DEAL ANNOUNCEMENT / PRESS RELEASE
McDermott Represents Chicago Public Media in its Acquisition of the Chicago Sun-Times
January 31, 2022
Read time: 3 min
International law firm McDermott Will & Emery represented Chicago Public Media/WBEZ, one of the largest and most respected public media organizations in the country, in its acquisition of the Chicago Sun-Times, the second largest newspaper circulation in Chicago. This partnership will provide more than 2 million people in the Chicago area news across broadcast, print and digital channels as one combined local nonprofit organization.
- The transaction closed on January 31, 2022 following a vote by the Chicago Public Media Board of Directors to move forward with this acquisition on January 18, 2022.
- This transaction follows the organization’s fall 2021 non-binding letter of intent for the Chicago Sun-Times to become a subsidiary of Chicago Public Media, creating one of the largest local nonprofit news organizations in the nation and emerging as a national model for the future of local journalism.
- The McDermott team was led by John Tamisiea and included Nick Greiner, Daniel Marino, Brandon Sarkauskas, Robert Louthian, Rick Stepanovic and Sarah Engle.
- Read Chicago Public Media’s 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, 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 Earns Top Score in Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s 2022 Corporate Equality Index
AWARDS & RANKINGS / PRESS RELEASE
McDermott Earns Top Score in Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s 2022 Corporate Equality Index
January 27, 2022
Read time: 4 min
International law firm McDermott Will & Emery is proud to announce that it has received a score of 100 on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s 2022 Corporate Equality Index, the nation’s foremost benchmarking survey and report measuring corporate policies and practices related to LGBTQ+ workplace equality.
“As one of the first international firms to create a Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ+) affinity group, we are a recognized leader in the realm of LGBTQ+ workplace diversity and inclusion,” said Maria Rodriguez, chair of McDermott’s LGBTQ Diversity & Inclusion subcommittee and Los Angeles-based partner. “This continued recognition highlights the strength of our Firm-wide policies and programs aimed at maintaining a supportive and inclusive environment for all of our people.”
“When the Human Rights Campaign Foundation created the Corporate Equality Index 20 years ago, we dreamed that LGBTQ+ workers—from the factory floor to corporate headquarters, in big cities and small towns—could have access to the policies and benefits needed to thrive and live life authentically,” said Jay Brown, Human Rights Campaign Senior Vice President of Programs, Research and Training. “We are proud that the Corporate Equality Index paved the way to that reality for countless LGBTQ+ workers in America and abroad. But there is still more to do, which is why we are raising the bar yet again to create more equitable workplaces and a better tomorrow for LGBTQ+ workers everywhere. Congratulations to McDermott Will & Emery for achieving the title of ‘best places to work for LGBTQ+ equality’ and working to advance inclusion in the workplace.”
The results of the 2022 CEI showcase how 1,271 U.S.-based companies are not only promoting LGBTQ+-friendly workplace policies in the U.S., but also for the 56% of CEI-rated companies with global operations who are helping advance the cause of LGBTQ+ inclusion in workplaces abroad. McDermott’s efforts in satisfying all of the CEI’s criteria earned a 100 percent ranking and the designation as one of the Best Places to Work for LGBTQ+ Equality.
To learn more about our Diversity and Inclusion programs, please visit our website.
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 on Sale of isel Germany AG to Aalberts
DEAL ANNOUNCEMENT / PRESS RELEASE
McDermott Advises on Sale of isel Germany AG to Aalberts
January 27, 2022
Read time: 3 min
Frankfurt a.M., January 27, 2022 – McDermott Will & Emery advised the sole shareholder on the sale of all shares in isel Germany AG, as well as the real estate used for operations, to Dutch listed Aalberts NV.
The sale also includes the subsidiaries in Germany, Austria, Hungary, China, and the USA. The transaction has already been completed following clearance by the competition authorities in Germany and Austria.
isel Germany AG specializes in the development and production of CNC machines, aluminum profiles and mechanical, electronic and software components.
Aalberts is a publicly traded company active in the design and manufacture of environmental controls for active and passive vibration control, precision motion controls, and robots for wafer and mask handling.
The McDermott team provided comprehensive advice to the sole shareholder of isel AG on all transaction-related issues, including real estate law, intellectual property law and company pension plans.
McDermott’s team was led by partner Clemens Just and comprised partners Nadine Hartung (corporate/M&A), Heiko Kermer (tax), Christian Rolf (employment), Christian Masch (IP/IT) and Maximilian Clostermeyer (real estate). Associates Isabelle Müller, Lisa Schickling (both corporate/M&A), Tina Zeller (real estate) and Isabella Kätzlmeier (IP/IT) 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.
