Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP > Houston, United States > Firm Profile

Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP
600 TRAVIS STREET, SUITE 2310
HOUSTON, TX 77002
TEXAS
United States

Finance > Fintech

Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP provides its fintech clients with ‘deep domain expertise‘ and ‘highly pragmatic deal skills‘. The multi-faceted team’s ‘effective and efficient‘ service levels also attract praise, with lawyers always delivering in ‘a very timely manner, and their level of response time to any and all communication is unmatched‘. The firm has invested heavily into the practice in recent years, and in 2022 it enhanced its crypto offering through the recruitment from Perkins Coie LLP of Kari Larsen who now co-heads the digital works team with regulatory expert Christopher Giancarlo, a former chairman of the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission, as well as Washington DC-based regulatory partner Justin Browder and DC-based litigation partner A. Kristina Littman, another arrival who previously served as Chief of the Crypto Assets and Cyber Unit at the SEC. Other key individuals include Georgia Bullitt (‘the best of the best‘), who co-chairs the firm’s financial institutions and regulatory practice group. Private equity co-chair Jeffrey Poss is also noted for his ‘fantastic and knowledgeable team‘. All lawyers are based in New York unless otherwise stated.

Practice head(s):

Jeffrey Poss; Justin Browder; Christopher Giancarlo; Kari Larsen; A. Kristina Littman

Other key lawyers:

Testimonials

‘WFG is about the people. What a fantastic and knowledgeable team that knows the industry and knows us.’

‘Deep domain expertise; Highly pragmatic deal skills; Great sense of what’s important and what’s not.’

‘Their strength is in the size and breadth of their expertise and teams. This provides clients like myself with extremely reliable services that are effective and efficient. They always deliver in a very timely manner and their level of response time to any and all communication is unmatched.’

‘Georgia Bullitt — The best of the best.

 

Key clients

Acumatica

Aquiline Capital Partners

Ascensus

Special Committee of Blockcap

Clear Street

eToro USA

Fenergo

FIS

Forecast Foundation

Franklin Resources, Inc.

Genstar Capital

GSR

HealthEquity

Insight Partners

Institutional Shareholder Services Inc. (ISS)

Kony Inc.

Loyale Healthcare

Lykke Exchange

Ministry Brands

The Options Clearing Corporation (OCC)

Orion Advisor Solutions

Personal Capital

Professional Datasolutions, Inc. (PDI)

Ripple Labs Inc.

SimpleNexus

SIFMA

SIX

Success Factory

Capital One, N.A. – United Income

Virtual Currency Association

Volante Global

WealthFront Corporation

Work highlights

    Insurance > Insurance: non-contentious Tier 1

    Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP handles a broad spectrum of insurance-related transactions, advising life and property-casualty insurers and reinsurers, private equity investors and banks on mergers and acquisitions and restructuring matters, but with particular strengths in the capital markets and alternative risk transfer fields. The practice is also well-versed in insurance security offerings and offers a strong regulatory service. The team is led by Alexander Dye, who advises on insurance-related M&A and capital market deals in addition to reinsurance matters, and John Schwolsky, who specializes in M&A and demutualization transactions and restructuring matters. Michael Groll is an experienced corporate and securities practitioner, handling public and private securities offerings. Kara Baysinger, who splits time between the San Francisco and Chicago offices, handles regulatory matters including compliance and investigations. All lawyers are New York-based unless otherwise specified.    

    Practice head(s):

    Alexander Dye; John Schwolsky

    Other key lawyers:

    Testimonials

    ‘The WFG Corporate/Insurance team has a great range of knowledge and depth of experience; they are commercial and pragmatic; responsive and a pleasure to deal with.’

    ‘Willkie’s insurance practice, headed by John Schwolsky, is easily the best I have worked with over many years. John and his team at Willkie have been involved in most of the major insurance M&A transactions in recent years and this has enabled them to bring a level of experience, knowledge and judgment unmatched by other firms.’

    ‘John Schwolsky has been a leader in the non-contentious insurance practice world for many years, and his judgment, knowledge, and business and legal sophistication all reflect this. John is highly responsive, always available, an analytical and yet pragmatic thinker, and a genuinely collaborative partner. I cannot recommend him highly enough.’

    Key clients

    Alleghany Corporation

    Allied World Assurance Company Holdings, Ltd

    Aquiline Capital Partners

    Assured Guaranty

    California State Automobile Association

    CNO Financial

    CVS/Aetna

    Dai-ichi Life Insurance Company

    eHealth

    Fidelity National Financial, Inc.

    First American Financial Corporation

    FIS

    General Motors/OnStar Insurance

    Generali

    KKR & Co.

    MetLife, Inc.

    Metromile

    Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Co.

    Mutual of Omaha

    Nationwide

    New York Life

    Next Insurance

    NORCAL Mutual

    Protective Life Corporation

    QBE Insurance

    Rhino Insurance

    Sixth Street

    Spinnaker Insurance Company

    Stone Point Capital

    Telenav

    TigerRisk Partners LLC

    Travelers

    Truist Insurance Holdings, Inc.

    Trupanion

    Velocity Risk

    Versant Health

    Volante Global

    Voya Financial, Inc.

    W.R. Berkley Corporation

    Zurich Insurance Group

    Work highlights

    • Advised Alleghany Corporation on its $11.6 billion acquisition by Berkshire Hathaway.
    • Represented Sixth Street in its agreement alongside Resolution Life to reinsure a $35 billion fixed index annuity portfolio of Allianz Life.

    Investment fund formation and management > Mutual/registered/exchange-traded funds Tier 1

    The team at Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP has ‘unique industry experience and a breadth of client and transaction types‘, and makes for a ‘proactive and responsive‘ choice of counsel for a host of highly regarded asset managers and funds. Open-end and closed-end funds, ETFs and BDCs are among the names that look to the firm’s asset management department that is co-led by Lior Ohayon and Margery Neale, both of whom are based in New York. Neesa Sood was promoted to the partnership in January 2022- she and Neale are both praised by one client for the respective ‘depth and breadth of their ’40 Act knowledge, combined with excellent business judgment‘. Barry Barbash in Washington DC is a key senior figure, and at the same location, Benjamin Haskin is a contact to note for investment management, while Anne Choe covers a wide range of securities regulation, with a focus on representing ETFs, their advisers, and independent board members. In New York, Elliot Gluck has acted for registered investment companies, their advisers and boards in an array of corporate and regulatory matters, and Jay Spinola is another counsel with expertise in the 1940 Act.

    Practice head(s):

    Margery Neale; Lior Ohayon

    Testimonials

    ‘The WFG mutual fund practice has unique industry experience and a breadth of client and transaction types. We have confidence in the individuals serving us and appreciate their thoughtful and timely advice on both day-to-day and unexpected matters.’

    ‘The team is proactive and responsive. All members work well without independent trustees. We have a lot of confidence in Barry Barbash and Anne Choe’s industry, regulatory and business knowledge.’

    ‘Margery Neale and Neesa Sood are standouts in the firm. They each have a well-earned reputation in the industry for the depth and breadth of their ’40 Act knowledge, combined with excellent business judgment.’

    ‘In response to industry developments including regulatory changes, lawsuits and enforcement actions against peer organizations, Margery Neale and Neesa Sood have drawn on Willkie Farr’s deep bench of expertise in enforcement, regulation, litigation, and tax to provide us with world class advice.

    ‘ The practice have taken the time to learn and understand our past practices, so that their suggestions and recommendations are brought forward from a context the board can relate to.

    ‘They are both knowledgeable, available to discuss issues, and, most importantly, are proactive in working with the advisor to address issues before they are presented to the independent trustees.’

    ‘Willkie Farr, and especially the partner with whom we work with, has given us exceptional advice and support for many years. They are always informative of the latest news and changes whether with the SEC or other related entities. Plus, their communication is excellent. We always receive prompt responses.’

    ‘They are proactive and are always looking for ways to help our mutual fund improve, whether through cost reductions or through its very vigorous 15c review. Our partner, Jay Spinola, is the difference. He has developed a rapport not only with our independent directors but has gained great respect with the mutual fund management.’

    Key clients

    Credit Suisse Asset Management and Credit Suisse Funds

    Flaherty & Crumrine Closed-End Funds

    Gabelli Closed-End Funds

    The New Ireland Fund

    T. Rowe Price Funds

    Dispute resolution > Corporate investigations and white-collar criminal defense

    Clients turn to Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP‘s white-collar defense practice for its far-reaching experience in criminal and regulatory matters. Securities, hedge funds, and parallel SEC and DOJ investigations form specific areas of expertise for the group that often works in close collaboration with the firm’s international offices, such as London and Frankfurt. In New York, veteran litigator Randall Jackson and ‘consummate trial lawyerMichael Schachter jointly lead the team with Washington DC-based William Stellmach, whose specializations relate to internal and government investigations, enforcement proceedings, and corporate monitorships. Matters pertaining to securities are a particular area of focus for New York’s Amelia Cottrell. Former practice head Martin Weinstein  left the firm in early 2023.

