People

Attilio Mazzilli Partner

Milano

Attilio è un profondo conoscitore dell’ecosistema tech sia nazionale che internazionale. La sua attività si concentra principalmente sulla consulenza legale in materia di fusioni e acquisizioni (M&A) sia cross-border che nazionali, di operazioni di private equity e venture capital.

Attilio ha una comprovata esperienza nell'assistenza a società nazionali e multinazionali, nonché a fondi di private equity, in operazioni di M&A e di investimento. Grazie alla sua spiccata comprensione delle dinamiche del mondo tech, è diventato un punto di riferimento per le società che devono stare al passo con le evoluzioni del mercato sfruttando al meglio le opportunità derivanti da investimenti e dalle operazioni di M&A, con l’obiettivo di facilitare crescita, innovazione e vantaggio competitivo in un panorama commerciale complesso.

Nel più ampio contesto dell'innovazione, Attilio affianca società Tech e fondi di Venture Capital sotto ogni profilo legale, supportando i clienti ad identificare e valutare le potenziali opportunità di investimento, in particolare in settori a rapida crescita e innovazione. Grazie alla sua conoscenza approfondita delle tendenze di mercato e delle complessità legate allo processo di sviluppo di una startup, Attilio affianca gli investitori nel processo di allocazione efficace del loro capitale.

Attilio affianca inoltre le società tech in tutte le fasi del loro ciclo di vita, dalle fasi seed di raccolta ai round più avanzati come i serie A e B, fino alle possibili exit. La sua consulenza copre la pianificazione strategica, la corporate governance e gli aspetti regolamentari. Attilio offre supporto su misura per aiutare queste startup a scalare la propria idea, perfezionare i modelli di business e attrarre ulteriori investimenti. La sua esperienza è importante anche per preparare queste società a vari scenari di exit, attraverso acquisizioni, fusioni o IPO, garantendo che i fondatori e gli investitori realizzino il pieno valore delle loro imprese.

Colleen McDuffie Partner

Washington, D.C.

She brings a deep understanding of what drives innovative companies and a market reputation for efficiently and effectively getting intellectual property transactions and other complex commercial deals done.

Colleen counsels companies at all stages, from startups to Fortune 100, on the technology license and development agreements that drive their businesses, the strategic alliances that grow their industry relationships, and any other technology- and IP-driven agreements that are needed so companies can meet their business goals.

Colleen has extensive experience drafting and negotiating a wide variety of complex commercial agreements, including: intellectual property and data licenses; software development and license agreements; IT-focused services agreements, including consulting, development, hosting, and various “as-a-service” agreements; manufacturing and distribution agreements; joint venture and joint development agreements; and technology and intellectual property acquisition and disposition agreements. She also provides advice in connection with intellectual property and technology matters attendant to M&A and other corporate transactions.

She brings deep experience in the mobility technologies space, from connected vehicles and their supporting IT platforms to clean fuel technologies. She also has extensive experience in semiconductor design and fabrication, satellites and space technologies, telecommunications, and adtech.

Colleen has been involved in numerous pro bono activities, including: volunteering with voting rights and voter protection organizations; advising Georgetown’s Halcyon House social entrepreneurship fellows on intellectual property matters; hosting a start-up IP licensing webinar; and drafting and negotiating agreements for a PSA supporting equal wages for women.

Before becoming an attorney, Colleen spent several years working as a computer hardware and software engineer and performing research at a scientific think tank.

Andrea Mezzetti Of Counsel

Roma

Andrea lavora da 20 anni nel mondo dell'Information Technology & Communications, e fornisce consulenza a clienti nazionali ed internazionali sia in materia regolamentare che su tematiche di natura commerciale. Con una comprovata esperienza in materia di contrattualistica nel mondo tech, Andrea affianca primari player di settore con particolare riferimento agli aspetti normativi delle nuove tecnologie e alla redazione e negoziazione di contratti strategici per il lancio di nuove tipologie di servizi e accordi specifici di settore.

In qualità di esperto della materia, Andrea è spesso invitato a partecipare a numerosi tavoli tecnici presso Autorità indipendenti e ministeriali, ed è membro di diverse associazioni di settore. È altresì regolarmente invitato da prestigiose università italiane a tenere lezioni su argomenti legati al diritto della tecnologia.

Andrea è autore di numerosi paper e approfondimenti sulla materia. Collabora regolarmente con numerose riviste nazionali e internazionali, redigendo articoli su temi legati alle telecomunicazioni, alla tutela dei consumatori e alla tecnologia. Partecipa in qualità di relatore a diversi convegni, seminari e master riguardanti il settore TMT in Italia.

