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Karen Deschaine
Partner
Corporate
Boston
kdeschaine@wsgr.com

D858-350-2328

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  • A Sophisticated and Successful Practice Focused on Growth

    Karen has an established and sophisticated company-building corporate practice focused on representing life sciences clients—particularly biotechnology and therapeutics companies—throughout their life cycles, from formation to exit.

  • Broad Transactional Experience

    Leveraging her strong ties to leading life sciences companies and venture funds, Karen has handled private financings, public offerings, corporate governance, commercial transactions, strategic transactions, securities matters, and the general representation of public and private companies.

  • Recognized for Professional and Community Leadership

    Karen was recognized among the San Diego Business Journal’s “Leaders In Law” for M&A, named to San Diego Metro Magazine’s list of “Women Who Impact San Diego” and top “40 Under 40,” honored among the San Diego Business Journal’s “Women Who Mean Business,” and received a Pinnacle Award from Athena San Diego.

  • Supports Women and Veterans Engaged in Business Ventures

    Karen participates in and/or speaks at events that support women and veterans looking to succeed in new business ventures, having participated in the Women’s Venture Summit, the USMA AOG’s Entrepreneur Summit, the Military and Veterans Startup Conference, and the DAV’s Patriot Boot Camp.

Karen Deschaine is a corporate partner in the Boston office of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, where she represents clients in the life sciences sector, primarily in the biotechnology and therapeutics space.

Over the course of 18 years, Karen has developed a sophisticated company-building corporate life sciences practice. She has handled private financings, public offerings, corporate governance matters, commercial transactions, strategic transactions, securities matters, and the general representation of public and private companies. Karen has successfully represented clients—which range from start-ups to public companies—throughout their life cycles, from formation to exit.

Karen has a proven track record of cultivating longstanding relationships with leading life sciences companies and venture funds. She is well known in the San Diego business community, but also represents clients throughout California and in top markets across the U.S.

After graduating from law school in 2007, Karen joined Cooley LLP, where she was named a partner in 2016.

Before law school, Karen served as a captain in the U.S. Army and commanded two companies. While at West Point, she was a member of the sport parachute team. As such, she jumped the game ball into numerous Army football games and was named the Overall Novice Champion at the 1994 National Collegiate Skydiving Championships. 

Experience

Karen Deschaine is a corporate partner in the Boston office of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, where she represents clients in the life sciences sector, primarily in the biotechnology and therapeutics space.

Over the course of 18 years, Karen has developed a sophisticated company-building corporate life sciences practice. She has handled private financings, public offerings, corporate governance matters, commercial transactions, strategic transactions, securities matters, and the general representation of public and private companies. Karen has successfully represented clients—which range from start-ups to public companies—throughout their life cycles, from formation to exit.

Karen has a proven track record of cultivating longstanding relationships with leading life sciences companies and venture funds. She is well known in the San Diego business community, but also represents clients throughout California and in top markets across the U.S.

After graduating from law school in 2007, Karen joined Cooley LLP, where she was named a partner in 2016.

Before law school, Karen served as a captain in the U.S. Army and commanded two companies. While at West Point, she was a member of the sport parachute team. As such, she jumped the game ball into numerous Army football games and was named the Overall Novice Champion at the 1994 National Collegiate Skydiving Championships. 

Education
  • J.D., UCLA School of Law
  • M.B.A., Auburn University
  • B.S., Economics, United States Military Academy at West Point
Honors
  • Honored among San Diego Business Journal’s 2025 “Women of Influence in Law”
  • Named among the San Diego Business Journal’s “Top 100 Leaders in Law,” 2023
  • Honored among the San Diego Business Journal’s “Leaders In Law,” M&A category, 2020
  • Recognized among the “Women Who Impact San Diego” by San Diego Metro Magazine, 2014
  • Named one of San Diego’s top “40 Under 40” by San Diego Metro Magazine, 2011
  • Recognized among the San Diego Business Journal ‘s “Women Who Mean Business,” 2011
  • Recipient, Pinnacle Award, Athena San Diego, 2009
Admissions
  • State Bar of California
  • State Bar of Massachusetts
Credentials
Education
  • J.D., UCLA School of Law
  • M.B.A., Auburn University
  • B.S., Economics, United States Military Academy at West Point
Honors
  • Honored among San Diego Business Journal’s 2025 “Women of Influence in Law”
  • Named among the San Diego Business Journal’s “Top 100 Leaders in Law,” 2023
  • Honored among the San Diego Business Journal’s “Leaders In Law,” M&A category, 2020
  • Recognized among the “Women Who Impact San Diego” by San Diego Metro Magazine, 2014
  • Named one of San Diego’s top “40 Under 40” by San Diego Metro Magazine, 2011
  • Recognized among the San Diego Business Journal ‘s “Women Who Mean Business,” 2011
  • Recipient, Pinnacle Award, Athena San Diego, 2009
Admissions
  • State Bar of California
  • State Bar of Massachusetts
Focus Areas
  • Biotech
  • Capital Markets
  • Corporate
  • Corporate Life Sciences
  • Emerging Companies and Venture Capital
  • Life Sciences
Recent Insights
Client Highlights
Firm Advises Pinnacle Medicines on Corporate and IP Matters Related to Oversubscribed $89 Million Series B Financing
On March 26, 2026, Pinnacle Medicines, a biotechnology company pioneering the development of oral peptide therapeutics using proprietary AI and physics-based platforms, announced the closing of an oversubscribed $89 million Series B financing. The round was co-led by LAV and Foresite Capital, with participation from Quan Capital, Hankang Capital, RA Capital Management, Logos Capital, and existing investors including OrbiMed. Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati advised Pinnacle on corporate and IP matters related to the transaction.
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Press Releases
Wilson Sonsini Life Sciences Partner Karen Deschaine Relocates to Boston
Contact:
Kimberly Brooks
212-453-2881
kbrooks@wsgr.com
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Recent Events
Affiliated Programs
MassBio Drive Fall 2026
Wilson Sonsini is proud to partner with MassBio to help empower the next generation of tech bio innovators through Drive. This accelerator equips early-stage companies with the business curriculum, mentorship, and industry connections needed to help breakthrough science move faster and further. 
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Affiliated Programs
East Coast NextGen VC Forum 2025
LaunchBio’s NextGen VC Forum is the premiere event for mid-level venture capital associates to expand their skills and expertise while growing their network. Attendees benefit from curated education sessions from industry leaders to supplement existing expertise. Networking is essential in sourcing deals and one of the primary roles for associates, we’ve built it into the program for participants to be able to walk away with new life science and biotech contacts. The half-day forum created with Wilson Sonsini includes a networking lunch, three one-hour sessions, and a happy hour.
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