Key Takeaways
- • Baker Botts LLP is expanding its corporate and venture capital practice by recruiting a VC specialist from BRV Capital Management as a partner in its Silicon Valley office, continuing the firm's California growth momentum.
- • Mintz Levin Cohn Ferris Glovsky and Popeo announced the arrival of Amit Singh, an emerging companies and venture capital specialist, as a Member of the Corporate Practice in its San Francisco office, strengthening the firm's EC/VC advisory capabilities.
- • Baker Botts has demonstrated sustained California expansion, including recent senior hires in IP expertise (Rachael Lamkin in San Francisco) and M&A capabilities, alongside recruitment of experienced corporate attorneys from competing BigLaw and boutique firms.
- • Both firms are competing aggressively for specialized venture capital and emerging companies talent in Silicon Valley, where demand for EC/VC advisory services remains elevated among institutional and early-stage clients.
- • Baker Botts maintains significant market positioning with approximately 725 lawyers and earned Band 1 recognition in 13 practice areas within Chambers USA 2026, including technology and transaction practices relevant to venture capital work.
Summary
Baker Botts LLP and Mintz Levin Cohn Ferris Glovsky and Popeo are both making significant additions to their venture capital and emerging companies practices through senior lateral hires in California, reflecting intensifying competition for specialized EC/VC talent in the region.
Baker Botts announced in November 2025 that it was bringing back a venture capital expert to its Silicon Valley office as a partner, recruiting from BRV Capital Management. This hire extends the firm's ongoing California expansion strategy, which has included recent additions such as Rachael Lamkin, an IP specialist who joined the San Francisco office as lead trial counsel from Lamkin IP Defense, and an M&A expert from King & Spalding in March 2026. These moves underscore Baker Botts' commitment to strengthening its corporate and venture capital capabilities on the West Coast.
Mintz similarly expanded its San Francisco corporate practice by recruiting Amit Singh, an emerging company and venture capital specialist, as a Member of the Corporate Practice. Singh's expertise in advising clients across the venture ecosystem—from startups through successful exits—aligns with Mintz's broader positioning in the EC/VC sector, where the firm provides counsel on IP protection, formation, and exit strategy.
Both firms are operating within a competitive talent landscape where BigLaw and boutique firms continue to vie for partners with deep venture capital and emerging companies expertise. Baker Botts, founded in 1840 and headquartered in Texas, brings significant institutional credentials to this competition, with approximately 725 lawyers globally and recognition as Band 1 in 13 practice areas in the Chambers USA 2026 rankings, including technology and transaction practices. The firm's California expansion reflects broader market demand among institutional investors, family offices, and emerging companies seeking specialized counsel on corporate governance, fundraising, and M&A transactions.
These lateral moves indicate that both firms view the venture capital market as a growth priority, positioning themselves to capture expanded advisory opportunities as institutional capital continues to flow into emerging companies and early-stage technology ventures.
Baker Botts announced in November 2025 that it was bringing back a venture capital expert to its Silicon Valley office as a partner, recruiting from BRV Capital Management. This hire extends the firm's ongoing California expansion strategy, which has included recent additions such as Rachael Lamkin, an IP specialist who joined the San Francisco office as lead trial counsel from Lamkin IP Defense, and an M&A expert from King & Spalding in March 2026. These moves underscore Baker Botts' commitment to strengthening its corporate and venture capital capabilities on the West Coast.
Mintz similarly expanded its San Francisco corporate practice by recruiting Amit Singh, an emerging company and venture capital specialist, as a Member of the Corporate Practice. Singh's expertise in advising clients across the venture ecosystem—from startups through successful exits—aligns with Mintz's broader positioning in the EC/VC sector, where the firm provides counsel on IP protection, formation, and exit strategy.
Both firms are operating within a competitive talent landscape where BigLaw and boutique firms continue to vie for partners with deep venture capital and emerging companies expertise. Baker Botts, founded in 1840 and headquartered in Texas, brings significant institutional credentials to this competition, with approximately 725 lawyers globally and recognition as Band 1 in 13 practice areas in the Chambers USA 2026 rankings, including technology and transaction practices. The firm's California expansion reflects broader market demand among institutional investors, family offices, and emerging companies seeking specialized counsel on corporate governance, fundraising, and M&A transactions.
These lateral moves indicate that both firms view the venture capital market as a growth priority, positioning themselves to capture expanded advisory opportunities as institutional capital continues to flow into emerging companies and early-stage technology ventures.
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