    Practice head(s):

    Randall Jackson; Michael Schachter; William Stellmach

    Other key lawyers:

    Testimonials

    ‘Michael Schachter is the consummate trial lawyer. He is incredibly strategic, smart, connects with juries, and is a great writer. He is always the optimist, which is a very important quality when defending difficult criminal cases.’

    Key clients

    Thomas Barrack

    CareDX

    GWG Holdings, Inc.

    Resideo Technologies, Inc.

    Vitol, Inc.

    CITGO Petroleum Corp.

    Baker Hughes

    Former Directors of Ariix

    Thomas Barrack

    CareDX

    GWG Holdings, Inc.

    Resideo Technologies, Inc.

    Vitol, Inc.

    CITGO Petroleum Corp.

    Baker Hughes

    Former Directors of Ariix

    Work highlights

    • Represented and secured a victory in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York for Thomas Barrack, founder of Colony Capital, in a trial alleging illegal foreign lobbying, obstruction of justice and other charges.
    • Selected by both the U.S. Department of Justice and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission to serve as the monitor for the Bank of Nova Scotia in a novel, dual appointment following a resolution with each agency.

    Dispute resolution > General commercial disputes Tier 2

    From biotech companies, to private universities, to special committees, the team at Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP represents a diverse range of clients in arbitrations, state and federal courts and the Supreme Court. Recent matters include securities class actions, shareholder litigations and  insurance coverage disputes. In New York, securities specialist Tariq Mundiya chairs the litigation department and recently represented Industrial Automation in an acquisition related arbitration. In Chicago, Craig Martin is an experienced trial lawyer regularly represents major Chicago companies and is currently representing Provisur Technologies, Inc. in a patent infringement dispute that is being litigated in the United States and Germany. M&A specialist Sameer Advani frequently appears alongside Mundiya. Further recommended in New York are Todd Cosenza , who centers his practice on securities class actions, and Jeffrey Korn , an antitrust expert who recently represented Runa Capital in an enterprise ownership dispute.

    Practice head(s):

    Tariq Mundiya; Craig Martin

    Other key lawyers:

    Sameer Advani; Todd Cosenza; Jeffrey Korn; Elizabeth Bower; Joseph Davis;Michael J. Gottlieb; Mark T. Stancil; Matt D. Basil; Matthew J. Thomas; Simona Agnolucci; Alexander L. Cheney; Benedict Y. Hur; Jonathan A. Patchen; Dennis Jenkins

    Testimonials

    ‘World class analysis of complex legal disputes’

    ‘Mark Stancil has amazing judgment’

    ‘Excellent team for commercial disputes. Zealous advocates. Subject matter experts. Exceptional courtroom presence. Brilliant lawyers.’

    ‘Dennis Jenkins is an excellent lawyer. He is strategic, smart and someone you want on your side for high stakes disputes. Mark Stancil is a fantastic trial lawyer. He is quick on his feet, has a great presence in court and is an excellent writer.’

     

    Key clients

    AlixPartners, LLP

    Larry Lawson, the former CEO of AeroSystems

    Industrial Automation LLC

    Board Members of Wells Fargo & Company

    Tonopah Solar Energy, LLC

    PDV Holding Inc.

    GenapSys Inc.

    Magnetar Capital LLC

    AmTrust Financial Services, Inc. Special Committee

    Willis Management Vermont, Willis Limited, and Willis Re, Inc.

    Multiple AIG companies

    Fulton County Election Workers Ruby Freeman and Wandrea ArShaye “Shaye” Moss

    Sakab Saudi Holding Company

    CBOE Futures Exchange LLC

    ZC Resource Investment Trust and ZC Resource LLC

    Google LLC

    Underwriters to Uber’s May 10, 2019 initial public offering

    Runa Capital, Inc.

    CBS Corporation (now Paramount) and its directors and officers

    Board of Directors of Wells Fargo

    Northwestern University

    Aon Hewitt Investment Consulting, Inc.

    William Wrigley, Jr., Green Health Endeavors LLC, PE Fund, and WW Jr. Enterprises, Inc.

    Provisur Technologies, Inc.

    JBT Corporation, JBT Equipment Finance LLC

    Ulta Beauty Inc., its CEO, CFO, and directors

    Univar Inc.

    Work highlights

    • Represented Provisur Technologies in a worldwide patent infringement dispute litigation in the United States and in Germany.
    • Pro bono representation of William Kent Dean, a former prisoner at the Taylorville Correctional Center, in a civil rights lawsuit against Wexford Health Sources.
    • Represented AlixPartners LLP in a Supreme Court case that reversed a decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.

    Dispute resolution > M&A litigation: defense Tier 2

    The team at Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP in New York is comprised of 'highly efficient and respected lawyers who are both willing to litigate aggressively and negotiate reasonably'. Head of litigation Tariq Mundiya oversees the M&A litigation practice, which is led by Sameer Advani and Shaimaa Hussein. Co-chair of securities litigation Todd Cosenza also handles significant deal-related litigation.

    Practice head(s):

    Tariq Mundiya; Sameer Advani; Shaimaa Hussein

    Other key lawyers:

    Testimonials

    ‘Highly efficient and respected as lawyers that are both willing to litigate aggressively and negotiate reasonably. Fantastic and consistent experience over a long period of time. All this team does is win.’

    ‘Very client focused, yet not patronizing. I demand a no holds barred analysis from outside counsel, and this team gives me that. If I’m wrong or off base, they’ll tell me so. The team truly views themselves as enterprise partners and adds valu on both the legal and business side of deals and litigation. High rates, but provide exceptional value.’

    Key clients

    Genapsys Inc.

    Xerox Corporation and the Independent Directors of Xerox

    AmTrust Financial Services, Inc. Special Committee

    Atlas Holdings LLC

    Sarissa Capital Management LP

    Resideo Technologies Inc.

    Industrial Automation LLC

    CIP OCL Investments, LLC, CIP Capital Fund LP

    Pivotal Investment Holdings II LLC and its Board of Directors

    Work highlights

    • Representing biotech company GenapSys Inc. in litigation pending in Delaware and California arising out of Foresite’s multimillion-dollar stock purchase investment in GenapSys and certain relations between Foresite and GenapSys since.
    • Representing a special committee of AmTrust Financial Services, Inc in shareholder litigation arising out of $3 billion insurance company going-private transaction.
    • Representing Pivotal Investment Holdings II, LLC and its Board of Directors in federal and state court litigation challenging a SPAC transaction in which Pivotal purchased XL Hybrids, a leading vehicle electrification provider.

    Dispute resolution > Securities litigation: defense Tier 2

    Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP has a track record of precedent-setting victories and favorable settlements involving securities litigation and shareholder class actions. The firm frequently acts for underwriters in the defense of high-stakes matters, particularly cases arising from IPOs, as well as regulatory investigations and inquiries from the SEC. The practice is led from New York by head of litigation Tariq Mundiya and co-charis for securities litigation Todd Cosenza and Antonio Yanez. Mundiya handled putative derivative and class action cases for Xerox, Cosenza acted for Wells Fargo in a high-profile case alleging alleged failures by the bank to comply with consent orders issued by regulators in the aftermath of its high-profile 2016 customer account fraud, and Yanez is currently representing alternative asset management and investment firm GWG Holdings in matters arising out of an SEC investigation into its accounting and capital raising practices. Craig Martin in Chicago remains a lynchpin of the practice and recently acted for Ulta Beauty in putative nationwide consumer class action, securities fraud, and shareholder derivative litigation cases concerning an alleged practice of reselling used beauty products that have been returned by customers. In 2022, partners Kristina Littman and Adam Aderton joined the Washington DC office from the SEC’s Division of Enforcement.

    Practice head(s):

    Tariq Mundiya; Todd Cosenza; Antonio Yanez

    Key clients

    Board of Directors of Wells Fargo

    Genapsys Inc.

    CBS Corporation

    Diamond Offshore Drilling Inc.

    Xerox Corporation and the Independent Directors of Xerox

    Underwriters to Uber’s $8.1 billion IPO

    Underwriter group of Casper’s IPO

    B. Riley Wealth Management, Inc.

    Former SEC Officials and Law Professors

    Insight Partners

    Resideo Technologies Inc.

