Joel F. Franklin

Christina Pearson is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Mergers and Acquisitions Law. Christina, who practices law in Palo Alto, California, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Christina is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Mark J. Mihanovic, head of the Firm’s California Transactions group, focuses his practice primarily in the areas of corporate finance and mergers and acquisitions. He represents companies in a broad range of industries, with a particular emphasis on technology, life science and health care companies. Read full biography: https://www.mwe.com/people/mihanovic-mark-j/

Erik Puknys’ career in intellectual property began more than 25 years ago, when he joined the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office as a patent examiner. Erik started his legal career at Finnegan’s Washington, D.C. office in 1994, and moved to California in 1997 to help open the firm’s Silicon Valley office. He has represented both plaintiffs and defendants in district courts around the United States, in the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, and in the U.S. Supreme Cour...

James R. Batchelder is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Intellectual Property, Litigation - Patent and Patent Law. James R., who practices law in Palo Alto, California, has been recognized since 2014. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which James R. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Recognized as one of California’s top trial lawyers, Elizabeth focuses her practice on technology, trade secrets, business disputes, and civil rights. She also manages day-to-day operations of the firm. A courtroom veteran, Elizabeth brings keen strategic thinking to every step of litigation. In addition to her trial work, she has handled many sensitive investigations and frequently assists clients in risk management. Clients have described Elizabeth as “an excellent trial lawyer&...

Magan Pritam Ray is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Tax Law. Magan Pritam, who practices law in East Palo Alto, California, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Magan Pritam is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Phil Levine is head of the firm's Northern California Real Estate Group. Mr. Levine concentrates his practice representing clients in a wide range of commercial real estate equity and debt transactions, including acquisitions and sales; financing (including permanent and construction loans); the structuring and formation of joint ventures and other investment vehicles for the development, ownership, and operation of all major property types, such as multifamily projects, office buildings, and...

Chris Berka is a nationally recognized trial lawyer with a practice focusing on environmental, real estate, energy, natural resources, product liability and contract matters. He has resolved more than two hundred cases for clients in a range of industries and sectors, including technology, aerospace, oil and natural gas, wind energy, real estate development, pharmaceuticals, higher education, transportation, news media, mining and consumer products. In addition to his litigation practice, Chr...

Chip Lion is a partner in the Corporate Finance Group with Morrison & Foerster LLP in Palo Alto California where he is the immediate past chair of the firm’s Palo Alto Corporate Finance Group and is the firm-wide co-chair of firm’s Private Equity Fund Group. Mr. Lion regularly advises institutional investors and fund sponsors in connection with the formation of venture capital funds, leveraged buyout funds, real estate opportunity and other private equity funds. Mr. Lion repre...

Amr Razzak is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Mergers and Acquisitions Law. Amr, who practices law in Palo Alto, California, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Amr is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.