PRESS RELEASE
McDermott Expands Antitrust Capabilities in London with New Hire
May 28, 2025
Read time: 4 min
McDermott is pleased to announce the addition of Omar Shah as a Partner in its Regulatory Practice Group based in London. Omar brings extensive experience handling complex global merger control transactions, cartel investigations, and antitrust litigation, particularly those involving the intersection of competition law with intellectual property, media/communications, pharmaceutical, transport, financial services, and data privacy regulations in the UK and EU.
“The UK has become a major competition jurisdiction and having a seasoned antitrust partner on the ground in London provides a significant boost to our European competition offering,” said Alva Mather, global head of McDermott’s Regulatory Practice Group. “Omar’s transactional and disputes experience, combined with his deep understanding of the UK and EU regulatory landscape, will be a tremendous asset to our clients navigating increasingly complex cross-border matters.”
Omar is dual qualified in the UK and Belgium and has represented clients before UK, EU, and other global competition authorities, courts, and tribunals.
“Omar’s acumen will further promote our truly pan-European offering, connecting our strong competition capabilities in Brussels, France, and Germany with the UK,” said Christian Krohs, European Head of McDermott’s Antitrust Practice. “This is a move that will benefit both our London office and the broader antitrust team, in the EU as well as the US.”
Aymen Mahmoud, Managing Partner of McDermott’s London office, said, “This is another significant step in the rapid growth of our office, as we expand our capabilities to continue to deliver best-in-class service for our clients. As we continue to strengthen our corporate M&A credentials, this appointment neatly complements and further enhances our transactional offering.”
Omar added, “I’m thrilled to join McDermott and contribute to its robust and constantly growing antitrust practice. The firm’s steadfast commitment to excellence and its global reach aligns perfectly with my clients’ needs and the vision for my practice.”
McDermott delivers regulatory and compliance acumen in a number of key areas, in particular antitrust and competition, merger and foreign investment control, EU state aid, government contracts, government and lobbying strategies, international trade, and privacy and cybersecurity. More than 100 lawyers strong, with team members based in the US and Europe, our practice is recognized globally in Chambers, Legal 500, Best Law Firms, and JUVE, and it holds a place both among Global Competition Review’s GCR 100 Global Elite as well as Global Data Review’s GDR 100 Global Elite.
Leading organizations turn to global law firm McDermott Will & Emery 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 1,400+ 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 Advises Main Capital Partners and PeakAvenue on the Acquisition of APIS
COVERAGE / DEAL ANNOUNCEMENT / PRESS RELEASE
McDermott Advises Main Capital Partners and PeakAvenue on the Acquisition of APIS
May 27, 2025
Read time: 4 min
Munich, May 27, 2025 – McDermott Will & Emery has advised Main Capital Partners and its portfolio company PeakAvenue, a leading provider of engineering and quality management software, on the acquisition and financing of the acquisition of failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA) specialist APIS.
The acquisition of APIS is the fourth acquisition in PeakAvenue’s buy-and-build strategy backed by Main Capital Partners.
PeakAvenue is an innovative software company headquartered in Lübeck, Germany, specializing in engineering and quality management solutions. With over 30 years of industry experience, PeakAvenue serves more than 2,500 customers worldwide.
APIS Informationstechnologien, founded in 1988 and headquartered in Wörth an der Donau, Germany, serves a diversified blue-chip customer base of over 1,500, including Infineon, ZF, Bosch and Schaeffler.
With APIS’ strong presence in the US and Asia, PeakAvenue will continue to build on its growing presence in the US and expand its customer base in Asia. The combined group employs over 200 people with offices in Germany, the US, the UK and China and serves 3,000 customers worldwide.
Main Capital Partners is a leading software investor in the DACH region, the Benelux countries, the Nordic countries and the United States. Main Capital has approximately €6 billion in assets under management and maintains an active portfolio of more than 50 software groups.
McDermott regularly advises Main Capital on transactions, including financing.
The McDermott team was led by partner Hanno M. Witt and comprised partners Ludwig Zesch, Raminta Dereskeviciute, Steffen Woitz, Thomas Gennert and Riley T. Orloff, counsel Marcus Fischer, Claus Färber, Krasen Krastev, Adrian Helfenstein, Holger Mlynek, Raymond Paretzky and Laura Stammwitz as well as associates Armin Teymouri, Manuel Weiß, Nicole Kaps, Markus Hunkenschröder, Romy Lanz, Noah Green, Emily Rees, Sophie Rezki, Michal Chajdukowski, Ludovica Rabitti, Janek Joosten, Lea Hauser and transaction lawyer Eva Kanela.
Leading organizations turn to global law firm McDermott Will & Emery 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 1,400+ lawyers act on data-driven insights, deep relationships, and unmatched industry experience to deliver on our commitment of Always Better.
