DEAL RELEASE / PRESSEMITTEILUNGEN
McDermott Will & Schulte advises Voodoo’s co-founder on his acquisition of a majority stake in DC Company
May 21, 2026
Read time: 3 min
McDermott Will & Schulte advised Voodoo’s co-founder, Alexandre Yazdi, on his acquisition of a majority stake in DC Company, the parent company of digital media outlets Konbini, Le Gorafi, Herstory and C’est Qui La Boss.
The McDermott Will & Schulte team involved in the transaction comprised:
- Herschel Guez, Partner, and Marie Mouly, Associate, on corporate aspects
- Stanislas Chenu, Counsel, on financing aspects
- Abdel Abdellah, Counsel, on employment law aspects
Leading organizations turn to global law firm McDermott Will & Schulte for a better way to address legal challenges, connect with those at the forefront, and drive stronger outcomes. Working across more than 20 offices globally, our 1,750+ lawyers act on data-driven insights, deep relationships, and unmatched industry experience to deliver on our commitment of Always Better.
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Doug Carsten and Bill Gaede named among Top Intellectual Property Lawyers by Daily Journal
AUSZEICHNUNGEN UND RANKINGS / PRESSEMITTEILUNGEN
Doug Carsten and Bill Gaede named among Top Intellectual Property Lawyers by Daily Journal
May 20, 2026
Read time: 3 min
May 20, 2026 – Global law firm McDermott Will & Schulte is pleased to announce that Doug Carsten and Bill Gaede have been named to the Daily Journal’s 2026 Top Intellectual Property Lawyers list.
Doug is the co-head of McDermott’s global Intellectual Property Group and focuses his practice on complex patent litigation disputes. Although his work primarily centers on pharmaceutical products and the life sciences, he has litigated cases across a wide range of technologies, from medical devices to coffee pods. Doug has substantial first-chair trial experience that includes litigating high-profile and billion-dollar patent cases.
Bill is known as one of the foremost intellectual property litigators for the life sciences and medical device industries. He serves as lead counsel for a wide range of companies and research institutes and has extensive experience in litigating life science technologies such as antibodies, proteins, small molecules, and diagnostics.
The Daily Journal’s Top Intellectual Property Lawyers list recognizes standout lawyers in California based on career accomplishments and major achievements in the area of intellectual property over the past year.
Leading organizations turn to global law firm McDermott Will & Schulte for a better way to address legal challenges, connect with those at the forefront, and drive stronger outcomes. Working across more than 20 offices globally, our 1,700+ lawyers act on data-driven insights, deep relationships, and unmatched industry experience to deliver on our commitment of Always Better.
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„Leverest Relationship Tracker“: McDermott verteidigt Top-Position als Berater bei Akquisitionsfinanzierungen in der DACH-Region
AUSZEICHNUNGEN UND RANKINGS / PRESSEMITTEILUNGEN
„Leverest Relationship Tracker“: McDermott verteidigt Top-Position als Berater bei Akquisitionsfinanzierungen in der DACH-Region
Mai 20, 2026
Read time: 3 min
McDermott Will & Schulte verteidigt seine führende Position in der Begleitung von Akquisitionsfinanzierungen in der DACH-Region.
Bereits zum vierten Mal in Folge nennt der „Leverest Relationship Tracker“, erschienen im FINANCE Magazin, McDermott Will & Schulte als meistgefragte Kanzlei auf Seiten von Banken und Debt Fonds bei Akquisitionsfinanzierungen. Mit 35 begleiteten Transaktionen belegt die Finance-Praxis von McDermott Will & Schulte erneut Platz 1 des Rankings für das Jahr 2025.
In der Gesamtwertung der begleiteten Akquisitionsfinanzierungen nimmt die Kanzlei als Rechtsberater für Private-Equity-Fonds mit weiteren 16 Transaktionen erneut den zweiten Platz ein und unterstreicht damit ihre starke Position im Midmarket-Segment.
