Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP > New York, United States > Firm Profile

Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings

Finance > Fintech

Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP provides its fintech clients with ‘deep domain expertise‘ and ‘highly pragmatic deal skills‘. The multi-faceted team’s ‘effective and efficient‘ service levels also attract praise, with lawyers always delivering in ‘a very timely manner, and their level of response time to any and all communication is unmatched‘. The firm has invested heavily into the practice in recent years, and in 2022 it enhanced its crypto offering through the recruitment from Perkins Coie LLP of Kari Larsen who now co-heads the digital works team with regulatory expert Christopher Giancarlo, a former chairman of the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission, as well as Washington DC-based regulatory partner Justin Browder and DC-based litigation partner A. Kristina Littman, another arrival who previously served as Chief of the Crypto Assets and Cyber Unit at the SEC. Other key individuals include Georgia Bullitt (‘the best of the best‘), who co-chairs the firm’s financial institutions and regulatory practice group. Private equity co-chair Jeffrey Poss is also noted for his ‘fantastic and knowledgeable team‘. All lawyers are based in New York unless otherwise stated.

Insurance > Insurance: non-contentious Tier 1

Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP handles a broad spectrum of insurance-related transactions, advising life and property-casualty insurers and reinsurers, private equity investors and banks on mergers and acquisitions and restructuring matters, but with particular strengths in the capital markets and alternative risk transfer fields. The practice is also well-versed in insurance security offerings and offers a strong regulatory service. The team is led by Alexander Dye, who advises on insurance-related M&A and capital market deals in addition to reinsurance matters, and John Schwolsky, who specializes in M&A and demutualization transactions and restructuring matters. Michael Groll is an experienced corporate and securities practitioner, handling public and private securities offerings. Kara Baysinger, who splits time between the San Francisco and Chicago offices, handles regulatory matters including compliance and investigations. All lawyers are New York-based unless otherwise specified.    

Investment fund formation and management > Mutual/registered/exchange-traded funds Tier 1

The team at Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP has ‘unique industry experience and a breadth of client and transaction types‘, and makes for a ‘proactive and responsive‘ choice of counsel for a host of highly regarded asset managers and funds. Open-end and closed-end funds, ETFs and BDCs are among the names that look to the firm’s asset management department that is co-led by Lior Ohayon and Margery Neale, both of whom are based in New York. Neesa Sood was promoted to the partnership in January 2022- she and Neale are both praised by one client for the respective ‘depth and breadth of their ’40 Act knowledge, combined with excellent business judgment‘. Barry Barbash in Washington DC is a key senior figure, and at the same location, Benjamin Haskin is a contact to note for investment management, while Anne Choe covers a wide range of securities regulation, with a focus on representing ETFs, their advisers, and independent board members. In New York, Elliot Gluck has acted for registered investment companies, their advisers and boards in an array of corporate and regulatory matters, and Jay Spinola is another counsel with expertise in the 1940 Act.

Dispute resolution > Corporate investigations and white-collar criminal defense

Clients turn to Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP‘s white-collar defense practice for its far-reaching experience in criminal and regulatory matters. Securities, hedge funds, and parallel SEC and DOJ investigations form specific areas of expertise for the group that often works in close collaboration with the firm’s international offices, such as London and Frankfurt. In New York, veteran litigator Randall Jackson and ‘consummate trial lawyer‘ Michael Schachter jointly lead the team with Washington DC-based William Stellmach, whose specializations relate to internal and government investigations, enforcement proceedings, and corporate monitorships. Matters pertaining to securities are a particular area of focus for New York’s Amelia Cottrell. Former practice head Martin Weinstein  left the firm in early 2023.

Dispute resolution > General commercial disputes Tier 2

From biotech companies, to private universities, to special committees, the team at Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP represents a diverse range of clients in arbitrations, state and federal courts and the Supreme Court. Recent matters include securities class actions, shareholder litigations and  insurance coverage disputes. In New York, securities specialist Tariq Mundiya chairs the litigation department and recently represented Industrial Automation in an acquisition related arbitration. In Chicago, Craig Martin is an experienced trial lawyer regularly represents major Chicago companies and is currently representing Provisur Technologies, Inc. in a patent infringement dispute that is being litigated in the United States and Germany. M&A specialist Sameer Advani frequently appears alongside Mundiya. Further recommended in New York are Todd Cosenza , who centers his practice on securities class actions, and Jeffrey Korn , an antitrust expert who recently represented Runa Capital in an enterprise ownership dispute.

