Sharon R. Flanagan

Flanagan, managing partner of Sidley Austin’s San Francisco office, represents technology and life science companies in matters including mergers and acquisitions, securities offerings, and corporate governance issues. Her clientele has included eBay Inc., PayPal Holdings Inc., HP Inc., Splunk Inc. and Intuit Inc.

Amidst the coronavirus pandemic, she’s been especially busy with pharmaceutical company Hoffmann-La Roche and security platform provider Palo Alto Networks.

Health care and cybersecurity are as crucial as ever, she said.

She’s handled numerous transactions for Hoffmann-La Roche and its affiliates over the years, especially in the area of gene sequencing. Notable deals include the $1.7 billion acquisition of cancer therapy company Ignyta Inc., the $350 million acquisition of gene-sequencing company Genia Technologies, and the $1.725 billion acquisition of biotech Seragon Pharmaceuticals Inc. by Roche subsidiary Genentech Inc.

“I really enjoy the life sciences work. These companies are working on cutting-edge therapies that save lives,” said Flanagan, explaining that she’s gratified to play a role in bringing potential treatments to the public. “There’s a real sense of pride that I bring to those deals.”

In the cybersecurity realm, she recently led the team of lawyers representing Palo Alto Networks in its $265 million acquisition of The Crypsis Group, a consulting firm for incident response, risk management, and digital forensics.

Flanagan’s work in cybersecurity acquisition deals has bolstered her expertise in cross-border transactions, as many sought-after technology companies are headquartered in Israel. These deals require savvy in cultural, legal, and governmental differences, she said.

Flanagan has been with Sidley Austin LLP for almost 25 years, and as managing partner for a decade. She’s also a member of the firm’s management committee and executive committee. She said the leadership roles have gained significance this year as the firm and the country grapple with issues of the pandemic, racial injustice, and an ever-evolving legal system.

“It’s great to have a seat at that table and to positively influence the law nationally,” she said.

Beyond her firm, Flanagan also serves on the board of trustees for the Exploratorium, a hands-on science, technology, and art museum on San Francisco’s Pier 15.

— Jennifer McEntee