Top Employment Lawyer Jumps to DLA Piper's Corporate Group

Josh Elefant brings extensive experience advising clients on employment matters during corporate transactions.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 5:20pm by

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A minimalist studio still life photograph featuring a stack of legal documents, a pen, and a pair of reading glasses arranged on a clean, monochromatic background, conceptually representing the integration of employment law expertise into corporate transactions.A law firm's strategic move to bolster its corporate practice with specialized employment expertise.San Francisco Today

Josh Elefant has joined DLA Piper as a partner in the firm's corporate group. Elefant, who previously worked at Cooley LLP, advises clients across multiple industries on a range of employment-related matters, including hiring, separations, policies, investigations, whistleblower complaints, and wage and hour compliance. His practice is closely integrated with corporate transactions, where he provides guidance on pre-acquisition due diligence, transaction agreement preparation and negotiation, and the drafting of employment agreements and other ancillary documents.

Why it matters

Elefant's move from a prominent tech-focused firm like Cooley to a global legal powerhouse like DLA Piper highlights the growing importance of employment law expertise in corporate transactions and the high demand for lawyers who can navigate the complex web of employment-related issues that arise during M&A activity and other major business deals.

The details

According to the announcement, Elefant will be based in the San Francisco Bay Area as part of DLA Piper's corporate group. His practice focuses on guiding clients through a wide range of employment matters, from hiring and separation policies to investigations and compliance with wage and hour laws. Elefant's experience also includes providing employment-related support during corporate transactions, such as conducting pre-acquisition due diligence, drafting and negotiating transaction agreements, and preparing employment contracts and other ancillary documents.

  • Elefant joined DLA Piper as a partner in the firm's corporate group on April 13, 2026.

The players

Josh Elefant

An employment lawyer who has joined DLA Piper as a partner in the firm's corporate group. Elefant previously worked at Cooley LLP.

DLA Piper

A global law firm that has hired Josh Elefant as a partner in its corporate group.

Cooley LLP

The law firm where Josh Elefant previously worked before joining DLA Piper.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

The takeaway

Elefant's move to DLA Piper underscores the growing importance of employment law expertise in the corporate world, as companies increasingly seek legal counsel who can navigate the complex employment-related issues that arise during mergers, acquisitions, and other major business deals.