AWARDS & RANKINGS / PRESS RELEASE
McDermott’s Allison Wilkerson Inducted as Fellow of American College of Employee Benefits Counsel
November 4, 2023
Read time: 3 min
International law firm McDermott Will & Emery is pleased to announce Dallas-based partner Allison Wilkerson has been inducted as a Fellow of the American College of Employee Benefits Counsel (ACEBC). ACEBC membership is by nomination only and limited to those who have at least 20 years of experience and have made outstanding contributions to the practice of employee benefits law. The induction of the new Fellows took place on November 4, 2023, in New Orleans, LA.
“Allison has distinguished herself nationally as an outstanding ESOP lawyer” said Andrew Liazos, head of McDermott’s Employee Benefits practice. “We congratulate Allison on this significant accomplishment and are honored to have her as a colleague.”
Allison leads McDermott’s Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) practice and advises on a broad array of matters under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA). Allison has represented employers, trustees and other fiduciaries in hundreds of ESOP transactions, including leveraged buyouts, mergers, acquisitions and the structuring and financing of ESOPs using private equity. Allison chairs the ABA Tax Section’s ESOP subcommittee and is a member of the ESOP Association. Earlier this year Allison led the McDermott team assisting accounting and advisory firm BDO USA with its ESOP transition, helping to create one of the largest ESOPs in the country.
Allison joins her colleagues Ted Becker, Andrew Liazos and Todd Solomon as McDermott partners inducted into the ACEBC.
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 International Technology Litigator in Los Angeles
PRESS RELEASE
McDermott Adds International Technology Litigator in Los Angeles
November 3, 2023
Read time: 4 min
International law firm McDermott Will & Emery welcomes Jonathan (Jon) Hawk to its Litigation Practice Group based in Los Angeles. Jon, who joins as a partner, is an accomplished international commercial litigator with substantial experience advocating for technology, internet and online platform companies.
“Highly sophisticated social media and platform use cases continue to emerge in the context of internet business operations and face increased regulatory pressure alongside a patchwork of varying regulations,” said Steven Scholes, global head of McDermott’s Litigation Practice Group. “Jon understands the business risks associated with a growing internet footprint, and he fiercely represents clients in the courtroom when issues cannot be mitigated earlier.”
Jon represents online platforms that are household names in complex, multinational legal disputes including privacy, consumer protection, competition and defamation issues. He counsels clients on class action, corporate governance, fiduciary duty and contract disputes involving intermediary liability, privacy and defamation, unfair competition, consumer protection, contractual obligations, intellectual property and fundamental rights. Jon also helps clients navigate the regulatory landscape both in product launches and in new regulatory actions affecting platforms.
Drawing on a deep understanding of policy issues, Jon has a strong track record of helping technology companies and online platforms address their most pressing regulatory, legislative and product challenges. In related work, he has led complex mass action before the highest civil and constitutional courts on novel issues regarding the rights of consumer-facing platforms and their users.
“McDermott has an impressive track record of growth and fantastic brand recognition,” said Jon. “There are strong synergies between my work and many McDermott lawyers’ practices, and I’m eager for the opportunity to leverage the Firm’s global platform for my clients’ benefit.”
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’s Energy & Project Finance Practice Group Shortlisted for “Legal Adviser of the Year” by IJInvestor
AWARDS & RANKINGS / PRESS RELEASE
McDermott’s Energy & Project Finance Practice Group Shortlisted for “Legal Adviser of the Year” by IJInvestor
November 2, 2023
Read time: 3 min
International law firm McDermott Will & Emery’s Energy & Project Finance Practice Group has been shortlisted for “Legal Adviser of the Year” as part of the IJInvestor Americas Awards 2023. The category honors outstanding performance by law firms advising clients that deploy capital in energy and infrastructure assets.
Within the research period, the McDermott team advised:
- Beam Suntory Inc. in its $400 million Renewable Energy Services Agreement with 3Rivers Energy Partners
- Pine Gate Renewables in nearly $500 million in tax equity investment and debt financing by Google’s renewable energy investing subsidiary
- BayoTech, Inc. in its hydrogen hub expansion and Nikola partnership
The IJInvestor Americas Awards celebrate the best funds and M&A activity in the energy and infrastructure markets. Nominations are submitted by the industry and reviewed by a panel of independent judges.