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McDermott Advises Abénex on its Investment in the Oryx Group (Proprietes-privees.com)
DEAL ANNOUNCEMENT / PRESS RELEASE
McDermott Advises Abénex on its Investment in the Oryx Group (Proprietes-privees.com)
January 27, 2022
Read time: 3 min
McDermott Will & Emery is advising Abénex, a renowned leader in private equity in France, on its investment in the Oryx Group, alongside its two directors, and Tikehau Capital.
The Oryx Group operates a digital platform that efficiently connects supply, demand and talent in the real estate property market. The company is built around a major independent real estate consultant network, proprietes-privees.com, and was reinforced by two complementary networks, immoreseau and Rezoximo, acquired in 2017 and 2018, respectively.
The investment will support and accelerate the Oryx Group’s growth ambitions by upscaling its technological platform which will enable the Group’s consultants to maintain their competitive position in the market. Significant resources will also be deployed to enhance buy & sell capabilities, while developing the reputation of the Group’s brands. The Group’s international presence is also part of the development plan in order to take advantage of the strong growth of certain real estate markets outside France.
The McDermott team advising Abénex comprised Grégoire Andrieux, Managing Partner, Paris, and Herschel Guez, Counsel, on corporate aspects of the deal.
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 Adds Leading Government Contracts Lawyer as Practice Head in Washington, DC
PRESS RELEASE
McDermott Adds Leading Government Contracts Lawyer as Practice Head in Washington, DC
January 26, 2022
Read time: 4 min
International law firm McDermott Will & Emery is pleased to announce the addition of Daniel “Dan” Graham as a partner in its Regulatory Practice Group based in Washington, DC. Dan has litigated significant cases on behalf of government contracts and healthcare clients, earning him recognition as a notable lawyer in the field. Dan joins from Vinson & Elkins LLP where he served as vice-chair of the firm’s government contracts practice.
“We are seeing a significant number of clients across several industries in need of highly-skilled government contracts counsel,” Raymond Jacobsen, global head of McDermott’s regulatory practice, said. “Dan will further enhance our already strong capabilities and lead the charge in navigating these issues, also as they relate to corporate due diligence for transactional matters and claims and bid protests landing in litigation.”
Dan has more than two decades of experience working with clients across industry sectors on bid protests, Contract Dispute Act appeals, prime and subcontractor disputes and commercial litigation. He also advises clients on cost accounting matters and assists with identifying and resolving organizational and personal conflicts of interest, mergers and acquisitions, business restructurings and reorganizations, internal investigations and suspension and debarment proceedings. In addition, Dan counsels clients on complying with ethics laws and regulations, including post-employment restrictions applicable to government employees.
“I’ve chosen to join McDermott because of its thoughtful approach to cross-practice collaboration—and my work dealing with the contracts that make public policy goals achievable will create opportunities for clients Firm wide,” Dan said. “It’s an exciting time to be a government contracts lawyer and I am thrilled to do it at McDermott.”
Chambers USA has ranked Dan in Band 1 for Government Contracts (Nationwide). He is committed to pro bono service and has argued before the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and the US Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims in several veterans’ benefits cases. Dan received his JD from William & Mary Law School, where he was a member of the Order of the Coif, and his BS from The Johns Hopkins University.
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 EF Hutton in DUET Acquisition Corp.’s $86.25 Million Initial Public Offering
DEAL ANNOUNCEMENT / PRESS RELEASE
McDermott Represents EF Hutton in DUET Acquisition Corp.’s $86.25 Million Initial Public Offering
January 25, 2022
Read time: 3 min
International law firm McDermott Will & Emery represented EF Hutton, division of Benchmark Investments, LLC, which acted as the sole book running manager for DUET Acquisition Corp., a blank check company, in its $86.25 million initial public offering (IPO) of 8,625,000 units at $10.00 per unit (which includes 1,125,000 units issued pursuant to the exercise of the underwriter’s over-allotment option in full). The units will be listed and traded on the Nasdaq Global Market (Nasdaq) as “DUETU.”
- The deal priced on January 19, 2022, began trading January 20, 2022 and closed on January 24, 2022.
- McDermott’s deal team was led by Robert Cohen and included Richard Bass, Alice Du, Brandon Sloane and Caroline Sandy.
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 accompanies Unsere Champions on further expansion course
DEAL ANNOUNCEMENT / PRESS RELEASE
McDermott accompanies Unsere Champions on further expansion course
January 25, 2022
Read time: 3 min
Frankfurt a.M., December 9, 2021 – McDermott Will & Emery has advised Unsere Champions GmbH on the acquisition of Uki Kinderkrippe GmbH.
Uki operates a daycare center in Remseck am Neckar under the name “Uki – Die Kinderkrippe in Pattonville” with several groups for babies and toddlers from three months to three years.
