Pestana Joins Paul Hastings as Partner in San Francisco
Advisor - People | Mar 31, 2025 | Paul Hasting
Paul Hastings LLP has announced the addition of Mike Pestana as a partner in its San Francisco office. Pestana is renowned for his focus on company-side representation and will bring his expertise to the firm's Emerging Companies & Venture Capital practice, further strengthening their footprint in Northern California and globally. Formerly from Wilson Sonsini, Pestana has extensive experience in guiding companies from startup through to pre-IPO stages, handling strategic transactions such as private financings, secondary transactions, tender offers, and acquisitions. He will also serve as outside general counsel providing business and legal advice to entrepreneurs. Pestana's appointment is part of Paul Hastings' strategy to enhance their ECVC capabilities in key growth sectors like technology and life sciences. This move coincides with the firm's broader efforts to expand in the technology and life sciences arenas, highlighted by recent strategic investments and the launch of a new Technology Transactions practice.
Sectors
- Legal Services
- Venture Capital
- Technology and Life Sciences
Geography
- United States – The activities and strategic hiring at Paul Hastings are centered in the United States, particularly highlighting their offices in Northern California.
- California – The article focuses on Paul Hastings' operations in California, specifically the addition of Mike Pestana in the San Francisco office.
Industry
- Legal Services – Paul Hastings LLP is enhancing its capabilities in legal services, specifically focusing on emerging companies and venture capital.
- Venture Capital – The focus of the article is on Paul Hastings' expansion in the venture capital sector, with strategic additions to its Emerging Companies & Venture Capital practice.
- Technology and Life Sciences – Paul Hastings is targeting growth in the technology and life sciences sectors, which is a strategic priority for their expanded ECVC platform.
Financials
Participants
| Name | Role | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paul Hastings LLP | law firm expanding its Venture Capital practice | Company | A law firm expanding its Emerging Companies & Venture Capital practice in Northern California. |
| Mike Pestana | new partner focusing on Emerging Companies & Venture Capital | Person | Recently joined Paul Hastings LLP as a partner in their San Francisco office, focusing on strategic deals and company representation from startup to pre-IPO stages. |
| Frank Lopez | Chair of Paul Hastings | Person | Chair of Paul Hastings who commented on the strategic nature of the new hire. |
| Wilson Sonsini | Former employer of Mike Pestana | Company | A law firm where Mike Pestana was previously employed. |
| Culture Biosciences, Future Family, Napster, Noetica, Reshop | Clients | Company | Clients of Mike Pestana spanning various stages in the startup ecosystem. |