Corporate/M&A & Private Equity: Pennsylvania

THE FIRM This group concentrates its work on the high end of the market in Philadelphia and internationally. It has a plethora of talent to draw upon for its extensive client base, which includes an impressive number of private equity businesses and public companies. Its representation of private equity funds is particularly notable, as is its highly recognized M&A experience, which operates on a regional, domestic and international platform. The team has recently represented Crown Holdings, Court Square Capital Partners and Versa Capital Management in a variety of high-value transactions.

Sources say: "We are delighted with their understanding of what it takes, they have a lot of experts and handle a lot of different clients, and have dealt with lots of diverse issues."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Barton Winokur is a "legend" of the practice and is recommended for his representation of private equity companies on their acquisitions. He splits his time with the firm's New York office. 

Henry Nassau chairs the corporate and securities department and advises on a number of significant acquisitions. A currently flourishing area of his expertise is in growth equity investing, where he assists clients in purchasing large minority stakes in emerging businesses. He is an "extraordinarily good practitioner: he is accomplished with a long history of a strong transactional practice," notes one client. 

Daniel O'Donnell is now the CEO of Dechert and highly thought of by his peers. He acted on behalf of KKR Asset Management in its continuous offering of Corporate Capital Trust's stock, valued at $1.5 billion. 

James Lebovitz is well known and popular among his peers. Clients note that in contentious situations "he is down to earth and stands out as a leader." 

Carmen Romano is commended for his strong business sense and is also recognized for having particular expertise in the food industry; he recently worked with Lebovitz on Bravo Brio Restaurant group's IPO and secondary offering.

Craig Godshall's practice spans the healthcare, industrial and utilities sectors, where he works with both public and private companies. He regularly acts on behalf of private equity groups and for both strategic buyers and sellers. 

"Very fine lawyer" William Lawlor regularly advises his clients on cross-border transactions and corporate governance.

Geraldine Sinatra has recently advised clients on a number of transactions in the technology field. She has a focus on helping her clients achieve successful exits and liquidity objectives.

THE FIRM This powerhouse has an excellent reputation for M&A work in Pennsylvania, with offices in both Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. Acting for both regulated and unregulated companies the group offers a full service to its clients. The team wins recognition for its expertise in life sciences and has a deep bench of securities lawyers upon which it can rely. The group attracts a wide variety of clients ranging from private equity sponsors to emerging growth companies and strategic acquirers. GlaxoSmithKline, NutriSystem and AmerisourceBergen are counted among the firm's clientele.

Sources say: "They staff leanly for a large firm; they are efficient and exercise good authority."

KEY INDIVIDUALS David Gerson wins high praise for his thoughtfulness and skill in problem solving. He represents private equity funds and has particular experience in acting on behalf of both purchasers and vendors.  One commentator says: "He was tremendously diligent with our transactions and did a great job dealing with the nuances of the case."

Stephen Goodman is universally acknowledged as "the godfather for entrepreneurs in this region," and the "dean of emerging growth companies."

Heading the M&A practice is Richard Aldridge, who is accorded recommendations for his efficiency, with clients noting: "He focuses diligently on our deals and brings together a really good team." He has been active in the healthcare and pharmaceuticals industry recently. In addition to this, a recent highlight was advising GSI Commerce on its merger with eBay, where GSI's stock was bought for $2.4 billion.

Marlee Myers is the managing partner of the firm's Pittsburgh office. Her primary area of expertise lies in representing strategic acquirers, though she has extensive experience dealing in emerging growth sectors such as e-commerce and clean energy. She recently acted on behalf of long-standing client US Steel on the sale of an indirect subsidiary, Mobile River Terminal Energy.  

Alan Singer is praised for his "encyclopedic knowledge" of securities. His practice ranges from advising publicly traded companies on their SEC filings, to regulatory compliance and the integration of public and private offerings. He recently led the team acting for UniTek's public offering, which was valued at just over $90 million. 

James McKenzie is a member of both the M&A and securities practices at this firm. Highlights include representing the underwriters on Digital Domain Media's IPO, and acting for a pharmaceutical company, NuPathe, on its IPO, valued at $50 million. He earns plaudits from peers, who say: "He is incredibly smart and practical in his application of the law." 

Joanne Soslow enters the rankings this year following extensive praise from the market, with sources describing her as "a fabulous securities lawyer." Her practice focuses on public companies and emerging growth companies in a variety of sectors including manufacturing and pharmaceuticals. 

