A&O Shearman advises global and middle market sponsors, portfolio companies, and institutional investors across a range of private equity transactions, with key strengths in preferred equity and hybrid capital solutions. The team is led by Dallas-based Alain Dermarkar, who regularly advises clients across various industries, including technology, manufacturing, aerospace, environmental, construction, healthcare, and consumer products. Kfir Abutbul, based in New York, handles cross-border transactions, innovative capital solutions, and preferred equity investments. Meanwhile, fellow New Yorker Romain Dambre covers both domestic and cross-border private equity transactions. Based in Dallas, Robert Cardone advised Datassential in its acquisition of Brozo FoodMetrics, and Kyle Park assists strategic corporate clients while managing add-on and divestiture transactions for portfolio companies.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Thanks to their extensive experience and assertiveness in this type of transaction, they were able to anticipate many of the issues we were likely to face and proactively helped us mitigate potential problems.'
- 'The swift responsiveness of all specialists, covering every relevant area of law, were also remarkable and extremely helpful.'
- 'Romain Dambre stands out for his extensive experience, assertiveness, and swift responsiveness. His skills in different languages can also be helpful.'
- 'The team’s key strength is its deep understanding of sponsor-driven deal dynamics. They are highly attuned to market terms, risk allocation, and timing pressures, and they consistently provide clear, decisive advice.'
- 'The team leverages the firm’s broader international platform effectively, which is particularly valuable for sponsors with cross-border ambitions.'
- 'Alain Dermarkar and Robert Cardone both stand out for their judgment, accessibility, and commercial awareness. They are deeply involved, hands-on, and willing to engage on both strategic and tactical issues, which provides significant reassurance during critical moments in a transaction.'
Key clients
- Alturus Capital
- Amerit Fleet Solutions
- Areas Worldwide
- Bain Capital
- Bookend Capital Partners
- CANUS Corporation
- Cumming Group
- Datassential
- eGroup Enabling Technologies
- EQT
- Frontier Waste Holdings
- Guggenheim Partners
Work highlights
Advised J.F. Lehman & Company, through its portfolio company PURIS LLC, in its acquisition and financing of all issued and outstanding equity interests of Insight Pipe Contracting, LLC and its related companies.
Advised Guggenheim Partners, a global private equity firm, in connection with the definitive agreement for Greenlight Networks to acquire FastBridge Fiber, a Pennsylvania-based fiber internet provider.
Represented Cumming Management Group, Inc., a portfolio company of New Mountain Capital, L.L.C., in its acquisition of all membership interests in World Wide Professional Solutions, LLC.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Practice head
Alain Dermarkar
Other key lawyers
Kfir Abutbul; Romain Dambre; Robert Cardone; Kyle Park