Mark Cognetti > Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP > Palo Alto, United States > Lawyer Profile

Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP advises private equity sponsors across the large-cap and middle-market segments, providing comprehensive support on buyouts, platform acquisitions, financings, and exits. The firm is particularly active in financial services, insurance, technology, healthcare, and industrials, with a full-service platform covering regulatory, tax, and transactional matters. Spearheading the practice, Jeffrey Poss maintains a diverse portfolio that includes multi-billion-dollar take-privates and strategic majority investments. Co-head Neil Townsend has recently been active on significant disposals for healthcare and tech-focused sponsors. Morgan Elwyn regularly advises funds on public and private M&A, secondary transactions, and growth equity investments, while Rosalind Fahey Kruse is a go-to for substantial cross-border mandates. Mark Cognetti is praised as a ‘true business partner’ who is ‘adept at finding creative solutions to complex problems’. Matthew Guercio combines M&A and private equity expertise with corporate governance and securities law knowledge. In 2024, Thomas McCaffrey joined from Akin, while the infrastructure and energy-focused Sarah McLean and Holt Foster joined from A&O Shearman and Sidley Austin LLP, respectively. All individuals are based in New York except the new arrivals who join the Dallas and Houston office.