Morris, Nichols, Arsht & Tunnell LLP > Wilmington, United States > Firm Profile

Morris, Nichols, Arsht & Tunnell LLP
CHASE MANHATTAN CENTER, 18TH FLOOR
1201 NORTH MARKET STREET
WILMINGTON, DE
DELAWARE
United States

Email firm Visit website 1 302 658 9200 1 302 658 3989

M&A/corporate and commercial > Delaware counsel Tier 1

Morris, Nichols, Arsht & Tunnell LLP are specialists in Delaware law, and extremely experienced in this area and have a strong reputation, working on large private transactions for large corporations. One client comments that it is a ‘go- to firm for the most complex Delaware state law and corporate governance issues.’ Daniel Matthews, Jeffrey Wolters, David Harris, and Louis Hering head up the practice, and are well supported by team members such as Eric Klinger-Wilensky, who ‘is exceptionally knowledgeable about the law’ and is instrumental in the team’s corporate work when it comes to transactions. The quartet are also supported by ‘superstar female partners’ such as Melissa DiVincenzo and Patricia Vella who ‘have deep knowledge, expertise and practical wisdom.’ Jason Russell is also a key team member for alternative entities.

Leading lawyers

Melissa A. DiVincenzo –Morris, Nichols, Arsht & Tunnell LLP

Louis G. Hering –Morris, Nichols, Arsht & Tunnell LLP

Jeffrey R. Wolters –Morris, Nichols, Arsht & Tunnell LLP

Next Generation Partners

R. Jason Russell –Morris, Nichols, Arsht & Tunnell LLP

Practice head(s):

Daniel Matthews; Jeffrey Wolters; David Harris; Louis Hering

Other key lawyers:

Eric Klinger-Wilensky; Melissa DiVincenzo; Jason Russell; Patricia Vella; Tarik J. Haskins

Testimonials

‘Morris, Nichols provided excellent advice and were very responsive to the committee’s questions and concerns. The firm has all the knowledge and skills needed and brought in specialized members of the firm as appropriate.’

‘Mr. Eric Klinger-Wilensky is exceptionally knowledgeable about the law, was available for discussion at all times, and provided valuable guidance. The transaction, although complex, was successfully completed.’

‘Highly knowledgeable, responsive, and supportive with special committees.’

‘The team, in particular Patricia Vella and Melissa DiVincenzo, are superb. They have deep knowledge, expertise and practical wisdom. It is a go- to firm for the most complex Delaware state law and corporate governance issues. They are also extremely client focused and a pleasure to work with.’

‘Patricia Vella and Melissa DiVincenzo are superb. They are superstar female partners who are committed to the practice, client development, critical thinking and relationship building.’

Dispute resolution > M&A litigation: defense Tier 2

For many ‘the best across the board business law firm in Delaware‘, Morris, Nichols, Arsht & Tunnell LLP is acknowledged as one of the standout Delaware firms and whether it is handling cases as lead counsel or as co-counsel with a national or international firm, it continues to build an impressive track record of success. Standout partners Megan Ward Cascio and Kevin M. Coen lead the practice. Coen, along with veteran litigator William M. Lafferty and the highly regarded Susan Waesco, acted for directors Purple Innovation, Inc. in connection with a proposal to take the company private and a proxy contest from 2022 to 2023. The parties settled on the eve of trial. The firm’s deep bench of talent includes Thomas Briggs, who handled a high-stakes case for directors of Premier, Inc.; John DiTomo, who acted as counsel to IAC Holdings Inc. in a dispute challenging the 2020 reverse spinoff of Match.com; the vastly experienced Kenneth J. Nachbar

; and David Teklits, who recently advised directors of electric carmaker Mullen Automotive, Inc.

Leading lawyers

William M. Lafferty – Morris, Nichols, Arsht & Tunnell LLP

Hall of Fame

Kenneth J. Nachbar – Morris, Nichols, Arsht & Tunnell LLP

Practice head(s):

Megan Ward Cascio; Kevin M. Coen

Other key lawyers:

William M. Lafferty; Kenneth J. Nachbar; David Teklits; Thomas Briggs; John DiTomo; Mac Measly; Liz Mullin; Susan Waesco

Testimonials

‘Exceptional client service; practical approach to challenging issues; great recognition of business needs as balanced with legal analysis.’

‘Mac Measley is an exceptional partner, always available, immediately jumps into tough legal issues, creative problem solver.’

