AWARDS & RANKINGS / PRESS RELEASE
Clients Point to Five McDermott Lawyers for “Best Client Service in M&A”
September 13, 2021
Read time: 4 min
International law firm McDermott Will & Emery is delighted to announce that five lawyers have been recognized in BTI Consulting’s (BTI) Client Service All-Stars 2021 survey for “delivering the best client service in M&A.” This recognition is gathered from elite legal and deal-related decision makers and is long considered the gold standard in measuring client service performance by clients and law firms alike. Now in its 20th year, BTI conducted 240 in-depth interviews with clients, who specifically identified McDermott lawyers by name.
The lawyers who received All-Star status include:
- John Callahan (Health)
- Emily Cook (Health)
- Christian Fabian (Corporate/PE)
- Frank Layson (Corporate/PE)
- Stephen Wu (Antitrust)
In July, McDermott was also named one of the “11 Law Firms Most Recommended by Top Legal Decision Makers” in BTI’s 2021 report The BTI Most Recommended Law Firms 2021: The Firms Top Legal Decision Makers Recommend Above All Others.
Read more about the BTI Client All-Star list here.
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.
Media Contact

McDermott Represents REGENXBIO in its $1.8 Billion Strategic Partnership with AbbVie
DEAL ANNOUNCEMENT / PRESS RELEASE
McDermott Represents REGENXBIO in its $1.8 Billion Strategic Partnership with AbbVie
September 13, 2021
Read time: 3 min
International law firm McDermott Will & Emery represented REGENXBIO in its $1.8 billion strategic partnership with AbbVie to develop and commercialize RGX-314, a potential one-time gene therapy for the treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and other chronic retinal diseases.
The McDermott team was led by Krist Werling and included Rich Smith, Monika Richter, Andrea Hamilton and Becky DuFur. Tom Conaghan is the relationship partner for REGENXBIO.
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.
Media Contact

McDermott Advises Ares Management On A £425m Refinancing Of The Charles Taylor Group, A Leading UK-Based Provider Of Professional Services To The Insurance Market
DEAL ANNOUNCEMENT / PRESS RELEASE
McDermott Advises Ares Management On A £425m Refinancing Of The Charles Taylor Group, A Leading UK-Based Provider Of Professional Services To The Insurance Market
September 9, 2021
Read time: 3 min
McDermott Will & Emery advised Ares Management Limited on a £425m refinancing of the Charles Taylor Group (and its affiliates), as lender, arranger, agent and security agent, through a unitranche facility.
Charles Taylor provides an extensive and growing range of insurance services, claims and technology solutions across the globe, with a specialism in complex situations requiring distinctive technical expertise and technology. It aims to build long-term client relationships spanning multiple value-creating solutions, and to consistently delight its clients with the quality and responsiveness of our people and delivery.
Ares Management is a global alternative investment manager that has generated cycle-tested performance for investors since its inception in 1997. They are trusted stewards of flexible and scalable capital, investing across the credit, private equity, real estate and secondary markets.
McDermott’s team was led by partner Aymen Mahmoud and included associates Giulia Venanzoni 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.
Media Contact

