Firm Profile > Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP > New York, United States
Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP Offices
ONE NEW YORK PLAZA
NEW YORK, NY 10004
United States
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Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings
Finance > Structured finance: derivatives and structured products Tier 1
Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP's 'extremely strong' derivatives practice is led by Robert McLaughlin, who handles a range of swaps and derivatives work for major asset managers, and also advises on accelerated share repurchases for well-known corporate clients. 'Walking encyclopedia' David Mitchell is another key figure in the team; he handles derivatives work for elite private equity and hedge fund managers. Swaps and hedges in connection with flagship real estate deals are another particular area of expertise. Also recommended are Washington DC-based William Breslin and Victoria Mazgalev, who was promoted to special counsel.
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Testimonials
‘Fried Frank’s derivatives practice is extremely strong, particularly with respect to regulatory advice.’
‘David Mitchell is a walking encyclopedia when it comes to derivatives and CFTC related issues. When he doesn’t know the answer immediately, he has a team of high quality associates who are excellent at researching issues and finding practical answers.’
‘Robert McLaughlin and William Breslin are great to work with and are responsive and knowledgeable about the private real estate fund industry.’
Key clients
Goldman Sachs Asset Management
Brookfield Asset Management
Merck
BlueBay Asset Management
Humana
EJF Capital
First Quality
Grupo Televisa
International Asset Management
Global Holdings Management Group
Invesco
Morgan Stanley
Onex Corporation
Permira Advisers
T-Mobile
Tudor Investment Corp.
American Stock Transfer & Trust Company
Real estate > Land use/zoning Tier 1
Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP fields one of the most active land use practices in New York City. The group provides legal support throughout the entire lifecycle of a project, including disputes arising from zoning changes, and also has specialist expertise in landmarking and historic preservation. The practice is led by real estate attorney Jonathan Mechanic and Melanie Meyers, who focuses on land use, zoning, public approvals, and is particularly experienced in public-private initiatives. Land use expert Carol Rosenthal is retained by some of the major real estate developers and non-profit institutions in New York City to assist with housing and transportation developments. David Karnovsky is another name to note; he has a strong track record for obtaining land use and other approvals for developments in the Hudson Yards area. Also recommended are Zachary Bernstein and Stephen Lefkowitz, who has over five decades of experience in the areas of real estate and land use.
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Real estate > Real estate Tier 1
Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP is a leader in the New York real estate market and is noted for its ‘great business sense and ability to find commercial solutions'. Though it is particularly well known for its strengths in New York and Washington DC, the team is active in real estate matters nationwide, advising clients in transactions across a huge range of asset classes. In addition to the team's expertise in single asset and portfolio transactions, leasing, and joint ventures, it is also recognized for its specialist knowledge of mortgage, mezzanine and construction financing and restructuring. The group also has complementary expertise in real estate-related litigation, land use and environmental matters. Fiona Kelly and Lee Parks jointly head the corporate real estate practice, alongside Jonathan Mechanic, who leads the wider real estate group and recently served as counsel to Blackstone in its colossal $2.9bn acquisition of a 65% interest in Great Wolf Resorts, the owner of 18 nationwide entertainment resorts. Washington DC-based Valerie Kelly is another standout name; she is particularly highly rated for large commercial leases. Associate Alexander Sutherland is a name to note on the more junior end. Laurinda Martins recently re-joined the firm, having served as senior vice president of Brookfield Office Properties. Also of note, Suzanne deVries Decker and Cyril Touchard were recently promoted to partner. Named lawyers are based in New York unless stated otherwise.Practice head(s):
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Testimonials
‘Fried Frank’s real estate finance group are top class. As a team, they are collegiate, have some exceptionally smart individuals, are very organised and go the extra mile. They are also very commercial. When we have deals that are time pressured, the Fried Frank team deliver.’
‘Michael Barker is an exceptionally talented lawyer. He runs a team of associates who work incredibly hard, together with other partners that have risen through the ranks at Fried Frank. Michael cuts through complicated issues and explains them as simply as possible, with his focus being on getting the deal done. Suzanne Decker, Kabaye Liku and Michael Hofer deserve praise for their work on some of the deals that we have instructed Fried Frank on.’
‘Extremely knowledgable about all aspects of real estate. In addition, we found them to be more commercial and practical than other firms and practices. Also, due to market share, they have a great grasp of comparable info that goes far beyond just economic factors. Very valuable information.’
‘The team we work with are very detail oriented and highly responsive. Never shy away from heavy lifting or heavy hours. Excellent documentation skills. Very good at engaging with our team and equally good at engaging and convincing opposing counsel and other parties (not on our side of the table). Know how to close and work swiftly.’
‘Full service with deep subject matter knowledge and strong team of lawyers.’
‘Quality of legal skills and ability to understand issues important to us as a client and able to successfully negotiate issues in our favor.’
‘Recommended for their ability to handle very complex transactions and their wide network of contacts within the industry.’
‘They are very talented lawyers but many of them are down to earth and easy to work with.’