‘The team has critical knowledge and expertise regarding the Delaware courts and procedure. They are a great team who can assist and manage all aspects of litigation.’

‘Kevin Coen is an exceptional lawyer who is an invaluable partner for any litigation that I have in Delaware.’

‘Best across the board business law firm in Delaware.’

‘Team players internally and externally; good judgment, willing to draw ethical lines, understand importance of credibility; excellent knowledge of the law and institutions of the state. Bill Lafferty, John DiTomo, Liz Mullin, Susan Waesco are among the many standouts.’

Recognized as Delaware’s premier law firm, Morris Nichols handles bet-the company, high-stakes matters in the four key areas of corporate litigation, commercial and corporate counselling, bankruptcy and restructuring, and intellectual property litigation. The firm is regularly involved as lead counsel or co-counsel in matters of national and international significance, as well as those affecting its immediate community.

Main areas of practice

Alternative Entity Counseling. The lawyers in our alternative entity counseling practice specialize in Delaware law governing limited liability companies, partnerships, limited partnerships, statutory trusts and other entities that are not organized as corporations. Our lawyers have been in the forefront of drafting and updating Delaware’s statutes governing the formation and operation of alternative entities – considered to be the most advanced in the nation..

Bankruptcy & Restructuring. Morris Nichols has one of the leading business reorganization and restructuring practices in the nation. At the center of many of the most important bankruptcy matters in Delaware and the United States, we offer clients unmatched guidance on how to navigate the Delaware courts, as well as a multidisciplinary approach steeped in a deep understanding of Delaware business and bankruptcy law – one that leverages the capabilities of our corporate litigation, intellectual property, real estate, and corporate and commercial counseling practices to provide insights on interrelated legal and business issues.

Commercial Transactions. Morris Nichols provides cutting edge transactional counsel to national, international and local clients. Our lawyers excel at complex, innovative transactions — matters that include mergers, asset acquisitions and sales; joint ventures; financing and leasing; bankruptcy-related deals; as well as the structuring of commercial contracts of every kind.

Corporate & Commercial Litigation. Morris Nichols lawyers have litigated many of the landmark cases that established the principles of Delaware corporate law and defined the fiduciary duties governing boards of directors of many major corporations in the United States. From the seminal Revlon case to the more recent landmark decision in MFW, we represent many of the world’s largest companies in litigation of national significance.

We advocate on behalf of corporations, directors, substantial stockholders, partnerships, limited and general partners, and limited liability companies in lawsuits involving challenges to mergers, acquisitions and financing transactions; takeover battles and proxy contests; busted deals; as well as class and derivative actions. We also represent special committees of independent directors in connection with reviewing conflict transactions and with the investigation of potential and pending derivative claims. In addition, we routinely handle matters involving complex valuations of Delaware corporations and alternative entities, as well as statutory proceedings before the Delaware Court of Chancery such claims for inspection of books and records; claims by directors for advancement and indemnification of their legal fees; and claims to compel an annual stockholders’ meetings.

Corporate Counseling. Morris Nichols has for decades, and continues today, to play an important role in the development and evolution of Delaware corporate law. Our lawyers offer unparalleled legal advice to publicly traded and privately held corporations and their boards of directors and officers. We also advise international law firms, in-house counsel, and private equity and venture capital investors.

Our practice focuses on issues of corporate governance and those that are more transactional in nature, including advice concerning mergers, acquisitions, spin-offs, financings and other complex transactions. Our work ranges from suggesting simple solutions based on our Delaware experience to providing formal legal opinions to designing and structuring complex transactions for businesses and investors throughout the world. We also regularly serve as special counsel to boards of directors and board committees, particularly in situations involving potential conflicts of interest.

Intellectual Property Litigation. Morris Nichols has one of the leading Intellectual Property Litigation practices in the United States. Best known for our market leading experience in patent litigation, we also represent clients in complex disputes involving trade secrets, trademarks, copyrights, unfair competition, and antitrust. We have successfully litigated cases involving products and services in all areas of technology and for clients across a broad range of industries.

Trusts & Estates/Private Client. Morris Nichols is nationally known for the strength of its Trusts & Estates/Private Client practice. We advise a broad range of clients in connection with trusts, estate planning and administration, and fiduciary litigation. We also have a market leading practice advising banks and trust companies in the highly specialized area of Delaware trust law. Chambers High Net Worth (HNW) has ranked our practice in Band 1 among Delaware private wealth law firms, with sources touting the group’s reputation as “one of the leading firms in Delaware,” and the “first point of reference” on Delaware trust law.