    GWG Holdings, Inc.

    Nine underwriters in Farfetch Limited’s IPO

    L-5 Healthcare Partners, LLC

    Underwriters to Stronghold Digital Mining, Inc.’s IPO

    MLV & Co LLC and National Securities Inc.

    Citadel Securities LLC

    Pivotal Investment Holdings II LLC

    Goldman Sachs & Co., LLC, Morgan Stanley & Co., LLC, and eight remaining members of an investment banking syndicate

    Underwriters of Vroom Inc.’s IPO

    Underwriters of Cloopen’s IPO

    Clovis Oncology, Inc.

    AdaptHealth Corp.

    SMBC Nikko Securities America Inc.

    CareDx, Inc.

    Ulta Beauty Inc.

    Former Directors and Officers of Appvion Corporation

    Work highlights

    • Achieved dismissal of a high-profile derivative action against the independent directors of Wells Fargo, arising out of alleged failures by Wells Fargo and its Board to comply with several consent orders issued by banking and other federal regulators in the aftermath of its high-profile 2016 customer account fraud.
    • Representing biotech company GenapSys Inc. in litigation pending in Delaware and California arising out of Foresite’s multimillion-dollar stock purchase investment in GenapSys and certain relations between Foresite and GenapSys since.
    • Representing L-5 Healthcare Partners in an action arising out of a March 2018 share purchase agreement between L-5 and Alphatec.

    Finance > Restructuring (including bankruptcy): corporate Tier 2

    Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP’s business reorganization and restructuring practice, led by Rachel Strickland, is well known for representing debtors and distressed companies, strategic investors, ad hoc groups, and bondholder and lender committees in relation to all aspects of in- and out-of-court restructurings. Brett Miller is a key name for his creditors’ rights practice, recently leading teams representing the official committees of unsecured creditors in several major chapter 11 reorganizations, including of airlines SAS AB, Grupo Aeromexico, and Avianca Holdings S.A. Chairman of the firm Matthew Feldman has considerable experience in complex restructurings and has notably led a team representing Attestor Limited, on behalf of itself and Humana, Inc as insurance claimant in relation to the high-profile Chapter 11 case of Mallinckrodt. Strickland focuses on advising distressed companies and distressed asset investors. All lawyers mentioned are based in New York. Paul Shalhoub has retired.

    Practice head(s):

    Rachel Strickland

    Other key lawyers:

    Matthew Feldman; Brett Miller; Melainie Mansfield

    Testimonials

    ‘The Willkie team is very creative in developing commercial solutions for us across a range of complex matters. And they are always available to us 24/7 to manage issues that are time-sensitive.’

    ‘Melainie Mansfield is our primary contact at Willkie Farr and is the point person for us on all matters, including those which extend beyond restructuring. She is effective at corralling resources for us across the firm, including in areas such as tax, litigation and employment law matters.’

    ‘The knowledge of our Willkie team is unsurpassed.’

    ‘They identify key issues quickly and often in advance of them becoming issues. Always come with thoughtful solutions. Quick to recommend other firms if the project cannot be provided cost-effectively by Willkie.’

    Key clients

    GBG USA Inc.

    Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors of Grupo Aeromexico

    Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors of Avianca Holdings S.A.

    Official Committee of Tort Claimants in Imerys Talc America, Inc.

    Ad hoc group of Hertz Senior Noteholders

    Paper Source Inc.

    Attestor Limited / Humana, Inc.

    Special Committee of Intelsat Connect Finance S.A.

    GenapSys, Inc.

    Ad hoc Group of Secured Senior Noteholders and DIP Lenders of Sanchez Energy

    Ad hoc Bondholder Group of Ahern Rentals

    Ad hoc Group of Unsecured Bondholders of Cooper Standard Automotive

    SL Green

    J.P Morgan

    Mesquite Energy

    The North American Refractories Company Asbestos Personal Injury Settlements

    Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors of SAS AB

    Labor and employment > ERISA litigation Tier 2

    Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP has a broad ERISA practice typically representing employers and plan fiduciaries in matters including plan fee litigation, ESOP and stock drop litigation, DOL investigations, recovery of pension overpayments, reimbursement rights and multiemployer plan withdrawal liability disputes. The firm is active before federal, as well as state, courts and was active in the Supreme Court case, Hughes v Northwestern. The Northwestern case was spearheaded before the 7th Circuit by practice heads, Amanda Amert and Craig Martin in Chicago. Both Amert and Martin are active across a range of ERISA litigation, defending class actions, ESOP stock drop litigation and breaches of fiduciary duties, in a number of industries including insurance, financial services, and chemicals. Martin is regarded for his trial experience and Amert specializes in representing employers around the country in both individual and class action lawsuits in addition to disputes and investigations with the DOL. The practice is also adept at navigating compliance issues related to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation’s reporting requirements and investigations, and leverages its connections to the firm’s transactional benefits, labor and employment and securities groups to offer comprehensive advice to clients. Matt Basil, also in Chicago, concentrates on advising large companies on an array of commercial disputes including ERISA and breach of fiduciary duties.

    Practice head(s):

    Amanda Amert; Craig Martin

    Other key lawyers:

    Key clients

    Northwestern University

    Alight Solutions LLC

    Alight Financial Advisors, LLC

    Aon Hewitt Investment Consulting, Inc.

    CenturyLink, Inc.

    The Northern Trust Company

    Former Directors and Officers of Appvion Corporation

    Olin Corporation

    MetLife Group Inc.

    Univar Solutions

    Work highlights

    • Represented Northwestern University before the the Seventh Circuit in Hughes, et al. v. Northwestern University et al., a proposed class action that accused the university of mismanaging workers’ retirement savings that was vacated to the court by the Supreme Court in January 2022.
    • Successfully obtained dismissal of a lawsuit brought against a group of former officers and directors of Appvion Corporation alleging they had persuaded employees to put retirement funds into stock in Appvion’s parent company, and artificially inflating the company’s stock value through improper business forecasts, stock valuations and calculations.
    • Secured the dismissal of a putative ERISA class action against Olin Corporation, as well as its Investment Committee and Board of Directors.

    M&A/corporate and commercial > Private equity buyouts Tier 2

    Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP enjoys a formidable reputation for its capacity to handle both high-end and middle market deals, remaining one of the most active firms for PE-backed buyout deals. The scope of the firm’s reach is a considerable strength, with offices in key domestic and international business hubs such as New York, the Bay Area, LA, Chicago, Paris, Frankfurt and London. Additionally, the depth of practice is another particular asset, with a broad range of sector expertise spanning the likes of tech, healthcare, insurance and retail. Co-head Jeffrey Poss is vastly experienced in high-value PE and M&A transactions, with a particular industry focus on financial services, fintech and TMT. Neil Townsend also heads the team from New York, adept at handling complex leveraged buyouts, PIPE and distressed transactions. Morgan Elwyn played a lead role representing Insight Partners in its acquisition of Inovalon, in a deal valued at around $7.3bn Another lawyer with a reputation for high-value M&A is Rosalind Fahey Kruse , who also regularly advises PE sponsors on strategic and governance matters. Matthew Rizzo has noteworthy knowledge of the healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors, while Los Angeles-based Ray LaSoya joined from Cooley LLP in February 2022. All other lawyers mentioned are located in New York.

    Practice head(s):

    Jeffrey Poss; Neil Townsend

    Other key lawyers:

    Morgan Elwyn; Rosalind Fahey Kruse; Matthew Rizzo; Ray LaSoya

    Testimonials

    ‘The WFG team has no flaws.’

    ‘They provide amazing insight and service from senior practitioners.’

    ‘Jeffrey Poss is a really good lawyer. He gives timely and pragmatic advice, mobilizes specialized WFG resources when needed and always prioritizes our work.’

    ‘They really understand their clients. They are good at building longterm relationships, working with them is seamless.’

    ‘Jeffrey Poss is a deeply trusted partner. He is thoughtful, responsive and the ideal lawyer for sorting out complex issues.’

    ‘The team is very experienced, efficient, commercial and reasonable in their approach.’

    Key clients

    Aquiline Capital Partners and Aquiline Technology Growth

    Calvert Street Capital Partners

    The Capstreet Group

    Centerbridge Partners

    CIP Capital

    Court Square

    FFL Partners

    Genstar Capital

    Insight Partners

    PAI Partners

    Shamrock Capital Advisors

    TowerBrook

    Warburg Pincus

    Work highlights

    • Represented Insight Partners portfolio companyKaseya, a premier provider of unified IT management and security software for managed service providers (MSPs) and small to medium-sized businesses, in its $6.2 billion acquisition of Datto, a leading global provider of security and cloud-based software solutions purpose-built for MSPs.
    • Represented Centerbridge Partners as a DentaQuest shareholder, in DentaQuest’s acquisition by Sun Life Financial Inc. for approximately $2.475 billion.
    • Represented Genstar Capital in its investment in Cerity Partners, a leading independent wealth management firm.