Dispute resolution > M&A litigation: defense Tier 2

The team at Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP in New York is comprised of 'highly efficient and respected lawyers who are both willing to litigate aggressively and negotiate reasonably'. Head of litigation Tariq Mundiya oversees the M&A litigation practice, which is led by Sameer Advani and Shaimaa Hussein. Co-chair of securities litigation Todd Cosenza also handles significant deal-related litigation.

Dispute resolution > Securities litigation: defense Tier 2

Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP has a track record of precedent-setting victories and favorable settlements involving securities litigation and shareholder class actions. The firm frequently acts for underwriters in the defense of high-stakes matters, particularly cases arising from IPOs, as well as regulatory investigations and inquiries from the SEC. The practice is led from New York by head of litigation Tariq Mundiya and co-charis for securities litigation Todd Cosenza and Antonio Yanez. Mundiya handled putative derivative and class action cases for Xerox, Cosenza acted for Wells Fargo in a high-profile case alleging alleged failures by the bank to comply with consent orders issued by regulators in the aftermath of its high-profile 2016 customer account fraud, and Yanez is currently representing alternative asset management and investment firm GWG Holdings in matters arising out of an SEC investigation into its accounting and capital raising practices. Craig Martin in Chicago remains a lynchpin of the practice and recently acted for Ulta Beauty in putative nationwide consumer class action, securities fraud, and shareholder derivative litigation cases concerning an alleged practice of reselling used beauty products that have been returned by customers. In 2022, partners Kristina Littman and Adam Aderton joined the Washington DC office from the SEC’s Division of Enforcement.

Finance > Restructuring (including bankruptcy): corporate Tier 2

Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP’s business reorganization and restructuring practice, led by Rachel Strickland, is well known for representing debtors and distressed companies, strategic investors, ad hoc groups, and bondholder and lender committees in relation to all aspects of in- and out-of-court restructurings. Brett Miller is a key name for his creditors’ rights practice, recently leading teams representing the official committees of unsecured creditors in several major chapter 11 reorganizations, including of airlines SAS AB, Grupo Aeromexico, and Avianca Holdings S.A. Chairman of the firm Matthew Feldman has considerable experience in complex restructurings and has notably led a team representing Attestor Limited, on behalf of itself and Humana, Inc as insurance claimant in relation to the high-profile Chapter 11 case of Mallinckrodt. Strickland focuses on advising distressed companies and distressed asset investors. All lawyers mentioned are based in New York. Paul Shalhoub has retired.

Labor and employment > ERISA litigation Tier 2

Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP has a broad ERISA practice typically representing employers and plan fiduciaries in matters including plan fee litigation, ESOP and stock drop litigation, DOL investigations, recovery of pension overpayments, reimbursement rights and multiemployer plan withdrawal liability disputes. The firm is active before federal, as well as state, courts and was active in the Supreme Court case, Hughes v Northwestern. The Northwestern case was spearheaded before the 7th Circuit by practice heads, Amanda Amert and Craig Martin in Chicago. Both Amert and Martin are active across a range of ERISA litigation, defending class actions, ESOP stock drop litigation and breaches of fiduciary duties, in a number of industries including insurance, financial services, and chemicals. Martin is regarded for his trial experience and Amert specializes in representing employers around the country in both individual and class action lawsuits in addition to disputes and investigations with the DOL. The practice is also adept at navigating compliance issues related to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation’s reporting requirements and investigations, and leverages its connections to the firm’s transactional benefits, labor and employment and securities groups to offer comprehensive advice to clients. Matt Basil, also in Chicago, concentrates on advising large companies on an array of commercial disputes including ERISA and breach of fiduciary duties.

