AWARDS & RANKINGS / PRESS RELEASE
Edward Zaelke Ranked in A Word About Wind’s Legal Power List 2022
July 27, 2022
Read time: 3 min
LOS ANGELES (July 27, 2022) – International law firm McDermott Will & Emery is proud to announce that Los Angeles-based Edward (Ed) Zaelke has been ranked in A Word About Wind’s Legal Power List 2022.
Ed focuses his practice on project finance and private equity in renewable energy transactional matters. With more than 30 years of experience, he advises clients on all elements of alternative energy development and finance, including equity and debt financing, merger and acquisition transactions, equipment purchase and sale agreements, power purchase agreements, siting and other real property issues, governmental approvals, and engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contracts.
The Legal Power List is a biennial report that reviews the top 100 lawyers exerting the most influence on the wind industry globally through the deals they work on and the advice they provide – across in-house counsel and at law firms.
McDermott Will & Emery partners with leaders around the world to fuel missions, knock down barriers and shape markets. Our team works seamlessly across practices and industries to deliver highly effective solutions that propel success. More than 1,200 lawyers strong, we bring our personal passion and legal prowess to bear in every matter for our clients and the people they serve.
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McDermott Represents Healthcare Trust of America in Closing of its $18 Billion Strategic Combination with Healthcare Realty Trust
DEAL ANNOUNCEMENT / PRESS RELEASE
McDermott Represents Healthcare Trust of America in Closing of its $18 Billion Strategic Combination with Healthcare Realty Trust
July 25, 2022
Read time: 3 min
International law firm McDermott Will & Emery represented Healthcare Trust of America, Inc. (NYSE: HTA) in the recent closing of its $18 billion strategic combination with Healthcare Realty Trust Incorporated (NYSE: HR), as well as in a series of related transactions.
This strategic combination is the second largest completed US transaction in Q3. The combined company will trade on the NYSE under the ticker symbol HR and will be included in the S&P MidCap 400 Index.
McDermott also represented HTA in connection with three related transactions that closed on July 20, 2022 and July 22, 2022:
- A $1.125 billion term loan with JP Morgan, the proceeds of which were used to finance the merger consideration;
- A $3 billion credit facility with Wells Fargo, the proceeds of which were used to pay off pre-merger outstanding debt and to provide capital for the combined company; and
- A senior note exchange offer in which legacy HR notes were exchanged for notes of the combined company.
The combination brings together the two largest owners of medical office buildings to create the preeminent, pure-play medical office building REIT in the US.
The McDermott team was led by Peter Healy and Tracy Bacigalupo and included Andrew Liazos, Greg Weigand, Diana Douglas, Samantha Koplik, Nate Barnett, Leigh Ratino, Greg Berson and Tipanum Bisalbutr.
Read Healthcare Trust of America and Healthcare Realty Trust’s combined press release.
McDermott Will & Emery partners with leaders around the world to fuel missions, knock down barriers and shape markets. Our team works seamlessly across practices and industries to deliver highly effective solutions that propel success. More than 1,200 lawyers strong, we bring our personal passion and legal prowess to bear in every matter for our clients and the people they serve.
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Former FDA Regulator Joins McDermott’s Healthcare Practice
PRESS RELEASE
Former FDA Regulator Joins McDermott’s Healthcare Practice
July 25, 2022
Read time: 4 min
International law firm McDermott Will & Emery is pleased to announce that Heili Kim has joined as a partner in its Healthcare Practice Group in Washington, DC. Heili focuses her practice on US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulation with a particular emphasis on the food, dietary supplement, cosmetic and consumer products industries.
“Over the last decade, McDermott has built a top-tier FDA practice capable of counseling clients across the healthcare and life sciences industry,” Jerry Sokol, McDermott’s Global Head of Healthcare said. “Heili’s significant experience in the areas of food and dietary supplements complements our existing strengths in drugs and medical devices, enabling us to offer a one-stop shop to virtually any client with FDA regulatory needs.”
