Freshfields hires top M&A partner as Silicon Valley expansion continues

Freshfields has hired M&A partner Aly Love in Silicon Valley, further strengthening its tech and life sciences bench as the firm looks to expand its US corporate footprint.

Love joins from Debevoise and will serve as co-head of US tech & life sciences M&A. She brings experience advising both venture-backed and public companies, as well as growth equity and venture capital funds on investments across the tech and life sciences sectors.

Her hire is the latest move in Freshfields’ continued US expansion strategy, particularly in the Bay Area. The firm opened its Silicon Valley office in 2020 with a high-profile seven-partner launch (with five joining from US rivals), becoming the first Magic Circle firm to establish a presence there in over a decade.

Since then, US revenues overall have more than doubled - notably higher than Magic Circle rivals - and the Silicon Valley practice has landed roles on deals for major names, including advising San Francisco-based fitness tech company Strava on its recent acquisition of UK-founded app Runna, where three Silicon Valley partners were involved.

What they said

"Aly, alongside our extraordinary corporate team in the San Francisco Bay Area, will be a perfect fit with clients", said US managing partner Sarah Solum. "Her experience representing pre- and post-IPO companies, as well as her sensitivities to the needs of venture investors and founders, make her a go-to resource for clients in Silicon Valley and around the globe."

Damien Zoubek, co-head of US corporate and M&A said: "Aly is a force in the tech M&A community", adding "She is widely regarded as one of the leading transactional lawyers in the Bay Area and we are thrilled she has agreed to join our M&A team."

Love joins a roster of recent Bay Area corporate hires for Freshfields, including partners Nicole Cadman (who was GC at world famous tech incubator Y Combinator), Calise Cheng (from Cooley), Denny Kwon (from Covington) and Phillip Stoup (from Latham).