DLA Piper represented co-lead investor New Enterprise Associates and investor General Atlantic in connection with robotics company Automation Anywhere's $250 million Series A fundraising. Partner Eric Wang in Silicon Valley and Vinny Sanchez in Los Angeles advised HCL Technologies in its acquisition of eight IBM software products, including Lotus Notes, for $1.8 billion. Partners Bradley Gersich in Silicon Valley and Caryn Smith in Austin, Texas, advised physical resources management company Accruent in connection with its sale to Fortive for $2 billion.

That slate of deals landed DLA as a finalist for the Tech Deal Department of the Year as part of The Recorder's California Leaders in Tech Law and Innovation Awards. Gersich, the co-chair of DLA Piper's Northern California corporate and securities practice, recently told The Recorder about the benefits of being a long-standing Northern California practice housed within a global law firm.

The Recorder: What are the distinguishing characteristics of dealmakers that practice at DLA Piper?