Lisa Suennen to head up firm’s digital and technology businesses and Manatt’s venture capital fund
Lisa Suennen will join Manatt Phelps & Phillips LLP to head up its digital and technology businesses and the firm’s venture capital fund. Suennen was previously the Managing Partner of Venture Valkyrie and Senior Managing Director of GE Ventures’ Healthcare Venture Fund. She is a well-known investor and advisor in healthcare ventures, having spent 15 years as a partner at Psilos Group following 10 years as a tech and healthcare entrepreneur.
“Lisa’s expertise, knowledge and network of contacts touch every aspect of Manatt’s industry-focused platform,” said Donna Wilson, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Partner-Elect of Manatt. “Her unique understanding of technology and of what it takes for transformative strategic investments to work will accelerate the ongoing expansion of our unique, multidisciplinary professional services platform.”
Over the past decade, Manatt has transformed from one of the top law firms to an industry-leading, integrated professional services firm that combines its legal capabilities with deep strategic, analytics and public policy capabilities through Manatt Health and its digital and technology businesses.
“Joining Manatt allows me the unique opportunity to continue to work to my strengths in healthcare and venture capital, while expanding more broadly across technology in other industries,” said Suennen. “I love building organizations and strategic teams, and Manatt offers me the chance to do that from an existing, proven platform with - most importantly - a diverse group of people I like, trust and am excited to work with every day.”
Suennen will focus broadly across all technology verticals, including digital media, financial technology, education and other sectors where technology plays a major role in transformation. Additionally, her arrival will further strengthen the strategic consulting side of Manatt Health, which combines in one platform, deep policy, analytics, legal, strategy and consulting capabilities. The practice has grown to over 160 professionals working on a wide expanse of healthcare engagements. Manatt Health’s interdisciplinary teams are known for engaging in leading-edge thought leadership, often working with the major healthcare foundations to develop new thinking on complex healthcare issues.
“Lisa Suennen’s authentic, no-nonsense advice is legendary in the venture and healthcare world,” said Bill Bernstein, Chair of Manatt Health. “She is going to be a major asset to our clients, most of whom are looking for innovative thinking on how to navigate the transition from a bricks-and-mortar, paper-based healthcare system to a digitally powered, mobile, consumer-facing one.”
Suennen holds an M.A. in political science, a B.A. in political science and a B.A. in mass communications, all from the University of California, Berkeley, where she is now on faculty, teaching the annual class on healthcare venture capital in the changing healthcare economy. She will be based in Manatt’s San Francisco office.
About Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP
Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP, is one of the nation’s leading law and consulting firms, with offices strategically located in California (Los Angeles, Orange County, Silicon Valley, San Francisco and Sacramento), New York (New York City and Albany), Chicago and Washington, D.C. The firm represents a sophisticated client base—including Fortune 500, middle-market and emerging companies—across a range of practice areas and industry sectors. For more information, visit www.manatt.com.
About Manatt Health
Manatt Health integrates legal and consulting expertise to better serve the complex needs of clients across the healthcare system.
Combining legal excellence, firsthand experience in shaping public policy, sophisticated strategy insight and deep analytic capabilities, we provide uniquely valuable professional services to the full range of health industry players.
Our diverse team of more than 160 attorneys and consultants from Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP, and its consulting subsidiary, Manatt Health Strategies, LLC, is passionate about helping our clients advance their business interests, fulfill their missions and lead healthcare into the future. For more information, visit https://www.manatt.com/health.