Benedikt Migdal Partner

Düsseldorf

Benedikt advises on structuring and negotiating the IP aspects of corporate transactions, including M&A, divestments and venture investments as well as of commercial transactions where intellectual property rights and know-how are key assets. His work encompasses, for example, IP licensing and technology transfer agreements, engineering services agreements, transition services agreements, R&D collaborations, and IP aspects of contracts throughout the life sciences sector.

Benedikt is also an experienced patent and trade secret litigator and has represented German and international clients from a range of industries in complex disputes, especially concerning patents and know-how in the fields of mobile telecommunication/connectivity and the life sciences.

Based on his extensive experience in both IP transactions and litigation, he deeply understands the full range of legal and economical issues that technology-driven companies are challenged with in context with IP. This also includes IP-related competition law issues, such as FRAND-requirements for licensing and enforcing standard essential patents as well as issues arising in connection with EU regulations concerning technology transfers.

Anri Nakamoto Partner

Tokyo; Washington, D.C.

Anri brings a combination of unique skills and attributes which, collectively, make him essential to both maintaining and growing Orrick's longstanding successful practice representing Japanese clients in high-value IP litigation matters as well as serving Orrick's clients worldwide who have needs in Japan.  Unlike the limited role of most lawyers in Japan who focus on U.S. IP litigation to client relationship management, Anri is adept at both client relationship and substantive litigation work including briefing and taking witness at trials.  

In addition to many patent cases at district courts, USITC and before the US Patent and Trademark Office, Anri is also an experienced practitioner in international arbitration practice. Most recently, he played a huge role in a massive international arbitration matter, which resulted in a complete victory for his client.

Rachel Nghe Associate

Silicon Valley

Rachel's practice is focused on her client's transactional technology and intellectual property needs. Rachel represents clients at all stages of their life cycles and in a variety of technology-driven industries, including SaaS, artificial intelligence, gaming, entertainment, and media. Rachel has experience drafting commercial, licensing and other intellectual property and technology agreements. She also assists clients with intellectual property issues in connection with mergers and acquisitions.

Prior to joining Orrick, Rachel spent three years working on the commercial and product counseling teams at Dropbox, Inc., and two years with the Department of Justice Anti-trust division. She was also an active member of the ChIPs Network focusing on advancing and connecting women in technology, law and policy while she was in law school.

T. Vann Pearce, Jr. Partner

Washington, D.C.

Vann litigates in forums throughout the country. He has won several inter partes review proceedings before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board. He has secured favorable jury verdicts in Federal and state courts in Delaware, Florida, Maryland, and Texas. Multiple wins on behalf of his clients at the U.S. International Trade Commission in Section 337 investigations have earned recognition with “Disputes Deal of the Year” awards. And he has crafted winning strategies and briefs in precedent-setting Federal Circuit appeals.  

A chemical engineer by training, Vann is a member of the Patent Bar. His representations involve a broad range of technology fields, including semiconductors, artificial intelligence, consumer electronics, 3D printing, automotive technologies, digital imaging, cryptocurrency, and batteries. His clients are based worldwide, including a significant portion from Japan and China. Vann frequently travels to Asia to speak on key developments in intellectual property law.

Patent infringement litigation is central to Vann’s practice, but he also has handled breach of contract, trade secret misappropriation, antitrust, tortious interference, false advertising, civil theft, and bankruptcy matters. Many of his matters involve a complex mix of claims and counterclaims across legal disciplines, where he employs his strategic judgment to navigate competing risks.

While his practice focuses on litigation and dispute resolution, Vann also advices clients on patent licensing, portfolio development, and intellectual property due diligence. Vann co-founded Orrick’s cross-practice 3D printing initiative.

Vann has served the Firm in key leadership roles. In 2022-2023, Vann served as the Chief Practice Officer for the firm's IP & Litigation Business Units, which comprise nearly 400 attorneys globally. His responsibilities included oversight of the units' financial performance, business planning and execution, and lawyer recruiting. Vann also previously served as the firm’s U.S. Law School Hiring Partner, overseeing entry-level hiring nationwide.

Radhika K Raman Managing Associate

Santa Monica; Los Angeles

She serves as a strategic advisor to emerging companies and venture capital funds, helping them navigate complex challenges in various industries, including digital media and entertainment technology, artificial intelligence services, and crypto/blockchain infrastructure.

