In the Spotlight: Pillsbury
In our ‘In the Spotlight’ series, we catch up Ari Berman, key member of the firm’s Israel Desk. New York partner Ari is the co-chair of Pillsbury’s Securities Litigation & Enforcement practice and ESG team, and head of the Israel Desk.
What are the primary strategic objectives for the Israel-focused legal team in the upcoming year, and how do they align with the overall goals of the global law firm?
The primary strategic objectives for the Israel-focused legal team in the upcoming year can be outlined as follows:
- Expand the firm’s presence and client base within the Israeli market.
- Strengthen the firm’s cross-border legal services, particularly in areas such as venture capital, intellectual property, mergers and acquisitions, and dispute resolution.
- Continue to develop strategic partnerships with local law firms, industry groups, institutions (universities and hospitals), and business associations in Israel.
- Continue to attract lawyers with strong contacts with Israel.
- Continue to help Israeli clients enter the U.S. market through our firm’s unique combination of hi tech and regulatory practices.
The Israel team’s objectives are designed to complement and reinforce the global firm’s overarching goals of market expansion, client service excellence, and innovation. By aligning these objectives with the firm’s global strategy, the Israel team aims to contribute significantly to the firm’s growth and success on an international scale.
How does the team collaborate internally and externally to stay abreast of the latest legal developments in Israel and globally?
Internally: Cross-practice collaboration includes a variety of Firm lawyers working on Israeli matters, including VC, Litigation, IP, Public Policy, Insurance Recovery & Advisory, Energy, and Government Contracts & Disputes, all in coordination with Ari Berman and Nathan Renov.
Externally:
In March, Pillsbury hosted in our NY office a U.S.–Israel Technology Meetup. Delegates from 10 Israeli startup companies presented pitches to potential investors, with more than 100 people in attendance.
In April, Pillsbury hosted the 2024 Wharton Israeli Innovation Conference in our NY office. The event drew over 125 participants, including students, alumni, founders, and venture capitalists to discuss topics related to Israeli innovation—including cybersecurity and fintech. Ari Berman and VC/EC associate Taylor O’Toole were among the presenters. Trusts & Estates counsel Avigail Goldglancz played a key role in arranging for this event.
Also in April, Pillsbury took part in Start AgriTech, a collaboration and partnership between Utah Tech University, Haifa Group, Ramat Negev Desert Agro Research Center, Exit Ventures, Arieli Capital, and World Trade Center Utah (WTC Utah). Nathan Renov mentored 12 startups in Intellectual Property and VC issues.
Most recently, the Israel practice sponsored and hosted a CLE program featuring David Schizer, Columbia Law School Dean Emeritus and co-chair of the school’s Task Force on Antisemitism. The discussion explored current challenges universities face in trying to balance the right to peaceful protest with campus disruption.
What opportunities does the head of the Israel-focused legal team foresee for expanding the firm’s presence and influence in Israel?
Israel continues to be ranked as one of the top startup/VC ecosystems in the world, boasting many companies listed on U.S. and other exchanges. There continues to be a growing number of Israeli “unicorns,” i.e., companies with $1 billion or more valuations. This creates opportunities for the firm to represent Israeli companies as they enter the U.S. capital and commercial markets.
What are the challenges facing the firm’s Israeli desk? How does the team address potential cultural or jurisdictional challenges when working on cases that involve both Israeli and global legal perspectives?
We have developed trusted relationships with the leading Israeli law firms and professional services firms. These vital connections enhance our ability to meet clients’ evolving needs and lead to referrals in both directions. Additionally, we are in advanced discussions with leading Israeli research universities and medical centers to represent them in IP matters. We are also working with their respective technology transfer offices and business development arms to explore VC opportunities relating to the technologies these universities develop. Furthermore, members of our team visit Israel regularly, to enhance relations with existing clients and to develop new relationships and business opportunities.
What priorities do you have for the Israeli Desk in 2024?
Our priorities are to continue to build on the growth and success we have had with respect to our Israel client base, and to expand the name-recognition for Pillsbury in Israel.
Would you like to put a spotlight on any Israel related lawyer or practice?
Our cross-practice Israel team, led by Ari Berman, includes numerous attorneys across a wide range of Pillsbury practice groups and offices. It features attorneys with many years of experience representing Israeli clients in U.S. legal matters, including fluent Hebrew speakers.
IP Special Counsel Nathan Renov serves as deputy head of the Israel practice. Ari and Nathan travel to Israel regularly to meet with clients and promote Pillsbury. Nathan teaches a “crash course” on best IP practices for startups and provides mentorship to the participants of Israel Startup Accelerator programs (hosted by our client, Arieli Capital), including in the agritech, wellnesstech, and fashiontech sectors.