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Edward Zacharias Once Again Recognized as a Top Managing Partner by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly
AWARDS & RANKINGS / PRESS RELEASE
Edward Zacharias Once Again Recognized as a Top Managing Partner by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly
May 26, 2025
Read time: 3 min
May 26, 2025 – International law firm McDermott Will & Emery is pleased to announce that Edward (Ed) Zacharias has been named to Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly’s Top 20 Managing Partners in Massachusetts 2025 list for the second consecutive year.
As the managing partner of McDermott’s Boston office, and co-head of the Firm’s Digital Health Practice Group, Ed is widely recognized for his leadership and knowledge of complex regulatory, privacy, and cybersecurity matters affecting a broad spectrum of health-related technologies. His dedication to McDermott’s Always Better mantras shines though in his unwavering commitment to excellence, both for his clients and his colleagues.
The Top 20 Managing Partners in Massachusetts list celebrates local leaders who have contributed to their company’s revenue growth, talent retention, community engagement, and the achievement of significant milestones.
Leading organizations turn to global law firm McDermott Will & Emery 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 1,400+ 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 Represents Calvin Ford in Acquiring a Controlling Stake in Livingston Football Club
DEAL ANNOUNCEMENT / PRESS RELEASE
McDermott Represents Calvin Ford in Acquiring a Controlling Stake in Livingston Football Club
May 22, 2025
Read time: 4 min
The transaction:
- International law firm McDermott Will & Emery represented Calvin Ford in connection with his acquisition of a controlling stake in Livingston Football Club (Livingston FC). In connection with the transaction, Mr. Ford was appointed as the Club’s new Chairman.
Team background:
- Livingston FC, originally founded as Ferranti Thistle in 1943, relocated from Edinburgh to West Lothian in 1995 and quickly ascended through all three Scottish football sub-divisions before reaching the Championship division in 2001.
- More recently, after five consecutive seasons in Scottish Premiership division, Livingston FC relegated to the Championship division in 2024.
- On May 26, 2025, just one week following Mr. Ford’s purchase, Livingston FC secured an historic victory over Ross County in the Scottish Premiership play-off, overturning a two-goal deficit, to return to the Scottish Premiership division.
Why it matters:
- Ford’s acquisition of a controlling stake in Livingston FC represents a strategic investment in one of Scotland’s fast improving football franchises. With a focus on sustainable growth, operational excellence, and brand development, Ford’s leadership is poised to unlock new commercial opportunities, enhance the Club’s competitive standing, and deliver long-term value for stakeholders across the football and local business communities.
The McDermott cross-border team was led by Tom Conaghan (US), Thomas Ammermann (Germany) and Emelia Clode (UK). Graham White (UK) and Greg Berson (US) provided invaluable assistance to the team.
Scott Bowman is the relationship partner for Calvin Ford.
Read Livingston Football Club’s announcement.
About McDermott’s Family Office Capital & Investment Strategies (FOCIS) Group
FOCIS is a multi-practice team that draws on the experience of our Private Client, Tax, and Transactional lawyers to provide creative and holistic solutions across all levels of a family wealth structure with respect to direct investing across all industries, including sports and entertainment. We take a comprehensive and multi-level approach to achieve enhanced economic returns through optimal planning for families, returns that might otherwise be lost when working with external advisors with a narrower lens.
About McDermott’s Sports Law Group
For more than 30 years, McDermott has represented owners, investors, players, teams, and sports venues across the globe in a wide range of leagues—including the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP), Major League Baseball (MLB), Major League Soccer (MLS), National Basketball Association (NBA), National Hockey League (NHL), National Football League (NFL), and PGA TOUR. We handle their most critical transactional and non-transactional matters.
Our experience spans from minority investments in teams to the acquisition and sale of controlling stakes in franchises. McDermott brings deep, cross-disciplinary expertise to bear in addressing complex tax, real estate, intellectual property, and labor law challenges. By leveraging our top-tier M&A, tax, and private client capabilities, we deliver a problem-solving, client-focused approach to the evolving landscape of the sports industry.
Leading organizations turn to global law firm McDermott Will & Emery 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 1,400+ 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 Represents Driftwood Capital in its $1.2 Billion Portfolio Consolidation
DEAL ANNOUNCEMENT / PRESS RELEASE
McDermott Represents Driftwood Capital in its $1.2 Billion Portfolio Consolidation
May 20, 2025
Read time: 4 min
International law firm McDermott Will & Emery represented Driftwood Capital in the formation of Driftwood USA Hotels Portfolio, LP (the Fund). The Fund was formed to consolidate and recapitalize a $1.2 billion portfolio encompassing 18 flagged hotels with 4,203 rooms across 10 states, including California, Texas, Florida, North Carolina, Utah, and New York. Driftwood has invested nearly $370 million in the hotels and this portfolio in recent renovations and new developments.