‘Great business sense. Real ability to focus on only the most critical issues and find commercial solutions.’
‘Avi Feinberg and Patrick Greeley are both excellent. Avi has a very compelling negotiating style. Patrick is one of the most gifted logical thinkers I have come across.’
Key clients
Tax > US taxes: non-contentious Tier 1
Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP's 'excellent' tax team works with public and private corporations and partnerships, hedge funds, and investment banks on a broad range of tax matters. Based in the firm's New York office, practice co-head David Shapiro specializes in fund formation, including private equity and hedge funds, and has also advised public and private companies on the tax aspects of domestic and cross-border transactions. Also in New York, Robert Cassanos advises on the tax aspects of leveraged buyouts, fund formations and public and private M&A. In the Washington DC office, practice co-head Alan Kaden maintains a strong transactional practice, focusing on the structuring and negotiation of taxable and tax-free corporate acquisitions and reorganizations. Cameron Cosby joined the DC office in January 2019 from Hogan Lovells US LLP. Cosby is a strong addition to the practice, bringing with him over two decades of experience assisting clients with the tax aspects of complex real estate and partnership transactions.Practice head(s):
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Testimonials
‘Fried Frank’s US tax practice is excellent – with creative problem solving and a real dedication to understanding the business objectives at hand.’
‘The tax team was very responsive to issues and provided clear directions on how to best resolve those issues. Members of the team were very well versed in M&A tax and due diligence issues.’
‘The skill, creativity and effectiveness of the team is outstanding.’
Key clients
AEA Investors
Aleris Corporation
Apollo Global Real Estate Management
Bain Capital / Bain Capital Credit / Bain Capital Real Estate / Bain Capital Ventures
BlackRock
BlueBay Asset Management
Brookfield Asset Management
Goldman Sachs / Goldman Sachs Investment Banking Division / Goldman Sachs Asset Management / Goldman Sachs Merchant Banking
HPS Investment Partners
Humana
Jacobs Engineering Group
Merck & Co.
Neuberger Berman & Dyal Capital Partners (a division of Neuberger Berman)
OMERS Private Equity and Caliber Collision Centers
ONEOK
Onex Partners
Permira
RXR Realty
Sinclair Broadcast Group
Spirit MTA REIT
Strategic Review Committee of the Board of Directors of NorthStar Realty Europe
Tradeweb Markets
Dispute resolution > Corporate investigations and white-collar criminal defense
Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP is noted for handling large-scale investigations, in addition to its stellar individual representations. The group has particularly strong ties with the financial services industry, and has developed an active practice in cases involving FCPA violations, alleged accounting fraud, money laundering and sanctions violations. Other areas of expertise include procurement and healthcare fraud and RICO conspiracies. The white-collar group is headed by New York's Steven Witzel, who is an expert in anti-corruption compliance and enforcement, and sits within the litigation department, chaired globally by Washington DC's James Wareham, who is seasoned in global corruption investigations. Also from the New York office, Stephen Juris is a further key name for government investigations involving accounting fraud and political corruption.Practice head(s):
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Testimonials
‘Very high quality and excellent communicators‘
‘Jamie Wareheim makes the whole process work.’
‘The team is very responsive and dependable.’
‘My attorney James Wareham is truly an exceptional litigator who has a broad perspective, thinks strategically and operates on a level rarely seen in his field.‘
Key clients
Sean Stewart
Dispute resolution > M&A litigation: defense Tier 2
Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP has a long history of representing companies, financial institutions, special committees, special litigation committees, and officers and directors in challenging corporate action cases filed in state and federal courts throughout the country. Particularly experienced in disputed merger transactions and takeover contests, its work closely with the firm's transactional attorneys to help structure deals with their understanding of the nuances of key jurisdictions, notably the Delaware Court of Chancery. Head of litigation James Wareham in Washington DC leads a practice that has an outstanding practitioner in New York-based Scott Luftglass, who handles litigation arising from corporate transactions, corporate governance, and securities matters. His recent work has seen him act for acquisitive funds such as Apollo Global Management, as well as large corporate such as Sinclair Broadcast Group and board members of Xerox Corporation. Versatile litigator Peter Simmons in New York is also recommended.Practice head(s):
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Testimonials
Key clients
Sinclair Broadcast Group
Apollo Global Management
Four members of the Board of Directors of Xerox Corporation
Seritage Growth Properties
Board of Directors of Bob Evans Farms
Evercore
Goldman Sachs
Morgan Stanley
Greenhill
Lazard
Bank of America
Centerview Partners
Knight-Swift Transportation
Morgans Hotel Group
Tapestry, Inc.
