Dorsey & Whitney LLP

Law Firm Overview

San Francisco was the first of Dorsey’s California offices, opening in 2002. Situated in one of the world’s most visible high technology and life science regions, we are well positioned to meet the legal needs of area businesses. Our clients range from start-up companies, entrepreneurs and research facilities to multinational businesses and prominent universities. These organizations are involved in a wide array of industries such as biotechnology, chemistry and chemical manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, nanotechnology, computer software and hardware, and electrical and mechanical engineering.

In addition to their expertise in legal matters, Dorsey lawyers understand your business. Many of our attorneys hold advanced degrees in biology, biochemistry, molecular biology, chemistry, physics and engineering—and many also have industry experience. We believe that having advisors with current knowledge on bioinformatics, genome discoveries, molecular genetics, pharmacogenomics and other areas of biotechnology, gives our clients a tremendous advantage that can’t be matched by other firms.

In collaboration with our colleagues in Palo Alto and throughout the world, the San Francisco office provides valuable counsel at every stage of your business’ life cycle. If your company’s growth plans call for a new product launch or expansion overseas, for example, our intellectual property lawyers have the necessary scientific and technical backgrounds to accomplish your goals. They’ll provide sophisticated legal counsel when dealing with the IP requirements for domestic, international, multinational and emerging businesses. They’ll advise you about creating, clearing, registering, enforcing, licensing and protecting intellectual property rights worldwide. You can rely on Dorsey’s solid experience in patent, trademark and copyright law, as well as all areas of business and technology law.

Areas of Practice

• Antitrust
• Appellate
• Banking and Commercial
• Benefits and Compensation
• Broker-Dealer/Investment Adviser
• Business Restructuring and Bankruptcy
• Closely Held Businesses
• Commercial Contract Litigation
• Computer Fraud & Abuse
• Construction and Design Group
• Corporate and Securities Law
• Corporate Finance
• Corporate Governance and Compliance
• Corporate Trust Services
• Environmental, Natural Resources & Energy (ENREG)
• ERISA Litigation
• Executive Compensation
• Financial Services Regulatory
• Franchise and Distribution Law
• Funds
• Health
• Health Litigation
• Indian and Gaming Law
• Insurance Law
• Intellectual Property Litigation
• International Arbitration and Litigation
• International Trade
• Iraq Practice
• Labor and Employment
• Legislative
• Mergers and Acquisitions
• Non-Profit and Tax Exempt Organizations
• Patent
• Private Equity
• Products and Technology Liability Litigation
• Professional Malpractice
• Project Development and Finance
• Public Finance
• Real Estate and Land Use
• Securities and Financial Institutions Litigation
• Securitization
• Strategic Litigation
• Tax, Trust and Estate Litigation
• Tax, Trusts and Estates
• Technology Commerce
• Telecommunications
• Trademark, Copyright and Brand Management
• Venture Capital and Emerging Companies
• White Collar Crime and Civil Fraud

West Practice Categories

Antitrust Law, Mergers, Acquisitions & Divestitures, Banking & Finance Law, Public Finance, Bankruptcy Law, Business & Commercial Law, Contracts, Franchising, Secured Transactions, Business Organizations, Closely Held Businesses, Corporate Governance, Non-profit & Tax-exempt Organizations, Telecommunications, Construction Law, Criminal Law, White Collar Crimes, Legislative Practice, Employment Law -- Employee, Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) -- Employee, Pensions, Benefits & Compensations -- Employee, Employment Law -- Employer, Energy Law, Environmental Law, Estate Planning, Trusts, Gaming Law, Health & Health Care Law, Insurance Law, Intellectual Property Law, Copyrights, Patents, Trademarks, Business & Trade, International Arbitration, Labor Law, Litigation & Appeals, Native Peoples Law, Personal Injury -- Defense, Personal Injury -- Plaintiff, Products Liability Law, Professional Malpractice Law, Real Estate Law, Land Use & Zoning, Science & Technology Law, Securities Law, Private Placements, Taxation Law