DLA Piper announced today that Christine Walchuk has joined the firm’s Corporate practice as a partner in Northern Virginia. Walchuk joins from Goodwin Procter LLP.

Walchuk focuses her practice on the representation of public and private life sciences companies in a broad range of commercial and intellectual property transactions. She regularly advises clients on complex commercial transactions designed to maximize the value of pharmaceutical products and technology assets, including research and development collaborations, technology licenses and acquisitions, distribution and manufacturing agreements and profit-sharing and co-promotion arrangements.

Walchuk also counsels clients in connection with private financings, public offerings, spin-outs and M&A transactions with respect to intellectual property rights and operational risks. She is experienced in counseling clients in strategic partnering and licensing transactions in various sectors of the agricultural biotechnology and plant sciences space, as well as clients in high-tech, software and internet industries.

“Christine will allow us to better serve the transactional needs of life sciences companies across the country,” said John Gilluly, co-chair of DLA Piper’s US Corporate practice. “With her wide-ranging experience and sophisticated skill set, she is well-equipped to deliver creative, business-oriented solutions to issues that arise in licensing transactions and other complex commercial matters.”

“Christine brings an in-depth understanding of life sciences and technology transactions that will be an immediate asset to our clients in the region and across the country,” said Jeff Lehrer, managing partner of the Northern Virginia office. “We are pleased to welcome her to the firm.”

Walchuk received her J.D. from the University of Richmond School of Law and her B.A. from the University of Montana.