(MENLO PARK, Calif.) Jan. 17, 2008 – Heller Ehrman LLP today announced that Michael “Stuart” Pixley has joined Heller Ehrman’s Silicon Valley office in Menlo Park, Calif. as a special counsel in the firm’s Intellectual Property Transactions Practice Group.  Pixley joins Heller Ehrman from the San Francisco office of Baker & McKenzie where he served as partner within that firm’s International Commercial/IT & Communications Group.  He was also an associate in the Business & Technology Group at Brobeck, Phleger & Harrison in that firm’s Palo Alto office.

Pixley’s practice focuses on technology transactions, including the representation of life science, semiconductor, software and other high technology companies.  His practice emphasizes corporate partnering transactions, including technology development and licensing, as well as strategic intellectual property counseling.

“Stuart’s broad transactional experience enhances our overall IP practice,” said Kevin Kelly, chair of Heller Ehrman’s Intellectual Property Transactions practice group.  “His clients highly recommended him, and especially praised his IP knowledge, negotiating skills and client responsiveness.  His addition expands our capabilities within the emerging growth and technology sectors.”

In addition to drafting and negotiating complex technology agreements, Pixley has experience coordinating and conducting IP due diligence and strategic counseling in connection with mergers, acquisitions, spin-offs, strategic investments and IPOs.  Pixley’s clients have included Motorola, Inc., Quest Diagnostics Corporation, Kirin Pharmaceuticals, USA (formerly Gemini Science, Inc.), Kraft, Inc. and Fair Isaac Corporation.

Pixley received a B.A. in Psychology, with honors, from Pitzer College and a J.D. from the University of California, Berkeley, Boalt Hall School of Law.

Heller Ehrman has more than 45 attorneys with sophisticated experience in strategic IP transactions, including IP commercialization; the procurement of technology, data and tools; and manufacturing and business process outsourcing.  The firm’s IP Transactions attorneys have represented clients in a range of technology and business industries, including the life sciences, clean technology, IT, entertainment, defense, communications, healthcare and publishing sectors.

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