Linklaters LLP > Washington, D.C., United States > Firm Profile
Linklaters LLP Offices
601 THIRTEENTH STREET NW, SUITE 400 SOUTH
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20005
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
United States
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Linklaters LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings
M&A/corporate and commercial > M&A: middle-market (sub-$500m) Tier 2
Demonstrating extensive experience in buy and sell-side deals, Linklaters LLP acts for a diverse roster of public companies, private equity firms and investment banks in a variety of corporate work, including M&A transactions with cross-border implications. Mid-market M&A is a key pillar of the practice, which also possesses significant capabilities in de-SPAC deals, corporate restructuring and board advisory issues. The New York-based team was recently strengthened by the addition of long-time M&A and private equity practitioner Lev Loukhton, who relocated to the US from Europe where he served as the firm’s marketing and business development partner. Rated for its ‘great technical expertise‘, the practice is led by Scott Sonnenblick, who has a wealth of experience in cross-border deals and complex joint ventures. Pierre-Emmanuel Perais is skilled in SPAC-related matters, equity and asset sales, while Clara Pang is particularly noted for her track record in the financial services, energy and manufacturing industries. The ‘outstanding‘ Josh Feit regularly assists private equity sponsors and their portfolio companies on multijurisdictional deals.
Practice head(s):
Scott Sonnenblick
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Great technical expertise. Very committed to executing deals.’
‘Josh Feit – outstanding in terms of his knowledge of us as a client, technical expertise and willingness to go the extra mile to get the deal done.’
Key clients
Altaris Capital Partners
Barry Callebaut
Bioceres Crop Solutions Corp
Daimler AG
Hg Pooled Management Limited
HSBC
Jagex Limited
Marfrig Global Foods S.A.
Moolec Science Limited
PlantPlus Foods
Roth Capital Partners
Sercel SAS / CGG
Sibanye Stillwater Limited
Union Acquisition Corp II
Work highlights
- Advised Moolec Science Limited on its $504m business combination agreement with LightJump Acquisition Corp.
- Assisted Bioceres Crop Solutions Corp in connection with its $236m merger with Marrone Bio Innovations, Inc.
- Advised Sercel Holding SAS on the acquisition of certain software assets from Ion Geophysical Corporation and its acquisition of Geocomp.
Antitrust > Cartel Tier 3
Linklaters LLP represents clients from a wide variety of industries, including financial services, pharma, and tech. Representing both corporates and individuals, the firm is particularly well-placed to advise on cross-border work and global cartel investigations. Noted for its global reach, the practice benefits from its large global network to advise on multijurisdictional cartel matters. The team is now jointly headed by Antonia Sherman and former DOJ antitrust prosecutor Douglas Tween. Sherman, based in Washington DC, advises on antitrust-related M&A and compliance matters, while New York’s Tween takes point on cartel matters with a particular emphasis on regulatory investigations and criminal and civil parallel litigation. Also in New York, Tom McGrath defends clients in price-fixing investigations and private litigation.Practice head(s):
Douglas Tween; Antonia Sherman
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Doug Tween is a former antitrust prosecutor who knows cartel defense inside and out – very committed and practical’
Key clients
Kelkoo Group
State Street Corp.
NatWest/RBS
Société Générale
Strides Pharma
Tate & Lyle
Work highlights
- Defending generic pharma manufacturer Strides Pharma, Inc. in the In Re Generic Pharmaceuticals Pricing Antitrust Litigation in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
- Representing Société Générale and SG Americas Securities in multiple lawsuits pending in the Southern District of New York relating to allegations that the defendants conspired to fix the prices of foreign exchange instruments in the global foreign exchange market through manipulating FX benchmarks rates and widening bid-ask spreads.
- Representing the NatWest entities in connection with a putative class action brought in the District of New Mexico alleging a 15-year conspiracy among NatWest, nine other major bank group liquidity providers, as well as non-dealer defendant to manipulate the credit default swap auction price.
Antitrust > Merger control Tier 3
Linklaters LLP offers broad DOJ and FTC expertise to a wide range of global clients, with a particularly strong focus on strategic merger clearances in regulated industries such as healthcare, pharma, and financial services. Alongside domestic and international approval processes, the team also offers demonstrable expertise in contentious issues including regulatory investigations and litigation relating to contested mergers, and is able to handle emerging issues relating to foreign investment controls. Washington DC’s Antonia Sherman leads the team, and combines an active HSR practice with cross-border M&A experience, particularly in Latin American jurisdictions. Tom McGrath in New York specializes in life sciences and chemicals transactions, while counsel John Eichlin, also New York-based, has worked in Europe and Asia, and contributes standout multijurisdictional merger and foreign investment control capabilities, as well as global consumer protection issues relating to deals in diverse industries.Practice head(s):
Antonia Sherman
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
Bioceres Crop Solutions Corp
Cerberus
Glencore
Linde
Novartis
Novo Holdings
Quidel Corporation
Tate & Lyle
Work highlights
- Represented Bioceres Crop Solutions Corp in connection with its US$236 million merger with Marrone Bio Innovations, Inc.
