Continuing its hiring spree in the Bay Area, Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman has scooped up the co-chair of Gibson Dunn's technology transactions group.

Partner Shaalu Mehra has joined Pillsbury's Silicon Valley office and will serve as the leader of the firm's newly formed global technology policy practice.

“The nature of my practice is cross-disciplinary,” Mehra said. “That practice integrates corporate securities work, as well as tech transactions work, but also has substantial public policy components.”

Mehra, who has been practicing in the Bay Area for over two decades, counsels clients ranging from large companies to emerging growth companies and startups. Over the years, he has guided technology company boards, executives and investors through key legal, policy and commercial challenges as they enter the market.

“That is just an art I have developed over the years,” he said. “It takes a multifaceted approach, which includes a lot of what you would consider policy- and governance-type considerations.”

Mehra said he is excited to form the technology policy practice group with Pillsbury. He said the firm provides “the perfect platform” to expand his practice, noting that his work will likely integrate Pillsbury's existing capabilities in corporate and venture finance, technology procurement, public policy, state-level AG work and federal regulations.

The cross-functional team will help clients establish strategies and responses needed to address rapidly emerging and evolving legislative, regulatory and industry governance developments, the firm said.

“From start-ups to household names, Pillsbury has a long history of working with the world's most exciting technology companies,” Justin Hovey, leader of the firm's technology and media industry group, said in a statement. “The same can be said of Shaalu—he is an established leader in the tech sector with an uncommon depth of knowledge that spans multiple disciplines. We are absolutely thrilled to introduce such a talented individual to our many technology sector clients around the world.”

Shaalu's arrival follows the addition of another high-profile partner in the Bay Area. Last month, the firm hired longtime K&L Gates partner Michael E. Zeliger in its Palo Alto office. Zeliger was previously a global co-practice area leader for intellectual property at K&L Gates.

Mehra spent six years at Gibson Dunn, which he joined in the spring of 2013 from Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton. Gibson Dunn did not respond to a request for comment regarding Shaalu's departure.

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