COVERAGE / DEAL ANNOUNCEMENT / PRESS RELEASE
McDermott Advises NORD Holding Portfolio Company EWERK on Add-on Acquisition
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Read time: 3 min
Munich, February XX, 2025 – McDermott Will & Emery advises German IT service provider EWERK, a portfolio company of NORD Holding, on the acquisition of sedevo – secure development and operations – IT Consulting GmbH.
EWERK founded in 1994, provides digital solutions for critical infrastructure operators. Headquartered in Leipzig, Germany, with project offices in Berlin, Zurich, Wolfsburg and Bayreuth, Germany, the company employs over 200 people. Its customers are European companies in the energy, healthcare, mobility and public sectors.
Sedevo has been offering IT services and IT consulting since 2007 from its locations in Stuttgart and Bergisch Gladbach – Bensberg.
NORD Holding is a private equity and asset management company with assets under management of around EUR 4 billion. The company acquired a majority stake in EWERK in 2020.
The McDermott team was led by partner Holger H. Ebersberger and counsel Alexandra Prato and comprised partners Florian Schiefer, Christian Rolf, Steffen Woitz and Claus Färber as well as associates Armin Teymouri, Julia Külzer, Sönke Wassermann, Matthias M. Bosbach and Romy Lanz.
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 1,400 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 Helaba Landesbank Hessen-Thüringen on the Lease of 73,000 sqm in the Central Business Tower to Commerzbank AG
COVERAGE / DEAL ANNOUNCEMENT / PRESS RELEASE
McDermott Advises Helaba Landesbank Hessen-Thüringen on the Lease of 73,000 sqm in the Central Business Tower to Commerzbank AG
February 19, 2025
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Düsseldorf/Frankfurt, February 19, 2025 – McDermott Will & Emery has advised Helaba Landesbank Hessen-Thüringen on the conclusion of a long-term green lease agreement with Commerzbank AG for the landmark Central Business Tower project in Frankfurt’s banking district.
Commerzbank AG is renting more than 73,000 square meters in the Central Business Tower, including the entire office space in the 205-meter office tower. The lease commences upon completion of the tower in early 2028 and will run for 15 years.
The Central Business Tower consists of the 52-storey office tower (The Tower) and a five-level underground car park, complemented by a base building incorporating the listed façade and the rotunda foyer of the historic bank building dating from 1891 (The Bank). In addition to the office space for Commerzbank AG, public areas such as a restaurant, a café and a branch of the Weltkulturen Museum will be created on a gross floor area of around 115,000 square meters. The project is aiming for a platinum LEED certificate and a ‘Sustainable Construction Site’ certification from the German Sustainable Building Council.
The McDermott team was led by partner Thomas Beisken and comprised partners Pierre-André Brandt, Florian Schiefer and Frank Müller as well as associates Julia Külzer, Michael Spirk and Philip Uecker.
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 1,400 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 Advise Weinberg Capital Partners on the Acquisition of a Majority Stake in the Chesneau-Serret Group
DEAL ANNOUNCEMENT / PRESS RELEASE
McDermott Advise Weinberg Capital Partners on the Acquisition of a Majority Stake in the Chesneau-Serret Group
February 18, 2025
Read time: 3 min
McDermott Will & Emery has advised Weinberg Capital Partners’ Eiréné #1 fund on its acquisition of a majority stake in the Chesneau-Serret group, a leading player in high precision mechanics, alongside its directors David Rémongin and Amélie Pichol.
UI Investissement and the Chesneau family are also reinvesting in the group.
This partnership will support the management’s ambitions by consolidating Chesneau-Serret’s presence in its traditional markets, such as civil and military aeronautics and medical sectors, accelerating its development on new segments and pursuing an ambitious external growth strategy.
The McDermott team involved in this transaction comprised:
Corporate
Grégoire Andrieux, Partner
Côme Wirz, Counsel
Robin Lamour, Associate
Ruben Johannsen, Juriste
Financing
Pierre-Arnoux Mayoly, Partner
Stanislas Chenu, Associate
Camille Judas, Associate
Tax
Côme de Saint-Vincent, Partner
Louisiana Lungu, Associate
Social
Abdel Abdellah, Counsel
Anne-Lorraine Méreaux, 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 and industries to deliver highly effective solutions that propel success. More than 1,400 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 Nov Santé on its Investment in Germitec
DEAL ANNOUNCEMENT / PRESS RELEASE
McDermott Advises Nov Santé on its Investment in Germitec
February 17, 2025
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McDermott Will & Emery has advised the Nov Santé Actions Non Cotées fund, managed by Eurazeo and launched at the initiative of France Assureurs and Caisse des Dépôts, on its third growth equity investment in Germitec, a French MedTech innovator in high-level disinfection of ultrasound probes.