McDermott Dominates with 223 Lawyers Recognized by Best Lawyers
AWARDS & RANKINGS / PRESS RELEASE
McDermott Dominates with 223 Lawyers Recognized by Best Lawyers
September 6, 2021
Read time: 3 min
International law firm McDermott Will & Emery is proud to announce its recognitions in the 2022 edition of The Best Lawyers in America© with 172 lawyers named in over 50 practice areas. The Firm remains among the top 40 law firms in the United States with the most lawyers recognized, and it has the most lawyers mentioned in the Health Care Law and IT Outsourcing Law categories.
“Two thousand twenty-one has been one of the hardest and most demanding years for our partners, but even with so many challenges in their way, their diligence has persevered,” McDermott Chairman Ira Coleman said. “I would like to thank Best Lawyers for this recognition and the peers who saw our firm for its ability to assist and provide support that meets every client’s needs.”
The “Lawyer of the Year” recognition is based on outstanding peer evaluations from lawyers in similar practices and communities who highlighted recipients’ exceptional work and dedication to providing the upmost care to their clients. McDermott’s Lawyer of the Year recipients include:
- Sarah Chapin Columbia – Litigation – Intellectual Property
- Shawn C. Helms – Information Technology Law
- Jason D. Krieser– IT Outsourcing Law
- Julie Miraglia Kwon – Trusts and Estates
- Todd S. McClelland – IT Outsourcing Law
Fifty-one McDermott lawyers have also been recognized as “Ones to Watch,” which tracks early partners who are excelling in their newfound careers.
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.
Media Contact
McDermott Represents H.I.G. Capital in Close of €2BN H.I.G. Europe Middle Market LBO Fund
DEAL ANNOUNCEMENT / PRESS RELEASE
McDermott Represents H.I.G. Capital in Close of €2BN H.I.G. Europe Middle Market LBO Fund
September 8, 2021
Read time: 3 min
McDermott Will & Emery provided legal counsel to H.I.G. Capital, a leading global alternative asset management firm, in the formation of H.I.G. Europe Middle Market LBO Fund (the Fund), which closed with aggregate capital commitments of €2 billion. The Fund will leverage H.I.G.’s existing European infrastructure to target middle market companies with values up to €1 billion, primarily in Western Europe.
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, and Matthew Stern. 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.
Read H.I.G.’s press release here.
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.
Media Contact
McDermott Comment | Restaurants To Serve Up Surge In Bankruptcies As Support Runs Out
PRESS RELEASE
McDermott Comment | Restaurants To Serve Up Surge In Bankruptcies As Support Runs Out
September 7, 2021
Read time: 3 min
Aymen Mahmoud, partner at law firm McDermott Will & Emery, said:
“It is no secret that the hospitality industry was one of many affected by the impact of the pandemic and even by Brexit prior to that with many restauranteurs publicly exclaiming difficulty in finding staff. Whilst we can be sure to expect some insolvencies and some businesses will not survive, a significant opportunity may exist for others. For smaller businesses, owners continue to show massive industry and thoughtfulness in how they have approached existing investors, with valuation discounts, tax structuring incentives such as EIS and careful business planning. For the larger restaurants, there may also be some excellent M&A opportunities for some of the more traditional private equity and other investors where business values are reduced and the return to profitability is quicker than first thought.”
Media Contact

George Houhanisin Receives Two Up-and-Coming Recognitions
AWARDS & RANKINGS / PRESS RELEASE
George Houhanisin Receives Two Up-and-Coming Recognitions
September 7, 2021
Read time: 3 min
International law firm McDermott is pleased to announce that Chicago-based Transactions Partner George Houhanisin has been recognized as a Notable Rising Star in Law by Crain’s Chicago Business as well as an Emerging Leader by M&A Network.
George focuses his practice on corporate finance matters. He represents private equity groups, commercial lending institutions and major public and private companies in the structuring, negotiation and documentation of domestic and international secured and unsecured financing transactions. He’s well-versed across a broad range of industries with particular expertise in healthcare.
Both awards speak to George’s legal accomplishments, as well as his leadership within the community. Crain’s Chicago Business highlighted his ability to “guide clients through uncertainties and market shifts of the pandemic” and applauded him for his commitment to the Firm’s pro bono committee and mentorship of younger lawyers.
McDermott 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.
Media Contact

McDermott Advises Mercuria On Financing Batavia Oil’s Acquisition Of Perenco Rang Dong Limited – Block 15-2 Rang Dong Oil Field Offshore Vietnam
DEAL ANNOUNCEMENT / PRESS RELEASE
McDermott Advises Mercuria On Financing Batavia Oil’s Acquisition Of Perenco Rang Dong Limited – Block 15-2 Rang Dong Oil Field Offshore Vietnam
September 7, 2021
Read time: 3 min
A team from McDermott Will & Emery’s Singapore and London offices advised Mercuria on the successful financing of Batavia Oil’s acquisition of Perenco Rang Dong Ltd from Perenco Overseas Holdings Ltd, which holds a 30.5% non-operating interest in the Block 15-2 Rang Dong oil field, offshore Vietnam.
Block 15-2 lies offshore Vietnam, in the Cuu Long Basin approximately 135 kilometres southeast of Vung Tau at a water depth of approximately 56 meters. Japan Vietnam Petroleum Company as the operator of the Block 15-2 started exploration activities in October 1992 and found the Rang Dong oil field in June 1994 through its first exploration well. Block 15-2, comprises the Rang Dong and Phuong Dong fields.
Founded in 2017 and headquartered in Singapore, Batavia Oil is an oil and gas production company, founded on principles of solid subsurface data, cost efficiency and good operator field management practice.
Founded in 2004, Mercuria is one of the largest independent energy and commodity groups in the world, bringing efficiency to the commodity value chain with cutting-edge technology and unmatched expertise and solutions. Mercuria’s business includes trading flows, strategic assets and structuring activities that generate more than US$110 billion in turnover. It operates from offices around the world, with a strong presence in the Americas, Asia and Europe. Information on Mercuria can be found on its website at www.mercuria.com.
McDermott’s cross-border team was led by partner Merrick White and included partners Aymen Mahmoud and Alfred Chia. Associates Nicholas Jupp and Giulia Venanzoni and Ryan Clarke 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 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.
Media Contact