„Wir freuen uns sehr, dass unsere Praxis erneut zu den gefragtesten Beratern im deutschen Markt zählt.“, sagt Dr. Matthias Weissinger, Partner bei McDermott Will & Schulte. „Die erneute Top-Platzierung ist für uns Bestätigung und Ansporn zugleich. Sie belegt die Stärke unserer Plattform und zeigt die belastbaren und langjährigen Beziehungen, die wir mit zahlreichen Banken, Debt Fonds und Private-Equity-Investoren aufgebaut haben.“
Der „Leverest Relationship Tracker“, erstellt durch das Frankfurter FinTech Leverest und exklusiv veröffentlicht im FINANCE Magazin, analysiert regelmäßig Midmarket-LBO-Transaktionen in der DACH-Region und beleuchtet die Beziehungen zwischen Private-Equity-Investoren, Rechtsberatern und Debt Advisors. Für das Jahr 2025 wurden über 300 Transaktionen in der DACH-Region ausgewertet.
Führende Organisationen wenden sich an unsere internationale Anwaltskanzlei McDermott Will & Schulte, um rechtliche Herausforderungen besser zu meistern, mit führenden Köpfen zusammenzuarbeiten und stärkere Ergebnisse zu erzielen. Unsere mehr als 1.700 Anwältinnen und Anwälte in über 20 Büros weltweit setzen auf datengestützte Erkenntnisse, enge Vernetzung und einzigartige Branchenerfahrung, um unser Versprechen einzulösen: Always Better. In Deutschland berät Sie die McDermott Will & Schulte Rechtsanwälte Steuerberater LLP.
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McDermott advises Ren Life Sciences on majority stake acquisition in 53Biologics
DEAL RELEASE / PRESSEMITTEILUNGEN
McDermott advises Ren Life Sciences on majority stake acquisition in 53Biologics
May 18, 2026
Read time: 3 min
International law firm McDermott Will & Schulte advised Ren Life Sciences, a European life sciences investment firm, on its acquisition of a majority stake in 53Biologics, a Spanish-based contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) focused on production of biological drugs.
Ren Life Sciences is a specialised Life Sciences investor focused on supporting innovative European businesses scale while creating high-value scientific jobs across Europe
The transaction strengthens 53Biologics‘ position as a leading player in Europe’s biomanufacturing infrastructure, enabling the company to drive key strategic initiatives across capability integration, capacity expansion, and geographic growth. As part of the deal, McDermott also advised on the parties’ bespoke go-forward equity arrangements.
The McDermott team was led by partner Fatema Orjela and included counsel Zoe Woodhouse and associate Raees Khan.
Leading organizations turn to global law firm McDermott Will & Schulte for a better way to address legal challenges, connect with those at the forefront, and drive stronger outcomes. Working across more than 20 offices globally, our 1,700+ lawyers act on data-driven insights, deep relationships, and unmatched industry experience to deliver on our commitment of Always Better.
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McDermott berät Gesellschafter der socoto bei Übernahme des Softwareunternehmens durch die Volaris Group
DEAL RELEASE / PRESSEMITTEILUNGEN
McDermott berät Gesellschafter der socoto bei Übernahme des Softwareunternehmens durch die Volaris Group
May 18, 2026
Read time: 3 min
McDermott Will & Schulte hat die Gesellschafter der socoto GmbH & Co. KG bei der Übernahme des Unternehmens durch die Volaris Group beraten.
Die Volaris Group, ein Tochterunternehmen der Constellation Software Inc, das sich auf die Akquise und Entwicklung von Softwarefirmen in vertikalen Märkten spezialisiert, baut mit dem Kauf des deutschen IT-Unternehmens ihr Portfolio in einem wachstumsstarken Segment weiter aus.
Socoto mit Hauptsitz in Trier entwickelt und implementiert Softwarelösungen für das Management von Marketingkampagnen sowie Werbeaktivitäten für Marken und ihre Vertriebspartner.
