Cooley's Gain

Cooley Godward Kronish has nabbed former Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr partner Brent Siler, who joined the firm yesterday as a partner in the public securities practice. Siler had been with Wilmer for more than 20 years, originally joining from the Hale and Dorr side after the 2004 merger.

“Cooley has become the dominant leader in this practice area in the mid-Atlantic,” says Siler. “Across the board it’s a terrific bench. I know a number of lawyers here from over the years.” Cooley has about 110 lawyers between Reston and Washington in the public securities practice.

Siler says it is still too early to determine which clients will follow him to Cooley. He has handled IPOs for Sucampo Pharmaceuticals, Blackboard, SRA International, OPNET Technologies, and Eclipsys Corporation.

Siler’s addition is the second major move Cooley has made in recent months. In August, Roel Campos, former commissioner of the Securities and Exchange Commission, joined the firm as a partner in charge of the Washington office.