SAN FRANCISCO — Perkins Coie partners David Tsai and Christopher Kao are leaving to join Vinson & Elkins in San Francisco and Palo Alto.

Kao, who serves as the managing partner for Perkins Coie’s Palo Alto office, will play the same role for Vinson & Elkins. Tsai, who made partner with Perkins at the start of this year, will be based in San Francisco. The two start Monday.