Ka-onLi

Partner

Silicon Valley + 1.650.739.3916

Ka-on Li is the co-leader of Jones Day's IP Transactions team. She works closely with clients to successfully structure and execute IP, technology, and commercial transactions to achieve high-stakes business objectives. She is an experienced IP and technology lawyer whose practice focuses on transactions for clients active in the technology, life sciences, data, food and beverage, retail, financial, apparel, consumer, telecommunications, media, and entertainment fields. Ka-on drafts and negotiates contracts involving R&D (research and development), collaborations, outsourcing, licensing and commercialization, manufacturing and distribution transactions, software and cloud-related matters, and infrastructure projects. She also advises clients on IP compliance issues, including those arising from the use of open source, AI (artificial intelligence), and big data.

Ka-on has solid experience in assisting emerging and established businesses in U.S. and overseas markets. She has represented software and life science companies at all stages, from formation to exit. She has drafted and negotiated some of the most significant collaborations and strategic agreements and alliances between industry entrepreneurs, service providers, acquirers, and investors. Much of her experience involves working on deals involving the commercialization of products driven by the convergence of multiple technologies, such as digital health, fintech, and AI-driven platforms.

She has acted for clients on a full range of M&A, private equity, and financing transactions involving domestic and foreign IP and technology assets on the buy-side and the sell-side.

Ka-on's deep and diverse experience, including her secondment at Australia's largest telecommunications provider, enables her to bring a pragmatic, business-oriented and collaborative approach to her work and negotiations.

Experience

  • VSE acquires Kellstrom Aerospace Group and completes $172.5 million public offering of Common StockJones Day is advising VSE Corporation, a leading provider of aftermarket distribution and repair services, in the $200 million acquisition of Kellstrom Aerospace Group, Inc., a portfolio company of AE Industrial Partners, LP and a diversified global distributor and service provider supporting the commercial aerospace engine aftermarket.
  • The Aaron's Company agrees to be acquired by IQVenturesJones Day advised The Aaron's Company, Inc. in the acquisition and take private of Aaron’s by IQVentures Holdings, LLC, a leading fintech organization, for $10.10 per share in cash, or an enterprise value of approximately $504 million.
  • Affiliates of Centre Lane Partners acquire substantially all of the assets of Hardinge Inc. and its subsidiaries, including the Kellenberger, USACH, SuperPrecision, and Workholding business linesJones Day advised affiliates of Centre Lane Partners in the acquisition of substantially all of the assets of Hardinge Inc. and its debtor subsidiaries, a global leader and provider of advanced machine tool, manufacturing and workholding solutions, as part of chapter 11 proceedings in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware.
  • Randstad forms joint venture combining its job board business, Monster, with CareerBuilderJones Day advised Randstad N.V., a multinational publicly traded talent company, in connection with the formation of a joint venture combining its job board business, Monster, with CareerBuilder, a subsidiary of investment funds affiliated with Apollo Global Management, Inc.
  • Riverside portfolio company acquires Alexander GowJones Day represented The Riverside Company in connection with the acquisition and financing by portfolio company Performance Systems Integration of Alexander Gow, which provides inspection, repair and installation of engineered and pre-engineered suppression systems for marine vessels, kitchen and special hazard applications in Washington, Oregon and Hawaii.
  • Koch reaches agreement to acquire Wever fertilizer plant from OCI GlobalJones Day advised Koch Ag & Energy Solutions, LLC, an affiliate of Koch Industries, Inc., in the $3.6 billion acquisition of Iowa Fertilizer Company (IFCO) from OCI N.V., a Netherlands-based producer and distributor of hydrogen products.
  • Five9 acquires AcqueonJones Day advised Five9, Inc. in its acquisition of Acqueon, a pioneering real-time revenue execution platform, realizing Five9's ambition to become the orchestration engine for every interaction across the entire customer journey, including marketing, e-commerce, sales and customer service through AI-driven, omnichannel proactive customer engagement.
  • Riverside acquires CloudpermitJones Day represented The Riverside Company in its acquisition and financing of Cloudpermit, a community development software company for local governments, citizens, and other stakeholders.
  • Koch Equity Development acquires iconectiv, LLCJones Day is advising Koch Equity Development LLC, the principal investment and acquisition arm of Koch, Inc., on its acquisition of iconectiv, LLC ("iconectiv"), a telecommunications solutions leader, from Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC), the global supplier of mobile communication and connectivity solutions for service providers and enterprises, and affiliates of Francisco Partners, a leading technology investment firm.
  • Cushman & Wakefield sells third-party multi-site vendor managed site maintenance businessJones Day advised Cushman & Wakefield in the sale of its third-party multi-site vendor managed site maintenance business, including the sale of wholly-owned subsidiaries Cushman & Wakefield Solutions, LLC and Cushman & Wakefield Solutions Canada ULC to Vixxo, a leading facilities solutions company.
  • Program Productions acquires Rhino StagingJones Day advised Program Productions, Inc. in the purchase of substantially all of the assets of Rhino Staging & Event Productions, Inc. and its affiliated companies, a leader in event stagehand labor management and services for live events across the United States.
  • Rich Data enters into strategic partnership with M&T and nCino to streamline lending operations utilizing AI technologyJones Day represented Rich Data Co. ("RDC"), an industry leader in artificial intelligence (AI) decisioning for business and commercial lenders, in connection with RDC's strategic agreement with M&T Bank ("M&T").
  • Henderson Park acquires Arizona Biltmore for $705 millionJones Day represented Henderson Park Capital Partners in the acquisition and financing of the Arizona Biltmore, a LXR Hotel & Resort, for a purchase price of $705 million.
  • Sanken Electric portfolio company receives $175 million investment from Niobrara and Prysm CapitalJones Day advised Sanken Electric Co Ltd. regarding the $175 million investment from Niobrara Capital Partners LP and Prysm Capital LLC as investors in subsidiary Polar Semiconductor LLC.
  • VSE Corporation acquires Turbine Controls, Inc.Jones Day advised VSE Corporation in the $120 million acquisition of Turbine Controls, Inc., a provider of maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) support services for complex engine components, as well as engine and airframe accessories, across commercial and military applications.
  • VSE Corporation sells Federal and Defense Services operating assetsJones Day advised VSE Corporation in the sale of substantially all of its Federal and Defense Services operating assets.
  • Riverside portfolio company acquires U.S. LawnsJones Day represented The Riverside Company in connection with its acquisition by portfolio company EverSmith Brands of U.S. Lawns, a provider of lawncare franchisor services, including commercial landscaping and snow removal services, for U.S. commercial properties through a network of franchisees, from an indirect subsidiary of BrightView Holdings Inc. (NYSE: BV).
  • Sonoco sells protective solutions packaging business to Black Diamond Capital Management, LLC for $80 millionJones Day advised Sonoco Products Company in the $80 million sale of Sonoco's Protective Solutions assets and business to Black Diamond Capital Management, LLC.
  • Asbury Automotive Group acquires Jim Koons AutomotiveJones Day advised Asbury Automotive Group, Inc. (NYSE: ABG), one of the largest automotive retail and service companies in the U.S., in its acquisition of Jim Koons Automotive Group of Companies for approximately $1.2 billion in cash.
  • Affiliate of Centre Lane Partners acquires appliance business from Instant BrandsJones Day advised an affiliate of Centre Lane Partners in the acquisition and financing of the appliances business of Instant Brands, designer and distributor of kitchen and home appliances, including the Instant Pot, pursuant to Section 363 of title 11 of the United States Code.
  • Additional Speaking Engagements

    • January 19, 2022
      AI in Drug Discovery and Development