Bristol-headquartered international law firm Osborne Clarke has opened an office in San Francisco to build on its presence in the US and extend its network among the West Coast’s tech community.
The office will be in the heart of the city’s SoMa tech neighbourhood, enabling the firm to establish closer ties with its existing client base in California.
Since 2001 Osborne Clark has operated a base in Palo Alto, at the heart of Silicon Valley, guiding US tech companies on their growth into the European market.
The leading inward investment team in Palo Alto has advised hundreds of fast-growing companies as well as established global businesses on their initial European launch and has a strong track record supporting those businesses on all their legal needs throughout the EU.
Head of the Silicon Valley base, partner Steve Wilson, pictured, will also lead the SoMa office. 
He said: “The launch of our SoMa office reflects the firm’s sustained commitment to the US market as well as the growth we’ve seen within the tech sector in San Francisco.
“The emergence of the SoMa market means we now have two distinct markets to support, one in Silicon Valley and now in San Francisco. The new office allows us to add greater value to our ever expanding client base.
“We have a unique model with our UK and European lawyers permanently based in Palo Alto and San Francisco. We provide real-time European advice within the Pacific time-zone and give our clients access to specialized advisors across the wider firm.”
The SoMa office will be permanently staffed by Osborne Clarke’s leading European legal advisors.
San Francisco’s downturn SoMa (South of Market) area was the crucible for many of the world’s first internet businesses. It remains the city’s prime tech district and is still fertile ground for nascent businesses while also being a honeypot for advisers and financiers who come looking for the next Microsoft or Apple. It is also home to some of the city’s trendiest cafes, bars and nightspots.
Osborne Clarke also has an office in New York as well as bases in 16 cities across the world including London, Paris, Rome, Brussels, Madrid and Munich. It employs 600 lawyers.