Since publication, W Ryan Davis has left this practice.

THE FIRM This highly regarded group focuses its attention on the middle market, where it acts on both the buyer and seller side of transactions. The team offers its clients expertise in M&A, publicly traded businesses, private equity funds, corporate governance and investment management. The securities side of the group regularly represents underwriters, issuers, venture funds and others in both public and private offerings.

Sources say: "They have expertise in midsized transactions, they understand the industry I am in and they provide excellent partner-level service."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Department chair Alan Zeiger represents entrepreneurs, publicly traded companies and privately held businesses. The past year saw him act on the formation and capitalization of a multiasset class trading business, Eladian Partners. He earns praise from the market, with sources commenting: "He is a great business attorney: he understands the business and how to negotiate from a pragmatic standpoint." 

Steven Dubow's practice has an emphasis on life sciences, venture capital, clean technology and healthcare. A recent highlight was advising on the acquisition of a company in the surgical power tools industry by medical device manufacturer Synthes. 

Barry Genkin is a well-regarded securities attorney. He recently advised his own firm on its merger with a Texas firm, Abrams Scott & Bickley. 

Senior statesman Fred Blume is highly respected in the market and has extensive experience advising companies on M&A activities and capital raisings.

THE FIRM Drinker Biddle's corporate and securities practice has a variety of skills and expertise that places great emphasis on the midmarket in Pennsylvania. Its attorneys have a wide range of industry focus, from pharmaceutical and life sciences to insurance, retail and financial services. Urban Outfitters, Milestone Partners and Endo Pharmaceuticals are key clients of this team. 

Sources say: "This group's ultimate goal is to get the transaction done: they represent us aggressively as they should and keep an eye on our company goals - they are creative at finding ways to solve problems."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Douglas Raymond is adept at handling joint ventures, securities offerings and M&A. In addition to this he regularly provides corporate governance advice to his clients. Connect America was recently advised by him on its sale to a private equity group, Rockbridge Partners. He is appreciated by his clients for his cost-effective practice and for having "a knack of knowing which issues to push in a deal and then being good at negotiating these." 

Group chair Robert Juelke has a broad corporate practice and has a particular interest in representing offshore insurance companies. He has recently acted for one client on its divestiture of all assets in a power transmission solution company, and has also led the team advising on Enstar's sale of interest, valued at close to $300 million, to subsidiaries of Goldman Sachs. 

David Denious wins market recognition for his broad-based skill set. His practice ranges from acting for private equity sponsors and investors to issuers on corporate finance transactions and LBOs and sales. His work commonly involves the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries.  

Neil Haimm is a well-known name in Pennsylvania's corporate community, where he is best recognized for his work in the formation and representation of private equity funds. He also deals with other transactional matters and recently led the team acting for consulting group Knowledge Rules as it was bought by Accenture. 

Stephen Burdumy enters the rankings this year following recommendations from both peers and clients. He has a great depth of experience in the securities market, as well as in transactional matters. In a highlight, he advised ReSearch Pharmaceutical Services on its acquisition by Warburg Pincus for $250 million. 

Howard Blum continues to be a well-known and much-respected figure in the market. He maintains a strong transaction-focused practice.

THE FIRM This well-regarded group continues to develop its already significant presence in the life sciences sector, and is now increasingly active representing emerging growth companies and venture capital funds. Clients repeatedly note the team's value, quality and competitive pricing.

Sources say: "The team operates well, they are bright and hard-working and the partners do a good job of pulling everything together."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Kathleen Shay represents a variety of clients from venture capital and startups to public businesses in the life sciences industry, advising on strategic innovation, securities financings and M&A. She recently advised Celator Pharmaceuticals on a venture capital financing. "She has a great appreciation of our company's objectives," a client notes. 

John Coogan's market reputation is centered on his actions for venture capital funds and emerging companies. One source notes that "he knows how to negotiate, he does not posture and is a problem solver." Highlights include advising private equity fund Guardian Capital Partners on the purchase of a majority interest in R&D Circuits and acting on behalf of Rittenhouse Senior Living on its multiple acquisitions of various facilities.

Richard Jaffe is a seasoned practitioner who is particularly strong in the private equity and M&A fields. "He is a strong leader and has solid delegating skills," reports one impressed client. 

