Freshfields is to open an office in Silicon Valley to advise technology companies and life sciences businesses in a rare move for a UK-based firm. 

The new office will focus on corporate and M&A, employee benefits, regulatory and litigation, and will be run by seven partners, joining from Davis Polk, Sidley Austin, Latham & Watkins and Wilson Sonsini.

Freshfields’ chair Edward Braham said Silicon Valley is ‘one of the most dynamic areas in the world’, and fuels global innovation. ‘The impact and strategic importance of technology and life sciences businesses will only continue to grow and advisers who can provide strategic counsel on key domestic issues within a global context will be highly prized. We are thrilled to have five of the country’s top corporate and litigation lawyers from the Bay Area join us to deliver the firm and its expertise seamlessly in Northern California,’ he said.

Ethan Klingsberg, partner and head of U.S. corporate and M&A, added: ‘Combining this dream team of talent with our global platform and our high-powered teams in New York and DC enables us to respond to the needs of Bay Area clients. These needs are global, complex and demanding of constant focus and creativity.’

Few London head-quartered firms have offices in California, with the majority of City practices focusing on New York and Washington DC. None of the other magic circle firms currently has offices in Silicon Valley.