Baker Botts L.L.P., a leading international energy, technology, and life sciences law firm, announced it has expanded its San Francisco office with the addition of a prominent team from Venable, led by Friedemann Thomma, the former co-chair of its Transactional Tax Group. He is joined by fellow partner Becca Chappell.
This strategic expansion strengthens the Firm’s transactional capabilities across tax, corporate, and technology sectors, marking the continuation of the Firm’s substantial growth across the platform, including on the West Coast. The addition of the new team deepens the Firm’s global expertise in corporate international tax, cross-border structuring, and U.S. taxation of foreign operations, while extending its reach into key industries that demand interdisciplinary, cross-border transactional support.
Thomma brings decades of experience advising publicly traded multinational tech companies, start-ups, mid-market businesses, high-end consumer manufacturers, and high-net-worth individuals. He has led large-scale global structuring projects from design through post-implementation and has served as the primary contact for multinational clients. His work spans international legal and tax restructurings, post-M&A integrations, and close collaboration with in-house legal, tax, treasury, and accounting teams. He advises a wide range of clients, including private equity and hedge funds, real estate and distressed debt funds, and U.S. and international investors, on inbound and outbound tax, partnership and real estate tax matters, and executive compensation.
Chappell advises clients on U.S. inbound and outbound transactional tax matters and cross-border planning, with a focus on complex acquisitions, business combinations, restructurings, global expansions, and fund structuring. She has led multi-jurisdictional transactions involving the U.S., Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America, and brings deep expertise in tax-efficient structuring and implementation. Her work reflects close collaboration across legal, tax, and commercial teams to deliver strategies aligned with clients’ financial and operational goals. She advises a broad range of clients across industries including technology, health services, financial services, cryptocurrency, and media.
“We are excited to welcome these exceptional lawyers to Baker Botts as we continue to expand our market-leading transactional platform from coast to coast and around the globe,” said Danny David, Managing Partner of Baker Botts. “Friedemann and Becca have deep relationships in the business communities they serve and a proven track record of client success. They will further strengthen our team and accelerate the incredible momentum we have built in the dynamic Bay Area markets.”
“San Francisco is a critical market for our clients, particularly those operating at the intersection of innovation, capital, and global commerce,” said Jon Feldhammer, tax partner in the firm’s San Francisco office. “This team strengthens our ability to support clients on both the tax and corporate fronts and will help accelerate our growth across the West Coast and across geographies.”
Friedemann added, “I was drawn to Baker Botts’ bench strength, global reach, and close client partnerships. Integrating tax as a core service allows us to fuel growth and innovation for clients across industries. I’m energized by the new possibilities our combined expertise unlocks—both in deepening existing relationships and creating fresh opportunities.”
“I’m truly excited to join Baker Botts,” said Chappell. “The firm’s collaborative culture and global reach makes it an ideal platform to continue building on cross-border work and helping our clients navigate the increasingly complex international tax landscape. I’m looking forward to working with such a talented group of colleagues.”
The team arrives during a period of strong, strategic growth for the Firm. In 2025, Baker Botts has welcomed a record number of high caliber lateral partners, further strengthening its momentum across key markets and priority practice areas worldwide.
Source: www.bakerbotts.com
