Semiconductors
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Wilson Sonsini's Historical Ties to Semiconductors and Silicon Valley
Wilson Sonsini has represented semiconductor industry companies since the earlist chip manufacturers emerged during the birth of Silicon Valley.
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Wilson Sonsini Played a Major Role in the Rise of the Chip Industry
Wilson Sonsini represented semiconductor companies--like Cypress Semiconductor, LSI Logic, Altera, and Lattice Semiconductor--that helped grow the chip sector into a global market.
The semiconductor industry is the foundation of the modern-day technology industry, and representing companies in the sector has been central to Wilson Sonsini's practice since the firm's inception. After all, the fast-moving, tech-fueled momentum that was driven by semiconductors and chips led to the birth of Silicon Valley.
Through Wilson Sonsini's longtime transactional work for many of the leading semiconductor industry players, the firm helped to finance and build much of today's semiconductor industry. Meanwhile, our firm's attorneys have maintained strong relationships with semiconductor industry veterans, even as the sector has matured in conjunction with technology advances and market cycles.
Our attorneys continue to demonstrate their mastery of legal matters facing semiconductor companies of all types and sizes, from U.S.-based start-ups seeking venture capital financing to global, integrated device manufacturers based abroad. Wilson Sonsini's attorneys have developed comprehensive industry experience, working with clients focused on, for example:
- Developing logic, programmable, analog, mixed signal, and memory chips
- Integrated device manufacturing
- Application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs)
- Electronic design automation (EDA) software
- Offshore foundry operations
- Chip packaging
- Manufacturing, testing, and measurement equipment
- Related chip technologies, such as micro-electronic mechanical systems (MEMS) and nanotechnology
In addition, we have extensive experience representing venture capital firms and other investors that finance semiconductor companies.
Overview
The semiconductor industry is the foundation of the modern-day technology industry, and representing companies in the sector has been central to Wilson Sonsini's practice since the firm's inception. After all, the fast-moving, tech-fueled momentum that was driven by semiconductors and chips led to the birth of Silicon Valley.
Through Wilson Sonsini's longtime transactional work for many of the leading semiconductor industry players, the firm helped to finance and build much of today's semiconductor industry. Meanwhile, our firm's attorneys have maintained strong relationships with semiconductor industry veterans, even as the sector has matured in conjunction with technology advances and market cycles.
Our attorneys continue to demonstrate their mastery of legal matters facing semiconductor companies of all types and sizes, from U.S.-based start-ups seeking venture capital financing to global, integrated device manufacturers based abroad. Wilson Sonsini's attorneys have developed comprehensive industry experience, working with clients focused on, for example:
- Developing logic, programmable, analog, mixed signal, and memory chips
- Integrated device manufacturing
- Application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs)
- Electronic design automation (EDA) software
- Offshore foundry operations
- Chip packaging
- Manufacturing, testing, and measurement equipment
- Related chip technologies, such as micro-electronic mechanical systems (MEMS) and nanotechnology
In addition, we have extensive experience representing venture capital firms and other investors that finance semiconductor companies.
Client Highlights
Wilson Sonsini Advises SandboxAQ on Agreement with the U.S. Department of Commerce for $500 Million CHIPS R&D Award
On June 17, 2026, SandboxAQ announced a definitive agreement with the U.S. Department of Commerce's CHIPS Research and Development Office for a $500 million award to address one of the most urgent challenges in American manufacturing: the foreign control of critical materials and chemistries that are essential to semiconductor manufacturing. Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati advised SandboxAQ on the transaction.
Client Highlights
Wilson Sonsini Advises Lattice Semiconductor on $1.65 Billion Acquisition of AMI
On May 4, 2026, Lattice Semiconductor announced it has entered into a definitive agreement with THL Partners to acquire AMI, a leader in platform firmware and infrastructure manageability for cloud and AI. The planned acquisition advances Lattice Semiconductor’s strategy to expand its position in server, AI, and cloud applications spanning hardware, security, manageability, and control. Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati is advising Lattice Semiconductor on the transaction.