Dispute resolution > Securities litigation: defense Tier 2
Having been a powerhouse in securities litigation for ten years, Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP's presence in the market declined but for the last three years it has seen a resurgence in activity. This has led to its work in high-profile class actions, opt-out cases and derivative suits cases for large corporates such as Perrigo and Under Armour. Currently involved in ten stockdrop cases, the firm acts almost exclusively for corporate issuers and their boards, though it is known to be active for financial institutions and special committees. Global chair of litigation James Wareham in Washington DC oversees the securities and shareholder litigation practice, in which 'great litigator' Scott Luftglass in New York stands out. The New York office is also home to experienced litigators Peter Simmons and Israel David, as well as up-and-coming partner Samuel Groner.Practice head(s):
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Testimonials
‘Scott Luftglass is an excellent human being and a great litigator.‘
Key clients
Under Armour
Perrigo Company plc
Sinclair Broadcast Group
Evoqua Water Technologies
Four members of the Board of Directors of Xerox Corporation
Board of Directors of Bob Evans Farms
Centerview Partners
Terex Corporation
Diana Containerships
Navios Maritime Holdings
Seritage Growth Properties
XpresSpa Group
Finance > Capital markets: equity offerings
Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP’s premier leveraged finance practice is a significant boon on the equity capital markets side. The team frequently represents private equity sponsors, and their portfolio companies, on equity offerings, with AEA Investors, Goldman Sachs and Permira all on the firm’s books. On the manager front, the firm acts as designated underwriters’ counsel to a raft of corporate clients, including Athene. The largely New York-based department is led by senior specialist Daniel Bursky, who consistently represents both issuers and underwriters in public and private equity offerings. Up-and-coming partner Andrew Barkan had a banner year, which included leading the firm’s advice to Blackstone-backed Tradeweb Markets on its $1.1bn IPO. Mark Hayek is also a key contact and his practice has an emphasis on private equity-related securities offerings. REITs IPO specialist Stuart Barr recently joined in Washington DC from Hogan Lovells US LLP.
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Key clients
AEA Investors
Bank of America Merrill Lynch
Catalent
Citi
Credit Suisse
Extended Stay
Estée Lauder
Goldman Sachs
Harsco
Humana
LivePerson
Merck
Morgan Stanley
Navios
ONEOK
Onex
Procter & Gamble
Sinclair Broadcast Group
Tradeweb Markets
Government > Government contracts Tier 2
Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP has had a strong presence in the government contracting space for five decades, advising clients in the aerospace and defense sectors on transactions and M&A, as well as on traditional government contracting work. Washington DC-based counsel James McCullough leads the practice group, which regularly handles complex bid protests and contract litigation alongside its New York and London offices. Also recommended is Michael Anstett, who represents government contractors in suspension and debarment proceedings in addition to his bid protest work. The firm lost two core members of the practice in 2019; former co-chair and litigator Douglas Baruch and Jennifer Wollenberg left for Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP.
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Testimonials
‘Jim McCullough and Michael Anstett are both highly experienced and very capable lawyers.‘
Key clients
Jacobs Engineering Group
Leidos
Global Brass and Copper Holdings
Hunt Companies
Textron
Greenland Contractors I/S
Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC)
Life Cycle Engineering
Marine Systems Corporation
Investment funds > Alternative/hedge funds Tier 2
Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP advises many of the largest alternative and hedge fund managers (including BlackRock, Citadel, and Tudor Investment Corporation) on traditional fund formation, as well as on structuring fund manager spin-outs, incubation transactions, hybrid funds, and real estate funds. Practice head Lawrence Barshay specializes in the structuring investment funds and other alternative investments, while Walid Khuri focuses both on the formation and ongoing transactional work of funds-of-funds. Jessica Forbes and counsel David Selden are noted for their advice on the regulatory and compliance issues of fund formation, particularly as they apply to bespoke products and managed accounts. Also recommended are Lisa Schneider, Bradford Lucas, and Jonathan Adler, who focuses on funds transactions. Todd McMullan and Stacey Song were recently promoted to partner.Practice head(s):
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Testimonials
Key clients
AQR Capital Management
Bain Capital
BlackRock
Brookfield Asset Management
Citadel
D. E. Shaw
EJF Capital
Goldman Sachs
JP Morgan
Morgan Stanley
ORIX Corporation
Point72 Asset Management
Tudor Investment Corporation
Investment funds > Private equity funds (including venture capital) Tier 2
The private equity fund practice at Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP works closely with the firm’s hedge fund practice to advise on a wide range of fund formation matters, with particular strength in the structuring and management of hybrid products. A notable example of this is the firm’s work for BlackRock, which it advised on the creation of a multibillion-dollar evergreen private equity mega fund, BlackRock Long Term Private Capital. Practice head Kenneth Rosh advises on fund formation, investments, acquisitions, secondary transactions, securities, and capital markets, and works closely with Lawrence Barshay, the firm’s asset management practice head, on hybrid funds. Other key figures include Rebecca Neuschatz Zelenka, who has experience advising traditional buyout firms, credit funds, special situations and funds-of-funds; Richard Ansbacher, a name to note for the formation and management for private equity companies with a global investor profile or investment strategy; Jeremy Berry, who has experience of hybrid structuring; and Bryan Hunkele, an expert in fund formation.Practice head(s):
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Testimonials
‘Fried Frank has a dynamic team of smart, committed attorneys that deliver work when promised.’