The transaction was capitalized with a $330 million securitized mortgage loan from Wells Fargo encumbering 9 properties and $85 million in preferred equity from Acore Capital investing in eight properties. The project progressed over seven months of work from a multi-disciplinary McDermott team to address all aspects of the transaction, including fund formation, tax structuring, securities issues, mortgage financing, and obtaining investor and lender consents. The financing closed notwithstanding, nearly unprecedented market volatility.
McDermott regularly advises Driftwood Capital and its affiliates in its financing and refinancing transactions, including a $257 million financing package related to the under-development of the 502-key Westin Cocoa Beach Resort & Spa. A portion of which was a $137 million C-PACE financing – the largest ever done in Florida. McDermott also represents Driftwood’s lending arm, which provides mezzanine loans on hotel properties nationwide.
The McDermott real estate team was led by Jeffrey Steiner and Scott Weinberg with invaluable assistance from Robert Unger, Megan Vallerie, Mohsen Ghazi, Gary Karch, Danny Min, Robert Mower, Alexis Biegen, Hayley Yandoli and Ed Pisacreta.
The McDermott investment funds team was led by Ian Schwartz with support from Erica Moscarello, Nate Barnett, Lauren Dehasque, Marina Leary, Adam Schoen, Nana Agyeman Taylor, Heidi Steele, Timothy (Ty) Carson, and Brittany Esser.
Jeffrey Steiner is the relationship partner for Driftwood Capital.
Leading organizations turn to global law firm McDermott Will & Emery 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 1,400+ 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 Named Firm of the Year: Best in State Illinois at the IFLR Americas Awards
AWARDS & RANKINGS / PRESS RELEASE
McDermott Named Firm of the Year: Best in State Illinois at the IFLR Americas Awards
May 19, 2025
Read time: 3 min
May 19, 2025 – International law firm McDermott Will & Emery has been named Firm of the Year: Best in State Illinois as part of the IFLR Americas Awards 2025. McDermott was also shortlisted for Firm of the Year: Best in State California and Firm of the Year: Best in State Florida.
These honors highlight McDermott’s extensive influence and dedication to excellence across the United States. Serving a diverse range of business interests globally, from large corporations to family-owned and privately held companies, McDermott’s corporate practice excels in addressing complex business challenges.
The IFLR Americas Awards recognize the legal industry’s most innovative work, particularly in cross-border transactions. Each year, IFLR celebrates the deals, teams, and firms that push boundaries and set new standards in legal practice.
View the full list of honorees here.
Leading organizations turn to global law firm McDermott Will & Emery 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 1,400+ 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 Advises NORD Holding on the Acquisition and Financing of the Acquisition of Oehm und Rehbein
DEAL ANNOUNCEMENT / PRESS RELEASE
McDermott Advises NORD Holding on the Acquisition and Financing of the Acquisition of Oehm und Rehbein
May 16, 2025
Read time: 3 min
Munich, May 16, 2025 – With a team led by Holger Ebersberger and Matthias Weissinger, McDermott has represented funds advised by NORD Holding on the acquisition and the financing of the acquisition of a majority stake in the digital imaging specialist Oehm und Rehbein GmbH (OR Technology). The existing management team will retain a stake in the company and actively support the next phase of growth.
OR Technology with headquarters in Rostock and its subsidiary Celtic SMR ltd. in the UK is a leading provider and developer of imaging software solutions and innovative X-ray systems for human and veterinary medicine as well as industrial applications.
McDermott has advised NORD Holding on a number of transactions in the past. In the current transaction, a cross-border McDermott team advised on the structuring, financing and M&A aspects of the deal.
This transaction marks the first investment of the third buyout fund “DMH III” advised by NORD Holding.
The McDermott team was led by partners Holger H. Ebersberger and Matthias Weissinger and comprised partners Hanno M. Witt, Jana Grieb, Sharon Lamb, Florian Schiefer and Stefanie Soltwedel, counsel Alexandra Prato, Claus Färber and Franziska Sauer as well as associates Julia Külzer, Parsin Walsi, Manuel Weiß, Michal Chajdukowski, Emmy Clode, Rosemary Tulloch, Katharina Hoffmeister, Michaela Novakova, Andreas H. Janßen, Romy Lanz, Bastiaan Wolters, Lene Niemeier and Sönke Wassermann.
Leading organizations turn to global law firm McDermott Will & Emery 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 1,400+ 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 Lawyers, Legal Professionals Named to 2024 Capital Pro Bono Honor Roll
AWARDS & RANKINGS / PRESS RELEASE
McDermott Lawyers, Legal Professionals Named to 2024 Capital Pro Bono Honor Roll
Read time: 3 min
May 14, 2025 – International law firm McDermott Will & Emery is pleased to announce that 86 lawyers and legal professionals have been listed on the District of Columbia Courts’ annual Capital Pro Bono Honor Roll.