Berater socoto GmbH & Co. KG:
McDermott Will & Schulte, Düsseldorf: Dr. Philipp Grenzebach, Carlota Huth (beide Corporate/M&A, Federführung), Steffen Woitz, LL.M. (IP/IT, München), Marcus Fischer (Counsel, Steuerrecht, Frankfurt)
Über McDermott Will & Schulte
Führende Organisationen wenden sich an unsere internationale Anwaltskanzlei McDermott Will & Schulte, um rechtliche Herausforderungen besser zu meistern, mit führenden Köpfen zusammenzuarbeiten und stärkere Ergebnisse zu erzielen. Unsere mehr als 1.700 Anwältinnen und Anwälte in über 20 Büros weltweit setzen auf datengestützte Erkenntnisse, enge Vernetzung und einzigartige Branchenerfahrung, um unser Versprechen einzulösen: Always Better. In Deutschland berät Sie die McDermott Will & Schulte Rechtsanwälte Steuerberater LLP. Mehr Informationen finden Sie unter: https://www.mwe.com/de/
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McDermott berät NORD Holding beim Erwerb der IBB Institut für Berufliche Bildung AG
DEAL RELEASE / PRESSEMITTEILUNGEN
McDermott berät NORD Holding beim Erwerb der IBB Institut für Berufliche Bildung AG
May 11, 2026
Read time: 3 min
München, 11. Mai 2026 — Mit einem Team unter Federführung von Holger Ebersberger, Alexandra Prato und Dr. Matthias Weissinger hat McDermott Will & Schulte von der NORD Holding beratene Fonds bei dem Erwerb und bei der Finanzierung des Erwerbs der IBB Institut für Berufliche Bildung AG beraten.
Das 1985 gegründete IBB ist einer der führenden deutschen Anbieter für öffentlich geförderte berufliche Weiterbildung und Umschulung mit rund 700 Mitarbeitern an rund 70 eigenen Standorten bundesweit und mehr als 1.000 Partnerstandorten über die VIONA-Plattform.
Mit der Unterstützung der NORD Holding will die IBB ihre Marktposition weiter ausbauen und ihren Wachstumskurs im deutschen Bildungssektor fortsetzen.
Die Transaktion steht noch unter dem Vorbehalt der fusionskontrollrechtlichen Freigabe durch das Bundeskartellamt.
McDermott Will & Schulte, München: Holger H. Ebersberger, LL.M., Alexandra Prato (Counsel; beide Federführung), Dr. Matthias Weissinger (Federführung Finance), Dr. Florian Schiefer (Steuerrecht, Frankfurt), Steffen Woitz, LL.M. (IP/IT), Holger Mlynek (Counsel, Commercialrankfurt), Dr. Antje Weiss (Counsel, Öffentliches Recht, Düsseldorf); Associates: Dr. Armin Teymouri, Macha Dinga (beide Private Equity), Lorenz Schwojer (Finance), Dr. Merlyn von Hugo (Steuerrecht, Frankfurt), Jan Ischreyt (Commercial, Frankfurt), Janek Joosten (Arbeitsrecht, Düsseldorf), Annalena Oblinger (IP)
Führende Organisationen wenden sich an unsere internationale Anwaltskanzlei McDermott Will & Schulte, um rechtliche Herausforderungen besser zu meistern, mit führenden Köpfen zusammenzuarbeiten und stärkere Ergebnisse zu erzielen. Unsere mehr als 1.750 Anwältinnen und Anwälte in über 20 Büros weltweit setzen auf datengestützte Erkenntnisse, enge Vernetzung und einzigartige Branchenerfahrung, um unser Versprechen einzulösen: Always Better. In Deutschland berät Sie die McDermott Will & Schulte Rechtsanwälte Steuerberater LLP.