With more than two decades of experience navigating complex issues for FDA-regulated companies, Heili combines a deep knowledge of the FDA with business pragmatism to solve real-world challenges faced by her clients. Heili has also guided food, dietary supplement, cosmetic and medical device companies on matters involving product safety, regulatory compliance, evaluating new ingredients, advertising claims, product complaints, recalls and FDA enforcement actions.
“Heili’s prior experience as FDA regulatory counsel provides unique and valuable insight into the workings of the Agency as well as its interactions with other state and federal agencies,” Vernessa Pollard, co-chair of McDermott’s global Life Sciences practice and head of its FDA practice noted.
“McDermott’s FDA team has earned a well-deserved reputation in the industry for its deep regulatory knowledge, its ability to effectively navigate the Agency and its skill at securing positive outcomes for clients,” Heili added. “I’m thrilled to bring my experience to that distinguished group, and I look forward to helping a broader array of clients achieve their business objectives.”
Prior to joining McDermott, Heili was a partner at Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP. She received her BS from the University of California at Riverside, her JD from the American University Washington College of Law and her MPH from the University of California, Los Angeles.
Heili is the most recent addition to the Firm’s health practice, following the arrival of partner Denise Burke and senior counsel Lester Perling last month.
McDermott is the nation’s leading health law firm and the only health practice to receive top national rankings from U.S. News – Best Lawyers “Best Law Firms,” Chambers USA, The Legal 500 US and Law360. The practice was also recognized by Chambers as “Healthcare Team of the Year” in 2010, 2013, 2017, 2019 and 2022. McDermott has also held the top spot in PitchBook’s League Tables as the most active firm for healthcare private equity since 2017.
McDermott Will & Emery partners with leaders around the world to fuel missions, knock down barriers and shape markets. Our team works seamlessly across practices and industries to deliver highly effective solutions that propel success. More than 1,200 lawyers strong, we bring our personal passion and legal prowess to bear in every matter for our clients and the people they serve.
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McDermott Comment | Insolvency Service Uses New UK Powers To Ban Covid Loan Fraudsters
PRESS RELEASE
McDermott Comment | Insolvency Service Uses New UK Powers To Ban Covid Loan Fraudsters
July 25, 2022
Read time: 2 min
Aymen Mahmoud, a partner at law firm McDermott Will & Emery, said:
“As the government sought to protect enterprise with loans during the pandemic, there were the unfortunate but inevitable nefarious abusers of the system. It is very good to see legislators both acknowledging the problem and signaling to abusers that they will be sought out. This is one of the first moves to address this problem that has been seen internationally and showcases the continued strength of the English legal system in being a first-mover in providing cutting-edge solutions.”
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McDermott Advises the Finoli Group on the Sale of Nutrimuscle to Bluegem Capital Partners
DEAL ANNOUNCEMENT / PRESS RELEASE
McDermott Advises the Finoli Group on the Sale of Nutrimuscle to Bluegem Capital Partners
July 22, 2022
Read time: 3 min
McDermott has advised the Finoli Group, a French industrial conglomerate active mainly in the beauty, wellness and health sectors, on the sale of Nutrimuscle, France’s leading digital brand of sports nutrition supplements, to Bluegem Capital Partners.
Finoli Group acquired Nutrimuscle in 2018 from its founder alongside Theo-Ange Copolata and successfully transformed the company to position it as a fast-growing brand while retaining its core values. The group now has 62 employees spread across France and Belgium.
Théo-Ange Copolata, the current director and shareholder of the company, will reinvest in the operation to lead Nutrimuscle’s expansion in the years to come.
The McDermott team that advised the Finoli Group comprised:
- Grégoire Andrieux, managing partner, Marie-Muriel Barthelet, counsel, Boris Wolkoff and Clarice Duclos, associates, on the corporate aspects;
- Antoine Venier and Clarisse de Roux, associates, on the financing aspects.
