AWARDS & RANKINGS / PRESS RELEASE
McDermott Recognized in Chambers UK 2025 for Innovative Solutions and Client-Centered Service
October 17, 2024
Read time: 4 min
October 17, 2024 – International law firm McDermott Will & Emery has been recognized as a leading firm in Chambers UK 2025, affirming the London office’s technical experience, commercial acumen, and innovative problem-solving across a wide range of industries.
The Firm earned a prestigious Band 1 ranking in Healthcare: Private Sector, reflecting its leadership in this vital area. One client noted that the team has “a second-to-none knowledge of healthcare law” while another said “the team takes a personable, extremely responsive, and professional approach, providing clear and actionable advice.”
McDermott also received a ranking in Banking & Finance: Lenders: Mid-Market (Band 3), with one client stating that the team’s “customer service is top notch” and another noting, “they are very practical and commercially minded and well-versed on all aspects of acquisition finance.”
Additionally, the Firm ranked in Employment: Employer (Band 5), in which one client said, “their advice was commercial, and they provided quick turnaround on queries,” and in Tax (Band 6), with one client sharing, “they go above and beyond to support, keeping the client’s priority above all else.”
Across the rankings, 18 individual London-based lawyers were recognized for their legal acumen in areas such as banking and finance, business restructuring, corporate/M&A, corporate crime & investigations, derivatives, employment, healthcare, life sciences, private equity, real estate, tax, and trade regulations. The team’s deep industry knowledge and ability to navigate complex cross-border matters continue to be hallmarks of the Firm’s overall success.
Lawyer Rankings:
Band 1
- Sharon Lamb: Healthcare: Regulatory
Band 2
- Hamid Yunis: Healthcare: Corporate/Commercial
Band 3
- Christopher Kandel: Banking & Finance: Big-Ticket
- Aymen Mahmoud: Banking & Finance: Mid-Market
- Mark Fine: Banking & Finance: Mid-Market
- Michal Berkner: Corporate/M&A: £100-800 Million
- Sharon Lamb: Healthcare: Corporate/Commercial
- Vlad Maly: Capital Markets: Derivatives
Band 4
- Simon Airey: Corporate Crime & Investigations
- Paul McGrath: Employment: Employer
Band 5
- Adrian Cohen: Restructuring/Insolvency
- Kevin Cummings: Tax
Band 6
- Mark Fennessy: Restructuring/Insolvency
- Darren Rogers: Real Estate: £150 Million and Above
Up and Coming
- Raminta Dereskeviciute: Sanctions
- Sarah Gabbai: Tax
- Fatema Orjela: Private Equity: Buyouts: Up to £500 Million and Above
Associate to Watch
- Bella North: Healthcare: Regulatory
ABOUT CHAMBERS UK
Chambers and Partners launched its first Chambers UK Guide in 1990 and today fields a 300-member research team, the largest research team of any legal directory. The New York Times has described the Chambers and Partners’ research methodology as the “gold standard.”
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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Maria Rodriguez Honored in Los Angeles Business Journal’s Leaders of Influence Labor & Employment 2024 List
AWARDS & RANKINGS / PRESS RELEASE
Maria Rodriguez Honored in Los Angeles Business Journal’s Leaders of Influence Labor & Employment 2024 List
October 15, 2024
Read time: 3 min
October 15, 2024 – International law firm McDermott Will & Emery is pleased to announce that Maria Rodriguez has been named to the Los Angeles Business Journal’s Leaders of Influence: Labor & Employment Attorneys 2024 list.
Maria advises US and international corporations on employment law compliance and mergers and acquisitions, and she defends employment cases and class action litigation. She helps clients avoid or resolve disputes and protect resources through proactive and strategic planning. Maria works with clients in the sports, media and entertainment, technology, food and restaurant, airline, transportation and distribution, healthcare and fashion industries.
The Los Angeles Business Journal’s Leaders of Influence: Labor & Employment list recognizes outstanding professionals in the industry.
View the full list of honorees.
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 Comment | UK Outlines New Scheme To Attract Investment In Renewable Energy Storage
PRESS RELEASE
McDermott Comment | UK Outlines New Scheme To Attract Investment In Renewable Energy Storage
October 15, 2024
Read time: 4 min
Sebastien Bonneau, partner at law firm McDermott Will & Emery, said:
“The UK seems to have the ambition to take the lead across Europe on building a regulatory landscape that is favourable to the data center and broader digital infrastructure sector, supporting the investment in the renewable energy storage and designating data centres as critical national infrastructure.
