SUZANNE Y. BELL
SUZANNE Y. BELLPartner
Technology Transactions
Intellectual Property
Consumer Regulatory & Privacy
Energy & Clean Technology
Global Outsourcing Transactions
Open Source
Retail, Consumer & Advertising
Suzanne Bell is a partner at Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati in the technology transactions practice. She joined the firm in 1988 and was promoted to partner in 1995. Suzanne handles technology and intellectual property transactions—with an emphasis on complex strategic alliances and outsourcing transactions—for a wide range of software, electronics, telecommunications, cloud computing, digital media, Internet, and clean technology companies. Her practice also includes strategic intellectual property asset purchases and sales; technology mergers, acquisitions, and spin-offs; and intellectual property litigation settlement agreements. Suzanne's practice includes both growth and mature companies, and she has advised many of Silicon Valley's most prominent companies from start-up to maturity.
Suzanne is the leader of the technology transactions-IT practice, which has grown from five attorneys to over 40 during her tenure. She also participates in the management of the firm in various capacities, and currently serves as a member of the firm's Policy Committee. Suzanne previously has served on the firm's Board of Directors, Operations Committee, Compensation Committee, Nominating Committee, Management Committee, and Strategic Planning Committee.
EDUCATION:
- J.D., Stanford Law School
- M.S., Engineering, Columbia University
- B.A., Middlebury College
- Member, Board of Directors, Girl Scouts of Northern California
- Former Member, National Board of Directors, Forum for Women Entrepreneurs & Executives
- Former Member, Columbia Engineering Board of Visitors, Columbia University
- Named a 2009 "Woman of Influence" by the Silicon Valley/San Jose Business Journal
- Recognized in the 2006-2013 editions of Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business, most recently in the top tier of California IT & Outsourcing attorneys
- Selected for inclusion in 2006-2013 editions of Best Lawyers in America
- Named in Northern California Super Lawyers in 2005-2012
- Listed in the 2004-2006 editions of Chambers Global: The World's Leading Lawyers for Business
- Selected for inclusion in the Internet and e-commerce category of The International Who's Who of Business Lawyers
- Named to Lawdragon 500 New Stars, New Worlds List, 2006
- Received the 2004 Forum for Women Entrepreneurs & Executives Recognition Award
- AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating, Martindale-Hubbell
- Co-author with D. Stevenson, "Outsourcing: A Tool for Survival," The Entrepreneurs Report: Private Company Financing Trends, Winter 2008
- Chair and Panelist, "Cloud Computing," Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati's General Counsel Series
- Speaker, "Patents and Trade Secrets for Early-Stage Clean Tech Ventures," Cleantech Open
- Speaker, "Corporate and Cleantech Company Partnering: The Legal Perspective," Cleantech Forum
- Presenter, "Technology Licensing Agreements," American Conference Institute's Annual Program
- Presenter, "Outsourcing in Eastern Europe," Practising Law Institute's annual conference on Keys to Outsourcing and Offshoring: Protecting Critical Business Functions
- Chair and Presenter, Practising Law Institute's annual program on Structuring, Negotiating, and Implementing Strategic Alliances
- Organizer, Chair, and Presenter, Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati's Outsourcing Industry Conference
- Speaker, "Hidden Costs of Outsourcing," Stanford Engineering's Engineering Day
- Panelist, "Lifestyle Balance," Stanford Graduate School of Business course on Entrepreneurship from the Perspective of Women
- State Bar of California
