Elite Law Firm Opens Silicon Valley Office to Capture Booming Artificial Intelligence Deals
Palo Alto, Wednesday, 11 November 2026.
Paul Weiss recruited top dealmaker Nader Mousavi, who guided over $1 trillion in tech transactions for clients like OpenAI, to spearhead the firm’s new Silicon Valley expansion.
Paul Weiss Expands into Silicon Valley with High-Profile Hires
On November 10, 2026, Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison (Paul Weiss) announced the opening of its third California office in Silicon Valley, led by veteran dealmaker Nader Mousavi and partner Mark Schenkel, both recruited from Sullivan & Cromwell [1][2][3][4][5]. The expansion marks a strategic push into the heart of the artificial intelligence (AI) and digital infrastructure sectors, where Mousavi’s track record includes advising on transactions exceeding $1 trillion in value [1][3][5]. Mousavi, who co-led Sullivan & Cromwell’s technology, AI, and intellectual property practices, brings deep expertise in AI-driven mergers and partnerships, including collaborations between OpenAI and Microsoft, Amazon, AMD, and Cerebras [1][2][4]. Schenkel, a specialist in technology and data-related transactions, joins Mousavi in the new Silicon Valley office, which will serve as a hub for advising clients on AI infrastructure and regulatory challenges [1][3][5].
A Strategic Move to Capture AI-Driven Deal Flow
The establishment of Paul Weiss’s Silicon Valley office comes at a pivotal moment for the AI sector, which has seen a surge in high-value transactions amid rapid technological advancements and regulatory scrutiny [3][5]. Mousavi’s arrival is particularly notable given his role in landmark deals, such as Broadcom’s $63 billion financing for chip purchases to support Anthropic’s $35 billion AI XPV Platform, in partnership with Apollo and Blackstone, as well as collaborations between Google and Anthropic [1][5]. These transactions underscore the escalating demand for legal expertise in AI infrastructure, where firms like Paul Weiss are positioning themselves to advise on complex regulatory and commercial frameworks. Chairman Scott Barshay emphasized the significance of the hire, stating that Mousavi and Schenkel ‘practice at the very center of the AI economy’ and will ‘powerfully boost [the firm’s] presence in AI and digital infrastructure’ [1][3].
Competition Intensifies Among Top Law Firms for AI Deals
Paul Weiss’s Silicon Valley expansion reflects broader trends in the legal industry, where elite firms are aggressively recruiting top dealmakers to capture a share of the lucrative AI and technology advisory market [2][3][5]. The firm’s move follows a series of high-profile lateral hires, including Krishna Veeraraghavan in 2021 and Matt Friestedt in 2025 from Sullivan & Cromwell, as well as Chris Machera and Caroline Hickey Zalka from Weil Gotshal & Manges [1][5]. With Silicon Valley serving as the global epicenter for AI innovation, Paul Weiss aims to leverage Mousavi and Schenkel’s expertise to attract premier technology conglomerates, venture capital firms, and AI startups navigating the complexities of AI-driven growth [2][4][5]. Industry observers note that the competition for AI advisory mandates has intensified, with firms vying to differentiate themselves through specialized practices and high-profile hires [alert! ‘Trend analysis based on multiple industry reports and legal market analyses’].
Broader Implications for the Legal and Tech Industries
The Silicon Valley office launch also highlights the growing intersection between legal expertise and AI innovation, where firms like Paul Weiss are positioning themselves as critical partners for clients navigating the regulatory and commercial landscapes of AI [3][5]. Mousavi’s track record in advising OpenAI, Broadcom, ASML, AT&T, BlackBerry, Intel, and Waymo demonstrates the breadth of his influence in the tech ecosystem, spanning from AI partnerships to intellectual property and digital infrastructure [1][2][4]. For Paul Weiss, the expansion into Silicon Valley represents not only a geographic growth opportunity but also a strategic alignment with the evolving demands of the AI economy. Barshay noted that the firm’s growth is ‘driven by [its] clients and by the most talented lawyers in the world,’ signaling a commitment to delivering specialized legal counsel in one of the most dynamic sectors of the global economy [1][3].