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 Advances Global Transactions Practice With New Finance Partner In Germany
PRESS RELEASE
McDermott Advances Global Transactions Practice With New Finance Partner In Germany
November 1, 2023
Read time: 4 min
International law firm McDermott Will & Schulte welcomes Matthias Weissinger as a partner in its Munich office, further strengthening the Finance Practice in Germany.
Matthias Weissinger advises sponsors, debt funds, national and international financial institutions and corporate clients on acquisition financings, unitranche financings and corporate loans. He also has broad experience advising on complex financial restructurings and insolvency proceedings. In addition, Matthias is recognised as a leading finance lawyer by the foremost legal and business directories including Chambers, Juve, Legal 500, IFLR and German business journals such as Handelsblatt and Wirtschaftswoche.
“Matthias’s appointment continues our strategy of building a top-tier German private equity and finance offering for our clients,” said Harris Siskind, global head of McDermott’s Transactions Practice. “Matthias’s outstanding experience in acquisition finance specifically expands our private equity capability in Munich.”
“With the addition of Matthias Weissinger, we are continuing the strategic expansion of our PE and finance groups,” explained Dr Jens Ortmanns, managing partner of McDermott’s Germany offices.
“We are excited to welcome Matthias as another accomplished expert in financing matters; with his experience in distressed debt restructurings he is building a bridge to our established restructuring practice,” said Dr Carsten Böhm, managing partner of McDermott’s office in Munich.
“I am thrilled to be joining McDermott. The Firm has a superb reputation in private equity, finance and restructurings and I look forward to working closely with my new colleagues across offices and practice areas to serve our clients and assist them with their financing needs,” said Matthias.
McDermott recently strengthened its German practice with the addition of private equity partners Holger Ebersberger and Hanno Witt in Munich, along with finance partner Ludwig Zesch who is – together with Matthias Weissinger – working closely with the German PE and transactions team in the area of acquisition finance. Earlier this year, Felix Ganzer joined the firm in Frankfurt, successfully expanding the capital markets practice.
McDermott’s Transactions Practice Group in Germany now counts 35 partners and another 51 lawyers at the Frankfurt, Munich and Düsseldorf/Cologne offices.
McDermott Will & Schulte 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 Cordis in its Acquisition of MedAlliance
DEAL ANNOUNCEMENT / PRESS RELEASE
McDermott Represents Cordis in its Acquisition of MedAlliance
October 31, 2023
Read time: 3 min
International law firm McDermott Will & Emery represented Cordis, a worldwide leader in the development and manufacturing of interventional cardiovascular and endovascular technologies, in its acquisition of MedAlliance, a Swiss based company at the forefront of transformative drug-eluting balloons.
Cordis has a 60-year history of pioneering breakthrough cardiovascular technologies to treat millions of patients. Cordis has established a legacy of innovation in high-quality and minimally invasive cardiovascular products and built a strong global footprint with operations in more than 70 countries. Both Cordis and MedAlliance are focused on helping patients and improving the medical space through their impressive technology.
McDermott also represented Cordis in its initial investment in MedAlliance which occurred in late 2022.
The McDermott transaction team was led by Todd Finger, Bill Hadler and Taylor Berman with invaluable assistance from Michael Bruno, Ryan Forman, Rich Smith, Abigail Kagan, Kate Williams, Jacob Hollinger, Lisa Loesel, Dan O’Neil, Ryan Higgins, Li Wang, Greg Heltzer, Ty Carson, Anisa Mohanty, Sabine Nauges, Benoit Feroldi, Caroline Noyrez, Bella North, Eleanor West, Ryan Clarke and David Levine.
Read Cordis’ press release.
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’s Miami Office Receives Equal Justice Pro Bono Large Firm Award from Legal Services of Greater Miami, Inc.
PRESS RELEASE
McDermott’s Miami Office Receives Equal Justice Pro Bono Large Firm Award from Legal Services of Greater Miami, Inc.
October 26, 2023
Read time: 4 min
International law firm McDermott Will & Emery has been honored with Legal Services of Greater Miami, Inc.’s (Legal Services) Equal Justice Pro Bono Large Firm Award.
The Firm was selected for its continued contributions to Legal Services and its clients through initiatives like the Transactional Equal Justic Clinic, taking on full-representation matters and its active pro bono volunteerism through legal clinics. For example, in September 2023, McDermott and Assurant hosted a Transactional Equal Justice Program (TEJP) clinic with Legal Services, where more than 30 lawyers participated in a variety of transactional focused cases for 10+ deserving clients. Through TEJP and other programs, McDermott has provided meaningful and much-needed legal assistance to individuals, non-profits and low-to-moderate income small business owners, helping them to launch, manage or operate a business.