M&A/corporate and commercial > Private equity buyouts: large deals ($500m+) Tier 2

Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP enjoys a formidable reputation for its capacity to handle both high-end and middle market deals, remaining one of the most active firms for PE-backed buyout deals. The scope of the firm’s reach is a considerable strength, with offices in key domestic and international business hubs such as New York, the Bay Area, LA, Chicago, Paris, Frankfurt and London. Additionally, the depth of practice is another particular asset, with a broad range of sector expertise spanning the likes of tech, healthcare, insurance and retail. Co-head Jeffrey Poss is vastly experienced in high-value PE and M&A transactions, with a particular industry focus on financial services, fintech and TMT. Neil Townsend also heads the team from New York, adept at handling complex leveraged buyouts, PIPE and distressed transactions. Morgan Elwyn played a lead role representing Insight Partners in its acquisition of Inovalon, in a deal valued at around $7.3bn Another lawyer with a reputation for high-value M&A is Rosalind Fahey Kruse , who also regularly advises PE sponsors on strategic and governance matters. Matthew Rizzo has noteworthy knowledge of the healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors, while Los Angeles-based Ray LaSoya joined from Cooley LLP in February 2022. All other lawyers mentioned are located in New York.

M&A/corporate and commercial > Shareholder activism Tier 2

Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP‘s experience on the board side of activism matters allows it to advise clients on a diverse range of issues, including working with activist investors on strategic issues. The team, which operates from the firm’s New York office, is also formed of several practitioners with a background in different practice areas, including practice group leaders Robert B. Stebbins, Russell Leaf, and Tariq Mundiya, whose versatile practices add various expertise to the group: Mundiya is chair of the firm’s litigation department and is a go-to attorney for investigations and litigious matters including proxy contests; Leaf is co-chair of the firm’s corporate governance practice with former SEC employee Stebbins. The trio are well assisted by Jared Fertman, who is a go-to individual in the team for high-profile activist campaigns and often advises corporations looking at activist defense, recently representing Sarissa Capital Management in its engagement with Amarin Corporation.

Dispute resolution > Leading trial lawyers Tier 3

Craig Martin – Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP. Regularly appearing as lead counsel in trials and appeals before both state and federal courts, Chicago-based Craig Martin has a broad base of expertise from antitrust and patent litigation to commercial contract and trade disputes. In a significant case before the Supreme Court, Martin represented Northwestern University in a proposed class action that accused the university of mismanaging workers’ retirement savings. He also continues to represent Provisur Technologies, the food slicing and packaging giant, in high-stakes global patent infringement litigation against its primary competitor Weber Inc.

Energy > Energy regulation: electric power Tier 3

Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP has a highly regarded energy regulatory practice and are frequently engaged in power, renewable, oil and gas and other energy in regulatory counselling, investigations and transactions. The firm has extensive experience in representing clients in high-profile regulatory matters before the CFTC, FERC, NFA and derivatives exchanges, alongside providing advice regarding the application and scope of the Commodity Exchange Act (CEA) and CFTC regulations. Based in the Washington DC area, former Chairman of FERC Norman Bay is chair of the firm’s Energy Regulatory & Enforcement Practice Group and is co-chair of the Energy & Commodities Practice Group, and was appointed to the Secretary of Energy Advisory Board as one of eighteen appointees to the Secretary’s Board. Paul Pantano is a leading lawyer who covers a wide variety of regulatory, investigative, enforcement, litigation and transaction matters.

Energy > Energy transactions: oil and gas Tier 3

Based in the firm’s Houston, New York and Washington DC offices, the practice at Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP regularly advises on cross-border transactions in the oil and gas sector, including the acquisition and divestiture of upstream and midstream assets, joint ventures, project finance, private equity funds and corporate counselling. Archie Fallon, who advises on platform investments, M&A, project development and recapitalizations, jointly leads the team alongside Jay Hughes, who focuses on public and private M&A and distressed asset acquisitions. Brad Honeycutt recently joined from Baker Botts L.L.P. and advises on private financing transactions and corporate reorganizations. All named partners operate from the firm’s office in Houston.

Finance > Commercial lending Tier 3

Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP maintains clients on both sides of the debt finance market, with its notable borrower-side activities centered around high-value acquisition financings. Within this space, the team has conducted significant LBOs and advised on major take-private acquisitions. The firm boasts a large roster of private equity clients, serving as go-to counsel for Platinum Equity, and notably assisted corporate borrower Take-Two Interactive Software with a $2.7bn financing commitment for the acquisition of Zynga. In addition to acquisition financing work, the team also frequently assists investment-grade companies with asset-based loans and credit facility amendments. New York lawyers Andres Mena and Viktor Okasmaa co-lead the practice and are active on the firm’s most complex and high-value acquisition financing work. Outside New York, Archie Fallon and Jay Hughes are key names in a growing Houston-based team that advises borrowers in the energy sector, while Chicago-based Melainie Mansfield and Los Angeles-based Najeh Baharun are also recommended. Chicago-based associate Timothy Landwehr joined the team in May 2023.

