions for eBay, EVgo, Oracle, Roku, Samsara, TriNet, Turo, Verkada and Viant Technologies on billions of dollars of proceeds from equity and debt issuances.
Calise is repeatedly recognized as a leading capital markets lawyer by news outlets and legal publications, including Chambers USA. She was named Attorney of the Year by The Recorder in 2022. Her capital markets work includes high-profile IPOs and direct listings for Allbirds, Asana, Block (f/k/a Square), Freshworks, Rubrik, Splunk and Zoom.
On joining the firm, Calise noted: “What Freshfields has accomplished for tech clients, both in the U.S. and globally, since opening its Silicon Valley Office four years ago has taken the Valley by storm. I’ve been watching Freshfields’ momentum and success with awe, and I’m thrilled to join my new colleagues in providing practical solutions and exceptional support to clients around the world.”
“We have established a destination practice for tech clients in the U.S. and around the world. I have seen Calise’s career continue to reach new heights over the last two decades and am delighted that she has chosen to join forces with us in bringing unparalleled resources to clients — both locally and globally — on demanding corporate, regulatory and litigation projects,” said Global Co-head of Tech, Media and Telecom Boris Feldman.
Calise joining Freshfields follows a wave a new additions to its U.S. capital markets practice, including the recent additions of partners Phillip Stoup in Silicon Valley, Chris DeCresce and Jackie Marino in New York, and David Boles in London. In addition to joining alongside employee benefits & executive compensation partner Heather Brookfield today, the firm’s Silicon Valley office recently added M&A partner Denny Kwon, private equity partner Eva Mak, and emerging company partner Nicole Cadman.