This EUR 29 million Series B investment was made alongside the company’s historical shareholders, including Kurma Partners (Eurazeo’s Venture Santé subsidiary), Financière Arbevel, Turenne Capital and the founding family.
The McDermott team involved in this transaction was composed of:
Corporate
Fabrice Piollet, Partner
Marie Mouly and Jordan Ohayon, Associates
Ruben Johannsen, Juriste
Life Sciences
Anne-France Moreau, Partner
Alice Villagrasa, Associate
Employment
Naré Arshakyan, Associate
IP/IT
Charles de Raignac, Counsel
Julie Favreau, 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 and industries to deliver highly effective solutions that propel success. More than 1,400 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 Expands Securities Litigation Offering With Strategic Hire
PRESS RELEASE
McDermott Expands Securities Litigation Offering With Strategic Hire
February 12, 2025
Read time: 5 min
International law firm McDermott Will & Emery is pleased to announce that Jared Gerber has joined the Firm as a partner in its Litigation Practice Group in New York. Jared focuses his practice on securities litigation, specifically securities class actions and shareholder derivative actions, appellate litigation, and other complex commercial litigation. He joins from Cleary Gottlieb.
“Jared’s deep experience in securities litigation and appellate advocacy strategically complements our New York office’s focus on high-stakes shareholder litigation and financial services disputes,” said Steven Scholes, global head of McDermott’s Litigation Practice Group. “At a critical time for complex shareholder litigation, Jared’s deep experience across a range of industries will serve our clients well, both in New York and nationally.”
Jared represents clients in disputes involving the Exchange Act, Securities Act, Investment Advisers Act, Williams Act, state blue sky laws, and common law in both federal and state courts. Widely recognized as a leading lawyer in his practice area, Jared has extensive trial and appellate experience, including with rulings in the US Supreme Court and lower appellate courts involving significant securities law issues. Jared counsels corporations, financial advisors, directors, and executives in securities fraud actions, merger and acquisition disputes, shareholder derivative actions, and general commercial litigation.
Jared’s notable client representations include:
- Petrobras in the sprawling securities litigation arising out of the Lava Jato scandal, including in obtaining a first-of-its-kind decision from the Second Circuit decertifying the class action based on extraterritoriality considerations
- Dozens of underwriters of Lehman Brothers securities in the multidistrict securities litigation filed following the company’s bankruptcy, including in obtaining a landmark ruling from the Supreme Court holding that class-action tolling does not apply to the Securities Act’s statute of repose
- Allergan in a securities class action filed after the recall of a medical device, including in obtaining rare decisions denying class certification and granting summary judgment on multiple grounds
“I’m thrilled to join McDermott’s strong global platform, especially its renowned trial team, with its focus on high-stakes shareholder litigation,” said Jared. “The Firm’s commitment to excellence and its collaborative culture align perfectly with my professional strengths. I look forward to working with my new colleagues and delivering excellent results for clients.”
Jared’s arrival follows the recent addition of Mary Schnoor to the Firm’s Litigation Practice Group in Washington, DC.
ABOUT McDERMOTT’S LITIGATION PRACTICE GROUP
McDermott’s team of more than 250 litigation and dispute resolution lawyers worldwide includes seasoned litigators, trial lawyers, mediators, arbitrators, appellate lawyers, and former senior US prosecutors. We represent clients across every business segment in high-impact cases, government investigations, and dispute resolution proceedings. Working seamlessly with colleagues spanning a variety of practice areas, our litigators take on emerging issues in virtually every industry (with a focus on healthcare, life sciences, accounting services, private equity, and technology) to help clients stay a step ahead of potential risks. When needed, we also develop effective and cost-efficient solutions to address complex commercial disputes, consumer and data breach class actions, international arbitrations, deal and ERISA litigation, and other business challenges. Our nationally recognized US Supreme Court and appellate practice has successfully handled hundreds of appeals and is named on The National Law Journal’s Appellate Hot List. Known for “superb lawyering combined with practical, hands-on effort” (Chambers), our team is recognized globally in Chambers, Legal 500, Best Law Firms, Global Investigations Review GIR 100, and Global Arbitration Review GAR 100.
