Foley Hoag announced today that it has made practice and industry group leadership appointments, reinforcing the firm's commitment to advising high‑growth companies and investors operating at the forefront of innovation. The firm named Patrick Connolly as co‑chair of the Business Department; Brendan Burke and Colin Kirby as co‑chairs of the Emerging Company & Venture Capital Practice Group; and Kevin Lin as co‑chair of the Technology Industry Group.
"We're pleased to elevate leaders who work closely with the entrepreneurs, researchers and investors shaping the next generation of breakthrough ideas," said Managing Partner Jim Bucking. "Patrick, Brendan, Colin and Kevin are trusted advisors to emerging and growth-oriented companies, and their leadership will help us continue to expand Foley Hoag's market-leading practice."
Connolly advises emerging companies in biotechnology, digital health, software, e‑commerce, edtech and cleantech. The outgoing co‑chair of the Emerging Company & Venture Capital Practice Group, Connolly works with innovators and investors from formation through exit. His experience includes company formation, inter‑founder matters, venture financing, commercial transactions, and mergers and acquisitions. He joins current Co‑Chairs Erica Rice and Meredith Haviland in guiding the firm's corporate practices of more than 100 lawyers.
The firm has also expanded leadership of the Emerging Company & Venture Capital Practice Group with the appointments of Brendan Burke and Colin Kirby to join Sara Mattern as co-chairs.
Burke represents emerging growth companies and venture capital investors in a range of corporate and financing matters, with a particular emphasis on the life sciences and technology industries. He counsels clients from the earliest stages of entity formation and founder arrangements, through angel and venture capital financings, to strategic exits such as mergers and acquisitions.
Kirby represents emerging technology and growth-oriented companies in formation, financing, and M&A transactions. He also works with brokers and investors on access to equity in later‑stage growth companies, and advises boards, investors, management and founders on corporate governance, fiduciary obligations, and commercial transactions.
Lin has been named co‑chair of the Technology Industry Group, joining Erik Huestis and Jessica Turko. Lin advises investors and emerging technology companies across sectors including AI, software, blockchain, ClimateTech, robotics and cybersecurity. He supports clients from formation through financing and exit, focusing on helping innovators build, deploy, and scale next‑generation technologies.