Client Highlights
Firm Advises Marvell Technology on Strategic Partnership and $2 Billion Investment from NVIDIA
On March 31, 2026, NVIDIA announced it has invested $2 billion in Marvell Technology as part of a strategic partnership to connect Marvell to the NVIDIA AI factory and AI-RAN ecosystem through NVIDIA NVLink Fusion™. This partnership offers customers building on NVIDIA architectures greater choice and flexibility in developing next-generation infrastructure. The companies will also collaborate on silicon photonics technology. Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati advised Marvell on the transaction.
Client Highlights
Wilson Sonsini Advises Micron Technology on Completed Cash Tender Offers for Outstanding Senior Notes
On April 1, 2026, Micron Technology, an industry leader in innovative memory and storage solutions, announced that its previously announced cash tender offers to purchase any and all of certain series of its outstanding senior notes, expired at 5:00 p.m. ET on March 31, 2026. Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati advised Micron on the transaction.
Client Highlights
Firm Obtains Complete Jury Victory for Cyntec in Patent Validity Trial
On March 5, 2026, Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati secured a complete jury victory in a patent invalidity trial in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California on behalf of firm client Cyntec Company, Ltd. Rejecting defendant Chilisin’s arguments on obviousness, the jury found that all asserted claims of Cyntec’s U.S. Patent Nos. 8,922,312 and 9,481,037 were valid. Wilson Sonsini also represented Cyntec in a previous jury trial which had found that Chilisin willfully infringed both patents and imposed a 5 percent royalty.
Client Highlights
Wilson Sonsini Advises nLIGHT on $201 Million Follow-On Offering
On February 5, 2026, nLIGHT, Inc., a leading provider of high-power lasers for mission-critical directed energy, optical sensing, and advanced manufacturing applications, closed an underwritten public offering of 3,977,273 shares of its common stock at a public offering price of $44.00 per share. In addition, on February 9, 2026, nLIGHT closed the sale of an additional 596,590 shares of its common stock, at the same public offering price, pursuant to the full exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares. The aggregate gross proceeds from the offering was approximately $201 million, before deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses. Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati advised nLIGHT on the transaction.
Insights
Client Highlights
Wilson Sonsini Advises SandboxAQ on Agreement with the U.S. Department of Commerce for $500 Million CHIPS R&D Award
On June 17, 2026, SandboxAQ announced a definitive agreement with the U.S. Department of Commerce's CHIPS Research and Development Office for a $500 million award to address one of the most urgent challenges in American manufacturing: the foreign control of critical materials and chemistries that are essential to semiconductor manufacturing. Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati advised SandboxAQ on the transaction.
Client Highlights
Wilson Sonsini Advises Lattice Semiconductor on $1.65 Billion Acquisition of AMI
On May 4, 2026, Lattice Semiconductor announced it has entered into a definitive agreement with THL Partners to acquire AMI, a leader in platform firmware and infrastructure manageability for cloud and AI. The planned acquisition advances Lattice Semiconductor’s strategy to expand its position in server, AI, and cloud applications spanning hardware, security, manageability, and control. Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati is advising Lattice Semiconductor on the transaction.
Client Highlights
Firm Advises Marvell Technology on Strategic Partnership and $2 Billion Investment from NVIDIA
On March 31, 2026, NVIDIA announced it has invested $2 billion in Marvell Technology as part of a strategic partnership to connect Marvell to the NVIDIA AI factory and AI-RAN ecosystem through NVIDIA NVLink Fusion™. This partnership offers customers building on NVIDIA architectures greater choice and flexibility in developing next-generation infrastructure. The companies will also collaborate on silicon photonics technology. Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati advised Marvell on the transaction.
Client Highlights
Wilson Sonsini Advises Micron Technology on Completed Cash Tender Offers for Outstanding Senior Notes
On April 1, 2026, Micron Technology, an industry leader in innovative memory and storage solutions, announced that its previously announced cash tender offers to purchase any and all of certain series of its outstanding senior notes, expired at 5:00 p.m. ET on March 31, 2026. Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati advised Micron on the transaction.
