With over 25 years’ experience and a focus on commercial, intellectual property (IP), and technology transactions, Rahul Kapoor advises clients on strategic alliances, joint ventures, and corporate partnering transactions in the technology and life science industries. Rahul is the local practice group leader of the Silicon Valley and San Francisco corporate and business transactions practice and global co-leader of the firm's India initiative. He previously served as the firmwide hiring partner, managing partner of the firm’s Silicon Valley office, and a member of the firm’s Advisory Board.
Rahul also handles digital transformation deals, standards body licensing structures, patent licensing, open source software strategy, e-commerce and privacy, supply and distribution agreements, spinoffs and core technology licenses, and IT outsourcing transactions. Focusing on IP strategic counseling, Rahul also advises clients on IP issues in connection with mergers and acquisitions, initial public offerings, and corporate financings.
Rahul has been recognized by leading industry publications such as Daily Journal (Top 100 Lawyer in California), Chambers USA, The Legal 500 US, and Law360. He has been selected as one of The World’s Leading IP Strategists, World’s Leading Patent Professionals, and as a Global Leader by Intellectual Asset Management (IAM) and is on the India Business Law Journal’s International A-List.
Rahul brings a deep technology background and a comprehensive understanding of the business and technology markets to his legal work. After obtaining a degree in electrical engineering and before practicing law, Rahul worked for six years as an engineer and project manager in the systems integration arena. He launched his engineering career working for a venture-backed startup later acquired by a Fortune 100 company.
In addition to practicing law, Rahul taught an IP strategy class for 10 years at UC Berkeley School of Law. Rahul previously served on the board of directors of OneJustice, a not-for-profit organization bringing life-changing legal help to those in need by transforming the civil legal aid system, and currently serves on the board of the Morgan Lewis Foundation.
Ranked, Technology: Transactions, California, Chambers USA (2021–2024)
Ranked, IT & Outsourcing: Transactions, California, Chambers USA (2008–2020)
Recognized, Elite Patent Practitioner, IAM Global Leaders (2019, 2022, 2024, 2025)
Recognized, IAM Patent 1000: The World's Leading Patent Professionals (2012–2024)
Leading Lawyer, Intellectual property: Patents: licensing, The Legal 500 US (2019–2024)
Recommended, Industry focus: Rail and road - finance, The Legal 500 US (2021–2023)
Recommended, M&A/corporate and commercial: Commercial deals and contracts, The Legal 500 US (2017, 2019, 2020)
Recommended, Media, technology and telecoms: Outsourcing, The Legal 500 US (2023)
Recommended, Media, technology and telecoms: Technology transactions, The Legal 500 US (2011–2018, 2020–2023)
Member, Practice Group of the Year, Intellectual Property, Law360 (2019)
The International A-List, India Business Law Journal (2019–2024)
Recommended, Intellectual property: Patents: licensing, The Legal 500 US (2018)
Ranked, India’s Most Trusted Corporate Lawyers, Indian Corporate Counsel Association (2017)
Recognized, IAM Strategy 300—The World's Leading IP Strategists (2011–2014)
Ranked, Top 100 Lawyer in California, Daily Journal (2010)
Ranked, BTI Client Service All-Star (2009)
Member, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
Editor-in-Chief, Wisconsin International Law Journal
Member, Licensing Executives Society
Member, American Bar Association
No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of the New Jersey. A description of the selection methodology for the above awards can be found here.