    M&A/corporate and commercial > Shareholder activism Tier 2

    Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP‘s experience on the board side of activism matters allows it to advise clients on a diverse range of issues, including working with activist investors on strategic issues. The team, which operates from the firm’s New York office, is also formed of several practitioners with a background in different practice areas, including practice group leaders Robert B. Stebbins, Russell Leaf, and Tariq Mundiya, whose versatile practices add various expertise to the group: Mundiya is chair of the firm’s litigation department and is a go-to attorney for investigations and litigious matters including proxy contests; Leaf is co-chair of the firm’s corporate governance practice with former SEC employee Stebbins. The trio are well assisted by Jared Fertman, who is a go-to individual in the team for high-profile activist campaigns and often advises corporations looking at activist defense, recently representing Sarissa Capital Management in its engagement with Amarin Corporation.

    Practice head(s):

    Robert Stebbins; Russell Leaf; Tariq Mundiya

    Other key lawyers:

    Key clients

    Sarissa Capital Management

    Third Point LLC

    Innoviva

    Xerox Holdings Corporation

    Dong-A ST Co., Ltd.

    New Mountain Vantage

    Icahn Associates

    Elliott Management

    Dispute resolution > Leading trial lawyers Tier 3

    Craig Martin Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP. Regularly appearing as lead counsel in trials and appeals before both state and federal courts, Chicago-based Craig Martin has a broad base of expertise from antitrust and patent litigation to commercial contract and trade disputes. In a significant case before the Supreme Court, Martin represented Northwestern University in a proposed class action that accused the university of mismanaging workers’ retirement savings. He also continues to represent Provisur Technologies, the food slicing and packaging giant, in high-stakes global patent infringement litigation against its primary competitor Weber Inc.

    Testimonials

    ‘Craig Martin is a star in the courtroom and the boardroom; he has assembled a great team behind him, too.’

    ‘Craig Martin is smart, responsive and pragmatic, with not a shred of arrogance. He spends the time to get to know his client’s business and the things that make them tick, which is invaluable when in the presence of internal business clients.’

    Finance > Commercial lending Tier 3

    Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP maintains clients on both sides of the debt finance market, with its notable borrower-side activities centered around high-value acquisition financings. Within this space, the team has conducted significant LBOs and advised on major take-private acquisitions. The firm boasts a large roster of private equity clients, serving as go-to counsel for Platinum Equity, and notably assisted corporate borrower Take-Two Interactive Software with a $2.7bn financing commitment for the acquisition of Zynga. In addition to acquisition financing work, the team also frequently assists investment-grade companies with asset-based loans and credit facility amendments. New York lawyers Andres Mena and Viktor Okasmaa co-lead the practice and are active on the firm’s most complex and high-value acquisition financing work. Outside New York, Archie Fallon and Jay Hughes are key names in a growing Houston-based team that advises borrowers in the energy sector, while Chicago-based Melainie Mansfield and Los Angeles-based Najeh Baharun are also recommended. Chicago-based associate Timothy Landwehr joined the team in May 2023.

    Practice head(s):

    Viktor Okasmaa; Andres Mena

    Other key lawyers:

    Melainie Mansfield; Archie Fallon; Daniel Durschlag; Jay Hughes; Najeh Baharun; Timothy Landwehr

    Testimonials

    ‘Willkie has handled a lot of the financing work for our firm over the last decade plus in both North America and Europe. The team is super responsive and knowledgeable. Importantly, they are able to help distill complex legal topics into understandable decisions and commercial impacts of those decisions.’

    ‘Dan Durschlag is great. Super easy to get along with, in addition to being knowledgeable on private equity backed portco financing work.’

    Key clients

    Adams Street Partners

    AlixPartners

    Aquiline Capital Partners

    Calvert Street Capital Partners

    CapVest Partners

    Court Square

    Cowen

    Dubin Clark & Company

    FFL Partners

    Fidelity National Information Services

    Franchise Group

    Gainline

    Genstar Capital

    Insight Partners

    Investcorp

    JP Morgan

    MSD Partners

    PBF Energy

    Platinum Equity

    Resideo

    Take-Two Interactive Software

    Work highlights

    • Advised Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. on all of the financing aspects of its $12.7bn acquisition of Zynga, Inc.
    • Represented Franchise Group in all the financing aspects of its acquisition of W.S. Badcock Corporation and bid for Kohl’s Inc.

    Finance > Structured finance: derivatives and structured products Tier 3

    Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP advises on derivatives in the physical commodities markets, including energy, environmental commodities, metals and agricultural products, with demonstrable experience in listed and over-the-counter derivatives. The ‘deeply knowledgeable’ team acts for lenders, marketers, producers and commercial users of derivatives across a range of structured transactions, enforcement defense matters and regulatory issues. In the firm’s Washington DC office, senior counsel Paul Pantano represents clients in investigations and regulatory mandates before the CFTC, self-regulatory organizations and the FERC, and Neal Kumar focuses on derivatives regulatory matters. Based in New York, Thomas French leads the practice and Rita Molesworth advises on work concerning the Dodd Frank Act, while John Thomas handles physical commodity and commodity derivatives trading mandates. Counsel Margo Bailey, who operates from the Washington DC office, is another key contact in the team.

    Practice head(s):

    Thomas French

    Testimonials

    ‘In my experience, the firm, specifically the partners I work with, are deeply knowledgeable subject-matter experts. What makes them unique is their ability to address client issues practically, rather than philosophically, leaving the client unable to determine a practical solution.’

    Key clients

    Citigroup Energy Inc.

    Futures Industry Association Inc. (FIA)

    Vitol Inc.

    Mitsui Busan Commodities Ltd.

    NextEra Energy Resources

    Natixis

    CBOE Digital (ErisX)

    FTX US Derivatives

    Nadex

    Energy > Energy regulation: electric power Tier 3

    Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP has a highly regarded energy regulatory practice and are frequently engaged in power, renewable, oil and gas and other energy in regulatory counselling, investigations and transactions. The firm has extensive experience in representing clients in high-profile regulatory matters before the CFTC, FERC, NFA and derivatives exchanges, alongside providing advice regarding the application and scope of the Commodity Exchange Act (CEA) and CFTC regulations. Based in the Washington DC area, former Chairman of FERC Norman Bay is chair of the firm’s Energy Regulatory & Enforcement Practice Group and is co-chair of the Energy & Commodities Practice Group, and was appointed to the Secretary of Energy Advisory Board as one of eighteen appointees to the Secretary’s Board. Paul Pantano is a leading lawyer who covers a wide variety of regulatory, investigative, enforcement, litigation and transaction matters.

    Practice head(s):

    Norman C. Bay

    Other key lawyers:

    Key clients

    Citigroup Energy Inc. (CEI)

    Futures Industry Association Inc. (FIA)

    Kansai Electric Power Company

    NextEra Energy Resources

    EDF Renewables

    Mitsui Busan Commodities Inc.

    PJM Interconnection LLC

    Southern Company

    Vistra Corp

    Vitol Inc.

    Invenergy

    Work highlights

      Energy > Energy transactions: oil and gas Tier 3

      Based in the firm’s Houston, New York and Washington DC offices, the practice at Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP regularly advises on cross-border transactions in the oil and gas sector, including the acquisition and divestiture of upstream and midstream assets, joint ventures, project finance, private equity funds and corporate counselling. Archie Fallon, who advises on platform investments, M&A, project development and recapitalizations, jointly leads the team alongside Jay Hughes, who focuses on public and private M&A and distressed asset acquisitions. Brad Honeycutt recently joined from Baker Botts L.L.P. and advises on private financing transactions and corporate reorganizations. All named partners operate from the firm’s office in Houston.

      Practice head(s):

      Archie Fallon; Jay Hughes

      Other key lawyers:

      Brad Honeycutt; Jason Nasra

      Key clients

      AccessESP Holdings Limited

      Avolta Power, Inc.

