PRESS RELEASE
McDermott Strengthens Capital Markets Practice with Notable Dealmakers
March 10, 2022
Read time: 5 min
International law firm McDermott Will & Emery is pleased to announce the addition of four partners to the Transactions Practice Group: Merrill Kraines, Todd Kornfeld and Anand Saha in New York and Sunyi Snow in Dallas.
“Our Firm is always assessing how the practice of law evolves, and we are positioning ourselves as market disrupters—whether it’s molecular diagnostics, NFTs [non-fungible tokens] or cryptocurrency,” Ira Coleman, McDermott’s chairman, said. “Each of these new partners are aligned with our forward-looking trajectory, notably Merrill and Todd who advise life sciences clients engaged in groundbreaking pharmaceutical and medical device development in their public company activities.”
“McDermott is in the business of providing the best value possible to our clients across the globe and adding this remarkable group of legal talent furthers this objective,” Harris Siskind, global head of the transactions practice, said. “Merrill and Todd will reunite with former colleagues that joined over the last year, and all four new partners will provide critical support to our capital markets practice—an area that experienced tremendous growth.”
About our four new partners:
- Merrill Kraines (New York) advises life sciences and technology clients in corporate, securities, capital markets (including initial public offerings (IPOs) and a variety of follow-on offerings), venture capital and mergers and acquisition (M&A) transactions. He has in-depth experience representing biotechnology, therapeutic, diagnostic and medical device companies and represents emerging companies in various business and finance transactions in many industries, including software, internet, healthcare, IT, alternative energy, financial services, IT consulting, educational publishing, entertainment, office products, advertising, telecommunications, paper and more. Merrill joins from Troutman Pepper.
- Todd Kornfeld (New York) focuses his practice on a range of corporate matters, including capital markets, corporate governance, securities compliance, venture capital and cryptocurrencies. He counsels life sciences, biotech, asset management and tech clients on IPOs, follow-on offerings, private investment in public equities (PIPEs), registered direct offerings (RDOs) and private placements, among others. He also represents hedge fund managers, as well as investors, issuers and fiduciaries with digital asset matters, including Bitcoin, Ether, Tether and other proof-of-work, proof-of-stake and stablecoin cryptocurrencies. Todd also joins from Troutman Pepper.
- Anand Saha (New York) focuses his practice on capital market transactions, particularly in international transactions and the technology sector. He advises corporations and underwriters on a range of equity and debt capital markets projects, including IPOs, US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)-registered and Rule 144A/Regulation S offerings, high-yield debt, liability management and medium-term note (MTN) programs, as well as M&A and equity investments. Anand joins from Clifford Chance, where he was co-head of the firm’s US Technology group.
- Sunyi Snow (Dallas) focuses on all aspects of capital markets, M&A, corporate finance and real estate transactions. She represents issuers and underwriters in public and private offerings of equity and debt securities, with an emphasis on structured and restructured issuances of mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities. She regularly advises clients on SEC reporting and compliance, corporate governance and other general corporate matters. Sunyi joins from Hunton Andrews Kurth.
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—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 Will & Emery Selects Reveal 11 to Bolster Legal AI and eDiscovery Services
PRESS RELEASE
McDermott Will & Emery Selects Reveal 11 to Bolster Legal AI and eDiscovery Services
March 9, 2022
Read time: 5 min
International law firm McDermott Will & Emery is pleased to announce that it has selected Reveal 11 to advance the Firm’s artificial intelligence (AI)-driven eDiscovery needs, further supporting its commitment to provide clients in eDiscovery review and investigations with the most sophisticated technology available. The Reveal 11 full-suite platform uniquely combines superior AI-powered technology and functionality onto a single platform that can be deployed on-premise or in the cloud.
“This product release is a significant step forward for our clients and the direction we see AI technology heading in the legal market,” Martha Louks, McDermott’s director of technology services, said. “From the very beginning, we have fostered a close working relationship with Reveal, providing input into their vision and roadmap, which will ultimately increase efficiencies and improve outcomes across a variety of our technology-driven offerings.”
“As one of the premier global legal organizations, McDermott understands the role of AI in the practice of law as a force multiplier for their teams and a massive competitive advantage for their business—today and for years to come,” Wendell Jisa, founder & CEO of Reveal, said. “It’s the ultimate honor to have the exceptional legal minds at McDermott give Reveal 11 their stamp of approval. We look forward to the work ahead as the two organizations continue to innovate the practice of law with AI.”