Finance > Structured finance: derivatives and structured products Tier 3

Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP advises on derivatives in the physical commodities markets, including energy, environmental commodities, metals and agricultural products, with demonstrable experience in listed and over-the-counter derivatives. The ‘deeply knowledgeable’ team acts for lenders, marketers, producers and commercial users of derivatives across a range of structured transactions, enforcement defense matters and regulatory issues. In the firm’s Washington DC office, senior counsel Paul Pantano represents clients in investigations and regulatory mandates before the CFTC, self-regulatory organizations and the FERC, and Neal Kumar focuses on derivatives regulatory matters. Based in New York, Thomas French leads the practice and Rita Molesworth advises on work concerning the Dodd Frank Act, while John Thomas handles physical commodity and commodity derivatives trading mandates. Counsel Margo Bailey, who operates from the Washington DC office, is another key contact in the team.

Investment fund formation and management > Alternative/hedge funds Tier 3

Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP fields a longstanding hedge fund practice and continues to diversify in alternative fund types. Its broad offering has notable strength in the insurance and reinsurance space, being the counsel of choice for major players in those fields, and in 2022 had an increased involvement in the credit fund formation space. Based at the firm’s office in New York, key contacts at the practice include Joseph Cunningham, who represents blue chip clients in every day fund management and hybrid fund strategies; Deborah Tuchman, the name to note for commodities and distribution platforms; Rita Molesworth, a founding member of the practice group and expert in commodities and regulatory issues; Mark Vandehaar, another reliable advisor for well-established leading funds; and Barry Barbash, whose practice spans alternative and registered funds.

Investment fund formation and management > Private equity funds (including venture capital) Tier 3

Clients of Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP‘s private equity fund formation practice appreciate its ‘professionalism and thoughtfulness‘ acting on a variety of matters, including LP secondary transactions; GP-led transactions, tender offers and stake sales. The sizeable team has been increasingly active in high-profile fund formations for standout clients and is led by New York-based lawyers Phillip Isom, an experienced name across the US and global markets, and Lior Ohayon  a feted fund formation expert. Further key figures at the New York office include Arash Farhadieh, whose representative clients include Insight Partners, Zurich Alternative Asset Management and Wazee Street Capital; Laura Friedrich, who works on both sponsor and investor sides in fundraising for multibillion-dollar funds; and Larissa Marcellino, who joined from private practice in October 2022. The wider asset management department at the firm is represented across its US offices and in private equity funds, Los Angeles-based David Hong is a key name.

Labor and employment > Employee benefits, executive compensation and retirement plans: transactional Tier 3

Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP acts for major domestic and international clients, ranging from Fortune 500 companies to private equity sponsors, on complex executive compensation aspects of high-value M&A, SPAC transactions and private equity matters across industries ranging from healthcare to retail. New York-based Michael Katz and Jordan Messinger co-head the team, with the former bringing vast expertise on compensation-related issues arising in leveraged buyout transactions and divestitures, while the latter regularly assisting boards of directors and compensation committees with tax and securities law. Alexander Ryan works in Washington DC, specializing in ERISA Title I matters, while San Francisco-based Scott Thompson has significant experience in designing equity compensation and performance bonus plans.

Media, technology and telecoms > Technology transactions Tier 3

Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP has an ‘extremely collaborative and professional‘ team with ‘bright, hardworking‘ lawyers. The offering combines a mix of IP, technology and transactional work across multiple areas, including semiconductors, software, crypto, cleantech, life sciences and healthcare. Salesforce is a major client which regularly uses the firm on technology and infrastructure deals, including the development of its Einstein smart speaker product. Meta Platforms regularly instructs firm, including on agreements for the purchase of over $1 billion in servers per year. Matthew Berger chairs the team, which receives strong input from Palo Alto managing partner, Tiffany Lee.