Client Highlights
Firm Obtains Complete Jury Victory for Cyntec in Patent Validity Trial
On March 5, 2026, Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati secured a complete jury victory in a patent invalidity trial in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California on behalf of firm client Cyntec Company, Ltd. Rejecting defendant Chilisin’s arguments on obviousness, the jury found that all asserted claims of Cyntec’s U.S. Patent Nos. 8,922,312 and 9,481,037 were valid. Wilson Sonsini also represented Cyntec in a previous jury trial which had found that Chilisin willfully infringed both patents and imposed a 5 percent royalty.
Client Highlights
Wilson Sonsini Advises nLIGHT on $201 Million Follow-On Offering
On February 5, 2026, nLIGHT, Inc., a leading provider of high-power lasers for mission-critical directed energy, optical sensing, and advanced manufacturing applications, closed an underwritten public offering of 3,977,273 shares of its common stock at a public offering price of $44.00 per share. In addition, on February 9, 2026, nLIGHT closed the sale of an additional 596,590 shares of its common stock, at the same public offering price, pursuant to the full exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares. The aggregate gross proceeds from the offering was approximately $201 million, before deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses. Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati advised nLIGHT on the transaction.
Affiliated Programs
Canadian Pitch Night: Laval’s TerroX & Plug and Play Calgary – Shark Tank Edition
Wilson Sonsini is proud to host the Canadian Pitch Night. Please join Canadian founders from Laval's TerroX and Plug and Play Calgary accelerators pitch their companies in a fast-paced session. Each team will receive direct feedback from a panel of seasoned investors and operators, Shark Tank format, but Canadian-style!
Affiliated Programs
London Forum on Global Economic Sanctions
The London Forum on Global Economic Sanctions 2023 program will provide attendees with the most up-to-date developments in economic sanctions from leading financial services organizations as well as global exporters. This is a must-attend for sanctions and financial crime prevention experts.
Affiliated Programs
IAPP Europe Data Protection Congress
Europe’s top gathering of data protection professionals is returning for its 12th year in Brussels. The International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP) Europe Data Protection Congress 2023 is the place for delegates to gain insights and working knowledge that will allow you to set a course for the future of your data protection operation. Wilson Sonsini is proud to sponsor this year’s event. To learn more about the conference, and the IAPP, click here.
Affiliated Programs
GP Bullhound Allstars 2023
Allstars recognizes and celebrates the successes and achievements within Europe’s technology universe, drawing attention to those who are shaping the industry’s future and creating the global winners of tomorrow. Dubbed the ‘Oscars of the tech world’ Allstars has stood strong as one of Europe’s leading events for the last 20 years.
Events
Affiliated Programs
Canadian Pitch Night: Laval’s TerroX & Plug and Play Calgary – Shark Tank Edition
Wilson Sonsini is proud to host the Canadian Pitch Night. Please join Canadian founders from Laval's TerroX and Plug and Play Calgary accelerators pitch their companies in a fast-paced session. Each team will receive direct feedback from a panel of seasoned investors and operators, Shark Tank format, but Canadian-style!
Affiliated Programs
London Forum on Global Economic Sanctions
The London Forum on Global Economic Sanctions 2023 program will provide attendees with the most up-to-date developments in economic sanctions from leading financial services organizations as well as global exporters. This is a must-attend for sanctions and financial crime prevention experts.
Affiliated Programs
IAPP Europe Data Protection Congress
Europe’s top gathering of data protection professionals is returning for its 12th year in Brussels. The International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP) Europe Data Protection Congress 2023 is the place for delegates to gain insights and working knowledge that will allow you to set a course for the future of your data protection operation. Wilson Sonsini is proud to sponsor this year’s event. To learn more about the conference, and the IAPP, click here.
