Judith Hasko, a preeminent, nationally recognized life sciences lawyer with particular expertise in complex strategic collaboration and licensing transactions, has joined WilmerHale as a partner in its Palo Alto office and co-chair of the firm’s Life Sciences practice group.
“Judith is a tremendous addition to our Corporate and Life Sciences practices, and we’re excited to have her join us,” said WilmerHale Managing Partner Anjan Sahni. “Continued growth of our corporate practice is a top strategic priority for the firm, and Judith’s arrival further strengthens this practice on the West Coast and nationally in a meaningful way.”
“Judith practices at the very highest level in her field. Her entrepreneurial spirit and collaborative approach to counseling clients fits in well with our firm’s culture,” said Mick Bain, Chair of the firm’s Transactional Department. “We are delighted to welcome Judith to the firm and to co-chair our Life Sciences practice group.”
Hasko counsels companies and investors in the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, medical device and diagnostic product sectors with respect to general strategic matters, including licensing, collaborations, corporate partnerships, joint ventures, co-commercialization arrangements, manufacturing and distribution agreements, mergers and acquisitions, royalty financing transactions, and digital health transactions.
Hasko will be resident in WilmerHale’s Palo Alto office, which is headed by Partner-in-Charge Sonal Mehta.
In addition to her legal acumen, Hasko brings both business and scientific perspectives to her legal representations. A Certified Licensing Professional (CLP) and a member of the Patent Bar, Hasko was a cardiovascular researcher at Genentech prior to attending law school.
“WilmerHale’s expertise and depth in life sciences counselling transactions provide an ideal platform to capitalize on life sciences opportunities on the West Coast and beyond, and I look forward to being a leader in further expanding the firm’s West Coast transactional presence,” said Judith, who will co-chair the firm’s Life Sciences practice group alongside Stuart Falber.
Among numerous other accolades, Hasko is Band 1 ranked nationally for Life Sciences: Corporate & Commercial by Chambers USA and was inducted into the LMG Life Sciences Hall of Fame.
Hasko earned her BA in biopsychology from Vassar in 1986, an MPhil in Neurophysiology and Ethology from the University of Sussex in 1988 and her JD from the University of Wisconsin Law School in 1994.
Before joining WilmerHale, Hasko was a partner in the Silicon Valley office of another major international law firm, where she served as vice chair of its Healthcare & Life Sciences Practice.