United States

NEW YORK, February 17, 2026 — Arnold & Porter announced today that Christopher (Chris) DeCresce has joined the firm’s Capital Markets team of the Corporate & Finance practice as a partner, resident in New York. Derek Stoldt, co-chair of the firm’s Corporate & Finance group, said: “Chris is a highly respected lawyer, with broad experience and a strong reputation that will enhance the firm’s position and bench, particularly our capital markets and financial services practices. His experience leading complex transactions, particularly for financial institutions, complements the firm’s existing platform and will be invaluable. We are excited to welcome him to the firm.” Chris focuses his practice on capital markets and securities transactions for financial institutions. He regularly works on private equity investments, initial public offerings, debt and equity offerings, regulatory matters, and major mergers and acquisitions, often in the financial services and life sciences sectors. Chris also frequently works with FinTech and tokenization transactions, often advising cryptocurrency companies in their corporate transactions. In addition to his work in private legal practice, Chris has also served as a managing director in the investment banking group of a middle-market, financial services-focused investment bank. In joining the firm, Chris said: “I’m thrilled to join Arnold & Porter’s outstanding Capital Markets and Financial Services team. The firm’s reputation for regulatory excellence and its collaborative, cross-disciplinary approach to complex transactions aptly align with my practice, making it an exciting place to practice law. I look forward to leveraging my experience to deliver innovative solutions and help clients achieve their strategic goals.” Chris holds a J.D., magna cum laude, from New York Law School and a B.A., cum laude, from City College of the City University of New York. About Arnold & Porter Arnold & Porter combines sophisticated regulatory, litigation, and transactional capabilities to resolve clients’ most complex issues. With over 1,000 lawyers practicing in 16 offices worldwide, we offer an integrated approach that spans more than 40 practice areas. Through multidisciplinary collaboration and focused industry experience, we provide innovative and effective solutions to mitigate risks, address challenges, and achieve successful outcomes.

NEW YORK, February 17, 2026 — Arnold & Porter announced today that Christopher (Chris) DeCresce has joined the firm’s Capital Markets team of the Corporate & Finance practice as a partner, resident in New York. Derek Stoldt, co-chair of the firm’s Corporate & Finance group, said: “Chris is a highly respected lawyer, with broad experience and a strong reputation that will enhance the firm’s position and bench, particularly our capital markets and financial services practices. His experience leading complex transactions, particularly for financial institutions, complements the firm’s existing platform and will be invaluable. We are excited to welcome him to the firm.” Chris focuses his practice on capital markets and securities transactions for financial institutions. He regularly works on private equity investments, initial public offerings, debt and equity offerings, regulatory matters, and major mergers and acquisitions, often in the financial services and life sciences sectors. Chris also frequently works with FinTech and tokenization transactions, often advising cryptocurrency companies in their corporate transactions. In addition to his work in private legal practice, Chris has also served as a managing director in the investment banking group of a middle-market, financial services-focused investment bank. In joining the firm, Chris said: “I’m thrilled to join Arnold & Porter’s outstanding Capital Markets and Financial Services team. The firm’s reputation for regulatory excellence and its collaborative, cross-disciplinary approach to complex transactions aptly align with my practice, making it an exciting place to practice law. I look forward to leveraging my experience to deliver innovative solutions and help clients achieve their strategic goals.” Chris holds a J.D., magna cum laude, from New York Law School and a B.A., cum laude, from City College of the City University of New York .   About Arnold & Porter Arnold & Porter combines sophisticated regulatory, litigation, and transactional capabilities to resolve clients’ most complex issues. With over 1,000 lawyers practicing in 16 offices worldwide, we offer an integrated approach that spans more than 40 practice areas. Through multidisciplinary collaboration and focused industry experience, we provide innovative and effective solutions to mitigate risks, address challenges, and achieve successful outcomes.