      Axis Energy Services Holdings, LLC

      Caliche Development Partners, LLC

      Cresta Energy Fund

      Easton Energy

      Enstor Gas

      Haddington Ventures, LLC

      Magnum Liquids Holdings

      Mitsui

      OneNexus Environmental

      Sentinel Midstream LLC

      Western Midstream Partners, LP

      Investment fund formation and management > Alternative/hedge funds Tier 3

      Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP fields a longstanding hedge fund practice and continues to diversify in alternative fund types. Its broad offering has notable strength in the insurance and reinsurance space, being the counsel of choice for major players in those fields, and in 2022 had an increased involvement in the credit fund formation space. Based at the firm’s office in New York, key contacts at the practice include Joseph Cunningham, who represents blue chip clients in every day fund management and hybrid fund strategies; Deborah Tuchman, the name to note for commodities and distribution platforms; Rita Molesworth, a founding member of the practice group and expert in commodities and regulatory issues; Mark Vandehaar, another reliable advisor for well-established leading funds; and Barry Barbash, whose practice spans alternative and registered funds.

      Practice head(s):

      Joseph Cunningham; Rita Molesworth; Mark Vandehaar

      Other key lawyers:

      Investment fund formation and management > Private equity funds (including venture capital) Tier 3

      Clients of Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP‘s private equity fund formation practice appreciate its ‘professionalism and thoughtfulness‘ acting on a variety of matters, including LP secondary transactions; GP-led transactions, tender offers and stake sales. The sizeable team has been increasingly active in high-profile fund formations for standout clients and is led by New York-based lawyers Phillip Isom, an experienced name across the US and global markets, and Lior Ohayon  a feted fund formation expert. Further key figures at the New York office include Arash Farhadieh, whose representative clients include Insight Partners, Zurich Alternative Asset Management and Wazee Street Capital; Laura Friedrich, who works on both sponsor and investor sides in fundraising for multibillion-dollar funds; and Larissa Marcellino, who joined from private practice in October 2022. The wider asset management department at the firm is represented across its US offices and in private equity funds, Los Angeles-based David Hong is a key name.

      Practice head(s):

      Phillip Isom; Lior Ohayon

      Other key lawyers:

      Arash Farhadieh; Laura Friedrich; Brian Greene; David Hong; Kevin Kim; John Knapke; Larissa Marcellino; Mark Proctor; Giovanni Smedley

      Testimonials

      ‘People, professionalism, thoughtfulness and a focus on considering a comprehensive perspective on all matters.’

      ‘Mark Proctor has proven to be intelligent, effective, efficient and commercial. He has been a true partner to my firm in terms of protecting my interests but also helping advance the transaction to completion.’

      Key clients

      Alliance Consumer Growth, LLC

      Apogen Asset Management

      Astorg Partners

      Banneker Partners

      Blue Water Energy

      Bridge Growth Partners

      Credit Suisse Asset Management

      Enlightened Hospitality Investments

      Evergreen Residential Holdings

      First Manhattan Co.

      Flexis Capital

      Full-In Partners

      Gainline Capital Partners LP

      GoldenTree Asset Management

      Grant Avenue Capital

      Harbor International Group

      ICV Partners

      Insight Partners

      International Finance Corporation

      LS Power Private Equity

      Monarch Alternative Capital

      Morgan Stanley

      New York Life Insurance Co.

      PAI Partners

      Paramount Group

      Pickering Energy Partners

      PJT Capital Partners

      Post Oak Energy Capital

      Prosperity Asset Management

      Redbrick LMD

      The Related Companies

      Related Fund Management

      Sage Road Capital

      Second Alpha Partners

      Sound Point Capital

      STORY3 Capital

      The Capstreet Group, LLC

      The Carlyle Group

      Vantage Infrastructure

      Warner Music Group

      Wellington Asset Management

      Zurich Alternative Asset Management

      Labor and employment > Employee benefits, executive compensation and retirement plans: transactional Tier 3

      Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP acts for major domestic and international clients, ranging from Fortune 500 companies to private equity sponsors, on complex executive compensation aspects of high-value M&A, SPAC transactions and private equity matters across industries ranging from healthcare to retail. New York-based Michael Katz and Jordan Messinger co-head the team, with the former bringing vast expertise on compensation-related issues arising in leveraged buyout transactions and divestitures, while the latter regularly assisting boards of directors and compensation committees with tax and securities law. Alexander Ryan works in Washington DC, specializing in ERISA Title I matters, while San Francisco-based Scott Thompson has significant experience in designing equity compensation and performance bonus plans.

      Practice head(s):

      Michael Katz; Jordan Messinger

      Other key lawyers:

      Key clients

      Alleghany Corporation

      Analytic Partners

      Arevia Power

      Franklin Templeton

      Genstar Capital

      Insight Partners

      HealthEquity, Inc.

      Hudson’s Bay Company

      Take-Two Interactive Software

      Truist Insurance Holdings, Inc.

      Xerox Corporation

      Work highlights

        Media, technology and telecoms > Technology transactions Tier 3

        Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP has an ‘extremely collaborative and professional‘ team with ‘bright, hardworking‘ lawyers. The offering combines a mix of IP, technology and transactional work across multiple areas, including semiconductors, software, crypto, cleantech, life sciences and healthcare. Salesforce is a major client which regularly uses the firm on technology and infrastructure deals, including the development of its Einstein smart speaker product. Meta Platforms regularly instructs firm, including on agreements for the purchase of over $1 billion in servers per year. Matthew Berger chairs the team, which receives strong input from Palo Alto managing partner, Tiffany Lee.

        Practice head(s):

        Matthew Berger

        Other key lawyers:

        Testimonials

        ‘The WF&G team is extremely collaborative and professional in their interactions with the client. Their broad knowledge base, in terms of client experience, is also truly unique.’

        ‘Each team member takes the time to understand the situation and then collaboratively will work to construct an optimal path forward (solution wise). And then each team member is able to deliver their input.’

        ‘The individuals are extremely bright, hardworking – yet they put the inputs together for a cohesive strategy.’

        Key clients

        Salesforce

        Meta Platforms, Inc. (formerly Facebook)

        Meta Technologies, LLC (formerly Oculus)

        LG Display

        City of Hope

        Dong-A Pharmaceutical

        Akorn Operating Company LLC

        LG Innotek Co., Ltd.

        FTV Capital

        Alpine Investors

        Verikai Inc.

        Xponential Fitness, Inc.

        OneRecord, LLC

        QuEra Computing

        AIRNA

        Work highlights

        • Advised a cloud-based software company in the structuring, negotiating, and drafting of major technology acquisition and infrastructure deals.
        • Advised a large social media company in the design, development, manufacture, supply, support and maintenance of its servers and other data centers, and drafting and negotiating agreements relating to consumer hardware.
        • Representing Dong-A Pharmaceutical in technology transactional matters involving multiple listed pharma companies.

        Media, technology and telecoms > Telecoms and broadcast: regulatory Tier 3

        Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP is well-equipped to act on behalf of market-leading clients before the FCC and state bodies in the telecoms space, being a go-to firm for Comcast among other major companies in respect of the full range of their regulatory mandates, including spectrum, broadband infrastructure, and public safety on both the state and federal level. The Washington DC-based practice is co-led by Michael Hurwitz, who focuses on FCC regulatory policy and M&A review, frequently participating in FCC and CPUC rulemakings related to broadband and spectrum issues, and co-lead Jonathan Friedman, who possesses a similar depth of experience, working with a range of major cable operators, video programmers, and equipment manufacturers before the FCC. Within the core team, Melanie Medina specializes in spectrum issues before the FCC such as advocacy in spectrum reallocation proceedings and advising on spectrum auctions, license applications, and performance requirements. Key lawyers from the firm’s cybersecurity and privacy practice, Daniel Alvarez and Laura Jehl, are also active in telecoms, expanding the team’s capabilities much as the practice also draws upon David Murray and his extensive litigation experience.

        Practice head(s):

        Jonathan Friedman; Michael Hurwitz

        Key clients

        Comcast Corporation

        NBCUniversal

        The Internet & Television Association

        América Móvil, S.A.B. de C.V.

        ForgeLight, LLC

        Work highlights

        • Represented Comcast in FCC proceedings to reclassify broadband Internet access service as a Title I information service and adopt a new framework for open Internet protections.
        • Represented América Móvil before the FCC and the public utilities commissions of various states in seeking regulatory approval for its sale of TracFone Wireless to Verizon Communications.
        • Advise NCTA on FCC strategy and advocacy related to spectrum as well as on 911 location accuracy and other wireless public safety matters.

        Real estate Tier 3

        Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP‘s expertise spans the full spectrum of real estate transactions, leasing, and financing, both on the borrower and sponsor side. The practice is particularly active in commercial transactions involving office, retail, hospitality and gaming, life sciences, data centers and mixed-use properties. New York based David Drewes and Thomas Henry co-head the department alongside property finance expert, Krystyna Blakeslee , with further assistance from Misty Sanford in Los Angeles.