Affiliated Programs
GP Bullhound Allstars 2023
Allstars recognizes and celebrates the successes and achievements within Europe’s technology universe, drawing attention to those who are shaping the industry’s future and creating the global winners of tomorrow. Dubbed the ‘Oscars of the tech world’ Allstars has stood strong as one of Europe’s leading events for the last 20 years.
Ali R. Alemozafar
Partner
Ali counsels clients on patent strategy, prosecution, and diligence for financings, M&A, and IPOs.
U.P. Peter Eng
Partner
Specializes in strategic patent and innovation counseling for technology start-ups.
Mark R. Fitzgerald
Partner
Mark is a veteran attorney who advises technology and life sciences companies on corporate law and transactional matters.
Andrew D. Hoffman
Partner
Andrew’s practice focuses on corporate and securities work for companies at all stages of growth, as well as for financial institutions, venture capital firms, and other investors.
Jordan R. Jaffe
Partner
Jordan R. Jaffe is a partner in the San Francisco office of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, where his practice focuses on high-stakes intellectual property disputes, including patent, trade secret, copyright and trademark litigation. Jordan has expertise in the emerging technologies sector, especially artificial intelligence and autonomous vehicles, where Jordan was identified in 2022 as one of the top eight lawyers advising AI companies by Business Insider. Jordan’s recent experience includes representing Waymo against Uber regarding self-driving technology, representing Google against Sonos regarding alleged smart speaker technology, and representing multiple cybersecurity companies in trade secret litigation. Leveraging his background in computer science, Jordan regularly leads teams in litigation concerning a variety of complex technologies from prelitigation through trial.
Jeana S. Kim
Partner
Jeana’s practice focuses on corporate and securities law matters for emerging growth companies, venture capital firms, and public companies.
Bryan D. King
Partner
Bryan focuses on corporate and securities law matters for emerging growth companies, venture capital firms, and public companies.
Michael C. Labriola
Partner
Michael Labriola is a partner with Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, where he counsels public and private technology, life sciences, and emerging growth companies through all stages of their growth. Michael has particular experience with Wilson Sonsini’s clients across the U.S. East Coast and Europe. He has a particular focus on supporting companies that undertake transformative events, such as growth financings, IPOs, acquisitions, and exit sales. Michael counsels clients in matters ranging from formation and early-stage venture financing to listings of publicly traded securities on U.S. and foreign exchanges to seasoned public offerings and private and public company acquisitions. He also has considerable experience in counseling publicly held companies on disclosure matters, SEC compliance, Nasdaq and NYSE listing matters, and other securities laws issues. In addition, Michael frequently represents investment banks, venture capital funds, and private equity firms in a broad range of investment transactions.
J. Matthew (Matt) Lyons
Partner
J. Matthew (Matt) Lyons is a corporate partner in the Austin office of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, where his practice focuses on the representation of companies and their investors in the emerging companies ecosystem. For the past 25 years, he has been a leading attorney in the Texas market, advising public and private companies, venture and private equity funds, and entrepreneurs on new entity formation, venture financings, public and private offerings, mergers, acquisitions and divestitures, and issues related to corporate governance and executive compensation. Matt’s clients include companies in the technology, life sciences, healthcare, retail and CPG, and media and communications industries.
Erika Muhl
Partner
Erika Muhl is a partner at Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, where she practices corporate and securities law. She has assisted a variety of private and public companies on general corporate and transactional matters, including venture capital financings, public offerings, and mergers and acquisitions.
People
Ali R. Alemozafar
Partner
Ali counsels clients on patent strategy, prosecution, and diligence for financings, M&A, and IPOs.
U.P. Peter Eng
Partner
Specializes in strategic patent and innovation counseling for technology start-ups.
Mark R. Fitzgerald
Partner
Mark is a veteran attorney who advises technology and life sciences companies on corporate law and transactional matters.
Andrew D. Hoffman
Partner
Andrew’s practice focuses on corporate and securities work for companies at all stages of growth, as well as for financial institutions, venture capital firms, and other investors.