McDermott will use all aspects of Reveal’s end-to-end platform, which fully integrates the best Legal AI technology in the industry: Reveal AI and Brainspace. McDermott will also take advantage of the full breadth of Reveal 11’s functionality to perform early data analysis and case assessment, AI-powered compliance investigations and technology-assisted document review to achieve superior results for its clients—all supported and enhanced by exceptional visual analytics. Having access to all these tools on one platform allows McDermott to quickly understand nuanced data while simultaneously uncovering critical insights that traditional tools simply cannot.
The announcement to leverage Reveal 11 follows news that McDermott and Reveal have significantly expanded their partnership. Reveal’s leading data scientists are already working hand-in-hand with McDermott on Reveal’s current AI platform and will continue to do so seamlessly when Reveal 11 becomes available in Q3 of this year.
“Over the past many years, our legal technology team has been interested in and having active discussions about how AI-driven tools originally built for eDiscovery purposes could have major implications for unlocking data internally,” Christopher Adams, McDermott’s chief innovation counsel, said. “We are just starting to scratch the surface of how that can impact the practice of law now and the opportunities that lie ahead.”
About McDermott, Will & Emery
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—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.
About Reveal
Reveal, with Brainspace technology, is a global provider of the leading AI-powered eDiscovery platform. Fueled by powerful AI technology and backed by the most experienced team of data scientists in the industry, Reveal’s cloud-based software offers a full suite of eDiscovery solutions all on one seamless platform. Users of Reveal include law firms, Fortune 500 corporations, legal service providers, government agencies and financial institutions in more than 40 countries across five continents. Featuring deployment options in the cloud or on-premise, an intuitive user design and multilingual user interfaces, Reveal is modernizing the practice of law, saving users time, money and offering them a competitive advantage. For more information, visit http://www.revealdata.com or follow us on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.
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McDermott Advises 3M on the Sale of its Western European Flooring Business to Gerflor Group
PRESS RELEASE
McDermott Advises 3M on the Sale of its Western European Flooring Business to Gerflor Group
March 8, 2022
Read time: 2 min
McDermott Will & Emery has advised 3M on the sale of its Western European flooring business to the Gerflor Group, a global specialist in the production and distribution of floor coverings, wallcoverings and finishes.
The McDermott team advising 3M comprised:
- Matthieu Adam, counsel and Shurong Qu, associate
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 Advises Belden on Acquisition of NetModule Group
DEAL ANNOUNCEMENT / PRESS RELEASE
McDermott Advises Belden on Acquisition of NetModule Group
March 8, 2022
Read time: 3 min
Frankfurt a.M., March 8, 2022 – McDermott Will & Emery advised Belden Inc. on its full acquisition of NetModule Group. As a result of the strategic merger, NetModule will become part of Belden’s Industrial Network Solutions (INS) business unit. Remo Viscardi, CEO of NetModule AG, together with Dr. Thomas Niessen, VP Business Development INS, will form the new dual leadership.
Network infrastructure provider Belden Inc., headquartered in St. Louis, USA, was founded in 1902 and operates manufacturing facilities in North and South America, Europe, and Asia.
NetModule AG, headquartered in Bern, Switzerland, is a leading manufacturer of communication products for M2M and IoT. Founded in 1998, the company now has offices in Basel and Winterthur and subsidiaries in Frankfurt and Hong Kong.
Due to a proven expertise in the tech sector, the McDermott team led by partner Norman Wasse had already advised Belden on the acquisition of network security software provider macmon secure GmbH.
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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Schulte Roth & Zabel Strengthens Business Reorganization Group with Addition of Ned S. Schodek
PRESS RELEASE
Schulte Roth & Zabel Strengthens Business Reorganization Group with Addition of Ned S. Schodek
March 2022
Read time: 4 min
Schulte Roth & Zabel today announced that Ned S. Schodek has joined the firm as a partner in the Business Reorganization Group, based in the New York office.
Ned focuses his practice on representing creditors (with a focus on fund clients), ad hoc creditor groups, debtors, acquirers of assets, and other parties-in-interest in large and complex prepackaged, pre-negotiated and traditional Chapter 11 bankruptcies, out-of-court workouts, debtor-in-possession financings, adversary proceedings, and broker-dealer liquidations.
