Continuing the expansion of its Corporate Department, O’Melveny announced today the arrival of veteran life sciences transactions lawyer Geoffrey Kuziemko, who has joined the firm as a partner in the Mergers & Acquisitions practice.  He will be based in O’Melveny’s San Francisco office and spend significant time working out of the firm’s Silicon Valley office.

Kuziemko, who holds a doctorate in biophysical chemistry, has provided strategic counseling to life sciences companies on both sides of the table.  He joins O’Melveny from an AmLaw 10 law firm where he was a member of its technology transactions and life sciences licensing practices.

Earlier, Kuziemko was Vice President of Legal Services at Exelixis, Inc., a biotech company, where he drafted and negotiated its agreements and managed its patent and trademark portfolios.

A veteran dealmaker and business adviser, Kuziemko has counseled numerous emerging biotech companies in mergers and acquisitions.  He also has extensive experience in the areas of intellectual property due diligence, joint ventures, and complex agreements on the licensing, collaboration, marketing, and distribution of pharmaceutical products, biologics, and medical devices.

“We are delighted to welcome someone of Geoff’s caliber to the firm,” said Bradley J. Butwin, Chair of O’Melveny.  “He is a highly skilled life sciences lawyer who shares our collaborative culture and client-focused approach.  He will play a key role in guiding our life sciences clients on their various business and legal needs.”

“O’Melveny’s Life Sciences practice is widely acclaimed for its work advising clients across the full spectrum of legal services,” said Kuziemko.  “I’m looking forward to being part of the team as the firm continues to grow and take on new challenges in this fast-moving field.”

Kuziemko joins O’Melveny as the firm strategically broadens its corporate capabilities.  Last week, three highly ranked restructuring lawyers—Nancy A. Mitchell, Maria J. DiConza, and Matthew Hinker—joined the Bankruptcy & Restructuring practice in New York.  In February, three top M&A and private equity lawyers—David M. Smith, Robert T. Graffum, and Nicolai M. Schwarz-Gondek—joined O’Melveny’s Century City office as partners in the firm’s M&A practice.

Kuziemko earned his law degree from the University of California’s Hastings College of the Law.  He obtained a Bachelor of Science in chemistry from MIT and his PhD in biophysical chemistry at the University of California, Berkeley.