Annette Becker has over 30 years of experience practicing corporate law with an emphasis on US and cross border mergers and acquisitions for emerging, middle market, and Fortune 500 companies. Annette advises her company clients and their boards as to corporate governance issues and general corporate matters. Annette's transactional experience also includes joint ventures and other complex strategic relationships, securities offerings and securities compliance issues, strategic and venture capital equity investments, financing transactions, recapitalizations, and restructurings.
Annette has developed a robust practice advising clients on the legal implications of AI technologies. She has a comprehensive understanding of the rapidly evolving AI industry and its intersection with corporate governance, compliance, and regulatory issues. Annette has a proven track record of successfully advising clients in high stakes AI related M&A, joint venture, and equity investment transactions. Annette also provides strategic insights to her clients in developing and leveraging AI innovations while mitigating legal risks and ensuring compliance with international and domestic regulations. Annette is committed to staying at the forefront of legal developments in AI to provide clients with cutting-edge advice.
Annette's experience is focused on businesses, both public and private, primarily in the technology, senior housing and care, and healthcare industries. She serves as a practice area leader of the firm's Corporate practice and a leader of the firm's Technology industry group.
- Recognized by Chambers USA for Corporate/M&A in Washington, 2023-2025
- Listed in The Best Lawyers in America® for Corporate Law and Mergers and Acquisitions Law in Seattle, 2024
- Recognized by The Legal 500 United States as a Recommended Lawyer for M&A: middle-market ($500m-999m), 2016-2024
- Recognized by The Deal, Top Women in Dealmaking list, 2023
- Board of Directors, Executive Committee, Chair, Membership Committee, Technology Alliance, January 2016-present
- Board of Directors, ArtsFund, October 2010-2016
- Board of Directors, The Kline Galland Center and The Kline Galland Foundation, June 2010-2016
- Investment Committee, Bertschi School, July 2015-2019
- Liaison to Seattle Chapter, Women Presidents Organization, 2002-2016
- Women Presidents Organization, Zenith Group, 2016-2020
- Board of Directors, New Beginnings, 2005-2009
- Speaker, “Seattle Women in Tech Regatta 2023: ChatGPT and Generative AI for Good,” Seattle, WA, May 2023
- Moderator, “Capital Solutions for Financially Stressed Companies,” Northwest Middle Market Growth Conferences, Seattle, WA, September 2020
- Speaker, “Art and Science of the IP Deal - The Structure of Deals,” University of Washington School of Law, Seattle, WA, April 2017
- Speaker, “Seattle Women in Leadership Symposium,” Pacific Northwest Leadership Symposium, Seattle, WA, April 2017
- Speaker, “Surviving and Thriving in Challenging Work Environments,” International Legal Technology Association, January 2017
- Speaker, “Positioning Your Company for Sale and Selling It,” K&L Gates LLP Breakfast Briefing, Seattle, WA, October 2015
- Speaker, “Mergers & Acquisitions in Technology Industries,” The Seminar Group, Seattle, WA, November 2014
- Speaker, “Striking the Right Deal, Oversight of M&A and International Ventures,” KPMG Fall 2013 Audit Committee Roundtable Series, Seattle, WA, December 2013
- Speaker, “Selling a Company to Maximize Value,” Association for Corporate Growth, Seattle, WA, October 2013
- Speaker, “Key Negotiation Issues, Tips, and Tactics in M&A Deals,” Association of Corporate Counsel, Washington State Chapter, February 2013
- Speaker, “Traps for the Unwary,” Angel Capital Association, Northwest Regional Annual Meeting, Seattle, WA, May 2012
- Moderator, “Spotlight on Growing Game/ Interactive Entertainment Industry,” Association for Corporate Growth, Seattle, WA, June 2011
- Speaker, “Valuation Uncertainty in Today’s M&A Negotiations: Techniques for Getting Deals Done,” presented by K&L Gates, Seattle, WA, April 2010
- Moderator, “CEO Roundtable 2009,” Women Business Owners
- Speaker, “Mergers & Acquisitions Forecast for 2009,” Pacific Northwest Mergers and Acquisitions Forum
- “Acquiring an AI Company,” Thomson Reuters Practical Law, January 2024
- “Corporation Law: Washington,” Thomson Reuters Practical Law, October 2023
- Quoted, "Bartell deal follows larger M&A trend among family-owned businesses," Puget Sound Business Journal, 12 October 2020