‘Becky Zelenka is excellent. She’s incredibly responsive, commercial and an effective manager.’
Key clients
Bain Capital
Bain Capital Credit
Goldman Sachs
Goldman Sachs Asset Management
Goldman Sachs Merchant Banking Division
Goldman Sachs Private Equity Group
Goldman Sachs Special Situations Group
BlackRock
Brookfield Asset Management
Apollo Global Management
Permira
Permira Debt Managers
Neuberger Berman (and Dyal Capital Partners)
HPS Investment Partners
Morgan Stanley
Fortress Investment Group
Prospect Ridge
StepStone Group
PIMCO
Mack Real Estate Group
Labor and employment > Employee benefits, executive compensation and retirement plans: transactional Tier 2
Practice head Jeffrey Ross of Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP’s executive compensation practice is noted for his strong ERISA Title 1 knowledge, and routinely advises hedge funds or private equity clients on fiduciary responsibility and prohibited transaction rules for pension plan investment transactions. Ross and Donald Carleen often work in tandem with the firm’s corporate practice to restructure equity-based and deferred compensation plans, qualified retirement plans and welfare programs on M&A transactions, spin-offs and leveraged buyouts. Additionally, the team recently lent its expertise to Tradeweb Markets’ high-value IPO on the Global Select Market. Alongside a portfolio of funds and financial services clients, assistance with executive compensation negotiations is also provided to senior management teams. Ranked partner Adam Kaminsky recent left for Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, but the firm has scooped up Jason Ertel from Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP. All named professionals are based in New York.
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Key clients
Jacobs Engineering Group
Global Brass & Copper Holdings
Tradeweb Markets
Yellow Wood Partners
Permira Advisers LLP
U.S. Security Associates
Onex Partners
Goldman Sachs & Co.
Wafra Inc.
Finance > Capital markets: debt offerings
The well-balanced practice at Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP advises all stakeholders in private and public debt offerings, with a strong record in representing private equity sponsors in bond offerings. On the underwriters’ side, the firm enjoys close relationships with major bulge bracket banks and it also serves as designated underwriters’ counsel for a host of household-name clients, including Estée Lauder and Procter & Gamble. On the issuer side, the group has strong showings in the life sciences, energy, financial services and healthcare sectors. Daniel Bursky heads the New York-based group and brings to bear a strong background in advising private equity sponsors and funds, including Onex and Goldman Sachs, and their portfolio companies on capital markets transactions. Andrew Barkan is widely lauded as a talented up-and-coming partner and secures representations from both issuers and underwriters. Additional contacts include Mark Hayek, who advises on both transactional and regulatory matters, Joshua Wechsler and Joshua Coleman.
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Key clients
AEA Investors
Bank of America Merrill Lynch
Catalent
Citi
Credit Suisse
Extended Stay
Estée Lauder
Goldman Sachs
Harsco
Humana
LivePerson
Merck
Morgan Stanley
Navios
ONEOK
Onex
Procter & Gamble
Sinclair Broadcast Group
Tradeweb Markets
Finance > Capital markets: high-yield
Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP is highly regarded for its specialist expertise in representing private equity sponsors in high-yield debt offerings, particularly in relation to acquisition finance transactions. The New York-based team is also routinely engaged by corporate issuers in the real estate, life sciences and TMT sectors, as well as major investment banks. Daniel Bursky heads the group and advises a mix of corporate issuers, underwriters and private equity funds in high-yield debt deals, with strong experience in both public and private offerings. Andrew Barkan also maintains a broad capital markets practice and handles a relatively even split of issuer and underwriter-side mandates. Additional contacts include up-and-coming partner Mark Hayek and Joshua Wechsler, who is particularly active on the underwriter side of capital markets offerings.Practice head(s):
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Key clients
AEA Investors
Bank of America Merrill Lynch
Catalent
Citi
Credit Suisse
Extended Stay
Estée Lauder
Goldman Sachs
Harsco
Humana
LivePerson
Merck
Morgan Stanley
Navios
ONEOK
Onex
Procter & Gamble
Sinclair Broadcast Group
Tradeweb Markets
Finance > Commercial lending
Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP has a well-balanced New York-based team with a strong track record advising borrowers and lenders on complex financings and refinancings. On the lender side, the team is a popular choice with major financial institutions, while on the direct lending side it has over 25 years' experience representing mezzanine and loan funds, including market leaders such as Antares Capital and KKR Credit Advisors. The firm is also well regarded for its mid-cap sponsor-led private equity work, where it represents a broad range of active funds, including Permira and Onex, as well as their portfolio companies. The team's ability to handle cross-border financings has also been boosted by major investments in the London team. J. Christian Nahr leads the multi-faceted team, which includes major names such as F. William Reindel, Daniel Bursky, Brian Murphy, and Emil Buchman, as well as up-and-coming partners like Adam Summers.Practice head(s):
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Testimonials
Key clients
AEA Investors
Bank of America Merrill Lynch
Citi
The Cranemere Group
Credit Suisse
Extended Stay
Goldman Sachs
Golub Capital
Jefferies
MasTec
Onex
Permira
Perrigo
RedBird Capital
Reverence Capital
Tradeweb
Under Armour
M&A/corporate and commercial > M&A: large deals ($1bn+) Tier 3
Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP routinely handles standard acquisitions, strategic investments, joint ventures and restructuring matters for major corporates across several industry areas, notably media, healthcare, industrials, and financial institutions. Robert Schwenkel, Steve Epstein, and Phillip Richter jointly lead the practice from the New York office, with Matthew Soran being another key figure in the team. The firm's presence in London is also an advantage in cross-border mandates, and indeed the team has leveraged its global network in recent multi-jurisdictional deals for Leido and the Mayo Clinic. Other standout transactions include representing Sinclair in its $10.6bn acquisition of former Fox assets from Disney, and acting for Jacobs Engineering Group in the sale of its energy and chemicals arm to WorleyParsons. The firm has recently promoted three partners, including hotly tipped transactional specialist Amber Banks, Shant Manoukian, and Erica Jaffe, further bolstering the group's stable of corporate and M&A-focused partners.
