Sidley Austin LLP announced today that Jennifer Fitchen (formerly Jennifer DiNucci) will join the firm in its Palo Alto office as a partner in the M&A practice. Ms. Fitchen is a highly regarded lawyer with more than 20 years of experience handling complex technology and life sciences transactions in Silicon Valley.

“Jennifer is one of Silicon Valley’s leading M&A lawyers and we’re delighted she’s joining our team,” said Tom DeFilipps, managing partner of Sidley’s Palo Alto office. “Her extensive experience handling complex transactions will make her a real asset as we continue to grow in Northern California and enhance the capabilities that make Sidley a go-to technology and life sciences firm.”

Ms. Fitchen’s M&A practice includes acquisitions of public and private companies, contested transactions, hostile takeovers and defense, and investment banker representation. She regularly represents clients in pharmaceutical, healthcare, semiconductor, software and internet businesses.

“Jennifer’s formidable knowledge of the technology and life sciences industries makes her an excellent addition to our strong M&A team,” said Paul Choi, co-leader of Sidley’s M&A practice. “We are thrilled to welcome a lawyer of Jennifer’s caliber to Sidley and look forward to her many contributions to our global M&A practice.”

Ms. Fitchen is a member of the Mergers and Acquisitions Committee of the American Bar Association, where she serves as vice chair of the Acquisitions of Public Companies Subcommittee. She is also an active speaker and frequently lectures on M&A-related topics, such as acquiring a privately held business, ethical issues in M&A transactions and negotiating the acquisition agreement. Ms. Fitchen has been recognized in Chambers USA 2014 for Northern California, Corporate/M&A.

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