PRESS RELEASE
McDermott Adds New Director of AI Innovation
September 30, 2024
Read time: 4 min
International law firm McDermott Will & Emery welcomes Christopher Cyrus as its first Director of AI Innovation. A seasoned attorney and consultant with a rich background in law and technology, Christopher will lead the Firm’s efforts in exploring, adopting and implementing cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) solutions.
“We believe the business of law will continue to be disrupted and evolve through AI and this addition to our team marks a significant step forward in our commitment to innovation,” said Michael Shea, McDermott’s Chief Information Officer. “Christopher’s expertise will be instrumental in driving AI use cases and adoption within our practice groups. His unique blend of legal and technological expertise will help us source best in class AI technology and ensure we’re deploying these tools in intelligent ways to improve operational efficiency.”
Leveraging his background as a litigator, Christopher has expertise in creatively using AI to work more efficiently on a number of attorney-facing use cases. He has consulted with professionals from AmLaw 50 firms, in-house legal departments and T-15 law school faculty on incorporating large language models and other transformer-architecture technologies into their workflows.
In his new position, Christopher will serve as a champion and advocate for AI technologies within the Firm, highlighting success stories, potential use cases and the strategic advantages of AI adoption. He will collaborate with attorneys, IT staff and management to identify opportunities for AI to enhance legal services and operational efficiency, critically evaluating new tools and driving successful delivery of custom and third-party solutions. Christopher will also plan and execute custom AI solution deployments.
“I look forward to helping McDermott lawyers leverage AI to deliver even more value to their clients and the Firm,” Christopher said. “As Wharton Professor Ethan Mollick has explained, generative AI is a once-in-a-generation technology that touches every industry and every aspect of life. Like Mollick, I believe GenAI’s unique and powerful functionalities can best be tapped by those who understand parts of culture more deeply than everyone else. The lawyers at McDermott are all knowledge leaders in their field and are well positioned to capitalize on this technology.”
The appointment, and creation of the Director of AI Innovation role, is the latest milestone in McDermott’s innovation journey, which keeps the Firm ahead of the curve and propels client success. The Firm is at the forefront of technology, including experimenting with and adopting generative AI platforms. McDermott was the first AmLaw firm to implement its own ChatGPT servers, helping develop best-use cases, such as processing client data through the lens of leading large language models. In addition, the Firm made a $10M anchor investment in the LegalTech Fund in 2021, underscoring its commitment to propel client success through innovation.
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 Pro Bono Team Secures Early Release Under the Incarceration Reduction Amendment Act
PRESS RELEASE
Schulte Pro Bono Team Secures Early Release Under the Incarceration Reduction Amendment Act
September 30, 2024
Read time: 3 min
Schulte Roth & Zabel’s pro bono team worked with The Second Look Project for the last two years to fight for the early release of our client Michael Newman, under the Incarceration Reduction Amendment Act, which provides a sentence review procedure for young offenders serving lengthy prison terms. Mr. Newman served over 30 years in prison for his involvement in a crime committed when he was just 21-years old. We are ecstatic to share that last week, the Superior Court of DC granted Mr. Newman’s motion for early release.
The Schulte pro bono team successfully argued that Mr. Newman’s role in the crime was a result of childhood trauma that left him impulsive and impressionable. The Court agreed that during his imprisonment, Michael changed substantially, now demonstrating maturity, rehabilitation, and a fitness to reenter society. The Court found that Michael poses no danger to the community and that the interests of justice warranted a sentence reduction.
Schulte was extremely grateful to inform Michael and his family of his release and humbled to be present when he was reunited with his family. Schulte partner Charles Clark stated, “This win for Mr. Newman is the result of a lot of hard work by a number of folks at Schulte.” Charles led a team that included associates Ashley Cardenas, Greg Devaney, Kyle Hendrix, Braden King and Hamdi Soysal.
Learn more about The Second Look Project.
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McDermott Advises Finoli on the Acquisition of a Stake by Seven2 in School of Arts
DEAL ANNOUNCEMENT / PRESS RELEASE
McDermott Advises Finoli on the Acquisition of a Stake by Seven2 in School of Arts
September 27, 2024
Read time: 3 min
McDermott Will & Emery has advised Finoli, a French industrial group, on the acquisition of a stake by Seven2 in School of Arts, a leading private higher education group dedicated to the artistic and creative professions, which Finoli took over in 2022.