“I’m thrilled to join SRZ’s outstanding restructuring team, to help guide clients through what continues to be a very dynamic market,” said Schodek. “Between inflationary pressures, the prospect of higher interest rates, uncertainty regarding the pandemic’s impact on market demand, and global instability, the need has never been more acute for investment managers and other institutions to assess their risk profiles and for companies to consider opportunistic recapitalizations and access to liquidity.”
Ned also advises financial institutions in closing out and structuring new derivatives transactions with distressed entities. He is a former Co-Chair of the Courts and Legislation Subcommittee of the Committee on Bankruptcy and Corporate Reorganization of the New York City Bar Association.
“We are so excited Ned is joining us,” said Douglas Mintz, Partner and Co-Chair of SRZ’s Business Reorganization Group. “He’s an awesome attorney and a great addition to our top-tier restructuring practice.”
“Ned joins a Business Reorganization group that has seen client demand for our services double since 2020. During that time, the group has worked on a number of high-profile restructurings, including Puerto Rico, American Achievement Corporation, Trimark, and PG&E, among many others,” said Adam Harris, Partner and Co-Chair of SRZ’s Business Reorganization Group. “Our clients look to us for strategic guidance to manage their way through these highly complex restructurings and Ned adds specific experience that will help our clients achieve their desired results.”
“Ned’s background and expertise further strengthens our ability to advise clients in an unpredictable economy, particularly on the creditor side of the equation,” said Schulte Roth & Zabel co-managing partner Marc Elovitz. “SRZ has an industry-leading private funds practice. We look forward to Ned’s insights as we help our clients navigate growth opportunities and challenges alike,” Schulte Roth & Zabel co-managing partner David Efron continued.
Schulte Roth & Zabel continues to add substantial talent in strategic practice areas to address emerging client needs in both the public and private markets. Ned joins new partner Alexander Kim, who recently joined the Intellectual Property, Sourcing & Technology Group. Other strategic hires include Douglas S. Mintz in the Business Reorganization Group, Mike Flynn, Jeffrey Symons and Brian C. Miner in the M&A and Securities Group, Gayle Klein in the Litigation Group, and Gregory Ruback in the Finance and Derivatives Group.
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McDermott Ranked by World Trademark Review 1000 for Twelfth Consecutive Year
AWARDS & RANKINGS / PRESS RELEASE
McDermott Ranked by World Trademark Review 1000 for Twelfth Consecutive Year
March 4, 2022
Read time: 5 min
International law firm McDermott Will & Emery has been recognized for the twelfth consecutive year as a leading global trademark practice by World Trademark Review (WTR) 1000. The WTR 1000 gathers the world’s leading trademark professionals and focuses exclusively on the trademark practice. McDermott was once again recognized as a ‘go-to’ resource for those seeking world-class legal trademark expertise. McDermott’s trademark team received stellar firm and individual rankings and strong client and peer accolades in California, Illinois and Washington, DC. WTR also praised McDermott’s global team for its commitment to “delivering the best service imaginable.”
Overall Firm Rankings
- Illinois – Silver Band for Overall Trademark Practice, including Trademark Prosecution, Strategy, Enforcement and Litigation. The publication applauds McDermott for its “multijurisdictional enforcement prowess” and for protecting clients “to the hilt wherever they need.” WTR also adds that McDermott’s trademark team “ensures that portfolios are optimized for commercial purposes and take a consistently business-focused approach to global rights management.”
- DC Metro Area – Bronze Band for Enforcement and Litigation. McDermott is noted for its ability to take “care of filings with the minimum of fuss… and is well equipped to lead strategic global brand protection, management and enforcement initiatives.” The publication also brings attention to our work with more than 1,500 trademark applications annually and our stellar grant rate.
Individual Rankings
California
- Sarah Bro – Bronze Band for Prosecution & Strategy. Sarah, who serves as managing partner of the Firm’s Orange County office, was recognized among the most esteemed trademark professionals in the California market for her work in the area of trademark prosecution and strategy.