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 1,400 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 Investment Funds Regulatory Compliance Partner in New York
PRESS RELEASE
McDermott Adds Investment Funds Regulatory Compliance Partner in New York
February 12, 2025
Read time: 4 min
International law firm McDermott Will & Emery welcomes Allison Scher Bernbach to its New York office as partner and head of the US private equity fund regulatory practice. Allison advises investment funds and private equity sponsors in the increasingly complex regulatory landscape, including through US Securities and Exchange Commission examinations, private fund formations, the full structuring of compliance programs, and investment manager acquisitions.
“The investment funds and private equity markets involve many regulatory considerations. Allison’s experience will further bolster our critical regulatory capabilities,” said Harris Siskind, global head of McDermott’s Transactions Practice Group. “We continue to see an uptick in demand in this space, and we’re delighted to welcome Allison to the team to enhance this power alley practice.”
Allison has over 25 years of experience counseling private fund advisers on regulatory and compliance issues, including in connection with the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. Her extensive regulatory compliance experience includes advising global, multi-strategy asset management firms and private equity sponsors as both outside and in-house counsel. She previously served as managing director and chief compliance officer of a large private equity investment firm.
“I’m thrilled to join McDermott and support my clients with first-class resources,” said Allison. “The Firm’s entrepreneurial spirit, focus on growth, and cross-practice collaboration will provide an excellent platform for my practice.”
McDermott’s Corporate & Transactional Practice Group includes more than 560 lawyers across more than 20 offices globally. The team regularly counsels public and private companies, financial institutions, and private equity firms across various industries on high-impact, transformative transactions. Our lawyers develop forward-thinking solutions, advising clients on everything from mergers and acquisitions to financing deals, investments, fund formations, commercial contracts, capital markets transactions, and restructurings. We lead complex, cross-border transactions in health; energy and project finance; real estate; technology and artificial intelligence; insurance; alcohol; food and beverage; and media, entertainment and sports, among other industries. In Chambers, clients noted that our “wealth of knowledge and sound, practical advice is extremely helpful.” And with a network of lawyers across multiple jurisdictions worldwide, our transactions team brings value to clients wherever they do business. McDermott is recognized as a top-tier law firm for transactions by leading league tables, including Mergermarket, LSEG, The Deal, Bloomberg, and PitchBook.
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 1,400 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 Tether in Strategic PIPE Investment and Related Tender Offer with Rumble
DEAL ANNOUNCEMENT / PRESS RELEASE
McDermott Represents Tether in Strategic PIPE Investment and Related Tender Offer with Rumble
February 10, 2025
Read time: 3 min
McDermott Will & Emery represented Tether in a $775 million strategic private investment in public equity (PIPE) investment and related tender offer in video-sharing platform and cloud services provider Rumble (NASDAQ:RUM). Tether is the largest company in the digital assets industry and the most widely used dollar stablecoin across the world with more than 400 million users.
As part of the transaction, Tether purchased 103,333,333 shares of Rumble Class A Common Stock at a price per share of $7.50, totaling $775 million in gross proceeds to Rumble.
The McDermott team was led by Dan Woodard and included David Lipkin, Caroline Samuelson, Heidi Steele, Eric Orsic, Tom Conaghan, Richard Bass, Scott Regan, Elai Katz, Ty Carson, Anthony Ferrara, and Raymond Paretzky.
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 1,400 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 Advises on BlockTower and Arca Merger Creating a ‘One-Stop Shop’ for Sophisticated Investors
PRESS RELEASE
Schulte Advises on BlockTower and Arca Merger Creating a ‘One-Stop Shop’ for Sophisticated Investors
February 10, 2025
Read time: 3 min
Schulte Roth & Zabel represented BlockTower Capital in an all-equity deal with Arca, creating a leader in the digital asset management space. The transaction will combine the strengths of both firms to provide comprehensive solutions for their sophisticated investors. BlockTower and Arca’s business units will shift under a unified Arca brand, with the exception of BlockTower Venture Capital, which will continue to operate independently.
BlockTower was formerly an institutional investment firm, applying portfolio management and other services to digital and traditional assets. The combined enterprise aims to be a comprehensive investment platform, addressing inefficiencies in the market and driving governance improvements across the industry. This transaction marks a significant step forward in creating a dynamic, one-stop shop for investors, setting the stage for future growth in the digital asset ecosystem.
The Schulte team was led by partners Eileen Overbaugh (IM) and Damian Petrovic (M&A) with Christopher Avellaneda (IM), Philippe Benedict (Tax), Joseph Reich (Tax), Saarah Woodby (M&A) and associates Mitchell DaSilva (M&A), Evan Friedman (IM) and John Treon (M&A).