Radhika’s practice includes:

• Drafting, reviewing, and negotiating a wide range of commercial contracts
• Brokering, negotiating, and drafting strategic alliance and partnership deals and agreements
• Advising startups through venture funding rounds and strategic growth initiatives
• Supporting venture funds during investments by completing intellectual property and commercial due diligence on portfolio companies
• Providing counsel on buy-side and sell-side mergers and acquisitions based on intellectual property and commercial considerations
• Advising on product development, commercialization, and data privacy strategies
• Navigating intellectual property licensing and protection

Radhika adopts a practical approach, focusing on delivering business-driven legal advice tailored to her clients' risk tolerance and stage of growth. Her hands-on involvement fosters strong relationships, enabling clients to concentrate on innovation while she addresses their legal needs efficiently and effectively.

Before her legal career, Radhika worked in the technology sector, where she held both hardware engineering and sales engineering roles. She also practiced as an intellectual property litigator, equipping her with a strong foundation in IP strategy and risk management.

Taylor Ranfos Associate

Boston

Taylor represents clients at all stages of their life cycles and in a variety of technology and science-driven industries, including cleantech, SaaS, gaming, energy, hardware, entertainment, Internet, media, semiconductor and media.

Taylor has experience drafting commercial, licensing and other intellectual property and technology agreements. She also assists clients with intellectual property issues in connection with a range of large commercial transactions, including mergers and acquisitions and strategic investments

Faraaz Samadi Partner

Londra

He has significant experience in identifying and resolving issues which arise in cross-border technology transactions involving Europe, the U.S. and Asia, having worked in London, Singapore and Shanghai.

Faraaz regularly advises clients on technology service agreements, website terms and conditions, data privacy, renegotiations, intellectual property Iicensing and strategic alliances.

He has represented companies in a wide range of industries including software development, satellite and space, mining and resources, mobile, healthcare, digital marketing, automotive, ride-hailing and logistics.

Sarah Schaedler Partner

San Francisco

Sarah’s practice focuses on structuring and negotiating the intellectual property aspects of complex corporate transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, business divestitures and commercial transactions where software and technology are the principal assets. Sarah also advises on intellectual property and technology contracts related questions in the context of Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Sarah routinely advises on carve-outs and business separation transactions and helps clients with structuring and implementing their intellectual property and technology separation roadmap.

Sarah has counseled several companies in their preparation for a divestiture and understands the issues a buyer is focused on in the context of intellectual property matters. She regularly helps companies implement remediation steps around their intellectual property assets to help them to a successful closing.

She has significant experience advising private equity funds on investments involving companies that are driven by technology & innovation, as well as intellectual property reliant consumer product companies and companies that are stepping into digitalization.

Sarah is also a member of Orrick’s AI leadership group and involved in thought leadership projects related to AI matters on corporate transactions.

Educated and trained in Germany, France and the United States, Sarah’s international experience provides her with additional knowledge on cross-border transactions and international matters.

Dr. Christian Schröder Partner

Düsseldorf

Christian helps clients consider the privacy and artificial intelligence implications of new technology, supports their compliance programs, and helps them stay ahead of enforcement trends. One particular focus of his work deals with internal data transfer agreements, external data transfers with external providers, and product launches that comply with international data protection standards, as well as privacy requirements for connected cars. Furthermore, Christian provides guidance on privacy and data protection considerations for developing, acquiring, using, licensing and selling technology, data and intellectual property, including M&A transactions and IP focused joint ventures. He supports companies on the set-up of webshops, outsourcings, license agreements, in cases of trademark or unfair and deceptive trade practice issues, as well as on hard and software license and information technology (IT) project agreements.

Christian maintains strong working relationships with German data protection authorities and EU regulatory authorities with jurisdiction over privacy and data security matters. He effectively defends companies in cybersecurity and privacy-related investigations initiated by EU regulatory authorities. He also engages with authorities on behalf of clients and helps clients avoid proceedings and possible litigation. When litigation can't be avoided, Christian vigorously defends his clients.

For companies facing global cybersecurity incidents, Christian helps with crisis mitigation, including counseling on notification requirements, coordinating media strategies, and representing clients before data protection authorities in related regulatory investigations.

Christian regularly contributes practical thought leadership to global privacy industry publications and German privacy books and journals. Christian authors the Chapter V (international data transfers) of Germany’s leading GDPR commentary Kühling/Buchner (4th ed.) and is co-author to the Corporate Privacy Handbook (Betrieblicher Datenschutz). As an active member of the Sedona Conference, Christian drives the development and understanding of cross border privacy. He also participates in, hosts and moderates speaking programs with fellow private practitioners, EU data protection authorities, and academics focused on privacy and data security. Legal 500 Germany named Christian one of the top 15 practitioners in 2023 and noted that he is "a pioneer in the legal field, a data protection guru." They also recognized Christian and Orrick as "truly global" and how that it is "vital as they require the various leaders of each region to participate and bring issues to the table as a forum".

Prior to working in private practice, Christian interned with the German Federal Data Protection Commissioner and www.epic.org.