Illinois
- Christina Martini – Gold Band for Prosecution & Strategy, Silver Band for Enforcement & Litigation. Christina, who serves as the Global Head of McDermott’s Trademark Prosecution and Controversy Practice, has been consistently dually ranked by WTR 1000 since the publication’s inception and has also been designated as a WTR Global Leader. In this year’s edition, clients describe Tina as a practitioner who “lives and breathes trademarks and draws on vast experience.” She represents all types of companies across myriad industries and receives special recognition this year for that aspect of her work at the intersection of trademarks and regulatory law, including in the pharmaceutical space for clients such as EQRx.
- Jennifer Mikulina – Gold Band for Prosecution & Strategy. Jennifer, who has also received numerous client accolades over the years through WTR 1000, is given special praise for being “extremely capable and does an excellent job giving thorough advice in an efficient manner.” The publication continues to share that Jennifer is “a collaborative lawyer who astutely uses the resources available to her, ‘she is willing to refer to colleagues if someone else is better placed to answer a question; most attorneys are afraid to do this… Jennifer has her priorities straight, which is serving the interests of those she represents.”
DC Metro Area
- Robert Zelnick – Silver Band for Enforcement & Litigation. Robert is praised for his consummate professionalism and for being a “rock for many” – both clients and colleagues alike. He is also noted for his trend awareness and is “increasingly handling trademark issues arising from brand owners’ heightened desire to showcase their environmental credentials.” WTR calls attention to his work with Terlato Wines International, a leading marketer of luxury wines, in connection with prosecution, oppositions and enforcement proceedings as it highlights our integrated approach in tackling challenging matters.
The full World Trademark Review 1000 directory is available.
McDermott’s full-service global trademark practice is one of the strongest and most active in the world. Our experience spans across all aspects of brand management including selection, counseling, clearance, prosecution, enforcement, litigation and transactional matters. We partner with our clients from the earliest stages of product development to provide strategic advice in searching and filing for brand names globally. To maximize the value of our clients’ portfolios, we develop global filing strategies that are streamlined and cost-effective. We are leaders in the area of branding, including the maintenance, enforcement, licensing, acquisition and disposition of IP rights in addition to handling copyright, domain name, social media, advertising, unfair competition and trade dress matters.
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—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 Represents H.I.G. Capital in Close of H.I.G. Realty Partners IV
DEAL ANNOUNCEMENT / PRESS RELEASE
McDermott Represents H.I.G. Capital in Close of H.I.G. Realty Partners IV
March 4, 2022
Read time: 3 min
McDermott Will & Emery represented H.I.G. Capital, a leading global alternative asset management firm, in the formation of its fourth U.S. Realty Partners fund, H.I.G. Realty Partners IV (the “Fund”), which closed with aggregate capital commitments of $838 million, exceeding its target.* The Fund will continue to pursue the successful investment strategy employed by its predecessor funds and target mid-cap assets with gross asset values typically less than $200 million, primarily in the major markets of the US.
The McDermott team was led by partner Ian Schwartz, head of the Firm’s Investment Funds Group, and included partner David Nestler and associates Lauren Nevidomsky, Louie Gaudio, Brittany Esser, Rafa Calatrava, Matthew Stern, and Lauren Dehasque. Partners Alex Ruiz and Kevin Hall and associate Emily Mussio advised on tax matters. Partner Todd Solomon advised on ERISA matters.
The Investment Funds Group at McDermott is a global leader in representing investment fund sponsors and institutional investors and provides sophisticated counsel to its clients across the full spectrum of investment fund issues and transactions. The Investment Funds Group is embedded in McDermott’s global private equity practice with attorneys who serve as lead counsel to institutional investors and investment funds through their full lifecycle.
* Aggregate capital commitments include co-investment capital.
Learn more about our Private Equity practice by visiting www.mwe.com/pe.
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 Represents Healthcare Trust of America in $18 Billion Merger with Healthcare Realty Trust
DEAL ANNOUNCEMENT / PRESS RELEASE
McDermott Represents Healthcare Trust of America in $18 Billion Merger with Healthcare Realty Trust
March 3, 2022
Read time: 4 min
International law firm McDermott Will & Emery represented Healthcare Trust of America, Inc. (NYSE: HTA) in connection with the definitive Agreement and Plan of Merger to effect an $18 billion strategic combination with Healthcare Realty Trust Incorporated (NYSE: HR). This transformative transaction brings together two of the largest owners of medical office buildings in the country, with the combined REIT holding 727 properties totaling 44 million square feet, creating the preeminent, pure-play medical office building REIT.