Media, technology and telecoms > Telecoms and broadcast: regulatory Tier 3

Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP is well-equipped to act on behalf of market-leading clients before the FCC and state bodies in the telecoms space, being a go-to firm for Comcast among other major companies in respect of the full range of their regulatory mandates, including spectrum, broadband infrastructure, and public safety on both the state and federal level. The Washington DC-based practice is co-led by Michael Hurwitz, who focuses on FCC regulatory policy and M&A review, frequently participating in FCC and CPUC rulemakings related to broadband and spectrum issues, and co-lead Jonathan Friedman, who possesses a similar depth of experience, working with a range of major cable operators, video programmers, and equipment manufacturers before the FCC. Within the core team, Melanie Medina specializes in spectrum issues before the FCC such as advocacy in spectrum reallocation proceedings and advising on spectrum auctions, license applications, and performance requirements. Key lawyers from the firm’s cybersecurity and privacy practice, Daniel Alvarez and Laura Jehl, are also active in telecoms, expanding the team’s capabilities much as the practice also draws upon David Murray and his extensive litigation experience.

Real estate Tier 3

Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP‘s expertise spans the full spectrum of real estate transactions, leasing, and financing, both on the borrower and sponsor side. The practice is particularly active in commercial transactions involving office, retail, hospitality and gaming, life sciences, data centers and mixed-use properties. New York based David Drewes and Thomas Henry co-head the department alongside property finance expert, Krystyna Blakeslee , with further assistance from Misty Sanford in Los Angeles.

Antitrust > Merger control Tier 4

Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP remains highly active across domestic and cross-border merger proceedings, combining a strong record in DOJ and FTC approval processes with capabilities in international reviews and investigations, with the team regularly collaborating with its European and UK offices on multijurisdictional mergers. The firm also enjoys standout international contentious expertise, again collaborating with its international offices on merger litigation, and is able to handle complex cases in diverse and highly-scrutinized industries such as financial services, tech, and pharma. William Rooney co-leads the team, and is a vastly experienced antitrust counsel, handling contentious and non-contentious merger reviews and related litigation, notably advising Trussway on all antitrust aspects of the sale of the company to BFS Group LLC, while co-head Jeffrey Korn is noted for his focus on matters and regulatory investigations before US and European antitrust enforcement agencies. Counsel Agathe Richard also has notable experience of US and European merger approval processes, and played a key role on Kaseya’s $6.2bn acquisition of Datto. All lawyers mentioned are in New York.

Energy > Renewable/alternative power Tier 4

Archie Fallon and Jay Hughes lead Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP’s power and renewable energy practice from the Houston office, where they have significant experience in transactional and project financing work, with Hughes focusing on public and private M&A, and Fallon also being noted for his expertise in advising on investments across the risk-return spectrum. The firm’s clients include lenders and sponsors, investors, and power producers, and it is well equipped to advise on current and forthcoming regulations in addition to its transactional work. Energy and commodities group co-chair Norman Bay is noted in Washington DC, where corporate and financial services partner Jorge Kamine is also recommended. David Aaronson left in May 2022 and Athena Eastwood retired in 2023.

Environment > Environment: transactional Tier 4

Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP’s environment, health and safety department is well versed in advising on the ESG aspects of M&A, financing, and commercial real estate development deals. ESG programs, sustainability, policy, and regulatory matters are key areas of focus for the practice, which is led by counsel William Thomas in Washington DC. Thomas acts for companies, financiers, developers, and other enterprises on environmental issues relating to transactions and projects, including risk analysis and compliance, as well as advising on disputes and litigation.

Finance > Capital markets: debt offerings Tier 4

Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP has a major presence in investment grade, high-yield debt and convertible bonds. Much of its capital markets practice is connected to buyouts and insurance securities offerings. Cristopher Greer and Gregory Astrachan are co-heads of the capital markets practice.

Finance > Capital markets: high-yield debt offerings Tier 4

Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP stands out for its expertise in high-yield debt offerings related to buyouts and M&A transactions. The firm is especially well known for representing financial sponsors and corporate issuers, as well as some investment banks. Cristopher Greer has an extensive record in the high-yield space, particularly in representing key private equity clients such as Platinum Equity in the financing of their acquisitions through high-yield debt offerings; in 2021, he led the team that advised Platinum Equity and McGraw Hill on the $1.62bn two-tranche high-yield offering in connection with Platinum’s $4.5bn acquisition of McGraw Hill.  

