Orrick Hires Tech Transactions Partner From Arnold & Porter

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe has hired technology transactions partner Colleen McDuffie from Arnold & Porter in Washington, the firm’s third hire on the team this month.

Orrick recently hired life sciences licensing adviser Shana Solomon in Boston and technology transactions lawyer Faraaz Samadi in London.

McDuffie represents companies in intellectual property transactions and other complex commercial agreements, with experience in mobility technologies like clean fuel and connected vehicles. She has worked extensively with Toyota on IP and technology matters, according to the firm.

She became a partner at Arnold & Porter at the beginning of 2019, and said she made the switch to Orrick because of the firm’s strong technology practice and internal use of emerging legal technologies.

“Orrick has been known for a while as one of the top tech firms,” she said. “They are, more than any other firm than I’ve seen, doing a lot of innovation and tech development in the way they deliver services.”

Orrick has been at the forefront of pursuing new legal services technologies. Last year, Orrick launched an internal legal tech social network to help lawyers understand new digital tools, and in January, the firm invested in Reynen Court, a legal technology “app store” aimed at law firms and corporate legal departments.

Before becoming an attorney, McDuffie spent several years working as an electronics and computer engineer. In addition to the automotive industry, she has represented clients on transactions involving semiconductor design and fabrication, satellites and space technologies, telecommunications, and pharmaceuticals.

“Colleen brings a deep understanding of what drives innovative companies and a market reputation for getting tech deals done efficiently and effectively,” Matthew Gemello, leader of Orrick’s global corporate practice, said in a statement. “She is a valuable addition to our growing practice, at a time when innovation and data-driven collaborations are increasingly essential to how companies operate today.”