Jordan R. Jaffe
Partner
Jordan R. Jaffe is a partner in the San Francisco office of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, where his practice focuses on high-stakes intellectual property disputes, including patent, trade secret, copyright and trademark litigation. Jordan has expertise in the emerging technologies sector, especially artificial intelligence and autonomous vehicles, where Jordan was identified in 2022 as one of the top eight lawyers advising AI companies by Business Insider. Jordan’s recent experience includes representing Waymo against Uber regarding self-driving technology, representing Google against Sonos regarding alleged smart speaker technology, and representing multiple cybersecurity companies in trade secret litigation. Leveraging his background in computer science, Jordan regularly leads teams in litigation concerning a variety of complex technologies from prelitigation through trial.
Jeana S. Kim
Partner
Jeana’s practice focuses on corporate and securities law matters for emerging growth companies, venture capital firms, and public companies.
Bryan D. King
Partner
Bryan focuses on corporate and securities law matters for emerging growth companies, venture capital firms, and public companies.
Michael C. Labriola
Partner
Michael Labriola is a partner with Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, where he counsels public and private technology, life sciences, and emerging growth companies through all stages of their growth. Michael has particular experience with Wilson Sonsini’s clients across the U.S. East Coast and Europe. He has a particular focus on supporting companies that undertake transformative events, such as growth financings, IPOs, acquisitions, and exit sales. Michael counsels clients in matters ranging from formation and early-stage venture financing to listings of publicly traded securities on U.S. and foreign exchanges to seasoned public offerings and private and public company acquisitions. He also has considerable experience in counseling publicly held companies on disclosure matters, SEC compliance, Nasdaq and NYSE listing matters, and other securities laws issues. In addition, Michael frequently represents investment banks, venture capital funds, and private equity firms in a broad range of investment transactions.
J. Matthew (Matt) Lyons
Partner
J. Matthew (Matt) Lyons is a corporate partner in the Austin office of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, where his practice focuses on the representation of companies and their investors in the emerging companies ecosystem. For the past 25 years, he has been a leading attorney in the Texas market, advising public and private companies, venture and private equity funds, and entrepreneurs on new entity formation, venture financings, public and private offerings, mergers, acquisitions and divestitures, and issues related to corporate governance and executive compensation. Matt’s clients include companies in the technology, life sciences, healthcare, retail and CPG, and media and communications industries.
Erika Muhl
Partner
Erika Muhl is a partner at Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, where she practices corporate and securities law. She has assisted a variety of private and public companies on general corporate and transactional matters, including venture capital financings, public offerings, and mergers and acquisitions.
Recent Insights
Client Highlights
Wilson Sonsini Advises SandboxAQ on Agreement with the U.S. Department of Commerce for $500 Million CHIPS R&D Award
On June 17, 2026, SandboxAQ announced a definitive agreement with the U.S. Department of Commerce's CHIPS Research and Development Office for a $500 million award to address one of the most urgent challenges in American manufacturing: the foreign control of critical materials and chemistries that are essential to semiconductor manufacturing. Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati advised SandboxAQ on the transaction.
Learn More
Client Highlights
Wilson Sonsini Advises Lattice Semiconductor on $1.65 Billion Acquisition of AMI
On May 4, 2026, Lattice Semiconductor announced it has entered into a definitive agreement with THL Partners to acquire AMI, a leader in platform firmware and infrastructure manageability for cloud and AI. The planned acquisition advances Lattice Semiconductor’s strategy to expand its position in server, AI, and cloud applications spanning hardware, security, manageability, and control. Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati is advising Lattice Semiconductor on the transaction.
Learn More
Recent Events
Affiliated Programs
Canadian Pitch Night: Laval’s TerroX & Plug and Play Calgary – Shark Tank Edition
Wilson Sonsini is proud to host the Canadian Pitch Night. Please join Canadian founders from Laval's TerroX and Plug and Play Calgary accelerators pitch their companies in a fast-paced session. Each team will receive direct feedback from a panel of seasoned investors and operators, Shark Tank format, but Canadian-style!
Learn More
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