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McDermott Will & Schulte advises Initiative & Finance on its acquisition of a majority stake in the Airess Group
DEAL RELEASE / PRESSEMITTEILUNGEN
McDermott Will & Schulte advises Initiative & Finance on its acquisition of a majority stake in the Airess Group
May 7, 2026
Read time: 3 min
McDermott Will & Schulte has advised Initiative & Finance, through its Article 9 Tomorrow fund dedicated to environmental transition, on the acquisition of a majority stake in the Airess Group, a specialist in fire protection.
As part of this transaction, Initiative & Finance succeeds to Trajan as a shareholder in the group, alongside the executives and around forty managers. Trajan will be able to reinvest as a minority shareholder in the group as part of this transaction.
The McDermott & Schulte team involved in the transaction was composed of:
Corporate
- Grégoire Andrieux, partner
- Boris Wolkoff and Rosalie Schwarz, associates
Financing
- Stanislas Chenu, Counsel
- Hugo Lamour, associate
Tax
- Côme de Saint-Vincent, partner
- Noémie Ottenin, associate
Leading organizations turn to global law firm McDermott Will & Schulte for a better way to address legal challenges, connect with those at the forefront, and drive stronger outcomes. Working across more than 20 offices globally, our 1,750+ lawyers act on data-driven insights, deep relationships, and unmatched industry experience to deliver on our commitment of Always Better.
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McDermott Will & Schulte named US Firm of the Year finalist by IFLR Women in Business Law EMEA Awards 2026
AUSZEICHNUNGEN UND RANKINGS / PRESSEMITTEILUNGEN
McDermott Will & Schulte named US Firm of the Year finalist by IFLR Women in Business Law EMEA Awards 2026
May 6, 2026
Read time: 3 min
May 6, 2026 – Global law firm McDermott Will & Schulte has been named a finalist for the US Firm of the Year category as part of the IFLR Women in Business Law EMEA Awards 2026.
Six McDermott lawyers were also shortlisted in the following categories:
- Rosa Barcelo, Privacy & Data Protection Lawyer of the Year
- Fatema Orjela, Private Equity (incl. Venture Capital) Lawyer of the Year
- Nicolette Kost De Sévres, White Collar Crime Lawyer of the Year
- Kimberley Smith, Rising Star: Litigation – Western Europe
- Priya Taneja, Restructuring & Insolvency Lawyer of the Year
- Emmanuelle Trombe, Life Sciences Lawyer of the Year
IFLR EMEA Women in Business Law Awards recognize leading women for their contributions to the practice of business law along with the firms that have developed initiatives and programs to support and encourage women and diversity within the industry.
You can read more about the shortlist here.
Leading organizations turn to global law firm McDermott Will & Schulte for a better way to address legal challenges, connect with those at the forefront, and drive stronger outcomes. Working across more than 20 offices globally, our 1,700+ lawyers act on data-driven insights, deep relationships, and unmatched industry experience to deliver on our commitment of Always Better.
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McDermott Will & Schulte expands Energy & Project Finance team with partners Sebastian Chan and Eli Humphries
PRESSEMITTEILUNGEN
McDermott Will & Schulte expands Energy & Project Finance team with partners Sebastian Chan and Eli Humphries
May 4, 2026
Read time: 4 min
As growth in the energy and infrastructure sectors accelerates, global law firm McDermott Will & Schulte continues to invest in its market-leading Energy & Project Finance platform with the addition of partners Sebastian Chan and Eli Humphries, strengthening transactional and private equity capabilities. Sebastian joins from Kirkland & Ellis while Eli joins from Norton Rose Fulbright.
Sebastian and Eli bring deep experience on the debt side of project finance transactions and will help meet rising client demand from leading private equity sponsors, financial institutions, and the federal government. As the project finance market evolves, deals are becoming more complex across renewable energy, infrastructure, LNG, and battery storage, spanning construction and long-term debt financings, tax equity-related structures, and public-private partnership matters.
“Sebastian and Eli meaningfully enhance our team and underscore our commitment to building a go-to platform for high value energy financings,” said Harris Siskind, global head of McDermott’s Transactions Practice Group. “Their work enables us to deliver even greater value on some of the energy sector’s most critical and time-sensitive matters, supporting clients across the full lifecycle of conventional and renewable energy, as well as infrastructure projects.”