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McDermott Advised the Finoli Group in the Sale of Nutrimuscle to Bluegem Capital Partners
PRESS RELEASE
McDermott Advised the Finoli Group in the Sale of Nutrimuscle to Bluegem Capital Partners
July 22, 2022
Read time: 3 min
McDermott has advised the Finoli Group, a French industrial conglomerate active mainly in the beauty, wellness and health sectors, on the sale of Nutrimuscle, France’s leading digital brand of sports nutrition supplements, to Bluegem Capital Partners.
Finoli Group acquired Nutrimuscle in 2018 from its founder alongside Theo-Ange Copolata and successfully transformed the company to position it as a fast-growing brand while retaining its core values. The group now has 62 employees spread across France and Belgium.
Théo-Ange Copolata, the current director and shareholder of the company, will reinvest in the operation to lead Nutrimuscle’s expansion in the years to come.
The McDermott team that advised the Finoli Group comprised:
- Grégoire Andrieux, managing partner, Marie-Muriel Barthelet, counsel, Boris Wolkoff and Clarice Duclos, associates, on the corporate aspects;
- Antoine Venier and Clarisse de Roux, associates, on the financing aspects.
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McDermott Private Client Practice is Top Ranked in Chambers High Net Worth 2022
AWARDS & RANKINGS / PRESS RELEASE
McDermott Private Client Practice is Top Ranked in Chambers High Net Worth 2022
July 22, 2022
Read time: 4 min
CHICAGO (July 22, 2022) – International law firm McDermott Will & Emery’s Private Client practice continues to be a clear market leader in the Chambers High Net Worth 2022 rankings. The Firm moved up to Band 1 in California (Southern): Private Wealth Law and gained a new Band 3 ranking in Florida: Private Wealth Law. It continues to dominate the rankings with a sole Band 1 position in Private Wealth Law and McDermott is noted as having “a sensational practice across the US… with a very deep bench of talented and knowledgeable attorneys.”
McDermott’s market leading position is further affirmed with 33 individuals ranked this year – eleven lawyers are top ranked in Band 1, five moved up the ranks and four received new rankings.
PRACTICE RANKINGS
United States:
- USA Nationwide: Private Wealth Law – Band 1, the sole Firm ranked Band 1
- USA Nationwide: Family Office & Fund Structuring – Band 1
- California (Northern): Private Wealth Law – Band 1, the sole Firm ranked Band 1
- California (Southern): Private Wealth Law – Band 1
- District of Columbia: Private Wealth Law – Band 1, the sole Firm ranked Band 1
- Florida: Private Wealth Law – Band 3
- Illinois: Private Wealth Law – Band 1, the sole Firm ranked Band 1
- New York: Private Wealth Law – Band 1
United Kingdom:
- London (Firms): Private Wealth Disputes – Band 2
- London (Firms): Private Wealth Law – Band 4
LAWYERS RANKED
United States:
- David Baker – Illinois: Private Wealth Disputes – Band 1 and USA Nationwide: Private Wealth Law – Band 1
- Leigh-Alexandra Basha – District of Columbia – Band 1 and USA Nationwide – Band 1
- Bobbi Bierhals – Illinois – Band 3
- Scott Bowman – District of Columbia – Band 2
- William Butler – Illinois – Band 2 and USA Nationwide – Band 2
- Katrina Crafton Fluet – California (Northern) – Band 3
- Richard Dees – Illinois – Band 2
- Elizabeth Glasgow – California (Southern) – Band 3
- Laurelle Gutierrez – California (Northern) – Band 3
- Carol Harrington – Illinois and USA Nationwide – Band 1
- Ellen Harrison – District of Columbia and USA Nationwide – Band 1
- David Herpe – Illinois and USA Nationwide – Band 2
- Jenny Johnson – USA Nationwide Tax: Private Client – Band 1
- Neil Kawashima – Illinois – Band 3
- Elyse Kirschner – New York – Band 5
- Toni Ann Kruse – New York – Band 4
- Julie Kwon – California (Northern) – Band 1 and USA Nationwide – Band 2
