Palo Alto, CA (March 16, 2011) – Making another major addition to its global M&A practice, Morrison & Foerster LLP is pleased to announce that David Lipkin has joined the firm’s Palo Alto office as a partner in the Corporate Group. Mr. Lipkin has practiced in Silicon Valley for 12 years, representing a variety of public and private companies, primarily in the technology and life sciences sectors, in over 150 M&A transactions.  Mr. Lipkin has also represented a variety of global and national investment banking firms in connection with their investment advisory and fairness opinion activities.  Previously, Mr. Lipkin served as both associate general counsel and chief information officer with a subsidiary of Xerox Corporation, and practiced corporate law in San Francisco.

“David’s arrival coincides with a period of remarkable success for Morrison’s global, market-leading M&A practice.  Over the last year we have substantially expanded our M&A firepower with the arrival of other top deal advisors such as Spencer Klein in New York, Hendrik Jordaan in Denver and most recently, Michael O’Donnell in Palo Alto,” said Morrison & Foerster Chair Keith Wetmore.  "Meanwhile, the deal market continues to gain momentum, and Morrison & Foerster is right in the middle of the action. We've worked on some of the largest and most noteworthy M&A transactions in technology, healthcare and consumer products in the past year.  David makes an excellent addition to our deal team, and his Silicon Valley practice helps demonstrate our continuing commitment to that critical market."

Scott Stanton, chair of Morrison & Foerster's Corporate Group, added, “We are extremely pleased to welcome David to the Corporate Group in Palo Alto, which continues to attract top talent.  David’s experience in leading significant and complex M&A transactions, both public and private, will enrich our thriving M&A practice and provide us with opportunities for further growth. David’s skill set and his deep expertise are excellent complements to our practice, particularly in Silicon Valley, and we look forward to his contributions as a member of our M&A Strategy Committee, which is comprised of the leaders of our M&A practice.”

Mr. Lipkin commented, “Morrison & Foerster has an outstanding global platform with specific technology and life sciences sector prominence and outstanding global reach and capabilities.  In addition, the firm is well recognized for advising on large M&A transactions, including recent high-profile deals for Intel, VMWare, and Astellas, as well as two transactions announced this week – Hitachi and Terumo.  I welcome the opportunity to assist my new colleagues in further growing the M&A practice."

Mr. Lipkin received his J.D., cum laude, in 1981 from the University of Michigan Law School, where he was elected to the Order of the Coif. He earned a B.A. in Economics from Cornell University in 1978.  He is an active member of the American Bar Association’s M&A Committee and the Vice-Chair of its Technology Subcommittee, and has lectured on the latest developments in M&A practice, including with the Practising Law Institute. He joins from Cooley LLP.