Seven2’s investment alongside Finoli is dedicated to give the School of Arts group the means to double in size in the short term, whether through organic growth or a policy of targeted acquisitions in France and Europe.
The McDermott team comprised:
- Grégoire Andrieux, Marie-Muriel Barthelet, partners, Boris Wolkoff and Fayçal Laraki, associates, on Corporate aspects
- Antoine Vergnat, partner, and Fanny Le Pogam, 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.
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McDermott Advises Kreissparkasse Biberach on Acquisition Financing for VTC
DEAL ANNOUNCEMENT / PRESS RELEASE
McDermott Advises Kreissparkasse Biberach on Acquisition Financing for VTC
September 27, 2024
Read time: 3 min
Munich, September 27, 2024 – McDermott Will & Emery has advised the Kreissparkasse Biberach on the successful financing of the acquisition of Hürner Luft- und Umwelttechnik by the Munich-based private group VTC.
Acting as Mandated Lead Arranger, Agent and Security Agent, Kreissparkasse Biberach arranged a customized syndicated loan facility with other savings banks for VTC.
Kreissparkasse Biberach is a member of the Sparkassen-Finanzgruppe. The bank is owned by the district of Biberach. Approximately 900 employees work in about 40 branches. In 2023, Kreissparkasse Biberach had a balance sheet total of €6.49 billion.
HLU – Hürner Luft- und Umwelttechnik is a German company with more than 180 employees that combines future-oriented air technology with sustainable environmental technology.
Based in Munich, Germany, VTC GmbH & Co. KG is an investment holding company that focuses on both the further development of their existing group companies and the acquisition of new investments.
The McDermott team was led by partners Ludwig Zesch and Matthias Weissinger and comprised counsel Maximilian Meyer as well as associates Franziska Sauer and Romy Lanz.
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McDermott Represents H.I.G. Capital in Cross-Border Sale of its Life Sciences Portfolio Company BIOVECTRA Inc.
DEAL ANNOUNCEMENT / PRESS RELEASE
McDermott Represents H.I.G. Capital in Cross-Border Sale of its Life Sciences Portfolio Company BIOVECTRA Inc.
September 25, 2024
Read time: 3 min
International law firm McDermott Will & Emery represented H.I.G. Capital, LLC (H.I.G.), a leading global alternative investment firm with $65 billion of capital under management, in the sale of its portfolio company, BIOVECTRA Inc. (BIOVECTRA) to Agilent Technologies, Inc.
BIOVECTRA is a Canada-based contract development and manufacturing organization for key ingredients used in branded drugs to treat a broad range of complex diseases. H.I.G. acquired BIOVECTRA in 2019.
The McDermott team was led by Harris Siskind, Alex Clavero, Maria Navarro and Brad Burcroff.
McDermott’s private equity (PE) practice is among the top four most active PE law firms globally and in the US with more than 160 dedicated PE lawyers across 21 locations. We have ranked Pitchbook’s Top 5 Healthcare PE firm for six consecutive years and are Top 10 in PE Buyouts and other PE deals. We are also ranked as a Top 10 Global Mid-Market PE Firm by Bloomberg and #7 PE Law firm by The Deal. Learn more about our PE practice by visiting pe.mwe.com.
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 AgenT-biotech on its Partnership with Inovie Group to Revolutionize Alzheimer’s Disease Detection
DEAL ANNOUNCEMENT / PRESS RELEASE
McDermott Advises AgenT-biotech on its Partnership with Inovie Group to Revolutionize Alzheimer’s Disease Detection
September 25, 2024
Read time: 3 min
McDermott Will & Emery has advised AgenT-biotech, a pioneering developer of a blood-based diagnostic test for the silent phase of Alzheimer’s disease, on its collaboration with INOVIE Group, the world leader in clinical laboratory networks, to revolutionize the detection of Alzheimer’s disease.