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Key clients
Sinclair Broadcast Corporation
Jacobs Engineering Group
Aleris
Spirit MTA REIT
Catalent
Global Brass and Copper Holdings
Special Committee of the Board of Directors of Capital Product Partners
NorthStar Realty Europe
Blackstone
Reis
Leidos
Permira Advisors
GreenOak Real Estate Advisors
Hitachi and Hitachi Rail Italy Investments
Stella Point Capital
Yellow Wood Partner
M&A/corporate and commercial > Private equity buyouts Tier 3
Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP is active in seed-and-stake investments, buyouts, and carve-outs, with major clients including Fortress Investments, Blackstone, and RedBird Capital Partners. The firm's M&A and real estate practices widen its capabilities, particularly in sector-specific transactions, with other industry focuses including pharmaceuticals and financial services. The practice is jointly led by the highly-rated Robert Schwenkel, Christopher Ewan, who works regularly with Goldman Sachs, and Steven Steinman, who advised Yellow Wood Partners on the $585m carve out of Dr Scholl's from Bayer. Andrea Gede-Lange and Randi Lally continue to impress, while DC-based Brian Mangino is also noted for his work with GS and Permira. Large-cap mandates form a large part of the firm's work, recent examples of which include Blackstone's $2.9bn purchase of a stake in Great Wolf Resorts. The team also maintains a steady flow of upper middle-market transactions. A growth strategy in terms of both work and personnel saw three internal promotions in early 2019, with Amber Banks, seed-and-stake specialist Shant Manoukian, and Erica Jaffe all making partner. All lawyers mentioned are in New York unless otherwise stated.
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Key clients
Permira Advisers
Blackstone
Goldman Sachs & Co.
Fortress Investment Group
RedBird Capital Partners
Yellow Wood Partners
AEA Investors
Onex Partners
OMERS Private Equity
Stella Point Capital
Real estate > Real estate investment trusts (REITs) Tier 3
Lawyers at Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP are hailed as ‘exceptional in their area of expertise’. Headed by Stuart Barr in Washington DC, the team represents issuers and underwriters in REIT IPOs and is also well-versed in federal income tax matters. In addition, the team is rated for its expertise in strategic corporate governance, and also has core strengths in transactional matters including M&A, spin-offs, joint ventures and public REITs going private.
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Antitrust > Merger control Tier 4
Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP helps clients to plan transactions that often involve international and multijurisdictional elements, for instance providing risk assessments for sellers or advice on the full range of options from a buyer's perspective. Often acting in collaboration with the London office, the team is especially sought out by private equity firms for assistance with mergers, acquisitions and joint ventures. The merger control team is headed by Nathaniel Asker in New York and further able to handle merger-related litigation. Special counsel Aleksandr Livshits, also in the firm's New York office, provides key support in a broad range of industries.
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Key clients
Aleris Corporation
Permira/Wedding Wire
OMERS Private Equity/Caliber Collision Centers
Global Brass and Copper Holdings
Jacobs Engineering Group Inc.
Onex/York Risk Services Group
Yellow Wood Partners
SPX Flow, Inc.
Leidos
Laurel Road Bank
Finance > Capital markets: global offerings
Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP’s capital markets practice is complemented by the wider firm’s premier acquisition finance practice, which marks it as a popular choice to advise private equity sponsors on IPOs and bond offerings. That said, the firm strikes a balance between issuer and underwriter work and it also routinely represents corporate issuers as well as leading investment banks. Among its industry strong suits, the group had a strong recent run of deals involving the life sciences, technology and shipping spheres but its strong full-service offering ensures that it is capable of working across all market segments. From its New York platform, the team is active across the globe, with notable experience in Europe and Latin America. Daniel Bursky spearheads the practice and frequently represents multinational corporations in debt and equity offerings; he also acts as designated underwriters’ counsel for major repeat issuers such as Procter & Gamble. Andrew Barkan is another key contact and represents issuers, underwriters and selling shareholders in cross-border public offerings and private placements. Additional names include shipping specialist Joshua Wechsler and Mark Hayek, who sits within the corporate, capital markets and finance practice groups.
