Elaine Kao joined Dechert as a partner in its corporate and securities practice, based in Dallas. Her arrival further strengthens the firm’s transactional capabilities and bolsters Dechert’s Dallas presence.

“Dallas has emerged as one of the most important markets in the country for sophisticated corporate work, and Elaine is a terrific fit for what we’re building in Texas,” Mark Thierfelder, co-chair of Dechert, said. “Her deep experience advising clients in highly regulated industries, her cross-border capabilities and her roots in both Texas and the West Coast make her a great addition to the firm. We are delighted to welcome her.”

Michael Poulos, vice chair and global head of strategy at Dechert, said, “Elaine brings a sophisticated M&A practice with genuine depth in some of the most complex and highly regulated transaction environments in the market. Her experience representing clients in accounting and professional services firms, physician practices and the healthcare industry adds a meaningful dimension to what our top-ranked Texas corporate team offers clients in Dallas and across the country.”

Kao’s practice focuses on corporate matters with an emphasis on public and private mergers and acquisitions, including buy-side and sell-side transactions, joint ventures, venture capital investments and restructurings, with clients across accounting and audit firms, professional services firms, healthcare and biotech. She has extensive experience navigating regulatory concerns common to transactions involving medical and physician practices, accounting firms, SEC-registered broker-dealers and government contracting.

“Dechert has built an exceptional global corporate practice, and I look forward to contributing to the firm’s continued growth in Texas and beyond,” Kao said. “Joining Dechert gives me the platform, the colleagues and the reach to take my work to the next level, and I’m incredibly energized to be a part of it.”