- Advised Cerberus on several transactions, including Worldwide Flight Services’ (part of the Cerberus portfolio) acquisitions of Mercury Air Cargo and Pinnacle Logistics.
- Advised Glencore on a number of transactions, including Glencore plc’s sale of Chemoil Terminals LLC to an investor group consisting of Davidson Kempner Capital Management, Pilot Travel Centers, and Intrepid Investment Management.
Dispute resolution > Corporate investigations and white-collar criminal defense
Business leaders, foreign companies and international companies frequently call upon Linklaters LLP’s expertise in cross-border arbitrations, criminal prosecutions, government investigations, and lawsuits. Adam Lurie leads the team and is adept in a diversity of investigations, including those concerning allegations of FCPA violations and corporate fraud. Doug Davison has deep experience in representing individual and corporate clients in an array of regulatory enforcement and compliance matters, including fraud, insider trading, and securities registration. Richard Smith is thoroughly knowledgeable of civil matters such as breach of contracts, business conspiracy, and tortious interference of business relationships fraud. Senior associate Sean Solomon and associate Meredith Riley are also noted. All mentioned individuals are located in Washington DC.Practice head(s):
Adam Lurie
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
Metro Bank plc
State Street Bank and Trust Co.
Metro Bank PLC
State Street Corp. and State Street Bank and Trust Co.
Construcap CCPS Engenharia e Comércio S.A.
Southern Baptist Convention
Rally Network, Inc.
Work highlights
- Representing Metro Bank in relation to regulatory investigations being conducted in parallel by the PRA and FCA.
- Represented State Street Corporation and State Street Bank and Trust Company, a major U.S. financial services and bank holding company, in connection with a European Commission investigation into allegations of manipulation of the European government bond (EGB) market.
- Represented Construcap, a Brazilian construction company, under investigation by the Inter-American Development for allegations of corrupt and fraudulent practices.
Energy > Renewable/alternative power Tier 4
Being praised by clients for its ‘exceptional work, especially in the context of providing regulatory support’, Linklaters LLP‘s growing energy and infrastructure team is led in New York by Ron Erlichman alongside Marius Griskonis, who joined from White & Case LLP in March 2023. The practice operates as part of the firm’s global offering to advise on major cross-border transactions and projects in the renewables space, with a particularly strong presence in Latin America. Andrew Compton and Will Kim are both reputed for their ‘exceptional knowledge’ of the industry, with Compton being particularly experienced in offshore wind and energy transitions, and Kim advising clients on a whole array of transactions related to domestic and cross-border energy projects. Among the new team arrivals in March 2023 is also senior counsel Diana Jeschke in Washington DC, previously at Crowell & Moring LLP, who brings expertise in regulatory matters before FERC.Practice head(s):
Ron Erlichman; Marius Griskonis
Other key lawyers:
Andrew Compton, Will Kim; Pierre-Emmanuel Perais; Jihe Kim; Josh Feit; Diana Jeschke
Testimonials
‘Linklater’s has an exceptional team in this space that focuses on the transactional and commercial contracting aspects of renewable/alternative energy project development. We frequently work with them on matters, especially in the context of providing regulatory support. They have a knowledgeable team that is diverse and personable, and they effectively collaborate with other firms to deliver an exceptional work product to their clients.’
‘I primarily work with Andrew Compton and Will Kim in Linklater’s New York City office. Both are exceptional individuals, in terms of legal and industry knowledge, collegiality, and commitment to client service. I have also had the privilege of working with Pierre-Emmanuel Perais, Jihe Kim, and Josh Feit, and can say the same about each of them.’
Key clients
Fluxys SA
Mizuho Bank, Ltd
Tor Investment Management (Hong Kong) Limited
Sixth Street Partners
Rubis SA
Saavi Energía
BNP Paribas
CIC
SMBC
BPIfrance
EIB
AFD
Work highlights
- Representing Tor Investment Management (Hong Kong) Limited and Sixth Street Partners in connection with the structuring and funding of a mezzanine financing to be provided in connection with the Trumbull Energy Centre power plant.
- Advising Fluxys SA (“Fluxys”) in connection with its joint venture with EIG for the purpose of acquiring an 80% equity stake in GNL Quintero S.A. (“GNLQ”), the largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) regasification terminal in Chile, from Enagas Chile SpA and affiliates of OMERS Infrastructure.
- Advised Electricidad Firme de Mexico Holdings, S.A. de C.V. in connection with a US$60,000,000 secured letter of credit facility agreement to which Scotiabank was the initial issuing bank.