McDermott also represented HTA in connection with a commitment letter provided by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. for the $1.7 billion debt financing that will be used as a backstop for a special cash distribution that will be paid to HTA’s stockholders in connection with the merger and other transaction expenses.
At closing, each share of HR common stock will be exchanged for one share of HTA common stock, at a fixed ratio. In addition, a special cash distribution of $4.82 per share will be distributed to HTA’s stockholders. Taken together and based on HR’s share price at the close of markets on February 24, 2022, HTA’s stockholders will realize an implied value of $35.08 per HTA share, representing an 18.2% premium to HTA’s share price. Following the closing, HR and HTA stockholders will own 39% and 61% of the combined company, respectively.
The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2022, subject to customary closing conditions, including the approval of all stockholders. Subject to the terms of the definitive agreement, the transaction was unanimously approved by the Board of Directors of HTA and HR. Read HTA’s full press release.
The McDermott team advising HTA was led by Peter Healy and Tracy Bacigalupo and included Mark Mihanovic, Andrew Liazos, Greg Weigand and Nathan Barnett.
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—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 Represents Solaris Health Holdings in Acquisition of Advanced Urology Institute
DEAL ANNOUNCEMENT / PRESS RELEASE
McDermott Represents Solaris Health Holdings in Acquisition of Advanced Urology Institute
March 3, 2022
Read time: 3 min
International law firm McDermott Will & Emery represented Solaris Health Holdings, a leading national healthcare platform committed to enhancing access to specialty healthcare and continually improving patient outcomes, in its acquisition of Advanced Urology Institute (AUI), the leading urology practice in Florida, as an affiliate practice. New York-based Lee Equity Partners is a financial partner in Solaris.
- The transaction was announced on March 2, 2022.
- The AUI addition continues Solaris’ expansion momentum established in 2021 when the platform welcomed six new affiliate practices. Solaris now comprises 500 providers and serves 730,000 unique annual patients.
- The McDermott team was led by Joel Rush and Alex Clavero and included Joe Parise, Michael Hacker, Elaine Kao, Liz Hattrup, Jamie Gelfman, Chelsea Rutherford, Mary Waller, Kevin Hall and Jake Howell.
- McDermott has represented Solaris in all six of its acquisitions, including the original platform acquisition in 2020.
- Read Solaris’ 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—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 Advises Silverfleet Capital on Sale of Pumpenfabrik Wangen
DEAL ANNOUNCEMENT / PRESS RELEASE
McDermott Advises Silverfleet Capital on Sale of Pumpenfabrik Wangen
March 3, 2022
Read time: 3 min
Munich, March 3, 2022 – McDermott Will & Emery advised Silverfleet Capital on the sale of its portfolio company Pumpenfabrik Wangen GmbH to Atlas Copco Group. The transaction is subject to antitrust clearance and is expected to close in the second quarter of 2022.
Silverfleet Capital is a pan-European private equity firm specializing in buy-to-build strategies of medium-sized companies in the UK, France, Germany, Benelux, and Scandinavia.
Pumpenfabrik Wangen develops and sells industrial pumps for the biogas and wastewater sectors as well as the food, beverage and cosmetics industries. The company employs 265 people and has production facilities in Germany and a global sales and service network.
The Atlas Copco Group is a leading international provider of sustainable industrial productivity solutions, headquartered in Stockholm with operations in more than 180 countries. In 2020, Atlas Copco achieved sales of €10 billion with around 40,000 employees.
The McDermott team advising Silverfleet Capital was led by Tobias Koppmann and included partners Thomas Sauermilch (both Corporate/ M&A), Henrik Holzapfel, Richard Gräbener (both IP Litigation), Christian Krohs (Anitrust), Christian Rolf (Employment), Nina Siewert (Tax), and Deniz Tschammler (Regulatory) and counsel Raymond Paretzky (Trade, Agriculture & EU Regulatory), Marcus Fischer (Tax), and Claus Färber (Data Protection). Associates Matthias Weingut, Benjamin Maciejewski, Benedikt Gloßner, Fabian Appadoo, Ana A. Koff, Nicole Yoon (all corporate/M&A), Maximilian Kiemle (IP Litigation), Max Küttner (Antitrust), and Ilva Woeste (Employment) also advised.
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.
