Seyfarth Shaw LLP possesses a full-service M&A group that acts for a broad scope of start-ups, multinational companies, and private equity funds on acquisitions, disposals, and investment transactions. The practice is historically recognized for its experience in the TMT, life sciences, manufacturing, and food and beverage sectors, while it additionally boosted its transactional energy capability with the recent hire of Houston-based Christopher Cottrell from Polsinelli PC. In Chicago, department co-chair Suzanne Saxman contributes diverse industry experience, with strong showings in M&A involving the gaming, financial services, and waste management spheres. Andrew Lucano co-chairs the team from New York and maintains a broad corporate practice spanning M&A, capital markets, and governance issues. In Houston, Paul Pryzant specializes in representing strategic buyers, private equity funds, and portfolio companies in middle-market deals, while Stanley Bloch is an experienced M&A partner in New York. The team additionally draws on up-and-coming practitioners Aaron Gillett and Breanne Vaclavik, both of whom are based in Chicago.
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘Knowledgeable about our sector (technology) and our industry (life sciences). Provides a high level of service. Lawyers are highly communicative. In 2024, we have leveraged the firm's IP, corporate, HR, and data privacy practices and all have been consistently service-minded and capable practices.’
- ‘The firm has large firm resources but provides a personalized approach that is not common with larger firms.’
- 'They know M&A very well, and what sets them apart are the practices and technology to do mid-market M&A extremely efficiently. Good business judgment applicable to mid-cap companies enhances their abilities.'
- 'Suzanne Saxman and Aaron Gillett are outstanding lawyers with a strong work ethic, great business sense, and highly responsive.'
- 'The team provides high quality services and is very reliable, even for foreign companies. The team is very hospitable.'
- 'Seyfarth does a very good job of staffing a matter to bringing to bear the right level of expertise, without overloading the canoe. I always felt I had access to the right person, and everyone was very responsive.'
- 'I believe this team is better than most at understanding the unique needs of the transaction at hand and adjusting staffing and approach accordingly. This includes a willingness to be flexible and craft creative but practical solutions that work for both sides of a transaction.'
- 'We worked with Andrew Lucano, with whom we closed a partial acquisition of a company. He went above and beyond in representing our interests and ensuring a strong position for our business.'
Key clients
- Emex Exploration, LLC
- Rocky Mountain Gaming CC, LLC
- QCF/1 Inc.
- Tighe, Kress, & Orr PC
Work highlights
- Advised QCF/I Inc and its affiliates on the $130m acquisition of a Nevada behavioral health hospital.
- Advised EMEX Exploration on the acquisition of Ekometall Exploration from its UK parent, Ekometall Group.
- Advised Tighe, Kress & Orr PC on its sale to EisnerAmper.
Lawyers
Hall of fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next generation partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Breanne Vaclavik
Practice head
Suzanne Saxman; Andrew Lucano
Other key lawyers
Paul Pryzant; Stanley Bloch; Aaron Gillett; Breanne Vaclavik; Christopher Cottrell