Media, technology and telecoms > Cyber law (including data privacy and data protection) Tier 4
The practice at Linklaters LLP is led by New York-based Ieuan Jolly. With the support of senior associates Kris Ekdahl, in Chicago, and Caitlin Potratz Metcalf, in Washington DC, the team works on global compliance programs and digitalization, optimization and e-commerce expansion strategies for a client roster that includes leading technology, asset management and energy producing companies. The team also regularly collaborates with the London team for matters involving data breaches. Erez Liebermann departed in June 2022.Practice head(s):
Ieuan Jolly
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘The Privacy Group’s innovative, cross-national practice allows for global clients to get access to consistently high quality advice on a global scale from a single contact point.’
‘Deep bench of world class privacy advocates with outstanding business judgment.’
‘Ieuan Jolly was particularly helpful from a US perspective, synthesizing regulatory matters from different US states and collaborating with subject matter experts in other jurisdictions.‘
Key clients
Microsoft
BigID
Clear Channel Outdoor
Viking River Cruises
iHeartMedia Inc.
Brookfield
Glencore
Assa Abloy
Samsung
Work highlights
- Advising the largest mobile payment platform, which serves over 1.3 billion users and 80 million merchants, on its global privacy compliance program and digitization strategy.
- Advising the fastest growing fashion retailer, valued at $100 Billion, on its data optimization strategy and global e-commerce expansion.
- Advising on multiple high-profile cyber security attacks from ransomware, logic bombs, social engineering, business email compromise to a plethora of nation state attacks.
Tax > US taxes: non-contentious Tier 4
Noted for its representation of leading private equity funds, Linklaters LLP‘s broad tax expertise covers funds, capital raising transactions, asset acquisition and disposition deals, and financing arrangements. M&A, capital markets, and internal restructurings are also core workflows for the group. Washington DC-based David Brockway is at the forefront of the firm’s tax planning offering, placing particular emphasis on matters with a cross-border element, while Max Levine in New York has experience in the taxation of partnerships, REITs, domestic and offshore companies, sovereign wealth funds, and tax-exempt investors. Notable arrivals include New York-based tech expert Gabriel Grossman from Goodwin, and Omer Harel from Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP in August 2022, who focuses on the European and Asian markets from the London office.Practice head(s):
David Brockway; Max Levine
Other key lawyers:
Gabriel Grossman; Michelle Lo; Omer Harel
Key clients
Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. L.P.
Barings
SMBC
Ameriprise Financial, Inc.
Aermont Capital LLP
DRA Advisors LLC
Work highlights
Dispute resolution > General commercial disputes Tier 5
Linklaters LLP routinely represents business leaders, foreign governments and international companies in criminal prosecutions, domestic and international lawsuits, and government investigations. Adam Lurie leads the team from Washington DC and can call upon his experience in all three branches of the U.S. government, frequently serving as counsel on arbitration, civil, corporate governance, and regulatory matters. Douglas Tween is experienced in defending individuals and companies in cross-border regulatory and white-collar criminal investigations, while Brenda DiLuigi oversees corporate internal investigations and represents public companies and individuals in investigations from government enforcement agencies. James Warnot is particularly focused on financial services issues, including banking and securities litigation, M&A litigation, and fraud cases. Associate Michael Pilcher and counsel Patrick Ashby are also noted. All mentioned individuals are based in New York, unless stated otherwise.Practice head(s):
Adam Lurie
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Linklaters is very responsive to client needs and concerns. They are also quite practical in analyzing complicated issues.’
‘In the UK, Sarina Williams has particular expertise before the CAT and has been invaluable in that regard. Patrick Ashby, as the lead associate on the US side, has provided remarkable continuity over the years and effectively functions as a junior partner.’
Key clients
Société Générale
Strides Pharma, Inc.
TDK Electronics
Polycarbon Industries, Inc.
State Street
Kelkoo Group
GENFIT
Credit Suisse
NatWest Bank
Mike Perfetto
China Construction Bank
PetroRio
Air France/KLM
Rooibos Limited
Exactech, Inc.
Work highlights
- Representing Société Générale in cross-border government investigations, as well as a follow-on MDL antitrust and CEA class action, indirect purchaser action, and opt-out action arising from allegations of foreign exchange manipulation.
Finance > Restructuring (including bankruptcy): corporate Tier 5
Margot Schonholtz heads the New York-based practice at Linklaters LLP which leverages its global network to advise a wide range of clients, including ad hoc groups of bondholders, lender syndicates, creditors, and companies, in relation to cross-border restructuring and insolvency matters. Schonholtz specializes in advising financial institutions as well as funds and asset managers on debt restructurings, bankruptcy litigation matters, and asset sale transactions. Robert Trust in New York regularly advises companies and financial institutions on in- and out-of-court restructuring matters, while Penelope Jensen also plays an important role in the team, advising administrative agents, steering committees, individual lenders, and other credit providers.Practice head(s):
Margot Schonholtz
Other key lawyers:
Christopher Hunker; Penelope Jensen; Rebecca Jarvis; Robert Trust
Testimonials
‘LL’s strengths lie in their ability to effectively manage expectations, work with professionals on all sides and creatively handle unique situations leading to a successful case conclusion. This included international issues and LL used their international resources as such.’
