O'Melveny Adds Cross-Border Corporate Partner with Deep Experience in the Israel Technology Sector to Lead Israel Practice

SILICON VALLEY, Calif., Sept. 12, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Einat Meisel, a leading transactional lawyer in the Israeli-related technology and life sciences sectors, is joining O'Melveny's Silicon Valley office as Chair of the Israel Practice and a partner in the Mergers & Acquisition Practice. She was previously a partner, member of the Executive Committee, and head of the Cross-Border Practice at Gross, Kleinhendler, Hodak, Halevy, Greenberg & Co. (GKH) one of Israel's leading law firms.

As a member of both the Israel and California bars, Meisel will expand the reach of O'Melveny's Israel Practice, which advises US companies and investors doing business in Israel, particularly in the technology and life sciences sectors, and Israeli entrepreneurs, companies, and investors doing business outside Israel. O'Melveny's Israel Practice includes US and Israeli venture capital, private equity, and hedge funds, publicly listed and private companies, venture-backed companies, and entrepreneurs engaged in cross-border transactions involving Israel. Members of O'Melveny's Israel Practice include lawyers who are admitted to the Israel Bar with significant experience in corporate and transactional work involving Israel.

Meisel has advised companies on their mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, strategic alliances, and divestitures. She also has experience in venture capital financings, private placements of equity and debt, spin-outs, recapitalizations, and other corporate reorganizations. In addition, she regularly counsels boards of directors on governance, equity incentive plans and arrangements, employment matters, intellectual property issues, and commercial transactions.

"O'Melveny's global network will allow me to grow my practice and focus on helping US companies increase their cross-border business in Israel, China, and other markets around the world, while also advising Israeli companies in a variety of US transactions," Meisel said. "I'm excited to return to the Silicon Valley and advise both emerging growth and established companies as they capitalize on the rapidly growing opportunity for cross-border transactions in these markets."

Israel is widely considered one of the world's most important ecosystems for emerging growth companies. In 2015, Israeli technology companies attracted more than US$4.4 billion from local and foreign investors across more than 700 transactions; and in the first quarter of 2016 alone, 173 Israeli emerging growth companies raised nearly US$1.1 billion in funding from global private investors, according to a report by IVC Research Center and KPMG Somekh Chaikin. With China and Israel engaged in negotiations for a bilateral free-trade agreement, those numbers only stand to grow.

"O'Melveny lawyers, both in the US and in our Asia practice, often work on transactions that involve Israel for some of the firm's biggest clients, and we've only seen the demand increasing for access into the Israeli technology sector," said Bradley J. Butwin, Chair of O'Melveny. "Einat is well respected for her extensive knowledge and experience in this space and for her technical ability and pragmatic approach to her clients' businesses. We're thrilled to welcome her to our Silicon Valley office."

Meisel received her bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Indiana University and her law degree from Chicago Kent College of Law. Following law school, she moved to San Francisco where she developed an interest in working with entrepreneurs and international technology companies, particularly Israeli-related technology businesses. She served as in-house counsel for Influence, Inc., a medical device company founded by Israeli entrepreneurs, which was acquired by American Medical Systems. Meisel also cofounded the California-Israel Chamber of Commerce, a Silicon Valley-based nonprofit dedicated to strengthening business and trade relations between California and Israel.

SOURCE O'Melveny & Myers LLP

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