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Key clients
AEA Investors
Bank of America Merrill Lynch
Catalent
Citi
Credit Suisse
Extended Stay
Estée Lauder
Goldman Sachs
Harsco
Humana
LivePerson
Merck
Morgan Stanley
Navios
ONEOK
Onex
Procter & Gamble
Sinclair Broadcast Group
Tradeweb Markets
Finance > Restructuring (including bankruptcy): corporate Tier 5
Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP is the firm of choice for many secured lenders, ad hoc groups of holders, and financial institutions in relation to bankruptcies, out-of-court restructurings of distressed companies, and cross-border disputes. The international team has its main locations in London and New York, the latter being the base from which Brad Eric Scheler chairs the group. In 2019, Matthew Roose left the team to join Ropes & Gray LLP.
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Key clients
Seritage Growth Properties
Centerbridge Partners
Brookfield
Simon Property Group
Solace Capital Partners
Fidelity Management & Research Company
Goldman Sachs
Ad Hoc Group of Holders of Senior Secured Notes – Fuse
Vornado Realty Trust
CNO Financial Group
Ascribe Capital
Spirit MTA REIT
Jack Wills Retail Limited
Vision Capital
Benvolio Group
Sberbank of Russia
PIMCO
Phoenix Investment Adviser
LionTree Advisors
Courage Capital Management
Gates Capital Management
Finance > Structured finance: securitization
Real estate > Real estate
Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP > Firm Profile
Fried Frank is a leading international law firm with approximately 500 lawyers who advise the world’s leading corporations, investment funds and financial institutions on their most critical legal needs and business opportunities.
Types of work undertaken
Aerospace and defense: combines expertise in transactional, litigation, regulatory and advisory work to provide clients with counsel on operational performance, compliance profile, policy and regulatory acuity.
Antitrust and competition: regularly advises Fortune 500 companies around the world on mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, government investigations, and civil and criminal trial and appellate litigation.
Asset management: offers a full range of services to financial institutions and private investment funds and advises on hedge funds and private equity funds, infrastructure funds, funds of funds and mezzanine funds.
Capital markets: represents issuers, underwriters, financial sponsors, selling stockholders, initial purchasers and dealer-managers in debt and equity securities offerings and related acquisition finance/private equity transactions.
Environmental: provides a reasoned evaluation of the environmental risks attendant to every transaction and works closely with the firm’s corporate, litigation, real estate, and restructuring and insolvency practices.
Executive compensation and employee benefits: offers counsel with respect to the structuring and implementation of a wide range of compensation and benefit plans and programs.
Finance: represents corporate lenders, lead arrangers, financial sponsors, direct lenders and hedge funds in connection with acquisition financing, recapitalization and debt restructuring.
Financial services: represents financial organizations including US and international commercial and investment banks, asset management and private equity firms, broker dealers, hedge funds, and institutional investors.
Government contracts: helps clients navigate the complex maze of statutes and regulations at each stage of the government contracting process; regularly supports M&A activity in the aerospace and defense arena.
International arbitration: handles matters ranging from the highest profile cases to medium-sized and smaller disputes, marshaling resources from different legal systems and the expanding body of international commercial law.
Intellectual property litigation: brings a sophisticated, multi-disciplinary approach to matters involving patents, copyrights, trademarks and other intellectual property rights.
International trade and investment: regularly represents leading US and international investors, operating companies, and boards of directors in transactional, regulatory, enforcement and dispute resolution matters worldwide.
Litigation: represents global corporations and financial institutions in their most challenging, complex and important matters.
Mergers and acquisitions: advises acquirers and targets, special committees, audit committees, and boards of directors in complex negotiated and contested situations, including negotiated mergers, hostile takeovers and takeover defense, proxy contests and financial adviser representations, and restructuring transactions.
Private acquisitions and private equity: deals with private equity transactions and regularly provides counsel to prominent fund sponsors and investors on the full range of their investment-related activities.
Real estate/corporate real estate: counsels clients on acquisitions and sales of real estate property, portfolios and companies; joint ventures and structured investments; mortgage, mezzanine and construction financings; restructuring of distressed real estate; land use and zoning; leasing; development; real estate investment trusts; and litigation.
Restructuring and insolvency: regularly represents a wide range of clients in both formal bankruptcies and out-of-court restructurings.
Tax: encompasses all principal forms of corporate transactions, including mergers, acquisitions and dispositions, and hedge fund and private equity fund formations, acquisitions and dispositions.
Trusts and estates: advises clients, who are generally domestic or foreign individuals and families with substantial wealth, on a wide variety of personal planning matters.
White-collar defense, regulatory enforcement & investigations: has extensive experience guiding clients through a wide range of enforcement matters, and government and internal investigations.
