Global law firm Reed Smith announced today that noted transactional lawyer Teresa M. L. Tate has joined the firm’s Global Corporate Group as a partner based in its San Francisco office and the chair of the firm’s U.S. Emerging Growth / Venture Capital team.
Tate brings to Reed Smith a stellar 20-plus year track record advising private and public companies on complex mergers, acquisitions, dispositions, divestitures and other material business transactions. She has served as a trusted advisor to founders and startups at all stages, from pre-incorporation counseling to advising multibillion dollar companies on a range of business issues across several industries, including enterprise software, e-commerce, digital media, AI, financial services, healthcare, consumer products, and autonomous vehicles.
In addition, Tate represents investors including venture capital funds, private equity firms, and angel investors in connection with their investments in private companies and has led countless financing transactions from early seed stage to pre-IPO, with valuations of several million to several billion, on both the company-side and the investor-side of the transactions. Her practice also includes counseling clients in connection with establishing and developing corporate venture capital programs, including investment strategy, market considerations, transaction execution, and internal processes.
“With over 31 offices across the globe, Reed Smith offers clients a truly seamless, full-service international platform, which increasingly has become a necessity for high-growth clients and venture capital investors. I’ve had the opportunity to work with Reed Smith lawyers on various transactions over the years and consistently have been impressed by the firm’s investment in innovation and commitment to client service and client value, all while delivering best-in-class legal services,” said Tate. “In addition to the clear synergies with my practice, the firm’s extraordinary leadership team, lived core values and commitment to supporting individuals from underrepresented groups have deeply resonated with me.”
Tate added “I am looking forward to working with my new colleagues to continue building a world-class practice centered on providing clients with top-flight counsel on the unique issues they will face as they continue to grow and invest in transformational new business, technologies and opportunities.”
As the chair of the firm’s U.S. Emerging Growth / Venture Capital team, Tate will drive strategic initiatives designed to strengthen Reed Smith’s capabilities in serving the dynamic needs of growth-stage companies and investors in the startup ecosystem. With a deep understanding of the legal complexities surrounding venture capital financing, mergers and acquisitions, and corporate governance, Tate will lean on the firm’s broad capabilities in areas such as litigation, intellectual property, data privacy, technology transactions, and employment law in sectors including healthcare, entertainment, and media to deliver innovative solutions and exceptional results for the firm’s clients.
“Teresa is a dynamic lawyer with an outstanding reputation for guiding clients though complex mergers and acquisitions and significant financings, especially in the tech sector,” said Matthew Mohn, co-chair of Reed Smith’s Global Corporate Group. “Teresa’s proven leadership and unwavering commitment to client success make her an invaluable addition to our team. Under her guidance, we are confident that Reed Smith will continue to provide top-tier legal counsel and support to entrepreneurs, investors, and emerging businesses. We are thrilled to welcome Teresa to the firm and are excited for her to lead our Emerging Growth / Venture Capital team across our 18 offices in the United States.”
Tate is the latest transactional partner to join Reed Smith’s California offices since the beginning of 2023, following private equity partners Timothy Rupp (who joined from Morgan Lewis) and Christopher Raidy (who joined from Kirkland & Ellis) in Orange County. These additions, as well as the firm’s already robust corporate talent across its five California offices, reinforces the importance of the region and the corporate practice as strategic priorities for the firm.
“We have been actively recruiting top talent throughout California, with a particular interest in expanding our corporate presence and bringing on lawyers who complement our existing capabilities in practices such as data privacy, IP, health care, employment, real estate and finance,” said Paul Pitts, Reed Smith’s San Francisco office managing partner. “Given her robust experience, skillset, and leadership attributes, Teresa’s arrival demonstrates our continued commitment to growing our capabilities in California.”
Tate joins Reed Smith from Morrison & Foerster LLP. She earned a J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center and a B.A. from Wellesley College.
About Reed Smith
Reed Smith is a dynamic international law firm dedicated to helping clients move their businesses forward. With an inclusive culture and innovative mindset, we deliver smarter, more creative legal services that drive better outcomes for our clients. Our deep industry knowledge, long-standing relationships and collaborative structure make us the go-to partner for complex disputes, transactions, and regulatory matters.
For more information, please visit www.reedsmith.com.