“McDermott’s ongoing support of Legal Services has made a tremendous impact in our community, touching the lives of families and their neighborhoods,” said Legal Services CEO Monica Vigues-Pitan. “I would like to thank McDermott for being part of the Legal Services’ family and for its leadership and commitment to building a community of equal justice.”
“Our partnership with Legal Services is an important one,” said Michael Bruno, Partner in McDermott’s Tax Practice Group and founder of Legal Services’ Transactional Equal Justice Program. “We appreciate the opportunity to have our corporate, healthcare, tax, private client and other transactional lawyers work collaboratively cross-practice to help serve the Miami business community.”
The team members recognized for their work with Legal Services include Dana Dombey, Michael Bruno, Asra Chatham, Michael Chu, Justin Aiello, Sarah Bro, Matthew Friendly, Michael Hacker, Steven Hadjilogiou, Elvira Kras, Maria Navarro, Elena Otero, Arianne Plasencia, Melissa Moszkowski Price, Jay Scharf, Andrea Zazulia, Lester Perling, Ryan Forman, Saniya Ahmed, Bradfield Biggers, Daniel Fernández, Sama Kaseer and Courtney Seams.
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.
ABOUT LEGAL SERVICES OF GREATER MIAMI
Legal Services of Greater Miami is the largest provider of broad-based civil legal services for the poor in Miami-Dade and Monroe and is recognized in the state and in the nation as a model legal services program. In any given year, Legal Services provides services which benefits almost 20,000 vulnerable members of our community who have nowhere else to turn for help – women, children, seniors, veterans returning from combat, people with disabilities, low wage workers and those experiencing homelessness–who have problems in the areas of tenants’ rights, homeownership, health and income maintenance, employment, special education, tax and consumer rights. For more information, visit www.legalservicesmiami.org and connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.
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McDermott Paris Promotes Three Partners and a Counsel
PRESS RELEASE
McDermott Paris Promotes Three Partners and a Counsel
October 26, 2023
Read time: 2 min
McDermott Will & Emery is continuing its development and affirming its commitment to organic growth with the promotion of three partners and one counsel. These appointments will be effective from 1 January 2024.
For the full press release in French.
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 Deepens Tax Controversy Practice With New York Partner
PRESS RELEASE
McDermott Deepens Tax Controversy Practice With New York Partner
October 26, 2023
Read time: 4 min
International law firm McDermott Will & Emery expands its Tax Practice Group with the addition of Frank Jackson as a partner based in New York. As a former trial lawyer and national tax shelter project lawyer for the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Frank has a unique understanding of various tax authorities’ priorities and processes. He represents multi-national businesses, non-profits, estates and high global wealth individuals in disputes involving a wide variety of sophisticated tax matters.
“Frank brings tremendous tax controversy experience to our practice,” said Timothy Shuman, global head of McDermott’s Tax Practice. “His background representing clients in IRS investigations, as well as his position as an in-house lawyer for the IRS early in his career, brings critical insights to clients of our Tax, Private Client and Litigation Practice Groups, among others.”
Frank represents clients during tax examinations, administrative appeals and litigation in federal and state trial and appellate courts. In cases where tax liabilities have been assessed but not paid, he represents clients before the IRS Collection Division, including in the negotiation of installment agreements, offers in compromise and in resolving lien priority and levy disputes. Frank also handles sensitive tax matters involving allegations of fraud and helps clients avoid penalties and criminal charges.
Frank’s career highlights include:
- Obtaining full concession from the IRS in a Tax Court matter affirming the taxpayer’s position that $50 million from litigation funding was properly characterized as long-term capital gain
- Obtaining retroactive reinstatement of a global not-for-profit organization’s federal tax-exempt status as well as abatement of all related penalties, avoiding more than $20 million in tax, penalties and interest
- Representing trial counsel in a Tax Court case involving a large multinational hedge fund advisory firm
“McDermott’s unique integrated approach and global footprint aligns with my commitment to providing high-quality service to my clients,” said Frank. “I’m thrilled to join the Firm.”