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WTR 1000 Recognizes McDermott for Trademark Law Excellence for 15th Consecutive Year
AWARDS & RANKINGS / PRESS RELEASE
WTR 1000 Recognizes McDermott for Trademark Law Excellence for 15th Consecutive Year
February 7, 2025
Read time: 5 min
February 7, 2025 – For the 15th consecutive year, international law firm McDermott Will & Emery has been ranked by World Trademark Review (WTR) 1000. The guide recognizes trademark practices that are providing world-class legal experience in this space. McDermott’s trademark team continues to be named in several categories as a leading firm.
In Illinois, the Firm maintained a Silver Band ranking for prosecution and strategy and a Bronze Band ranking for enforcement and litigation. WTR stated that McDermott boasts “a global footprint with attorneys who understand business” and is noted for “leveraging resources across borders to offer international expertise to its clients.” Ranked lawyers in Illinois include:
- Christina Martini, who received a Gold Band for prosecution and strategy and a Silver Band for enforcement and litigation. As stated in WTR, she is a “trusted all-rounder” and “has collected loyal clients who provide her with rave reviews.” One client said “Christina is a strategic player who has been excellent to work with. She is professional, courteous, and understanding of internal business needs and goals while being transparent with expectations on all our matters.”
- Jennifer Mikulina, who maintained a Gold Band for prosecution and strategy and obtained a Bronze Band for enforcement and litigation. WTR described Jennifer as “thorough in all her work,” and as a “reliable source of trademark counsel across various industries. She puts her clients first, providing ‘top-notch’ service and excellent protection strategies. As well as her impressive prosecution skill, she also comes up with savvy solutions to disputes.”
In Washington, DC, McDermott received a Bronze Band for enforcement and litigation. WTR noted that the Firm “serves up comprehensive global portfolio management and brand enforcement expertise. Keeping a business perspective at the heart of its operations, the ensemble seeks to understand business goals and clients’ marketplaces, providing effective counsel and a competitive edge.” Ranked lawyers in Washington, DC, include:
- Eleanor (Ellie) Atkins, who received a Bronze Band for prosecution and strategy. Her first time being ranked in WTR 1000, Ellie is sought by clients “for her top-quality counsel and unique skill set. She excels in trademark portfolio management and helps brands to maximize their assets through strategic licensing and management.”
- Robert Zelnick, who received a Silver Band for enforcement and litigation. He is described as “a versatile IP lawyer, renowned for his successes as lead counsel for major clients in federal trial and appellate courts.” WTR further noted that he expertly handles “third-party disputes before the [Trademark Trial & Appeal Board] and crafting comprehensive global enforcement strategies.”
In California, Sarah Bro maintained a Bronze Band ranking for prosecution and strategy. Sarah is a go-to attorney for complex intellectual property matters. She has proven herself as a leader in some of the more unique, cutting-edge industries within trademark law. Her practice focuses on trademark prosecution and enforcement. She assists clients with all stages of domestic and international trademark prosecution and provides consultation and strategy with respect to the selection, clearance, enforcement and licensing of trademarks.
View the full 2025 WTR 1000 rankings.
ABOUT WORLD TRADEMARK REVIEW
WTR is the world’s only independent daily news and information service dedicated exclusively to reporting on trademark issues for in-house and private practitioners internationally. WTR 1000 is the only standalone research directory that focuses on trademark practices and practitioners.
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 1,400 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 Waterland Private Equity on the Acquisition of Wellness Sport Club Group
DEAL ANNOUNCEMENT / PRESS RELEASE
McDermott Advises Waterland Private Equity on the Acquisition of Wellness Sport Club Group
February 7, 2025
Read time: 3 min
McDermott Will & Emery advised Waterland Private Equity on the acquisition of Wellness Sport Club group, a network of premium fitness centers based in Paris, Lyon, Marseille, Nantes, and Geneva.
This partnership aims to create the leading premium fitness club chain in France, and eventually across Europe.
The McDermott team on this transaction comprised:
Corporate
Grégoire Andrieux – Partner
Herschel Guez – Partner
Robin Lamour – Associate
Benoît Maito – Associate
Tax
Côme de Saint Vincent – Partner
Armand d’Aboville – 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 and industries to deliver highly effective solutions that propel success. More than 1,400 lawyers strong, we bring our personal passion and legal prowess to bear in every matter for our clients and the people they serve.