Main Contacts
Department | Name | Telephone | |
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Aerospace and defense | Brian T Mangino | ||
Antitrust and competition | Nathaniel L Asker | ||
Asset management | Lawrence N Barshay | ||
Asset management | Kenneth I Rosh | ||
Banking and finance | J Christian Nahr | ||
Capital markets | Daniel J Bursky | ||
Environmental | Donna Mussio | ||
Executive compensation and ERISA | Jeffrey Ross | ||
Finance | J Christian Nahr | ||
Government contracts | James J McCullough | ||
International trade and investment | Michael T Gershberg | ||
Litigation | James D Wareham | ||
Mergers and acquisitions | Steven Epstein | ||
Mergers and acquisitions | Philip Richter | ||
Private acquisitions and private equity | Christopher Ewan | ||
Private acquisitions and private equity | Steven Steinman | ||
Real estate/corporate real estate transactions | Jonathan L Mechanic | ||
Real estate/corporate real estate transactions | Fiona J Kelly | ||
Restructuring and insolvency | Brad Eric Scheler | ||
Tax | David I Shapiro | ||
Tax | Alan S Kaden | ||
Technology transactions | Amir Ghavi | ||
Trusts and estates | Brad J Richter | ||
White-collar defense, regulatory enforcement & investigations | Steven Witzel | ||
Chairman | David J Greenwald |
Lawyer Profiles
Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
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Mr Jonathan Adler | Jonathan Adler is a corporate partner and focuses primarily on representing financial… | View Profile |
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Mr Michael Anstett | Litigation Special Counsel. Mr. Anstett focuses on the representation of government contractors,… | View Profile |
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Mr Nathaniel Asker | Antitrust Partner. Mr. Asker is an antitrust and competition partner. His practice… | View Profile |
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Amber Banks | Ms. Banks is a partner in Fried Frank’s Corporate Department and member… | View Profile |
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Mr Andrew Barkan | Mr. Barkan is a corporate partner and concentrates his practice on corporate… | View Profile |
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Michael Barker | Michael Barker, a real estate partner, has a broad range of experience… | View Profile |
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Mr Lawrence Barshay | Mr. Barshay is a corporate partner and the founder and head of… | View Profile |
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Zachary Bernstein | Zachary Bernstein, a real estate partner, specializes in real estate development, with… | View Profile |
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Jeremy Berry | Jeremy Berry is a corporate partner resident in Fried Frank’s New York… | View Profile |
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Emil Buchman | Mr. Buchman is a corporate partner. He advises financial institutions and corporations… | View Profile |
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Mr Daniel Bursky | Mr. Bursky is head of the Firm’s Capital Markets Practice and a… | View Profile |
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Robert Cassanos | Tax Partner. Mr. Cassanos is a tax partner and the former co-chair… | View Profile |
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Mr Joshua Coleman | Mr. Coleman is a corporate partner and concentrates his practice in corporate… | View Profile |
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Suzanne Decker | Suzanne deVries Decker, real estate partner, represents developers, private equity firms, investment… | View Profile |
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Mr Steve Epstein | Mr. Epstein is a partner in the corporate department and co-head of… | View Profile |
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Mr Brad Eric Scheler | Mr. Scheler is a senior partner and chairman of the Restructuring and… | View Profile |
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Jason Ertel | Mr. Ertel is a partner in the Executive Compensation & ERISA department,… | View Profile |
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Avi Feinberg | Avi Feinberg, a real estate partner, concentrates his practice on acquisitions and… | View Profile |
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Jessica Forbes | Jessica Forbes is a corporate partner resident in Fried Frank’s New York… | View Profile |
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Mr Joseph Fox | Tax Partner. Mr. Fox focuses on domestic and cross-border tax issues relating… | View Profile |
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Andrea Gede-Lange | Ms. Gede-Lange represents private equity firms, investors and public and private companies… | View Profile |
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Patrick Greeley | Patrick Greeley, a corporate real estate special counsel, represents clients on a… | View Profile |
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Mr Mark Hayek | Mr. Hayek is a partner in the Corporate Department and the Capital… | View Profile |
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Michael Hofer | Michael Hofer, a real estate associate, represents owners, developers and financial institutions… | View Profile |
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Shane Hoffmann | Tax associate. Mr. Hoffmann focuses on federal income taxation, with particular emphasis… | View Profile |
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Bryan Hunkele | Bryan Hunkele is a corporate partner resident in Fried Frank’s New York… | View Profile |
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Erica Jaffe | Erica Jaffe is a corporate partner in the Mergers and Acquisitions and… | View Profile |
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Mr Stephen Juris | Mr. Juris has extensive experience litigating complex commercial disputes and representing corporate… | View Profile |
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Mr David Karnovsky | David Karnovsky, a real estate partner, focuses on land use, zoning, real… | View Profile |
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Ms Valerie Kelly | Valerie Kelly, a real estate partner, represents prominent private and public commercial… | View Profile |
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Fiona Kelly | Fiona Kelly, a corporate partner and co-head of the Firm’s Corporate Real… | View Profile |