McDermott Boosts Global Transactions Practice with Exceptional Team Hire in Singapore
PRESS RELEASE
McDermott Boosts Global Transactions Practice with Exceptional Team Hire in Singapore
September 6, 2021
Read time: 4 min
LONDON, 6 SEPTEMBER, 2021 – International law firm McDermott Will & Emery announced today the arrival of three experienced corporate lawyers into its Global Transactions Practice in Singapore. In response to strong client demand, Partner Alfred Chia and Counsel Dawn Tan and Melissa Kwek will add to the Firm’s growing presence and offering in the Asia Pacific region. The appointments will provide deep private equity, M&A, funds, venture capital and fintech and finance experience and also complement energy and international projects heavy hitters Ignatius Hwang and Merrick White.
“Singapore is South East Asia’s hub for corporate transactions, with large capital flow volumes supported by a robust legal framework. With the arrival of Alfred, Dawn and Melissa we are now even better placed to help clients capitalize on the tremendous opportunities in this busy region,” said Michael. S. Poulos, McDermott’s Partner in Charge of Firm Strategy. “They will add great firepower for our international clients in this premier financial and technology market, and will further strengthen our Asia Pacific offering and our ambitious growth strategy.”
Alfred Chia has more than 20 years’ experience advising on cross-border transactions across Asia, Australia and the Middle East. He focuses his practice on projects, banking and finance, M&A, and blockchain and cryptocurrency advice.
Dawn Tan focuses her practice on corporate law, with more than 12 years’ experience in cross border transactions. She has particular experience in private M&A, private equity investments, venture capital investments and fund formation work involving domestic as well as international clients across various industry sectors.
Melissa Kwek focuses her practice on projects, particularly in the petrochemical, energy and infrastructure sectors, mergers and acquisitions and cross-border corporate transactions. She has acted for government agencies, multinational companies and other corporate clients across a wide range of industries.
“We are delighted to welcome Alfred, Dawn and Melissa onboard and we are looking forward to offering our clients the depth and breadth of their corporate experience,” said Harris Siskind, Global Head of McDermott’s Transactions Practice. “In this fast evolving transactions landscape it is more important than ever before to be able to guide clients and their businesses through the complexities of a post-pandemic market and cater for their varied and sophisticated needs,” he added.
“We are thrilled to join McDermott and excited about the opportunity to work with its top talent across the Firm’s global network,” said Alfred, Dawn and Melissa. “The strength of the McDermott brand was a major draw for us and we look forward to serving our clients as part of the McDermott family.”
Prior to this group joining, McDermott added several partners to the Firm’s Transactions Practice Group, including the recent six-partner boost across Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles and New York.
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.
Media Contact
McDermott Comment | Distressed Debt Funds Sparkle In COVID Recovery
PRESS RELEASE
McDermott Comment | Distressed Debt Funds Sparkle In COVID Recovery
September 2, 2021
Read time: 3 min
Aymen Mahmoud, partner at law firm McDermott Will & Emery, said:
“Credit and equity markets alike continue to show a strong resurgence from the uncertain times of 2020 and the return to the performance of highly efficient businesses and intelligent opportunistic investment helps to punctuate that resurgence. As confidence continues to grow, we can expect even more growth for those businesses which were able to survive the pandemic.
Equally, it is clear that some businesses simply will not survive the aftermath of 2020 and we have not yet seen the transition of those businesses into a restructuring or other insolvency process. Market participants must remain vigilant amid the expected increase in these processes over the coming months and years.”