With Sebastian’s and Eli’s arrivals, McDermott’s Energy & Project Finance Practice continues to scale its market‑leading capabilities, advising sponsors, developers, lenders, and investors across the full lifecycle of conventional and renewable energy and infrastructure projects.
“I was drawn to McDermott’s growth in the energy and infrastructure sectors and the opportunity to play a meaningful role in the expansion of its energy finance platform,” said Sebastian. “The firm’s integrated Transactions practice and focus on innovation make it an ideal environment to help clients navigate increasingly nuanced financing challenges.”
“McDermott has built a truly collaborative and forward-looking Energy & Project Finance practice with real momentum,” said Eli. “I am excited to join a team that pairs technical excellence with a strong client-first approach and is shaping the future of the energy market.”
Leading organizations turn to global law firm McDermott Will & Schulte for a better way to address legal challenges, connect with those at the forefront, and drive stronger outcomes. Working across more than 20 offices globally, our 1,700+ lawyers act on data-driven insights, deep relationships, and unmatched industry experience to deliver on our commitment of Always Better.
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McDermott expands Paris Private Capital capabilities with the arrival of finance partner Kalish Mullen
PRESSEMITTEILUNGEN
McDermott expands Paris Private Capital capabilities with the arrival of finance partner Kalish Mullen
May 4, 2026
Read time: 4 min
McDermott Will & Schulte today announced that Kalish Mullen will join the Firm’s Paris office as a partner in the Transactions Practice, focusing on debt finance for private equity sponsors and their portfolio companies. Joining from Kirkland & Ellis, Kalish will lead and further develop the office’s finance offering with an emphasis on acquisition finance, fund financing, corporate financings and debt restructuring.
Recognized by Chambers France as Up and Coming (2025) and named a Next Generation Partner by The Legal 500 Europe (2024), Kalish brings a strong market profile advising sponsors and credit providers in complex private equity transactions. He is admitted in England & Wales and France.
“We’re focused on accelerating our momentum by investing in exceptional talent and continuing to strengthen the capabilities that matter most to our clients,” said Ira Coleman, Chairman of McDermott Will & Schulte. “Kalish’s arrival does just this by enhancing our finance platform and bringing meaningful depth to our Paris deal teams. We’re excited about the energy and experience he adds as we continue building our premier, fully integrated private capital practice across Europe.”
Kalish’s practice spans acquisition finance (including unitranche, term loan B and senior/holdco structures), recapitalizations, fund level liquidity solutions and other sponsor side financings. He will work closely with colleagues across Paris, London, Milan, Frankfurt and other European hubs on complex, multi jurisdictional matters.
“Today’s sponsors expect seamless, execution-ready support,” added Harris Siskind, global head of Transactions. “Kalish brings deep sponsor side financing expertise and fund level know how at the heart of client demand.”
“The arrival of Kalish is a major step forward for our Financing practice and reflects the outstanding trajectory of our Paris office and the firm globally,” said Grégoire Andrieux, managing partner of the Paris office. “This top-tier hire strengthens our existing teams and enhances our ability to support fund clients across all their financing needs. It also reflects our leading position in Private Equity in France and Europe and underscore our commitment to delivering best in class client service.”
Kalish added, “I am delighted to be joining McDermott, Will & Schulte at such an exciting stage in the firm’s growth. The strength of its private equity platform, combined with its collaborative culture and clear strategic ambition in Europe, creates a compelling environment to build and expand a leading sponsor finance practice in Paris. I very much look forward to working with the team to continue delivering sophisticated solutions to clients.”
Leading organizations turn to global law firm McDermott Will & Schulte for a better way to address legal challenges, connect with those at the forefront, and drive stronger outcomes. Working across more than 20 offices globally, our 1,700+ lawyers act on data-driven insights, deep relationships, and unmatched industry experience to deliver on our commitment of Always Better.