Osborne Clarke continues US expansion push

The firm aims to reinforce relationships with companies based in North America who are looking to expand globally. With offices across Europe and Asia and a vast international network, the firm is the ideal partner for US companies looking for support with their international legal needs.

Building upon its success to date, Osborne Clarke is investing in their operations in Silicon Valley, San Francisco, and New York City with two key appointments.

At the start of August, Emily Jones, a technology lawyer with vast experience working with American companies, will become head of the Silicon Valley and San Francisco offices succeeding Steve Wilson. Beginning in September, Steve Wilson will move to New York City to oversee East Coast operations.

Emily commented, “Having worked with US technology companies for a number of years, I understand the importance of providing practical business advice to address compliance with EU data protection laws. Companies need to understand how they can transfer data to the U.S post-Safe Harbor, and the challenges on the horizon with the new EU General Data Protection Regulation as it will have a big impact on the way they do business.

“Our team will continue to support leading tech, media and comms companies on all aspects of their overseas expansion and growth in EurAsia – often starting with our EU in a Box package through to global advice focussed on employment, licensing, privacy, disputes, and transactions.”

Since opening its Silicon Valley and San Francisco offices in 2000, Osborne Clarke has supported over 500 companies with their expansion and growth into overseas markets. The firm represents the most exciting start-up companies as well as many of the world’s leading technology companies based on the US West Coast e.g. Facebook and GoPro. Sian Story will continue to lead the firm’s international expansion team where she has supported US clients on their global growth for the last six years.

Following more than nine years of experience working in Silicon Valley and San Francisco, Steve Wilson will move to Manhattan to head up the East Coast operations from New York City. Steve will be in situ in early September and plans to establish a permanent team on the ground.

“This is a great opportunity to leverage the work of the New York team to date and combine my extensive experience working with North American companies. The Manhattan market, and particularly Silicon Alley, is a major strategic focus for the firm for targeting AdTech, digital media, FinTech, and internet businesses,” said Steve.

Simon Beswick, international CEO, Osborne Clarke, commented:

“US businesses continue to be very important in many of our key sectors, either as market leaders, homes of rapid growth, innovators or investors. We are keen to support them on the ground in the cities and markets where they are the busiest. For companies looking to expand their Eurasia business, we can particularly add value through our unrivalled mix of sector understanding, legal expertise, commerciality, and local market knowledge.”