‘The core team included Margot Schonholtz aided by Chris Hunker and Penelope Jensen among others. They worked seamlessly in communicating and sharing ideas leading to case closure. They were retained by a large international lender group and managed to maintain a process whereby their client always seemed informed and on board group decisions and then coordinated with the company, myself and other company professionals, as well as other interested parties, in building consensus solutions. They were always accessible with good instincts and solutions.’
Key clients
Ad hoc group of RCF lenders and other lenders under bilateral credit facilities
Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.
Ad hoc group of lenders to Molino Cañuelas S.A.C.I.F.I.A.
Citibank, N.A.
Citibank, N.A.
The First Lien Secured Lenders to GBG USA, Inc
Société Air France S.A. (“Air France”); Koninklijke Luchtvaart Maatschappij N.V. (“KLM”); Martinair Hollan N.V. (“Martinair”)
Santander Bank, N.A.
North Haven Credit Funds, an affiliate of Morgan Stanley, and certain other financial institutions (Pre-confirmation)
Vewd Software AS
Sercel Holding SAS and Sercel Inc.
Barclays Capital Inc.
Work highlights
- Advising an ad hoc group of RCF lenders and other lenders under bilateral credit facilities provided to Nordic Aviation Capital.
- Advising Santander Bank, N.A. in the Chapter 11 cases of LATAM Airlines in connection with its US$200mm receivables purchase agreement with LATAM Airlines.
- Advising Wells Fargo, as agent to the senior secured lender group, in the wind-down of Titan Energy LLC.
Investment fund formation and management > Private equity funds (including venture capital) Tier 5
Linklaters LLP has a strong focus on private equity funds, as part of the firm’s substantial global practice across investment funds. The department assists both sponsor and investor parties with structuring, formation, taxation and regulation issues. The ‘knowledgeable, efficient and responsive‘ Jason Behrens has vast experience with various fund types, including private equity, real estate, credit, venture capital, and secondaries. He co-leads the group with David Miller, whose practice is focused on representing asset managers and institutional investors in investments in managed accounts, funds of one and comingled private investment funds. Brad Caswell is the name to note when it comes to regulatory issues, while at counsel level, Mike Dankis‘s practice includes advising investment managers on spin-offs and transfers of management contacts as well as investors on the purchase of minority stakes in fund managers.Practice head(s):
Jason Behrens; David Miller
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Jason Behrens is extremely knowledgeable, efficient and responsive.’
‘The team has a wide range of experience in a number of different industries and geographies, which is helpful for a multi-jurisdictional transactions and investments. The group is responsive and pro-active in their approach, and from an external perspective the team appears collaborative and engaging. There is also a recognition from a billing perspective to avoid over-staffing on projects, calls and meetings.’
‘It is particularly helpful that individual teams members that we work with recognize where their skills begin and end, and they do not try to usurp the engagement where they cannot assist or where they recognize that others within their practice are better suited.’
Key clients
Aermont Capital LLP – Aermont Capital Real Estate Fund V SLP
Work highlights
- Advising Aermont on the establishment of its fifth opportunistic real estate fund targeting investments within European markets – Aermont Capital Real Estate Fund V SLP.
Labor and employment > Employee benefits, executive compensation and retirement plans: transactional Tier 5
Counting international life science and technology companies among its key clients, Linklaters LLP offers in-depth expertise in cross-border M&A and compensation agreements and strength in the ERISA compliance and fiduciary matters space, representing corporations such as Oak Hill Advisors and Apollo Global Management. The group’s head, Andrew L. Gaines, joined the firm from Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP in June 2022. He brings extensive expertise in counselling public and private entities on the formation of equity incentive arrangements and severance agreements. The team is based in New York.Practice head(s):
Andrew L. Gaines
Key clients
Thermo Fisher Scientific
Bioceres Crop Solutions Corp.
Schaeffler
Apollo Global Management, Inc.
CI Capital
Continental Grain
Elanco Animal Health Inc.
KPS Capital Partners
Oak Hill Advisors
Oak Hill Capital Partners
ARES Management Corporation
Sagewind Capital
Work highlights
M&A/corporate and commercial > M&A: large deals ($1bn+)
Energy > Energy transactions: electric power
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- Dispute resolution > Corporate investigations and white-collar criminal defense
- Energy > Renewable/alternative power
- Media, technology and telecoms > Cyber law (including data privacy and data protection)
- Tax > US taxes: non-contentious