        Practice head(s):

        Thomas Henry; David Drewes; Krystyna Blakeslee

        Other key lawyers:

        Key clients

        Access Industries Inc.

        Adept Development

        AGC Equity Partners

        Brookfield

        Cain International

        Caruso Affiliated Holding

        Centerbridge Partners

        Choice Hotels International

        CIM Group

        The Davis Companies

        DiamondRock Hospitality, Inc.

        Faropoint

        GI Partners

        Goldman Sachs

        Harbor Group International (HGI)

        Hudson’s Bay Company

        IO Data Centers LLC

        Jiaming Investment (Group) Co., Ltd.

        JP Morgan

        Mack Real Estate Credit Strategies

        Metropolitan Life Insurance Company

        Oaktree Capital Management

        Paramount Group, Inc.

        St. John’s University

        Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation Group (SMBC)

        Tishman Speyer

        Trammell Crow Company

        Washington Prime Group, Inc.

        Work highlights

        • Represented Brookfield Asset Management in its strategic partnership with King Street Properties, including an investment of approximately $1.5 billion in equity capital towards King Street’s life science real estate pipeline.
        • Represented a leading global digital infrastructure REIT, in its $3.2 billion agreement to sell its Wellness Infrastructure business to real estate investment firms Highgate Capital Investments and Aurora Health Network.
        • Represented long-time client Paramount Group in multiple transactions, including the acquisition of the M&M store (1600 Broadway) in New York Times Square in a joint venture with BVK.

        Antitrust > Merger control Tier 4

        Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP remains highly active across domestic and cross-border merger proceedings, combining a strong record in DOJ and FTC approval processes with capabilities in international reviews and investigations, with the team regularly collaborating with its European and UK offices on multijurisdictional mergers. The firm also enjoys standout international contentious expertise, again collaborating with its international offices on merger litigation, and is able to handle complex cases in diverse and highly-scrutinized industries such as financial services, tech, and pharma. William Rooney co-leads the team, and is a vastly experienced antitrust counsel, handling contentious and non-contentious merger reviews and related litigation, notably advising Trussway on all antitrust aspects of the sale of the company to BFS Group LLC, while co-head Jeffrey Korn is noted for his focus on matters and regulatory investigations before US and European antitrust enforcement agencies. Counsel Agathe Richard also has notable experience of US and European merger approval processes, and played a key role on Kaseya’s $6.2bn acquisition of Datto. All lawyers mentioned are in New York.

        Practice head(s):

        William Rooney; Jeffrey Korn

        Other key lawyers:

        Agathe Richard; Matthew Freimuth; Wesley Powell

        Testimonials

        ‘I was very impressed with Willkie’s merger control practices speed and responsiveness as well as their ability to quickly coordinate across multiple jusrisdictions and with a number of counterparties. Their advice was practical, commercial and efficient.’

        Key clients

        Akorn, Inc.

        Alleghany Corporation

        Arkema Group

        Choice Hotels International, Inc.

        Cornerstone Healthcare Group

        Forum of Firms

        Franklin Templeton

        Gallant Capital Partners

        Highland Capital

        Kaseya Limited, a portfolio company of Insight Partners

        Lakeside Book Company, a portfolio company of Atlas Holdings, LLC

        Lagardère Group

        Mueller Industries, Inc.

        Resideo

        Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.

        The CapStreet Group

        Trussway Manufacturing

        Third Point

        Work highlights

        • Advised Alleghany Corporation on all antitrust aspects related to its $11.6 billion acquisition by Berkshire Hathaway.
        • Advised Trussway on all antitrust aspects of the sale of the company to BFS Group LLC.
        • Advised Kaseya on all antitrust aspects of its $6.2 billion acquisition of Datto.

        Energy > Renewable/alternative power Tier 4

        Archie Fallon and Jay Hughes lead Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP’s power and renewable energy practice from the Houston office, where they have significant experience in transactional and project financing work, with Hughes focusing on public and private M&A, and Fallon also being noted for his expertise in advising on investments across the risk-return spectrum. The firm’s clients include lenders and sponsors, investors, and power producers, and it is well equipped to advise on current and forthcoming regulations in addition to its transactional work. Energy and commodities group co-chair Norman Bay is noted in Washington DC, where corporate and financial services partner Jorge Kamine is also recommended. David Aaronson left in May 2022 and Athena Eastwood retired in 2023.

        Practice head(s):

        Archie Fallon; Jay Hughes

        Other key lawyers:

        Key clients

        Avolta

        Panamint Capital

        Longbow Capital Inc.

        Arevia Power

        Cresta Fund Management

        Native State

        Neuporter LLC

        EDF Renewables

        Climate Imperative

        Invenergy

        Citigroup Energy Inc.

        Finance > Capital markets: debt offerings Tier 4

        Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP has a major presence in investment grade, high-yield debt and convertible bonds. Much of its capital markets practice is connected to buyouts and insurance securities offerings. Cristopher Greer and Gregory Astrachan are co-heads of the capital markets practice.

        Practice head(s):

        Gregory Astrachan; Cristopher Greer

        Key clients

        AdaptHealth Corp.

        CenturyLink, Inc.

        Clovis Oncology, Inc.

        Exela Technologies

        Fidelity National Information Services, Inc. (FIS)

        Franklin Resources

        HealthEquity, Inc.

        Interpublic Group

        Platinum Equity

        Ryerson Holding Corporation

        Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc.

        The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company

        Victory Capital Holdings, Inc.

        W. R. Berkley Corporation

        Finance > Capital markets: high-yield debt offerings Tier 4

        Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP stands out for its expertise in high-yield debt offerings related to buyouts and M&A transactions. The firm is especially well known for representing financial sponsors and corporate issuers, as well as some investment banks. Cristopher Greer has an extensive record in the high-yield space, particularly in representing key private equity clients such as Platinum Equity in the financing of their acquisitions through high-yield debt offerings; in 2021, he led the team that advised Platinum Equity and McGraw Hill on the $1.62bn two-tranche high-yield offering in connection with Platinum’s $4.5bn acquisition of McGraw Hill.  

        Practice head(s):

        Gregory Astrachan, Cristopher Greer

        Key clients

        AdaptHealth Corp.

        CenturyLink, Inc.

        Clovis Oncology, Inc.

        Exela Technologies

        Fidelity National Information Services, Inc. (FIS)

        Franklin Resources

        HealthEquity, Inc.

        Interpublic Group

        Platinum Equity

        Ryerson Holding Corporation

        Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc.

        The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company

        Victory Capital Holdings, Inc.

        W. R. Berkley Corporation

        Work highlights

          Environment > Environment: transactional Tier 4

          Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP’s environment, health and safety department is well versed in advising on the ESG aspects of M&A, financing, and commercial real estate development deals. ESG programs, sustainability, policy, and regulatory matters are key areas of focus for the practice, which is led by counsel William Thomas in Washington DC. Thomas acts for companies, financiers, developers, and other enterprises on environmental issues relating to transactions and projects, including risk analysis and compliance, as well as advising on disputes and litigation.

          Practice head(s):

          William Thomas

          Testimonials

          ‘The highlight of this group is its interest in working with clients in the innovative technology space.’

          ‘Another highlight is the collaborative nature of the practice group.’

          ‘William Thomas is a terrific collaborator; he has a wonderful touch with clients and with colleagues.’

          ‘William Thomas is engaged with the national environmental bar which increases his keen insight into practice trends.’

          Key clients

          Choice Hotels

          Frontline Road Safety

          Bonduelle

          DigitalBridge Group

          FFL Partners

          Lakeside Book Company

          Resideo Technologies, Inc.

          Curtis Instruments

          Tenex Capital Management

          CMA CGM Group

          The Sterling Group and portfolio company Time Manufacturing

          Franchise Group

          Brookfield Asset Management

          PAI Partners

          FFL Partners and Two Sigma

          Orion Advisor Solutions

          Famille C

          WebPT

          Supergas Energy

          New Mountain Capital and DRB

          Work highlights

            M&A/corporate and commercial > M&A: large deals ($1bn+) Tier 4

            Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP is home to a team of ‘incredibly talented and very pragmatic‘ M&A practitioners, who field the capacity to serve multiple transactions across various industries and geographies. In the past year, the team has handled a tremendous volume of work, comprising mega deals and mid-market transactions, and involving clients which operate across a variety of sectors, including media, energy, hospitality, professional services and shipping. Headquartered in New York, the department is jointly led by David Boston, an active partner in the asset management M&A space, Russell Leaf, the key contact for corporate governance matters, and Adam Turteltaub, who focuses on M&A and private equity investments. Steven Seidman has broad experience in the representation of corporate clients in strategic business transactions, and of investment banks as financial advisors in M&A. Laura Delanoy, another name to note for public and private companies, heads up the ESG practice.