McDermott has been assisting the fast-growing Unsere Champions GmbH with add-on transactions for some time. The company now operates kindergartens and daycare centers at around 40 locations in Bavaria, Baden-Wuerttemberg and Switzerland. The majority shareholders are the French Enjoy Group and the Luxembourg-based Lavorel Group. The McDermott team, led by Norman Wasser, also supported Our Champions in its market entry into Switzerland.
The team advising Unsere Champions GmbH was led by Norman Wasse, Associates Marion von Grönheim, Lisa Schickling, Isabella Kätzlmeier, and Tina Zeller 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.
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McDermott Advises Weight Partners Capital On Financing The Acquisition Of Grosvenor Health And Social Care And Refinancing The Indebtedness Of The Towerview Care Group
DEAL ANNOUNCEMENT / PRESS RELEASE
McDermott Advises Weight Partners Capital On Financing The Acquisition Of Grosvenor Health And Social Care And Refinancing The Indebtedness Of The Towerview Care Group
January 20, 2022
Read time: 3 min
McDermott Will & Emery advised Weight Partners Capital on the financing for (i) the acquisition of Grosvenor Health and Social Care, a provider of health and social care services in the UK; and (ii) refinancing certain existing indebtedness of the portfolio business, Towerview Care Group.
Grosvenor Health and Social Care are a leading provider of homecare in Great Britain. It was formed in 1998 by former CEO Ravi Bains and is the second largest independent provider of domiciliary care in the UK, funded mainly by local authorities.
The Towerview Care Group provides safe and welcoming care for people living with dementia, mental and physical health issues and complex needs in the Midlands and Yorkshire.
Weight Partners Capital is a specialist private equity investor founded in 2009 to invest in sectors where the team has operational experience. It focuses on what it knows–consumer and healthcare services businesses at the smaller end of the market in the UK and Ireland.
McDermott’s team was led by partner Aymen Mahmoud, supported by associates Bhavesh Madia and Ryan Clarke.
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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Michael Morgan Recognized as a Daily Journal Top Cyber Lawyer
AWARDS & RANKINGS / PRESS RELEASE
Michael Morgan Recognized as a Daily Journal Top Cyber Lawyer
January 19, 2022
Read time: 3 min
International law firm McDermott Will & Emery is pleased to announce that Partner Michael Morgan has been named to the Daily Journal’s Top Cyber Lawyers list in 2022. This marks the third year in which Mike has been honored with the recognition.
As US head of the Firm’s Global Privacy & Cybersecurity Practice Group, Mike has guided clients through some of the largest and most complex data breaches, including those involving more than 50 million records, affecting persons in over 100 countries and containing sensitive defense-related information. He counsels clients on compliance with US and international regulations relating to cybersecurity and data privacy, such as compliance with the California Consumer Privacy Act, the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation and China’s Network Security Law.
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 Electronics Company Belden on the Acquisition of macmon secure
DEAL ANNOUNCEMENT / PRESS RELEASE
McDermott Advises Electronics Company Belden on the Acquisition of macmon secure
January 19, 2022
Read time: 3 min
Frankfurt a.M., 19. January 2022 – International law firm McDermott Will & Emery advised Belden Inc. on the acquisition of macmon secure GmbH from RPC Verwaltungs-GmbH.
The transaction also includes macmon secure subsidiary CloudSDP GmbH. The acquisition was made by Belden’s German subsidiary Hirschmann Automation and Control GmbH, which is also a technology partner of macmon secure GmbH.
macmon secure GmbH has been developing network security software since 2003 and is based in Berlin.
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. Belden’s Hirschmann brand is recognized as a technology and market leader in industrial automation and networking systems for mission-critical applications.
The McDermott team has proven expertise in the tech sector and has also advised technology investor Main Capital on several acquisitions (including MACH AG and Form-Solutions). McDermott also regularly advises Ratiodata and Investcorp.
The McDermott team advising Belden Inc. was led by Norman Wasse, LL.M. and included Dr. Maximilian Clostermeyer, Thomas P. Conaghan, Dr. Kian Tauser, Marcus Fischer, Dr. Thomas Gennert, Dr. Gudrun Germakowski, Dr. Oliver Hahnelt, LL.M., Dr. Nikolas Koutsós, Dr. Christian L. Masch, Timothy S. Shuman, Dr. Deniz Tschammler, Dr. Marion von Grönheim, Lisa Schickling, Elena Platte, LL.M., Elif Sultan Üzümovali, Lukas Deutzmann, Franziska Leubner, Isabella Kätzlmeier, Sherry Liu and Lukas Wasylow-Neuhaus.
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.
