Nader A Mousavi

Partner, Sullivan & Cromwell LLP

Widely recognized as one of the top technology deal lawyers in the world, Nader A. Mousavi is a partner and co-head of the Firm’s Intellectual Property and Technology Group and a member of the Firm's Cybersecurity Group.

Mr. Mousavi has been described by his clients as “‘an amazing lawyer and trusted legal and business partner…[with] a unique ability to think outside the box and meet company goals. There’s nobody better when you take into account substantive knowledge, composed demeanour and negotiation ability.’” (IAM Patent 1000). Clients praise his “‘legal erudition, superlative drafting and bargaining aptitude’” and note that “‘he is a uniquely talented lawyer. You can put him on pretty much anything…’” (IAM Patent 1000).  He has been recognized by leading industry publications such as The American Lawyer, Chambers USA, Daily Journal, Law360 and the National Law Journal, including as a Law360 2018 MVP in technology and as one of the “The World’s Leading IP Strategists” and as a “Global Leader” by Intellectual Asset Management (IAM).

For over 20 years, Mr. Mousavi has focused his practice on technology-intensive mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures and collaborations, as well as the licensing of rights in intellectual property (such as patents, copyrights, trademarks and trade secrets), data, content, pharmaceuticals, software and other technology. His clients range from Fortune 50 companies to leading edge innovators in 5G, artificial intelligence, autonomous driving, crypto currencies, data analytics, drones, genetics, robotics and streaming. He regularly counsels clients on IP and technology strategy, including in the context of CFIUS, cybersecurity, disputes, patent pools, privacy, restructurings, standards and settlements.

A distinguished thought-leader in the field, Mr. Mousavi is a Lecturer in Law at Stanford Law School (from 2015 to present), where he teaches a course on the Business and Law of Patent and Technology Licensing. Mr. Mousavi served as the law school’s National Reunion Chair (2015 – 2019), and was the recipient of the Stanford University Associates Governors’ Award for exemplary and long-standing volunteer service to Stanford University (2019).

Mr. Mousavi’s perspective is informed by his diverse experience. Earlier in his career, he served as the general counsel of a software-as-a-service (SaaS) company through its acquisition, as interim counsel to Cisco’s IP telephony business, and as a summer honors law clerk in the antitrust division of the United States Department of Justice.