Edward Black > Ropes & Gray LLP > Boston, United States > Lawyer Profile

Ropes & Gray LLP is particularly active in fintech-related corporate M&A and private equity, with lawyers acting on a regular flow of high profile deals. In addition to banking and payments-related fintech businesses, the firm is also increasingly involved in transactions in the blockchain and cryptocurrency space, where a team led by San Francisco-based Melissa Bender is assisting on digital asset launches, fund formations, web3 technologies, and related regulatory and enforcement work. This can be seen through some of the clients the team represents, with traditional funds increasing their involvement, such as Bain Capital Crypto. Other key partners include TMT co-heads Edward Black (Boston), Andrew Thomases (Silicon Valley), and Los Angeles-based litigation and enforcement partner Amy Jane Longo, who joined in 2022 from the SEC.

Ropes & Gray LLP has an active transactional team which provides strong support on buy-side and sell-side corporate and private equity M&A. Key to the firm’s success in the technology sector is its experienced bench of transactional IP specialists. In addition to corporate support, the team also advises on more standalone matters, including partnership agreements and product launches, such as NFTs. Key partners include Megan Baca, who co-heads the firm’s digital health practice, and TMT co-lead Edward Black in Boston. Violetta Kokolus in New York is also building a good name for IP transactional advice, plus the privacy and cybersecurity aspects of related M&A.