Max Silverstein advises sponsors, corporates, and credit funds on complex financing and liability management transactions. Latham & Watkins LLP is pleased to announce that Max Silverstein has joined the firm’s New York office as a partner in the Capital Markets Practice. Silverstein has substantial experience representing sponsors, corporates, and credit funds in their most complex financing and liability management transactions. His arrival further enhances Latham’s world-class, fully integrated corporate and finance practice. “We are delighted to have Max join our all-star team, further enhancing our ability to serve our clients’ most sophisticated financing needs,” said Marc Jaffe, Managing Partner of Latham & Watkins’ New York office. “Max is a talented partner with terrific experience advising on complex matters at the intersection of direct lending, special situations, and restructuring — areas that are both a strategic priority and where client demand is incredibly strong and growing.” Silverstein’s practice focuses on direct lending, special situations transactions, workouts, restructurings, and insolvency matters. He represents private equity sponsors, portfolio companies, corporate borrowers, and credit funds in a broad range of leveraged finance transactions, including acquisition financings, leveraged buyouts, recapitalizations, and asset-based and other senior secured credit facilities. Silverstein has developed a market-leading practice advising clients on complex asset-based term loans and revolvers, including first-in, last-out financings. John Sobolewski, Global Chair of Latham’s Liability Management Practice and Global Vice Chair of the Capital Markets Practice, said, “Max is an elite talent and a proven advisor on complex finance and liability management matters. He deepens our market-leading capabilities and strengthens our role as the go-to advisor for clients across the capital stack.” Silverstein is the latest partner to join Latham’s fully integrated global finance and corporate platform. In the last year, Latham added in New York renowned practitioners Ray C. Schrock, Andrew Parlen, John Sobolewski, Ryan Preston Dahl, Candace Arthur, Alexander Welch, Benjamin Rhode, and Natasha Hwangpo. “It is not only Latham’s incredible scale and resources that are exciting, but also the firm's strong commitment to investing in and expanding the practice at the highest level,” said Silverstein. “These things and more offer a unique opportunity to contribute to a platform poised for exponential growth. I’m thrilled to join the team and look forward to contributing to the firm’s ambitious growth plans and continued success.” Silverstein joins Latham from Ropes & Gray LLP. He received his JD from Columbia Law School, MA from Relay Graduate School of Education, and BS from Pennsylvania State University.

Steven Dunst represents emerging growth companies at all stages, from pre-seed to unicorns, and the investors that finance them. Latham & Watkins LLP is pleased to announce that Steven Dunst has joined the firm’s Los Angeles office as a partner in the Emerging Companies & Growth Practice. Dunst represents emerging growth companies at all stages, from pre-seed to unicorns, and the investors that finance them. His experience spans multiple sectors, with a focus on technology, fintech, blockchain and crypto, digital health, entertainment and media, and consumer products. “We are delighted that Steven is joining our team,” said Jeff Bjork, Managing Partner of Latham’s Los Angeles office. “He has deep connections within the West Coast startup and investment communities, and his extensive experience advising growth companies and investors, particularly in venture capital and M&A transactions, aligns perfectly with our strategic growth objectives in Southern California. With his track record of advising fast growth companies and the diverse investor market in Los Angeles, he will be a key force in helping us expand our practice not only in California but nationwide.” Dunst advises emerging growth companies and their investors throughout their lifecycle on matters ranging from pre-incorporation planning, fundraising strategies, equity financings, and debt financings to joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions, equity compensation, and corporate governance. Ben Potter, Global Chair of Latham’s Emerging Companies & Growth Practice, said, “Steven’s expertise advising founders, startups, and investors on complex and novel transactions and other matters is highly accretive to our practice. His exceptional reputation in the market reflects his abundant talents, industry knowledge, and entrepreneurial qualities, and we are thrilled to add a lawyer of his experience and business development skills to the practice.” Dunst is the latest partner to join Latham’s deep bench and expanding Emerging Companies & Growth Practice on the West Coast. Partners Todd Trattner, Seth Gottlieb, Alex Kassai, and Zachary Fallon joined the firm’s Bay Area offices in the past two years. "I have long admired Latham’s commitment to being the destination firm for founders, growth companies, and the investor community, and I’m excited to join the team and contribute to the firm’s continued success,” said Dunst. "I have a lot of respect for the team’s drive, ambition, and quality of practice, and I am enthusiastic about bringing the firm's comprehensive platform to meet clients' evolving needs.” Dunst joins from Cooley LLP. He received his JD from Harvard Law School and BA from the University of California, Berkeley.