Karen Deschaine, Partner at Wilson Sonsini

Today, my guest is Karen Deschaine, a Partner in the San Diego office of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, where she represents clients in the life sciences sector, primarily in the biotechnology and therapeutics space. Over the course of 16-plus years, Karen has developed a sophisticated company-building corporate life sciences practice. She has handled private financings, public offerings, corporate governance matters, commercial transactions, strategic transactions, securities matters, and the general representation of public and private companies.

Karen has successfully represented clients—which range from start-ups to public companies—throughout their life cycles, from formation to exit. Karen has a proven track record of cultivating longstanding relationships with leading life sciences companies and venture funds. She is well known in the San Diego business community, but also represents clients throughout California and in top markets across the U.S. Before law school, Karen served as a captain in the U.S. Army and commanded two companies. While at West Point, she was a member of the sport parachute team. As such, she jumped the game ball into numerous Army football games and was named the Overall Novice Champion at the 1994 National Collegiate Skydiving Championships.