Perkins Coie Appoints Emerging Companies & Venture Capital Attorney Andy Smetana as Managing Partner of Fast-Growing Austin Office

AUSTIN (May 24, 2022)-Perkins Coie is pleased to announce that Andy Smetana, a veteran Emerging Companies & Venture Capital Law practice partner, has been appointed as the managing partner of the firm's fast-growing Austin office.

"Andy has a stellar track record as an advisor to entrepreneurs and emerging companies, including within Austin's startup and venture community, and he will be an inspiring leader for our expanding Texas presence," said Bill Malley, Perkins Coie's firmwide managing partner. "Texas continues to be a high-growth priority market for Perkins Coie, and Andy's experience is a perfect fit for further developing our client capabilities in Austin and beyond."

Since moving into the Austin market in 2020, Perkins Coie's presence in the Texas capital has rapidly grown to a diverse group of 20 lawyers and 23 business professionals, precipitating the firm's recent move into a new office space in the heart of Austin's downtown business district at 405 Colorado Street.

"Our Austin attorneys offer full-service capabilities for startups, emerging firms, and established tech companies and global brands, and they are backed by Perkins Coie's international platform and long experience in key technology hubs such as Seattle and Silicon Valley," said Andy. "We continue to experience strong demand for our legal services and attract new talent, and we see strategic opportunities across Texas as Austin, Dallas, and Houston continue to grow as business centers."

Andy takes over the Austin managing partner position after Jose Villarreal, an intellectual property (IP) litigator and trial attorney, led the opening of the office and was instrumental in growing its operations during the past two years. Jose remains with the Austin office and will continue his IP litigation practice and as a lead counsel for major technology clients.

Andy regularly participates in technology and venture forums, including South by Southwest (SXSW), and is committed to the local community. He volunteers with Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Travis County as an advocate for abused and neglected children and serves as the chair and treasurer of the Austin Bar Association's Technology Section.

Perkins Coie has long been recognized for excellence in the legal industry and for its commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive work culture. The firm was ranked as the #1 U.S. employer among the 2021 "Best Workplaces in Consulting & Professional Services" by Great Place to Work®, has been recognized as one of Fortune's "100 Best Companies to Work For®" for 20 consecutive years, and has been named an Inclusion Blueprint Champion by Diversity Lab. The firm has also earned the Human Rights Campaign Foundation's top rating of 100% in the Corporate Equality Index, a national benchmarking survey on corporate policies and practices related to LGBTQ workplace equality, for 14 straight years.

Perkins Coie is a leading international law firm that is known for providing high-value, strategic solutions and extraordinary client service on matters vital to our clients' success. With more than 1,200 attorneys in offices across the United States and Asia, we provide a full array of corporate, commercial litigation, intellectual property, and regulatory legal advice to a broad range of clients, including many of the world's most innovative companies and industry leaders as well as public and not-for-profit organizations.

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