US firm Perkins Coie has acquired start-up-focused New York boutique Kluk Farber Law as it seeks to expand its emerging companies practice.

The deal adds 12 lawyers and six business professionals, including partners Agatha Kluk, Sonia Farber and Eitan Hoenig. They will lead Perkins Coie’s emerging companies and venture capital practice and will be based in the firm’s new start-up and emerging companies centre in New York’s Flatiron District. The Kluk Farber team regularly advise start-up and high-growth companies on corporate strategy, venture capital investments and exits.

Brian Eiting, co-chair of the firm’s corporate law practice, said: “The addition of Kluk Farber’s highly regarded and talented lawyers further cements Perkins Coie’s position as a leading technology firm in New York and across the nation. Agatha, Sonia, Eitan and the entire team are a perfect fit for Perkins Coie’s culture, client base and strategic vision, bringing a keystone emerging companies practice to our New York office.”

Kluk and Farber founded Kluk Farber Law in 2017. The duo were both previously associates at Debevoise & Plimpton. Hoenig joined Kluk Farber in 2020 to add transactions and M&A expertise. He previously worked for Wachtell Lipton Rosen & Katz between 2011 and 2018.

The rest of the team include counsel Julio Mojica and associates Nike Anders, Lauren Capobianco, Michael Greenblatt, Zachary Leibowitz, Michelle Nguyen and Alexander Porro. Valdemar Washington joins Perkins Coie as a practice attorney and Stella Silverstein as an IP attorney.

Kluk said: “As our emerging company clients scale, they increasingly need the kind of expert advice and sophisticated execution that Perkins Coie brings to the table. Our team has been privileged to gain our clients’ trust on their most important and sensitive matters and we are excited to continue doing so under Perkins Coie’s established brand.”

Perkins Coie’s new start-up centre at 41 Madison Avenue houses collaboration rooms, conference rooms and space for live and virtual forums. The Kluk Farber team will make the centre their home from early December.

Ron Sarubbi, Perkins Coie’s New York office managing partner, said: “Our expanded capabilities will provide new opportunities to serve New York’s start-up ecosystem and the entrepreneurs and innovators who are also revolutionising Wall Street and the capital markets.”

The Kluk Farber acquisition follows the addition of four veteran emerging company and venture capital partners in recent months. They included Chris Grogan, who rejoined in Los Angeles in August after a spell in-house at fintech start-up Stealth, and Steve Davis, who joined from Davis Wright Tremaine in Portland.