Pillsbury Expands Emerging Companies & Venture Capital Capabilities in London, Adds Corporate Tech Partner Sarah Melaney

“With strong financial infrastructure and easy access to markets in Europe and beyond, London has established itself as an increasingly important part for the startup ecosystem,” said Firm Chair David Dekker. “The UK has become the third most valuable venture economy in the world according to reports, and our own interactions with entrepreneur and investor clients reflect that same enthusiasm. With Sarah on board, we can better serve emerging companies and venture capital funds in London while also providing valuable expertise to U.S. clients looking to expand their businesses internationally.”

Melaney’s practice focuses on advising high-growth companies and investors on their investment rounds, scale-ups, exits including trade sales and IPOs, and general corporate governance matters. Recognized by both Chambers UK and Legal 500 UK—in which she is described as “one of, if not the best in [the venture capital] space”—Melaney often serves as general counsel to startup clients, providing strategic guidance on all manner of commercial issues. Her sector expertise is equally diverse, spanning technology, life sciences, foodtech, cleantech and climate tech, with an emphasis on impact investing. She also has valuable experience with listings on the Alternative Investment Market (AIM) and the main market of the London Stock Exchange. Over the course of her career, Melaney has been especially active on behalf of women founders.

“Sarah is an important addition to our startup and venture capital practice,” said Steve Ryan, leader of the firm’s Emerging Companies & Venture Capital practice. “As our international base of ECVC clients expands, Sarah will be an incredibly helpful resource, bringing deep connections with key players in the UK startup scene, a history of success for emerging companies, and significant experience advising clients transitioning into the U.S. market. I am thrilled to welcome her to our team.”

Pillsbury’s Emerging Companies & Venture Capital team counsels high-growth enterprises and venture capital investors around the globe. In addition to Melaney’s arrival, the firm has also welcomed numerous other notable practitioners to the group of late. In just the past few weeks, Pillsbury announced the additions of VC Investment Funds partner David Holland in Washington, DC and Life Sciences & Digital Health-focused ECVC partner Steven Green in Silicon Valley.

Similarly rapid growth has occurred in Pillsbury’s London office generally, where the firm has welcomed six new partners in just over 18 months. This includes Restructuring practitioner Natasha Atkinson; Hamid Yunis, a Corporate and M&A lawyer who is particularly active in the healthcare and life sciences space and is known for helping global clients navigate highly complex transactions; Laurence Lieberman, a cross-border disputes partner embedded in the Indian and Israeli markets; Audrey Koh, a Corporate Investigations & White Collar Defence practitioner; Korea-focused International Trade partner Sungbum Lee, who splits time between Washington, DC, and London; and Gawain Hughes, an Investment Funds partner with a stellar reputation for work on secondary and co-investment deals.

“Pillsbury’s standout reputation in the technology and startup worlds has always been a key component of who we are, and Sarah fits perfectly with that identity,” said London office managing partner Matthew Oresman. “She is the latest impressive practitioner to join us amidst a steady stream of them over the past year-and-a-half, which is a testament to the global clientele we represent and the trust they continually put in us. We’re excited to keep up the positive momentum.”

“I am so happy to be a part of Pillsbury and look forward to getting fully integrated with my new team here,” Melaney added. “This is a top-notch global law firm and a “name brand” when it comes to Emerging Companies & Venture Capital work. Given that incredible platform, and in tandem with the long list of exceptional practitioners here, I can’t imagine being anywhere else.”

Ranked as one of the most active law firms for VC financings in the world, Pillsbury’s Emerging Companies & Venture Capital team counsels high-growth enterprises and venture capital investors around the globe. The firm takes shoestring startups to market-leading positions, advising clients through venture financings, technology transactions and strategic partnerships, and helping clients navigate through exit strategies, including initial public offerings and strategic acquisitions.

With English and U.S. law capabilities, Pillsbury’s London office helps clients navigate high-stakes and cross-border disputes, transactions and regulatory issues across Europe and throughout the Americas, Asia, the Middle East and Africa.