The Honor Roll celebrates District of Columbia Bar members and others authorized to perform legal work who completed 50 hours or more of pro bono service in the previous calendar year. Notably, 47 of the McDermott honorees earned a place on the High Honor Roll, which is reserved for those who contributed 100 hours or more of pro bono work.
The District of Columbia Courts, with assistance from the D.C. Access to Justice Commission and the D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center, established the Honor Roll as part of the 2011 National Celebration of Pro Bono. Honorees reflect a diverse cross-section of the legal community in Washington, DC, hailing from 150 firms, solo practices, federal and local government agencies, corporations, associations, and public interest organizations.
Learn more about the Capital Pro Bono Honor Roll.
Leading organizations turn to global law firm McDermott Will & Emery 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 1,400+ 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 Advises H.I.G. Europe And Its Portfolio Rainham On The Acquisition Of Zenith Structural
DEAL ANNOUNCEMENT / PRESS RELEASE
McDermott Advises H.I.G. Europe And Its Portfolio Rainham On The Acquisition Of Zenith Structural
May 13, 2025
Read time: 3 min
International law firm McDermott Will & Emery advised one of the affiliates of H.I.G. Capital (“H.I.G.”), a leading global alternative investment firm with $65 billion of capital under management, on the acquisition of Zenith Structural (“Zenith” or the “Company”), a leading UK provider of industrial inspection, maintenance and refurbishment services to petrochemical, cement and power sectors. Zenith operates from two locations across the UK and has built a strong reputation for innovation and design excellence. Zenith will join forces with Rainham and TEi, both H.I.G. backed companies. The three companies will form a family of best-in-class industrial services providers.
McDermott’s team was led by partner Fatema Orjela (private equity) and Tom Johnson (private equity) and included partner Alex Jupp (tax), counsel Zoe Woodhouse (private equity), senior associate Sophie Rezki (finance) and associates and Arjun Sehgal (private equity), and trainee solicitor Daisy Daynes (private equity).
Read Zenith’s press release.
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 1,400+ 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 Shortlisted for M&A Advisor of the Year by The Insurer for Third Consecutive Year
AWARDS & RANKINGS / PRESS RELEASE
McDermott Shortlisted for M&A Advisor of the Year by The Insurer for Third Consecutive Year
May 9, 2025
Read time: 4 min
May 9, 2025 – International law firm McDermott Will & Emery has once again been shortlisted for M&A Advisor of the Year as part of The Insurer’s Program Manager Awards 2025, marking the third year in a row the firm has been shortlisted in this category.
Led by Partners Michael Halsband and Mike Byrne, McDermott’s insurance transactions team has been recognized for its strong performance representing strategics and private equity clients in high-profile transactions involving insurance companies, MGAs, and related entities.
Within the research timeframe, McDermott’s insurance transactions team represented:
- Waypoint Underwriting Management LLC, a leading specialty reinsurance managing general underwriter, in its sale to One80 Intermediaries Inc., a specialty insurance broker.
- Arden Insurance Services LLC, a tech-enabled managing general agent specializing in residential condominium association insurance, in securing a significant investment from FTV Capital, a sector-focused growth equity firm that invests in enterprise, financial technology and services companies.
- Avesi Partners, LLC, a Connecticut-based private equity firm, in its acquisition of OPOC.us, a leading provider of retirement, healthcare, benefits, human resources, payroll, and corporate wellness solutions to employers and organizations across the United States.
- Kewsong Lee, former CEO of Carlyle Group and the Founder and CEO of BellTower Partners, and BellTower in its investment in Ascot Group Limited, the Bermuda-based global specialty insurance company.
- MGG Investment Group (MGG), a direct lending investment firm, as insurance transactions and regulatory counsel, in connection with the signing of a definitive agreement for Conning & Company, Generali Investments’ wholly-owned subsidiary, to acquire a majority stake in MGG for $320 million.
- GRAM Asset Management, the private equity division of Grupo Romero Asset Management (GRAM), as insurance transaction and regulatory counsel, in connection with GRAM’s majority investment in the UniVista Insurance platform.
- Gemspring Capital, a Connecticut-based private equity firm, in the sale of Insurvia, Inc., a leading franchise-model insurance agency and financial services firm
- Bain Capital Insurance, ongoing representation of the dedicated investing unit of Bain Capital, in its recently formed fronting carrier Emerald Bay Risk Solutions.
McDermott is a proud sponsor of the Program Manager Conference & Awards 2025. Michael Halsband will be speaking at the conference as a moderator on the panel “M&A: The New Currency of Consolidation.”
Leading organizations turn to global law firm McDermott Will & Emery 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 1,400+ lawyers act on data-driven insights, deep relationships, and unmatched industry experience to deliver on our commitment of Always Better.