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 Cross-Border Team Advises Great Mountain Partners and its Subsidiary, Vuelta Group, on Five Transactions in Germany, Italy, France and Denmark
DEAL ANNOUNCEMENT / PRESS RELEASE
McDermott Cross-Border Team Advises Great Mountain Partners and its Subsidiary, Vuelta Group, on Five Transactions in Germany, Italy, France and Denmark
October 25, 2023
Read time: 4 min
International law firm McDermott Will & Emery represented Great Mountain Partners and its subsidiary, Vuelta Group, on five global transactions led by relationship partner David M. Grimes. The Vuelta Group is a pan-European company that distributes and produces cinema and TV projects for an international audience. Great Mountain Partners, based in New Haven, CT, is a $10 billion private markets investor providing its partners long-term capital solutions throughout the capital structure.
MUNICH
McDermott Advises Vuelta Productions Limited in its Acquisition of SquareOne Entertainment to Build Vuelta Group
McDermott advised Vuelta Group on the acquisition of German SquareOne Entertainment GmbH for the newly formed Vuelta Group. SquareOne Entertainment GmbH is a film and TV production and distribution company based in Unterfoehring near Munich, Germany.
The McDermott team was led by David Grimes, Dr. Philipp Grenzebach and Dr. Wolfgang von Frentz and included Dr. Christian Masch, Kai Grandpierre, Sebastian Klein and Simon Apelojg.
MILAN
McDermott Represents Vuelta Productions Limited in its Acquisition of Indiana Production S.p.A.
McDermott advised the Vuelta Group on its acquisition of the entire share capital of Indiana Production S.p.A., a company active in production for film, TV and advertising.
The McDermott team was led by David Grimes and Fabrizio Faina and included Paola Perin, Carlo Lemmi, Francesco Carrà and Matteo Landini. The notarial aspects of the transaction were handled by the notary’s office Milano Notai in the person of the notary Giovanella Condò.
PARIS
McDermott Represents Vuelta Productions Limited in Minority Investment in Pan
McDermott represented VueltaGroup, in Vuelta’s 33.6% minority equity investment into Pan SAS, a French company producing and distributing cinematographic films. The shareholders’ agreement entered into by Vuelta with the current shareholders of Pan contemplates the acquisition by Vuelta of the remaining share capital of Pan in two transactions in 2026 and 2028.
The McDermott team included David Grimes, Nicolas Lafont, Alexandre Adande, Claire Chabat, Romain Desmont and Abdel Abdallah.
McDermott Represents Vuelta Productions Limited in its Acquisition of Playtime
McDermott also represented Vuelta Group in the acquisition of Playtime SAS, a French company producing and distributing cinematographic films around the world. Due to French rules governing public subsidies to French cinema companies, one of the sellers kept one share in Playtime giving it 51% of the voting rights of the company.
The McDermott team included David Grimes, Nicolas Lafont, Henri Nalbandyan, Romain Desmont and Abdel Abdallah.
COPENHAGEN
McDermott Represents Vuelta Productions Limited in its Acquisition of Scanbox Entertainment Group ApS
McDermott advised the Vuelta Group on its acquisition of the entire share capital of Scanbox Entertainment Group ApS, and its affiliates, a leading Nordic producer and distributor of films and television. Scanbox is based in Copenhagen and has offices in Reykjavik, Oslo and Stockholm.
The McDermott team was led by David Grimes and included Smith Alpert, Ethan Heller, Sarah Gabbai, Lisa Richman, Hendrik Viaene, and Karolien Van der Putten, working with Danish local counsel, Gorrissen Federspiel.
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 Continues Expansion of Private Equity Practice with Counsel Addition in Munich
PRESS RELEASE
McDermott Continues Expansion of Private Equity Practice with Counsel Addition in Munich
October 25, 2023
Read time: 3 min
Munich, October 23, 2023 – McDermott Will & Emery continues to expand its private equity practice with a counsel addition. Thomas Diekmann joins McDermott’s Munich office from Kirkland & Ellis effective November.
Thomas advises private equity sponsors and other financial investors on domestic and cross-border M&A transactions. Thomas started his legal career in 2017 at Latham & Watkins, where he already worked with current McDermott partner Hanno Witt. He moved to Kirkland & Ellis in 2021.
“With Thomas, we welcome a dedicated colleague to our Munich team who will support us in the strategic development of our private equity practice. We are very pleased to have him on the team” said Dr. Carsten Böhm, Managing Partner of McDermott’s Munich office.
Thomas will work closely with Holger Ebersberger and Hanno Witt, who joined McDermott as Private Equity partners a few months ago.
