The Milwaukee-based law firm Foley & Lardner LLP recently hired James Chapman as a partner in its Silicon Valley office. Chapman will work with Foley’s private equity and venture capital practice group.
Chapman formerly worked with the Silicon Valley and Palo Alto offices of Nixon Peabody LLP, and helped the firm develop its China practice.
“Foley provides me a unique opportunity to duplicate in Silicon Valley the tremendous success of the Foley Private Equity & Venture Capital practice in other key Foley markets, such as San Diego and Boston,” said Chapman. “I look forward to further growing my practice by leveraging the firm’s national presence and deep team of transactional attorneys, while expanding on the firm’s success in assisting clients with complex matters that arise when doing business in China. Foley’s office in Shanghai and its growing Chinese practice will allow me to enhance the service offerings to my clients.”
Chapman has more than 20 years experience in corporate and securities law and has been involved in more than 200 mergers, acquisitions and financial transactions. He represents emerging growth companies looking to expand domestically and internationally, and the venture capitalists, private equity groups and angels that invest in them.
Chapman has extensive expertise in international and cross-border transactions. He regularly represents Chinese companies looking to raise capital and acquire companies in the U.S., as well as U.S. companies doing business in China through acquisitions, joint ventures, distribution and out-sourcing relationships.
“Jim’s arrival to the firm greatly enhances our venture practice on the West Coast,” said Gabor Garai, chair of Foley’s Private Equity & Venture Capital Practice. “His knowledge of various types of investment funds and substantial experience with international business transactions will be a tremendous asset to our clients, particularly bi-coastal venture funds involved in direct investment work.”