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Randi Lally | Ms. Lally has significant experience in private equity transactions and mergers and… | View Profile |
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Mr Stephen Lefkowitz | Stephen Lefkowitz, a real estate of counsel, focuses his practice on real… | View Profile |
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Kabaye Liku | Kabaye Liku, a real estate partner, focuses primarily on commercial real estate… | View Profile |
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Mr Aleksandr Livshits | Antitrust Special Counsel. Mr. Livshits focuses on mergers and acquisitions, including complex… | View Profile |
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Shant Manoukian | Shant Manoukian is a partner in the Corporate Department and Mergers and… | View Profile |
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Laurinda Martins | Laurinda Martins, a real estate partner, has extensive experience with sophisticated commercial… | View Profile |
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Victoria Mazgalev | Ms. Mazgalev is a corporate special counsel in the Firm’s Asset Management… | View Profile |
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Mr Robert McLaughlin | Mr. McLaughlin is a corporate partner and head of the Firm’s Derivatives… | View Profile |
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Todd McMullan | Todd J. McMullan is a partner in the Corporate Department and Asset… | View Profile |
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Mr Jonathan Mechanic | Jonathan Mechanic, a real estate partner and chairman of the Firm’s Real… | View Profile |
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Mr Joshua Mermelstein | Joshua Mermelstein, a real estate a partner, represents financial institutions, owners, developers,… | View Profile |
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Ms Melanie Meyers | Melanie Meyer, a real estate partner, focuses on real estate development, with… | View Profile |
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Mr David Mitchell | Corporate partner. He is a leading practitioner in commodities, futures and derivatives.… | View Profile |
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Brian Murphy | Mr. Murphy is a corporate partner resident in the New York office.… | View Profile |
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Mr J Christian Nahr | Mr. Nahr is a corporate partner and head of the Firm’s global… | View Profile |
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Mr Lee Parks | Lee Parks, a corporate partner and co-head of the Firm’s Corporate Real… | View Profile |
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Mr F William Reindel | Mr. Reindel is a corporate partner, resident in the Firm’s New York… | View Profile |
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Mr Philip Richter | Corporate partner; co-head of M&A practice. Represents clients in M&A transactions involving… | View Profile |
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Christopher Roman | Tax Partner. Mr. Roman’s practice focuses on tax aspects of alternative investment… | View Profile |
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Ms Carol Rosenthal | Carol Rosenthal, a real estate partner, has over 25 years of experience… | View Profile |
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Mr Kenneth Rosh | Kenneth Rosh is a corporate partner and head of the Firm’s private… | View Profile |
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Ms Lisa Schneider | Lisa Schneider is a corporate partner resident in Fried Frank’s New York… | View Profile |
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Mr Robert Schwenkel | Partner, global head of M&A and private equity practice. Diverse transactional practice… | View Profile |
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Mr David Shapiro | Tax Partner. Mr. Shapiro is a tax partner and co-chair of the… | View Profile |
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Peter Simmons | Mr. Simmons is a litigation partner with 30 years of experience handling… | View Profile |
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Stacey Song | Stacey Song is a corporate partner resident in Fried Frank’s New York… | View Profile |
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Mr Robert Sorin | Robert Sorin, a real estate partner, covers a broad range of commercial… | View Profile |
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Adam Summers | Mr. Summers is a partner in the Corporate Department and the Finance… | View Profile |
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Alexander Sutherland | Alexander Sutherland, a real estate associate, represents developers, lenders, owners and institutional… | View Profile |
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Cyril Touchard | Cyril Touchard, a real estate partner, covers a broad range of commercial… | View Profile |
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Mr Joshua Wechsler | Mr. Wechsler is a corporate partner and concentrates his practice in corporate… | View Profile |
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Nicholas Williams | Nicholas Williams is a real estate associate in Fried Frank’s New York… | View Profile |
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Mr Steven Witzel | Global Head of White Collar Defense, Regulatory Enforcement & Investigations Practice. Represents… | View Profile |
Other
Other Offices : Frankfurt Other Offices : LondonTop Tier Firm Rankings
- Structured finance: derivatives and structured products
- Land use/zoning
- Real estate
- US taxes: non-contentious
Firm Rankings
- Corporate investigations and white-collar criminal defense: advice to individuals
- M&A litigation: defense
- Securities litigation: defense
- Advice to issuers
- Government contracts
- Alternative/hedge funds
- Private equity funds (including venture capital)
- Employee benefits, executive compensation and retirement plans: transactional
- Advice to issuers
- Advice to underwriters
- Advice to managers
- Advice to issuers
- Advice to underwriters
- Advice to borrowers
- Advice to lenders
- M&A: large deals ($1bn+)
- Private equity buyouts
- Real estate investment trusts (REITs)
- Merger control
- Advice to issuers
- Advice to underwriters
- Corporate investigations and white-collar criminal defense: advice to corporates
- Restructuring (including bankruptcy): corporate