In contrast, the EU recently announced investments shy of 1b Euros to bolster digital connectivity networks across the European Union, which in terms of proportion looks clearly insufficient at times where the construction cost of one single large data center facility is superior to this amount.
In the race to the future, UK’s is making strides.”
Shah Jahan Khandokar, partner at law firm McDermott Will & Emery, added:
“Off the back of last week’s LDES announcement by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, yesterday’s Investment Summit (which resulted in the announcement of over £50bn of energy and data centre related projects), the onus is on the new Government to ensure that the UK really is competitive not only against other G7 countries, but also against non G7 renewable-resource rich countries which are falling within the sight of data centre developers with green aspirations. The focus needs to be on streamlining planning regulations, and, from a practical perspective, the number of stakeholders who have the ability to say no to a project; investors are of course fine with projects being vetoed, they are not however comfortable with inconsistent criteria being applied by different stakeholders, such as the Regulator, Secretary of State, Planning Inspectorate, and Local Councils and their consultation bodies. Alongside this, energy developers will need to see improvements across the entire value chain, i.e., winning long duration electricity storage auction is one thing, being grid connected in time and in line with one’s financial model is another.
We are seeing more and more developers looking at emerging markets where, for example, there may be better solar irradiation or wind yield, and on top of this, the assets may be easily located next to operational substations or the regulatory framework may allow the developer to implement the relevant transmission infrastructure. When it comes to energy intensive assets in particular, the Government needs to ensure that the UK can compete against these countries.”
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Schulte Advises Group of Preferred Equity Holders in FTX Bankruptcy
PRESS RELEASE
Schulte Advises Group of Preferred Equity Holders in FTX Bankruptcy
October 15, 2024
Read time: 3 min
Schulte Roth & Zabel successfully represented a group of preferred equity holders in the FTX bankruptcy case. Acting on behalf of these equity holders, Schulte secured a settlement and Plan Support Agreement (PSA) with the FTX debtors, which should lead to the repayment of hundreds of millions of dollars to the equity holders. Payment to equity holders in a bankruptcy – particularly one such as FTX – is very unusual.
On October 7, Chief Judge John Dorsey of Delaware approved FTX’s restructuring plan, praising the efforts of the parties involved. “I think this is a model case for how to deal with a very complex Chapter 11 proceeding. I applaud everyone involved in the negotiation process,” he stated. Schulte and its clients, working with FTX and its advisers and other preferred equity holders and their counsel, negotiated to reach a consensual resolution beneficial to all preferred equity holders.
The Schulte team is led by partner Doug Mintz, co-chair of the Business Reorganization Group, with associates Reuben Dizengoff, Robert Brown and Matthew Hamparyan providing critical support. This represents a significant accomplishment for Schulte’s clients and our team.
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Schulte Speaker Series: Nélida Tirado shares her journey as a Flamenco performer and instructor
PRESS RELEASE
Schulte Speaker Series: Nélida Tirado shares her journey as a Flamenco performer and instructor
October 11, 2024
Read time: 3 min
In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month and as part of the Schulte Speaker Series, the Latin Affinity Group hosted Flamenco performer and instructor Nélida Tirado, known globally for her grace and powerful style as a dancer.
Recognized by The New York Times as “magnificent” and “utterly compelling,” Nélida is a dynamic performer who embodies the passion of Flamenco and Latin dance. She was exposed to music and dance at the age of six, beginning her formal training in classical ballet, Graham technique and Spanish dance at Ballet Hispanico of New York, where she later formed part of their apprentice company.
Before her Flamenco performance, Nélida discussed the origins of Flamenco and Latin dance, its cross-cultural influences and how it shapes one’s identity. She underscored the unifying power of dance and music, explaining how they are synergetic artforms that bring individuals from different backgrounds and nationalities together to create a meaningful performance. Motioning to her guitarist and singer, Nélida said playfully, “We are aligned in artistry, not our nationality.”
Learn more about Nélida.
Learn more about DEI at Schulte.
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McDermott Advises Oldenburgische Landesbank on Refinancing of Rhein Invest Portfolio Company Aufwind Jugendhilfe
DEAL ANNOUNCEMENT / PRESS RELEASE
McDermott Advises Oldenburgische Landesbank on Refinancing of Rhein Invest Portfolio Company Aufwind Jugendhilfe
October 14, 2024
Read time: 3 min
Munich, October 11, 2024 – McDermott Will & Emery has advised Oldenburgische Landesbank (OLB) on the refinancing of the Aufwind Jugendhilfe Group held by the private equity investor Rhein Invest.
