Clients partner with Cooley on transformative deals, complex IP and regulatory matters and high-stakes litigation, where innovation meets the law. 

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Neal is a founding partner of Cooley’s Chicago office, and represents strategic acquirers and founders in public and private acquisitions, mergers, dispositions and joint ventures. He routinely represents global companies on cross-border transactions. Neal’s practice also includes advising public companies on corporate governance matters and securities offerings, as well as counseling boards of directors, board committees and executive officers in connection with day-to-day and extraordinary events. Before joining Cooley, Neal was chair of the Chicago corporate group at DLA Piper.

Neal I. Aizenstein

Eric Blanchard is currently a partner at [Cooley](/org/cooley). Prior to this, they were a partner at Covington & Burling from May 2012 to March 2020, where they worked in securities, capital markets, and governance. Before that, they were a partner at Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP from September 1999 to May 2012, where they worked on international law.

Eric Blanchard has a JD from The Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law and a BA in Theirtory from the [University of Maryland](/org/university-of-maryland).

Their manager is Joe Conroy, CEO. They are on a team with Neal I. Aizenstein - Partner, Jane Adams - Partner, and Deanna Allen - Partner.

Eric Blanchard

Kimball Fontein

Joe Conroy is the chief executive officer of [Cooley](/org/cooley) and leads its management committee. As partner and CEO – a role he has held since 2008 – he sets and executes the firm’s strategy.

Joe Conroy

Michael Perretta is an Associate at [Cooley](/org/cooley). Michael was previously a Summer Associate at [Cooley](/org/cooley) LLP from May 2016 to July 2016. Prior to that, they were a Research Assistant to Professor P. Gulasekaram at Santa Clara University School of Law from June 2015 to September 2015. Michael was also a Law Clerk at Shea and Shea - A Professional Law Corporation from May 2015 to May 2017. Before that, they were a Legal Intern and Implementation Consultant at Xactly Corporation from June 2010 to July 2014.

Michael Perretta attended Santa Clara University School of Law, where they earned their Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree. Prior to attending law school, they completed their undergraduate studies at the University of California, Berkeley, earning a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science with a focus on International Relations.

Michael Perretta

Kevin Rooney

DeAnna Allen's practice involves various aspects of intellectual property, including patent litigation, trademark litigation and computer technology. She has litigated cases and counseled clients on matters involving patents for a variety of technologies, including software systems, semiconductors, IED/mine detection technologies, consumer electronics, cancer treatment methods, nutraceuticals, advanced security camera networks, commercial automotive equipment, biological testing equipment, online auction and gaming technology and multimedia digital equipment and communication networks. DeAnna also is experienced in the transfer of rights in IP, including technology transfer agreements and due diligence, as well as in trademark prosecution and patent prosecution involving computer memory, computer networks, signal processing, digital imagers and other areas of electrical and computer engineering. She often provides counseling to clients in a variety of industries on matters relating to wireless and wired communication technologies and other computer based systems.

DeAnna has been recognized routinely for her professional accomplishments throughout her career. Most recently, she was selected as a 2017 Benchmark Litigation Future Star. In 2012, she was selected as a Future Washington, DC Star in Benchmark Litigation and as a national and Washington, DC Litigation Star in Benchmark Plaintiff. The Legal 500 has referred to DeAnna as a "hi-tech specialist" and "recommended" her in 2011 in the Intellectual Property: Patent Prosecution category. She was also recognized in 2010 by the National Diversity Council as one of the Most Powerful and Influential Women in the DC-Maryland-Virginia region. DeAnna was featured in Profiles in Diversity Journal's 8th Annual Women Worth Watching issue (2008), a profile that highlighted an elite group of women leaders from many industries who represent diversity within their spheres of influence and who are determined and compassionate mentors. Finally, in the December 2007 issue of Black Enterprise magazine, DeAnna was named to the publication's Hot List, a biennial register of professional and entrepreneurial powerhouses under the age of 40 who shape our world. DeAnna previously chaired and co-chaired Cooley's diversity committee. DeAnna is an executive board member and Vice President of the National Association of Women Lawyers.

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