Cooley Expands in Asia

Hong Kong – July 29, 2019 – 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.

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