M&A/corporate and commercial > M&A: large deals ($1bn+) Tier 4

Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP is home to a team of ‘incredibly talented and very pragmatic‘ M&A practitioners, who field the capacity to serve multiple transactions across various industries and geographies. In the past year, the team has handled a tremendous volume of work, comprising mega deals and mid-market transactions, and involving clients which operate across a variety of sectors, including media, energy, hospitality, professional services and shipping. Headquartered in New York, the department is jointly led by David Boston, an active partner in the asset management M&A space, Russell Leaf, the key contact for corporate governance matters, and Adam Turteltaub, who focuses on M&A and private equity investments. Steven Seidman has broad experience in the representation of corporate clients in strategic business transactions, and of investment banks as financial advisors in M&A. Laura Delanoy, another name to note for public and private companies, heads up the ESG practice.

Media, technology and telecoms > Cyber law (including data privacy and data protection) Tier 4

Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP undertakes the full range of mandates, including due diligence on tech-driven transactions, crisis management planning and compliance strategies. Co-chairs Daniel Alvarez and Laura Jehl, both based in Washington DC, are key contacts for big tech, emerging tech and leading IT solutions providers. San Francisco-based litigation experts Ben Hur and Simona Agnolucci defend clients against state-level class actions. Washington-based A. Kristina Littman, former chief of the crypto assets and cyber unit in the division of enforcement of the SEC, joined the practice in September 2022.

Tax > US taxes: non-contentious Tier 4

Drawing on its close collaboration with the firm’s corporate, financial, real estate, and asset management groups, Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP‘s sizeable tax practice handles all manner of domestic and international transactions. With Christopher Peters leading the practice, a seasoned advisor to private equity funds and insurance companies, the team is well-placed to tackle mergers, acquisitions, spin-offs, joint ventures, and capital markets deals – where Arthur Lynch is also an essential contact. Vadim Mahmoudov‘s expertise further spans bankruptcies and debt workouts, while Guy Inbar is experienced in the formation of REITs. Among other recommended individuals are Russell Pinilis,  Isaac Silverstein, and the Houston-based Robert Jacobson.

Intellectual property > Patents: litigation (full coverage) Tier 5

The intellectual property department at Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP represents and counsels clients in complex sophisticated intellectual property litigation surrounding tech, life sciences, manufacturing, pharma, biotech, energy, automotive, and electronics. The team is particularly adept at litigating Hatch-Waxman cases in the pharma field, largely acting on biosimilar matters. The group continues to grow, with Genevieve Dorment joining the New York office from Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP in May 2022, and Barrington Dyer joining in San Francisco from Polsinelli PC in February 2022. Based in New York, Thomas Meloro is the chair of the intellectual property, with Sara Tonnies Horton and Krista Schwartz co-chairing the patent and broader IP litigation team out of Chicago and San Francisco respectively. Washington DC-based Indranil Mukerji is the head of tech-related patent litigation.

Real estate > Real estate finance Tier 5

Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP has considerably expanded its practice, starting with the expansion of its Los Angeles office which welcomed chair of the west coast office, Misty Sanford, along with partners Karen Lorang and Aimee Contreras-Camua who moved over from Munger, Tolles & Olson in October 2022. New York's Christine Murphy lends her expertise in balance sheet financings, permanent and bridge loan originations, construction loans, and workouts and restructurings. Head of real estate finance, Krystyna Blakeslee ,also in New York, focuses on origination, acquisition and disposition of mortgage loans, mezzanine financings and subordinate debt. National real estate co-chairs Thomas Henry and David Drewes are also highly respected attorneys, based in New York.  

Industry focus > Sport

Latin America: International firms > Corporate and M&A Tier 4

Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP has developed impressive regional coverage and has a broad array of venture capital, private equity and strategic M&A engagements. The Latin America team is also noted for its experience in energy and infrastructure M&A, along with transactions in the financial services and insurance fields. Significant recent mandates included advising Colombian transportation infrastructure company Odinsa (owned by Grupo Argos), on the sale of a 50% stake in its airport concessions to Macquarie Asset Management (MAM). Maria-Leticia Ossa Daza is the founding partner of the Latin America practice, a member of the firm’s executive committee, and a native Spanish and fluent Portuguese speaker; she has extensive corporate transactional experience throughout the region. Anna Martini Pereira is originally from Brazil and is a native Portuguese speaker. Both are based in New York.