Unclaimed Property. Morris Nichols has played an integral role in shaping Delaware’s unclaimed property law – from helping draft the state’s statutes and regulations, to its relevant audit and voluntary disclosure procedures.

Global Connection

Clients often turn to Morris Nichols with matters of international significance. We are the Delaware representative of TerraLex, a global network of 130 independent law firms and 22,000 attorneys in more than 120 countries.

Department	Name	Email	Telephone
Corporate Counseling	Daniel D. Matthews	dmatthews@morrisnichols.com	(302) 351-9204
Corporate Counseling	Jeffrey R. Wolters	jwolters@morrisnichols.com	(302) 351-9352
Alternative Entity Counseling	David A. Harris	dharris@morrisnichols.com	(302) 351-9351
Alternative Entity Counseling	Louis G. Hering	lhering@morrisnichols.com	(302) 351-9213
Corporate & Business Litigation	Megan Ward Cascio	mcascio@morrisnichols.com	(302) 351-9364
Corporate & Business Litigation	Kevin M. Coen	kcoen@morrisnichols.com	(302) 351-9301
Bankruptcy & Restructuring	Robert J. Dehney	rdehney@morrisnichols.com	(302) 351-9353
Intellectual Property Litigation	Jeremy A. Tigan	jtigan@morrisnichols.com	(302) 351-9106

Name	Position	Profile
Jon E. Abramczyk	A partner at Morris Nichols, Jon’s practice focuses on litigation arising from…	View Profile
Thomas W. Briggs Jr.	A partner at Morris Nichols, Tom represents national and regional clients in…	View Profile
Megan Ward Cascio	A partner at Morris Nichols, Megan’s practice focuses on corporate and commercial…	View Profile
Kevin M. Coen	A partner at Morris Nichols, Kevin’s extensive trial experience and diverse litigation…	View Profile
John P. DiTomo	A partner at Morris Nichols, John’s practice includes representing investors, directors and…	View Profile
Melissa A. DiVincenzo	Morris Nichols partner Melissa DiVincenzo provides advice on corporate governance matters and…	View Profile
Sara Gelsinger	Sara advises limited partnerships, limited liability companies and statutory trusts on matters…	View Profile
David A. Harris	David’s practice focuses on the fields of partnership, limited liability company and…	View Profile
Tarik J. Haskins	Tarik’s practice covers a range of commercial transactions including mergers and acquisitions,…	View Profile
Louis G. Hering	Morris Nichols partner Lou Hering is actively involved in the organization and…	View Profile
James D. Honaker	Morris Nichols partner Jim Honaker advises public companies, boards of directors and…	View Profile
S. Mark Hurd	Morris Nichols partner Mark Hurd frequently represents committees of independent directors, including…	View Profile
Andrew M. Johnston	Andy serves as chair of the Firm’s Executive Committee. His practice includes…	View Profile
Eric S. Klinger-Wilensky	Eric advises corporations on a broad array of transactions, including business combinations,…	View Profile
William M. Lafferty	Morris Nichols partner Bill Lafferty has spent more than 30 years focusing…	View Profile
Daniel D. Matthews	Dan advises public and private corporations on a wide range of Delaware…	View Profile
D. McKinley (Mac) Measley	A partner at Morris Nichols, Mac litigates corporate, alternative entity, and commercial…	View Profile
Kenneth J. Nachbar	Morris Nichols partner Ken Nachbar focuses on cases involving mergers and acquisitions,…	View Profile
R. Jason Russell	Morris Nichols partner Jason Russell focuses on limited liability company, partnership (including…	View Profile
R. Judson Scaggs, Jr.	For 30 years, Morris Nichols partner RJ Scaggs has concentrated his practice…	View Profile
David J. Teklits	A partner at Morris Nichols, David’s practice focuses on corporate and alternative entity…	View Profile
Patricia O. Vella	Morris Nichols partner Patricia Vella regularly provides advice on corporate governance matters…	View Profile
Susan Wood Waesco	A partner at Morris Nichols, Susan’s practice focuses on proceedings in the…	View Profile
Jeffrey R. Wolters	Morris Nichols partner Jeff Wolters counsels corporations, boards of directors and investors…	View Profile