Sidley announced that Lila Hope and Jennifer Raab have joined the firm’s Palo Alto office as partners in its Technology and Life Sciences Transactions practice. Hope and Raab join Sidley from Cooley.
The additions strengthen Sidley’s life sciences transactions capabilities and expand the firm’s presence in Palo Alto.
Hope and Raab advise life sciences companies involved in the discovery, development, and commercialization of pharmaceuticals, medical devices, diagnostics, and digital health products.
Their practices cover complex intellectual property, business, operational, and legal matters, including strategic partnerships, platform discovery arrangements, and option deals.
They also help management, operational, and legal teams navigate day-to-day issues involving licensing, supply, distribution, clinical trials, research collaborations, and vendor services.
Sidley said the partners bring experience in high-stakes, cross-border biotech transactions and will complement the firm’s global life sciences platform.
Their arrival also strengthens the connections between Sidley’s life sciences, technology, and emerging companies practices in Northern California and across the broader firm.
Sidley said the additions reflect its ongoing investment in California’s biotech ecosystem.
Hope and Raab follow several lateral partners who have joined Sidley offices in California since the start of 2025. Emerging Companies and Venture Capital partner Mike Podolny joined the Palo Alto office in 2025. In 2026, the firm also added Corporate and Securities partner Steve Przesmicki and Class Action and Commercial Litigation partner Michelle Doolin in San Diego, along with Global Finance partner Ike Chidi in Century City.
Sidley’s Global Life Science practice uses integrated teams across regulatory, compliance, enforcement, litigation, corporate, and transactional practices to advise life sciences and healthcare clients throughout their lifecycle.
Sidley has approximately 2,300 lawyers and 21 offices across key commercial, regulatory, and financial centers globally.
KEY QUOTES:
“Lila and Jen have built a destination practice in high stakes, cross-border biotech transactions that are a perfect complement for Sidley’s best-in-class global life sciences platform. Their addition demonstrates our continuing commitment to Palo Alto and this important industry vertical. We couldn’t be more excited to welcome Lila and Jen to our culture of teamwork and collaboration.”
Yvette Ostolaza, Chair of Sidley’s Management Committee
“Lila and Jen are trusted advisers to many of the most innovative companies in the life sciences ecosystem, and their arrival significantly expands our ability to support clients in transformative strategic transactions throughout their lifecycle. Their deep roots in the Silicon Valley market further strengthen the connections between our life sciences, technology, and emerging companies practices in Northern California and across the firm.”
Martin Wellington, Member of Sidley’s Executive Committee, Managing Partner of the Palo Alto Office, and Co-Leader of the Emerging Companies and Venture Capital Practice