            Practice head(s):

            David Boston; Russell Leaf; Adam Turteltaub

            Testimonials

            ‘The Willkie team is incredibly talented and very pragmatic. They are very technically sound lawyers, but also very commercial.’

            ‘Jay Hughes is one of the best M&A lawyers I have ever worked with. He’s masterful in his drafting and negotiating, but what really sets him apart is his collaborative and collegial attitude. He never gets hostile with opposing counsel and always seeks to find a way to get to yes so that a deal can close.’

            Excellent at understanding the issues and our priorities so that solutions truly reflect what we are trying to accomplish.

            The Willkie team is incredibly talented and very pragmatic. They are very technically sound lawyers, but also very commercial.

            Key clients

            Alleghany Corporation

            Aquiline Capital Partners

            Atlas Holdings

            BofA Securities

            Bonduelle

            Brookfield Asset Management

            Centerbridge Partners

            Choice Hotels

            CMA CGM

            Cowen Inc.

            Curtis Instruments

            DigitalBridge Group

            First American Financial Corporation

            Franchise Group, Inc.

            Franklin Templeton Investments

            Hudson’s Bay Company

            Innoviva Inc.

            Insight Partners

            Kaseya

            Lakeside Book Company

            LS Power

            Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC

            Resideo Technologies

            REV Renewables

            QBE

            SimpleNexus

            Stone Point Capital LLC

            Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc.

            Varroc Engineering

            Victory Capital Holdings, Inc.

            Volante Group

            Work highlights

            • Advised Alleghany Corporation on its $11.6bn acquisition by Berkshire Hathaway.
            • Represented BofA Securities and Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, as financial advisors to Kansas City Southern in Kansas City Southern’s $31bn combination with Canadian Pacific Railway.
            • Advised Take-Two on its acquisition of Zynga.

            Media, technology and telecoms > Cyber law (including data privacy and data protection) Tier 4

            Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP undertakes the full range of mandates, including due diligence on tech-driven transactions, crisis management planning and compliance strategies. Co-chairs Daniel Alvarez and Laura Jehl, both based in Washington DC, are key contacts for big tech, emerging tech and leading IT solutions providers. San Francisco-based litigation experts Ben Hur and Simona Agnolucci defend clients against state-level class actions. Washington-based A. Kristina Littman, former chief of the crypto assets and cyber unit in the division of enforcement of the SEC, joined the practice in September 2022.

            Practice head(s):

            Daniel Alvarez; Laura Jehl

            Other key lawyers:

            Ben Hur; Simona Agnolucci; A. Kristina Littman

            Key clients

            Kaseya, Inc.

            Take-Two Interactive Software

            Ukrainian Refugee Legal Aid

            Nuro

            Aon PLC

            Ulta Beauty, Inc.

            Choice Hotels International

            Google LLC

            Work highlights

            • Advised Kaseya on the privacy and cybersecurity implications of its $6.2 billion acquisition of Datto, a leading global provider of security and cloud-based software solutions purpose-built for MSPs.
            • Advised Ukrainian Legal Aid (ULA) on the unique privacy and cybersecurity challenges raised by compliance with the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in the context of the Ukrainian refugee crisis.
            • Advising Nuro on all of its privacy and cybersecurity issues, as well as on crisis management planning and strategy, in preparation for the company’s successful launch of a multi-city pilot program and rollout of a new model vehicle.

            Tax > US taxes: non-contentious Tier 4

            Drawing on its close collaboration with the firm’s corporate, financial, real estate, and asset management groups, Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP‘s sizeable tax practice handles all manner of domestic and international transactions. With Christopher Peters leading the practice, a seasoned advisor to private equity funds and insurance companies, the team is well-placed to tackle mergers, acquisitions, spin-offs, joint ventures, and capital markets deals – where Arthur Lynch is also an essential contact. Vadim Mahmoudov‘s expertise further spans bankruptcies and debt workouts, while Guy Inbar is experienced in the formation of REITs. Among other recommended individuals are Russell PinilisIsaac Silverstein, and the Houston-based Robert Jacobson.

            Practice head(s):

            Christopher Peters

            Other key lawyers:

            Testimonials

            ‘Christopher Peters and his team have always proactively provided practical and understandable tax advice.’

            ‘We worked with Christopher Peters and Isaac Silverstein on a complex divestiture transaction. They are knowledgeable, experienced, and willing to break down complex tax issues in a way that is understandable.’

            ‘The team, and in particular Arthur Lynch, has maintained exceptional relationships with the IRS that has helped clients to make strategic tax-related decisions. They remain highly ethical about how they utilize that access for the benefit of the client, without creating collateral risks for either the client or the IRS.’

            ‘Arthur Lynch is pragmatic and always provides an extensive list of options when helping the client to make a decision.’

            ‘The tax team works hand-in-glove with the firm’s M&A and structuring groups to make sure that all opportunities and concerns are considered.’

            ‘Yaniv Maman is incredibly responsive and thinks deeply about our business. He provides new ways of structuring deals with more tax efficiency.’

            Key clients

            Take-Two Interactive Software

            Alleghany Corporation

            Kaseya

            Franklin Templeton

            Insight Partners

            PAI Partners

            FFL Partners

            Analytic Partners

            First American Financial Corporation

            Official committee of unsecured creditors of Avianca Holdings S.A. and its 38 affiliated debtors in their chapter 11 cases

            CMA CGM

            Choice Hotels International, Inc.

            Brookfield Asset Management

            Fidelis Insurance Holdings Limited

            Sixth Street

            CM Group

            Volante Global

            Work highlights

              Intellectual property > Patents: litigation (full coverage) Tier 5

              The intellectual property department at Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP represents and counsels clients in complex sophisticated intellectual property litigation surrounding tech, life sciences, manufacturing, pharma, biotech, energy, automotive, and electronics. The team is particularly adept at litigating Hatch-Waxman cases in the pharma field, largely acting on biosimilar matters. The group continues to grow, with Genevieve Dorment joining the New York office from Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP in May 2022, and Barrington Dyer joining in San Francisco from Polsinelli PC in February 2022. Based in New York, Thomas Meloro is the chair of the intellectual property, with Sara Tonnies Horton and Krista Schwartz co-chairing the patent and broader IP litigation team out of Chicago and San Francisco respectively. Washington DC-based Indranil Mukerji is the head of tech-related patent litigation.

              Practice head(s):

              Thomas J. Meloro; Sara Tonnies Horton; Indranil (“Indy”) Mukerji; Krista S. Schwartz

              Other key lawyers:

              Genevieve Dorment; Barrington Dyer; Craig Martin; Michael Babbitt

              Testimonials

              ‘Sara Horton, Craig Martin and Michael Babbit are a very good team who complement each other. Craig is the strategist (most senior), Sara is organizing the litigation while Mike is into the technical details.’

              ‘All partners are knowledgeable in international patent litigation appreciating that legal systems outside the USA work on basis of different laws (not always the case with US patent litigators). They strongly support non-US patent litigation and communicate with the client well also what the non-US patent litigation is concerned.’

              Key clients

              Pfizer, Inc.

              Hospira, Inc.

              Littelfuse, Inc.

              Cardiovalve Ltd.

              Insulent Corporation

              Danieli Corporation

              BodyFit Training USA Inc.

              Provisur Technologies, Inc.

              Veeam Software Corporation

              Johnson Controls Inc.

              Netflix, Inc.

              Bose Corporation

              Pure Barre LLC

              Johnson Controls Technology Company

              Synopsys, Inc.

              LG Electronics Inc.

              Ulta Beauty

              Illinois Tool Works

              Wyeth, Pfizer

              Univar

              Work highlights

              • Representing Pfizer, Inc. in a declaratory judgment action filed by Pfizer and its COVID-19 vaccine development partner BioNTech, which asserts that three CureVac patents are not infringed by Pfizer’s COMIRNATY® vaccine.
              • Representing Provisur in a high-stakes worldwide patent infringement dispute litigation and proceedings against its primary competitor, Weber, Inc., in the billion dollar food slicing and packaging industry.
              • Led Synopsys’ successful defense of an ICC arbitration initiated by Siemens Industry Software over its claim that Siemens was licensed to four Synopsys patents under a Patent Licensing and Settlement Agreement (“PLSA”) between Synopsys and Siemens.

