Corporate lawyers Kyle Guse and Amar Murugan, who represent a number of innovative companies in the life sciences and technology sectors, joined Baker Botts L.L.P. today as partners in the firm’s Palo Alto office.

The addition of Guse and Murugan provides depth to Baker Botts’ corporate practice — particularly in the Silicon Valley — and continues the firm’s expansion of its Palo Alto office. Since opening in 2008, Baker Botts has grown from four to 20 lawyers in its northern California location.

“Kyle and Amar bring an extensive knowledge of financing needs for clients engaged in the innovative and fast-growing life sciences and technology sectors,” said Baker Botts Managing Partner Walt Smith. “Their experience with public and emerging growth companies strengthens our corporate practice in Palo Alto.”

Guse has completed more than 100 public offerings and M&A transactions for clients that include venture capital funds and investment banks in the life sciences, technology and clean-tech sectors. He has focused much of his practice on counseling rapidly growing companies through public offerings and mergers and acquisitions.

Murugan represents emerging growth companies throughout their life cycle, from formation through initial and subsequent rounds of financing to an acquisition or initial public offering. He has also represented a number of public and private technology companies in mergers and acquisitions of various structures as well as in licensing and other strategic transactions.

“Adding Kyle and Amar to our Palo Alto team continues our commitment to clients — made when we opened the office in 2008 — to provide the best legal counsel across all business sectors,” said B.C. Boren, Partner in Charge of the firm’s Palo Alto office.

Guse earned his law degree from Santa Clara University School of Law and his MBA and undergraduate degrees from the California State University (Sacramento). He has been recognized by Legal 500 as a leading lawyer in his field of practice.

Murugan earned his law degree from the UCLA School of Law and his undergraduate degree from Georgetown University. Law and Politics recognized him as a “rising star” in the northern California legal community during each of the past three years.

Prior to joining Baker Botts, Guse and Murugan were partners in the Silicon Valley office of McDermott Will & Emery LLP.