The McDermott team on this operation was composed of Anne-France Moreau and Emmanuelle Trombe, partners, and Caroline Noyrez, 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 Abenex on the Contemplated Sale of EDL to Dentressangle
DEAL ANNOUNCEMENT / PRESS RELEASE
McDermott Advises Abenex on the Contemplated Sale of EDL to Dentressangle
September 25, 2024
Read time: 2 min
McDermott Will & Emery advised Abenex on the contemplated sale of EDL, a European player in software for medical imaging and diagnostic services, to Dentressangle Capital.
The McDermott team comprised:
- Grégoire Andrieux, Partner, Maxime Fradet, Counsel, and Auriane Tournay, 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 Represents Flourish Research in a Majority Investment from Genstar Capital
DEAL ANNOUNCEMENT / PRESS RELEASE
McDermott Represents Flourish Research in a Majority Investment from Genstar Capital
September 24, 2024
Read time: 3 min
International law firm McDermott Will & Emery represented NMS Capital (NMS) and its portfolio company Flourish Research (Flourish), a leading multi-site clinical trial organization focused on cardiovascular, metabolic, neuroscience and infectious disease therapeutic areas among others, in a strategic majority investment from Genstar Capital (Genstar), a leading private equity firm focused on investments in targeted segments of the healthcare, financial services, software, and industrials industries.
McDermott represented NMS in its formation of Flourish and acquisition of Clinical Trials of Texas in 2021, and has, since, worked closely with NMS and Flourish to support its growth and operations as it developed a network of 24 sites and 150 investigators conducting studies spanning all phases of clinical trial research.
The McDermott team included Bernie Grondin, Dana Dombey, Chelsea Rogers, Morgan Pollard, Karis Jackson, Sarah Kitchell, Kyle Hafkey, Jae Lee, Paul Gadiock, Marissa Hill Daley, Deepali Doddi, Alex Ruiz, Kwabena Yeboah, Abigail Kagan, Dawn Peacock, Greg Heltzer, Ty Carson, Sarah Bro, Courtney Seams, Elena Otero, Kristi Mankowske, Jeffrey Holdvogt, Jennifer Hill, and Joshua Samis.
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 Aukera Energy on the Acquisition of a Photovoltaic Project in Germany
DEAL ANNOUNCEMENT / PRESS RELEASE
McDermott Advises Aukera Energy on the Acquisition of a Photovoltaic Project in Germany
September 24, 2024
Read time: 3 min
Frankfurt, September 24, 2024 – McDermott Will & Emery has advised Aukera Energy on the acquisition of a photovoltaic project in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany, by way of a share deal. The seller is a German renewable energy project developer.
The PV project is expected to have a capacity of 46 MW for photovoltaics and 40 MW for BESS. It is expected to be ready for construction by the first quarter of 2025.
Aukera Energy focuses on the development, construction and operation of solar, wind and battery storage projects. Headquartered in Brussels and with offices in London, Edinburgh, Berlin, Rome and Bucharest, the company is currently developing a pipeline of 15 GW.
McDermott’s Energy & Infrastructure team regularly advises on a wide range of projects and transactions in the energy and infrastructure sectors, as well as on issues related to the energy transition. Advising on projects in the field of renewable energies (including storage and other energy transition issues) is a particular focus of the team.
Aukera Energy was advised by McDermott partner Maximilian Uibeleisen and his team, including counsel Simon Groneberg and associates Jan Ischreyt and Constanze Götz as well as tax counsel Maximilian Meyer.
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The British Legal Awards Names McDermott International Law Firm of the Year Finalist
AWARDS & RANKINGS / PRESS RELEASE
The British Legal Awards Names McDermott International Law Firm of the Year Finalist
September 24, 2024
Read time: 3 min
September 24, 2024 – International law firm McDermott Will & Emery has been named a finalist for International Law Firm of the Year as part of the 2024 British Legal Awards. This recognition highlights the Firm’s exceptional global legal services and commitment to excellence.
McDermott is additionally shortlisted for Banking and Finance Team of the Year and Disputes Team of the Year. Furthermore, Aymen Mahmoud, managing partner of the Firm’s London office, has been named a finalist for Partner of the Year.
The British Legal Awards, hosted by Law.com International, are now in their 15th year and are renowned for celebrating the outstanding achievements of the United Kingdom’s top legal professionals, firms, and teams.
Read more about the finalists 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 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.
