Move Bolsters Firm’s Leadership in the Northeast Life Sciences Market
Office Anchored by One of the Top Integrated Life Sciences Practices
Contact:
Kimberly Brooks
212-453-2881
kbrooks@wsgr.com
BOSTON, MA (February 11, 2026) – Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, the premier provider of legal services to technology, life sciences, and growth enterprises worldwide, today announced that nationally recognized corporate life sciences partner Karen Deschaine has relocated from the firm’s San Diego office to Boston, reinforcing the firm’s long-term investment in one of the country’s most influential life sciences hubs.
Deschaine brings nearly two decades of experience advising life sciences companies—primarily in biotechnology and therapeutics—across critical stages of growth. Her practice spans private financings, public offerings, corporate governance, strategic and commercial transactions, securities matters, and the representation of public and private companies. She regularly counsels clients from early-stage formation through capital raising, complex transactions, and successful exits, and is widely regarded for building enduring relationships with leading life sciences companies and venture funds.
“Karen’s move reflects the growth of our office and the vitality of the Northeast life sciences ecosystem,” said Lou Lieto, head of Wilson Sonsini’s Patents and Innovations Department and a partner in the firm’s Boston and Washington, D.C., offices. “Throughout her career, she has worked closely with clients worldwide, including many in the Northeast U.S., where she has become a go-to advisor. Being on the ground will allow her to deepen those relationships and deliver even greater value to the region’s life sciences innovators.”
In addition to her client work, Deschaine is actively engaged in initiatives that support women and veterans launching new business ventures, frequently speaking at industry and community events. She also serves on the Life Science Cares Boston board of advisors, helping to shape programs that expand healthcare access, strengthen workforce development, and implement solutions in the areas of basic needs across the greater Boston area.
While building her practice in San Diego, she earned numerous honors for professional excellence and giving back, including the San Diego Business Journal’s “Leaders in Law” for M&A and “Women Who Mean Business,” as well as San Diego Metro Magazine’s “Women Who Impact San Diego” and “Top 40 Under 40.”
These achievements are rooted in the discipline and leadership she developed as a graduate of the United States Military Academy (West Point) and during her time in the U.S. Army, where she served as an officer and commanded two companies. Deschaine applies the same precision and commitment to excellence to guiding clients through complex business challenges.
Reflecting on her relocation, Deschaine said, “I’m excited to bring my company-building experience to Boston, where science, innovation, and capital intersect. With world-class research institutions, cutting-edge biotech, and an active investor network, the city is uniquely positioned to turn bold ideas into market-shaping breakthroughs. Being part of this community through the firm’s integrated life sciences practice—recognized among the industry’s best—advances both our practice and the firm’s strategic priorities.”
Deschaine’s move comes amid sustained momentum for Wilson Sonsini’s Boston office. Since opening in 2016 with three attorneys, the office has expanded to 85 attorneys, patent agents, and other professionals, serving clients in the biotechnology, medical device, and pharmaceutical sectors. Fully integrated with the firm’s global platform, the Boston team leverages collective experience across key areas—including intellectual property, venture finance, capital markets, and corporate law—to deliver efficient, high-quality counsel.
About Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati
For more than 60 years, Wilson Sonsini’s services and legal disciplines have focused on serving the principal challenges faced by the management and boards of directors of business enterprises. The firm is nationally recognized as a leading provider to growing and established clients seeking legal counsel to complete sophisticated corporate and technology transactions; manage governance and enterprise-scale matters; assist with intellectual property development, protection, and IP-driven transactions; represent them in contested disputes; and/or advise them on antitrust or other regulatory matters. With deep roots in Silicon Valley, Wilson Sonsini has more than 1,000 attorneys and 17 offices in 16 technology, business, and regulatory markets across the United States, Asia, and Europe. For more information, please visit www.wsgr.com.