- Richard Lang – Illinois – Band 3
- Carlyn McCaffrey – New York and USA Nationwide – Star Individual
- Patrick McCurry – USA Nationwide Family Office & Fund Structuring – Band 1
- Elise McGee – Illinois – Up and Coming
- Nicole Pearl – California (Southern) – Band 1 and USA Nationwide – Band 3
- M. Read Moore – California (Northern) – Band 1 and USA Nationwide – Band 2
- Jay Rivlin – New York – Band 4
- Adam Sherman – Illinois – Up & Coming
- Michael Silva – Florida – Band 3
- Michael Sorrow – Illinois – Up & Coming
- Thomas Ward – USA Nationwide Family Office & Fund Structuring – Band 1
United Kingdom:
- Simon Goldring – London Firms: Private Wealth Law – Band 4
- Nicholas Holland – London Firms: Private Wealth Disputes – Band 1 and Foreign Expert for Canada in Private Wealth Law
- Astrid B. Owen – London Firms: Private Wealth Law – Band 4
- Ziva Robertson – London Firms: Private Wealth Disputes – Band 2
- Andrew Vergunst – London Firms: Private Wealth Law – Band 4 and Foreign Expert for South Africa
To view the full Chambers High Net Worth rankings.
McDermott Will & Emery partners with leaders around the world to fuel missions, knock down barriers and shape markets. Our team works seamlessly across practices and industries to deliver highly effective solutions that propel success. More than 1,200 lawyers strong, we bring our personal passion and legal prowess to bear in every matter for our clients and the people they serve.
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McDermott Advises Hanwha Q CELLS GmbH on the Majority Investment in Modular Cloud Energy Platform LYNQTECH
DEAL ANNOUNCEMENT / PRESS RELEASE
McDermott Advises Hanwha Q CELLS GmbH on the Majority Investment in Modular Cloud Energy Platform LYNQTECH
July 22, 2022
Read time: 3 min
Frankfurt am Main, July 22, 20222 – International law firm McDermott Will & Emery advised Hanwha Q CELLS GmbH (Qcells) on the acquisition of 66% of LYNQTECH GmbH (LYNQTECH), a subisidary of enercity AG (Stadtwerke Hannover). LYNQTECH will remain an independent company. The financial terms of the transaction are confidential. The transaction is still subject to approval by relevant authorities.
Founded in 2020, the modular cloud energy platform LYNQTECH offers energy suppliers digital solutions to optimize their sales processes. With the acquisition of a majority stake in LYNQTECH, Qcells is strengthening its position as a full-service provider of clean energy solutions and is expanding its digital services portfolio.
As part of the Hanwha Group since 2012, Qcells is significantly shaping the transition to a clean energy sector as a leading global supplier of solar products for residential and commercial customers. Qcells’ parent company is Hanwha Solutions Corporation, a multinational energy services, petrochemical and real estate development company headquartered in Seoul, South Korea.
The McDermott team led by Bernd Meyer-Witting and Florian Lechner recently advised Hanwha Group on the acquisition of RES Méditerranée SAS by Hanwha Solutions Corporation (HSC).
On this transaction, the McDermott team was led by partners Bernd Meyer-Witting and Florian Lechner and included Steffen Woitz, Deniz Tschammler, Hendrik Viaene, Christian Krohs, Maximilian Clostermeyer, Carina Kant, Christian Marzlin, Christoph Coenen, Marcus Fischer, Thomas Gennert, Hannelore Wiame, Karolien Van der Putten, Lea Hachmeister, Tina Knecht, Michael Spirk and Johanna Greißel.
McDermott Will & Emery partners with leaders around the world to fuel missions, knock down barriers and shape markets. Our team works seamlessly across practices, industries and more than 20 locations to deliver highly effective—and often unexpected—solutions that propel success. More than 1,200 lawyers strong, we bring our personal passion and legal prowess to bear in every matter for our clients and the people they serve.