Aufwind Jugendhilfe is a social institution with around 150 employees in Lünen, Dortmund and Drensteinfurt, Münsterland. Aufwind has been in the portfolio of the German-Dutch investment company Rhein Invest since 2023.
OLB is a profitably growing universal bank for retail and corporate customers in Germany and selected neighboring European countries. Under the brands OLB Bank and Bankhaus Neelmeyer and with Degussa Bank, which was acquired in 2024, the OLB group serves almost one million customers nationwide.
The McDermott team was led by partner Ludwig Zesch and comprised associates Lorenz Schwojer, Tanvi Joshi and Eva Kanela.
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McDermott Shortlisted for Most Innovative Law Firm in North America by Financial Times
AWARDS & RANKINGS / PRESS RELEASE
McDermott Shortlisted for Most Innovative Law Firm in North America by Financial Times
October 10, 2024
Read time: 3 min
October 10, 2024 – International law firm McDermott Will & Emery has been named a finalist in six categories as part of the Financial Times Innovative Lawyers Awards North America 2024, including Most Innovative Law Firm for the fourth consecutive year.
McDermott is also shortlisted for Innovation in Using Data; Innovative Lawyers in Energy Transition; Innovative Lawyers in Healthcare & Life Sciences; and Innovative Lawyers in Pro Bono. Healthcare Partner Lisa Mazur is additionally shortlisted for Innovative Practitioner.
The Innovative Lawyers North America 2024 report, launching in December, will highlight digitally advanced firms and in-house teams that are using innovative approaches to deliver exceptional value to businesses and society. The report will also highlight outstanding leaders and individuals innovating in the legal space.
You can read more about the Innovative Lawyers Awards North America.
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 Osivax on Exclusive License Option Agreement with KM Biologics Co, Ltd for Broad-Spectrum “Universal” Influenza Vaccine in Japan
DEAL ANNOUNCEMENT / PRESS RELEASE
McDermott Advises Osivax on Exclusive License Option Agreement with KM Biologics Co, Ltd for Broad-Spectrum “Universal” Influenza Vaccine in Japan
October 10, 2024
Read time: 3 min
McDermott Will & Emery advised Osivax, a biopharmaceutical company developing broad-spectrum vaccines against highly mutated infectious viruses, on exclusive license option agreement granting KM Biologics Co, Ltd, a leading vaccine manufacturer in Japan, an exclusive license option to develop, manufacture and commercialize Osivax’s broad-spectrum “universal” influenza vaccine candidates for the Japanese market.
The McDermott team on this deal included Anne-France Moreau (Partner – Paris) and Caroline Noyrez (Associate – Paris).
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 Palatino on Strategic Partnership with La Bottega
DEAL ANNOUNCEMENT / PRESS RELEASE
McDermott Advises Palatino on Strategic Partnership with La Bottega
October 10, 2024
Read time: 3 min
McDermott Will & Emery has advised Palatino and its shareholders on a strategic partnership with La Bottega.
This alliance combines the expertise and resources of both companies to offer an integrated service to luxury hotels worldwide, with a focus on growth and innovation in the sector.
The McDermott team on this transaction comprised:
- Fabrice Piollet (partner) Julien-Pierre Tannoury and Fayçal Laraki (associates) in Paris
- Ettore Scandale, Carlo Maria Paolella (partners) and Oscar Arcà (counsel) in Milan
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 AREV Partners on the Acquisition of a Joint Majority Stake with Bluegem in Groupe Pinard
DEAL ANNOUNCEMENT / PRESS RELEASE
McDermott Advises AREV Partners on the Acquisition of a Joint Majority Stake with Bluegem in Groupe Pinard
October 9, 2024
Read time: 3 min
McDermott Will & Emery has advised AREV Partners on the acquisition of a joint majority stake with Bluegem in Groupe Pinard, a group specializing in the design and manufacture of packaging solutions for prestige and luxury brands in the beauty and personal care sectors.
AREV Partners and Bluegem succeed IK, present in the Group’s capital since 2017, while the founding family and management team reinvest.
The McDermott team on this transaction comprised :
- Guillaume Kellner, partner, Stanislas Offroy and Auriane Tournay, associates, on corporate aspects
- Antoine Vergnat, partner, and Paul-Henry de Laguiche, associate, on tax aspects
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.