              Real estate > Real estate finance Tier 5

              Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP has considerably expanded its practice, starting with the expansion of its Los Angeles office which welcomed chair of the west coast office, Misty Sanford, along with partners Karen Lorang and Aimee Contreras-Camua who moved over from Munger, Tolles & Olson in October 2022. New York's Christine Murphy lends her expertise in balance sheet financings, permanent and bridge loan originations, construction loans, and workouts and restructurings. Head of real estate finance, Krystyna Blakeslee ,also in New York, focuses on origination, acquisition and disposition of mortgage loans, mezzanine financings and subordinate debt. National real estate co-chairs Thomas Henry and David Drewes are also highly respected attorneys, based in New York.  

              Practice head(s):

              Thomas Henry; David Drewes; Krystyna Blakeslee

              Key clients

              Access Industries Inc.

              Adept Development

              AGC Equity Partners

              Aspen Skiing Company

              Breakthrough Properties

              The Broad Museum

              Brookfield

              Cain International

              Capital Senior Living Corporation

              Caruso Affiliated Holding

              Centerbridge Partners

              Choice Hotels International

              CIM Group

              CIM Real Estate Credit

              DigitalBridge Group, Inc. (fka Colony Capital)

              Column Financial, Inc. (Credit Suisse)

              The Davis Companies

              DiamondRock Hospitality, Inc.

              Faropoint

              GI Partners

              Goldman Sachs

              Harbor Group International (HGI)

              Harel Insurance Investments and Financial Services Ltd.

              HIG Realty Partners

              Hines Interests Limited Partnership

              Hudson’s Bay Company

              IO Data Centers LLC

              Jiaming Investment (Group) Co., Ltd.

              JP Morgan

              Mack Real Estate Credit Strategies

              Meadow Partners

              Mesa West

              Metropolitan Life Insurance Company

              MSD Capital

              Natixis

              Oaktree Capital Management

              Paramount Group, Inc.

              St. John’s University

              Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation Group (SMBC)

              Tishman Speyer

              Trammell Crow Company

              Washington Prime Group, Inc.

              SL Green Realty

              Van Barton Group

              Commerz Real Fund

              Lyric Opera of Chicago

              The Witkoff Group

              Work highlights

              • Represented DigitalBridge Group in its $3.2 billion agreement to sell its Wellness Infrastructure business to real estate investment firms Highgate Capital Investments and Aurora Health Network.
              • Represented  Paramount Group in multiple transactions, including its $860 million refinancing of 1301 Avenue of the Americas, a 1.8-million-square-foot Class A, trophy office building located between 52nd and 53rd Streets in Midtown Manhattan.
              • Advised an investment company in workout and restructure of loan and creation of new mezzanine loan in the aggregate outstanding amount of $180 million, securing property located in Philadelphia.

              Industry focus > Sport

              Firm Details:

              Chairmen: Thomas M Cerabino, Matthew A Feldman

              Total number of lawyers: Approximately 1,200

              Languages: English, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Spanish

              Firm Overview:

              Willkie provides leading-edge legal solutions on complex, business critical issues spanning markets and industries. From relatively modest beginnings in 1888 in New York with four lawyers, we now have a coast-to-coast U.S. presence and offices in major business centers throughout Europe. Willkie has continuously attracted some of the best legal minds in the world by fostering a collegial culture; cultivating an inclusive and diverse workplace; and seeking to inspire all employees to serve as stewards for each other, our clients and the broader community.

              We deliver innovative, pragmatic and sophisticated legal services across approximately 40 practice areas through our international network of the best local market talent in 13 offices worldwide. In addition to the areas of antitrust and competition; asset management; business reorganisation and restructuring; complex litigation; corporate/M&A; insurance; investigations and enforcement; and private equity, the firm’s approximately 1,200 attorneys collaborate to provide multidisciplinary advice across the areas of accounting litigation and enforcement; AI and emerging technologies; arbitration; capital markets; class action litigation; communications and media; corporate governance; crisis management; digital works; employment; energy; entertainment, sports and media; environment, health and safety; environmental, social and governance (ESG); ERISA litigation; executive compensation and employee benefits; finance; global trade and investment; intellectual property; IP, technology and commercial transactions; M&A litigation; media and first amendment; privacy, cybersecurity and data strategy; private clients; project finance and investment; real estate; securities litigation and enforcement; strategic motions and appeals; structured finance and derivatives; tax; white-collar defense; and a wide range of industries.

              Main Areas of Practice:

              Antitrust & Competition:

              Willkie has a long-standing history of handling high-profile antitrust litigation, mergers and investigations. The team has represented a global client base in national and international merger filings, US and European investigations of all forms of anticompetitive activity, class action and private litigation, and business ventures in multiple jurisdictions. The team includes partners and associates in the US, UK and EU and is known for its collaboration and seamless cross-border work on behalf of clients with international and national needs across a wide spectrum of industries.

              Asset Management:

              Willkie’s preeminent Asset Management Department leverages comprehensive subject matter experience and capabilities across all asset classes to advise virtually all types of participants in the asset management industry, including privately owned sponsors and investment managers, publicly-traded asset management firms, broker-dealers, insurance companies, wealth management platforms, and banks, among others. With more than 110 attorneys across seven offices in the United States and Europe, Willkie’s Asset Management team advises on the full spectrum of investment management matters, including fund formations, investments, restructurings, fund financings, asset management M&A, secondaries transactions, liquidity and capital solutions, fund adoptions, and operational, compliance and regulatory issues.

              Business Reorganisation & Restructuring:

              Willkie’s business reorganisation and restructuring department is an international practice with experience in all aspects of business and financial restructurings and insolvency matters. Integrated US and European restructuring professionals offer the hands-on, results-driven experience that today’s distressed situations demand. Our professionals are held in high regard for their responsiveness and proven experience in complex multilateral cross-border restructurings (both in and out of court). Willkie represents a broad spectrum of clients in the US, UK, France, Germany and other key European jurisdictions.

              Complex Litigation:

              Willkie litigators have won several precedent-setting victories across a wide spectrum of legal issues in courts around the US and abroad involving all substantive areas, including securities, M&A litigation, contract, intellectual property, antitrust, trade secrets, ERISA, False Claims Act, employment, RICO, and malpractice, among others. Willkie’s litigators are known for their creativity and practical approach in handling complex matters, tactical acumen, team focus, and for their deep appreciation of clients’ business needs. Willkie’s is a sophisticated and diverse national and international practice representing major corporations, financial services companies, accounting firms, insurance and reinsurance companies and brokers, and individuals such as corporate officers and directors and accountants. Our record underscores Willkie’s trial-ready strengths and demonstrates not only the outstanding advocacy of our litigators but also their ability to strategically achieve their clients’ objectives. Willkie has a distinctive ability to distil complex and contested issues in a compelling way, dissect opponents’ arguments, establish credibility, and execute at trial.

              Corporate/M&A:

              Working in close cooperation across offices in the US and Europe, Willkie attorneys provide advice on significant domestic M&A matters as well as complex cross-border transactions. The team represents buyers, sellers, special committees of boards, debt and equity investors and financial advisors in matters ranging from contested takeovers and management buyouts to strategic alliances, leveraged recaps and acquisitions from reorganisation proceedings. Advising both public and private companies in a broad range of industries, the team finds solutions to meet client objectives and helps clients early on in the process to identify and assess risks in a transaction. The group also regularly advises clients on relevant regulatory and judicial developments in areas such as antitrust, tax, ERISA, corporate governance and securities laws as they affect the M&A environment.

              Investigations & Enforcement:

              Willkie’s diverse international practice is synonymous with high-profile investigations, complex enforcement actions and high-stakes white collar cases. Our highly experienced team works on many of the largest and closely watched matters across the US, UK and Continental Europe. We represent market-leading companies, institutions and their executives across a wide range of business areas and industries in all aspects of investigations and enforcement.

              Private Equity:

              Willkie represents more than 300 US and international private equity sponsors as well as portfolio companies, management teams, issuers, debt providers and financial advisors. Willkie’s 360° private equity platform provides lifecycle legal counsel to clients: from pre-IPO consideration, planning and launch to other activities including follow-on offerings, M&A and investments. Willkie is committed to building strong relationships with clients, with many retaining the firm’s services beyond the first engagement and through their growth cycle. Willkie is one of the few major law firms to offer deep transactional, fund formation and regulatory compliance experience, combined with sector-specific knowledge and a commercial approach.

              * Studio Legale Delfino e Associati, operating in Italy, is affiliated with Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP.

              PhotoNamePositionProfile
              Archie  Fallon photo Archie FallonPlease see https://www.willkie.com/professionals/f/fallon-archie
              Jay Hughes photo Jay HughesPlease see https://www.willkie.com/professionals/h/hughes%20jay
              Total number of lawyers : Approx. 1,200
              English
              Dutch
              French
              German
              Italian
              Spanish