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McDermott Honored Among the Top Bankruptcy Tax Specialists by Turnaround & Workouts
AWARDS & RANKINGS / PRESS RELEASE
McDermott Honored Among the Top Bankruptcy Tax Specialists by Turnaround & Workouts
July 21, 2022
Read time: 3 min
International law firm McDermott Will & Emery is proud to announce that it has been recognized as part of Turnaround & Workouts’ Bankruptcy Tax Specialists in the Nation’s Major Law Firms Special Report.
In addition to the firm listing, the report recognized eight of McDermott’s tax partners for their work at the intersection of corporate restructuring and tax law, including Steve Hadjilogiou, Gary Karch, John Lutz, Timothy Shuman, Michael Silva, Gregory Weigand, Michael Wilder and Daniel Zucker.
Turnarounds & Workouts is a news magazine for corporate restructuring professionals such as bankruptcy attorneys, financial advisers, turnaround managers, investment bankers, distressed investors, claims traders, trustees, academics and business journalists. Read more about this year’s honorees.
McDermott Will & Emery partners with leaders around the world to fuel missions, knock down barriers and shape markets. Our team works seamlessly across practices and industries to deliver highly effective solutions that propel success. More than 1,200 lawyers strong, we bring our personal passion and legal prowess to bear in every matter for our clients and the people they serve.
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McDermott Secures Resounding Victory in the Milan Court of Appeal Over Alleged Corruption Charges
PRESS RELEASE
McDermott Secures Resounding Victory in the Milan Court of Appeal Over Alleged Corruption Charges
July 21, 2022
Read time: 4 min
International law firm McDermott Will & Emery helped to secure a stellar win in the Milan Court of Appeal, where a long-standing client, along with numerous co-defendants, has been totally cleared of alleged bribery charges in a highly publicised prosecution.
Following four years of trial proceedings, the Firm’s Corporate Crime & Investigations team in London led by partner Simon Airey delivered the best possible result for their client, working with Italian advocate Giuseppe Bianchi. The Court of Appeal upheld a ruling by the court of first instance acquitting all defendants on the basis that there was no case to answer.
The trial was one of the most high profile in recent Italian criminal history. It was highly complex, involving 15 separate defendants (including Shell and the Italian state-owned oil company, ENI) and two sets of related proceedings in Italy.
McDermott’s client had been accused of being part of an international conspiracy to pay bribes to Nigerian government officials to help Shell and ENI to jointly acquire the licence to one of the most valuable oil blocks in Nigeria known as “OPL 245”. After extensive witness evidence and detailed submissions on the facts and the law, the trial court dismissed the case against all defendants, determining that there was no case to answer – the strongest possible formulation of acquittal available under Italian law. The Court of Appeal upheld that ruling after the deputy Attorney General in Milan abandoned an appeal which had been lodged by the prosecution.
Commenting on the result, Simon Airey said: “This is the best possible outcome for our client, and we are delighted to have been able to contribute to this success. Our client should never have been involved in this case, which itself should never have been brought against any of the parties in the first place.”
Senior Associate Joshua Domb added: “We have always considered that the allegations against our client were inappropriate and based on a number of fundamental misconceptions, compounded by an imperfect understanding of the nuance of documents and emails that were written in English, not Italian. Whilst it has taken a very long time, I am delighted that we have succeeded in totally clearing our client’s name.”
McDermott’s white-collar and government investigations team includes highly experienced lawyers in offices in London, Europe and throughout the United States. The team has significant experience in numerous jurisdictions, earning consistent recognition amongst clients and in major legal directories.
McDermott Will & Emery partners with leaders around the world to fuel missions, knock down barriers and shape markets. Our team works seamlessly across practices and industries to deliver highly effective solutions that propel success. More than 1,200 lawyers strong, we bring our personal passion and legal prowess to bear in every matter for our clients and the people they serve.