Richard Silfen regularly advises private equity, securities and venture capital issues. He is regarded as an assertive presence in the market and enjoys a fine reputation for his technical skills. He recently provided securities expertise for Audiovox's acquisition of Klipsch group.

David Toner has in-house experience to bring to transactions and has maintained this relationship to continue advising Centocor on a variety of recent strategic alliances and investment agreements. His practice has a positive slant toward the life sciences arena and he recently advised Centocor on the sale of its global oncology diagnostic company to Japanese business Fujirebo.

THE FIRM Pepper Hamilton's impressive reputation has its foundations in a deep bench that offers clients expertise across the corporate spectrum, with attorneys dedicated to securities, M&A and corporate governance. Joint ventures, offerings of both publicly traded and privately held companies and venture capital are all areas in which the practice is highly experienced at providing representation. 

Sources say: "Here we get judgment and responsiveness; they offer more than just technical competence - they are businesspeople too."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Barry Abelson splits his time between the securities, M&A and private equity fields. He has an outstanding reputation for his depth of legal knowledge and for his representation of both public and private companies. "He has incredible experience, can see the big picture and is a fabulous strategy guy," enthuses one client. 

Securities attorney Michael Friedman regularly represents public companies and recently acted for Brandywine Realty Trust in several significant transactions, including a $325 million guaranteed public debt offering by its partnership subsidiary.

Jeffrey Libson has a fantastic reputation in dealing with the life sciences industry and emerging growth companies. He recently worked with Abelson to lead the team representing private company Avid Radiopharmaceuticals on its sale to Eli Lilly. 

The "spectacular" Brian Katz chairs this group and acts on a large amount of public company transactions. He provides clients with corporate counseling and is also highly sought after for his regulatory knowledge.

Berwyn-based Christopher Miller enters the rankings following strong market recommendations for his life science expertise and knowledge of the venture capital market. He is well regarded in the market for being "easy to deal with and having a tremendous depth of experience."

THE FIRM This team represents both buyers and sellers on a variety of transactions that include M&A, investments and strategic transactions. It also shows real strength in the securities arena, and regularly advises clients in sectors including healthcare, life sciences, technology, energy and financial services.

Sources say: "It is a strong regional firm that has excellent knowledge of business and corporate governance."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Justin Klein chairs this group's securities practice, where he regularly deals with major issues facing public companies, such as disclosure and SEC proxy requirements. Clients note: "He is one of the deans of the securities law practice in Philadelphia and he has very solid business judgment with this and corporate governance."

Richard Braemer is a prominent figure in the market and has a wealth of experience in the field. One admiring peer comments: "He is brilliant at strategic partnerships."

Brian Doerner is highly thought of in the market. He is active in the life sciences market and has a strong reputation for his expertise in M&A. A highlight for him was advising Cephalon on its purchase of a private biopharmaceutical company for $500 million. 

"Very effective lawyer" Gerald Guarcini is primarily a securities lawyer, and recently worked with Klein to advise PMA, an insurance and financial services company, on its sale to another insurance business.

THE FIRM Located in Pittsburgh, this team offers securities counsel and provides strong technology expertise when dealing with venture capital and private equity funds in the region. Highlights for this group include counseling RTI International Metals on its recent offering of convertible notes. 

Sources say: "We appreciate their approach and the personalized service to our company."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Thomas Thompson handles a broad range of work for foreign and domestic clients on a variety of private and public M&A matters. He is "analytical and detail-oriented; he is a master at setting the tone and keeping the lines of communication open - he has the ability to establish a collaborative atmosphere," a source notes.

Thomas Buchanan "is always on the phone and on the ball; he will solve my problems." He is experienced in all aspects of corporate transactions and regularly advises venture capital and emerging growth companies.

THE FIRM Cozen O'Connor's corporate practice comes with strong recommendations from its clients. The team has an emphasis on the venture capital and private equity markets, and acts for clients including family-owned companies, strategic buyers and sellers. The group recently advised the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania on its acquisition of assets, valued at $42 million, from Aker Philadelphia Shipyard.

Sources say: "They are a professional group of attorneys that work very well together - Cozen puts the right people together."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Michael Heller is appreciated by sources for his pragmatic approach and for bringing both good technical expertise and business savvy to transactions. He heads up the business law group and has particular expertise in advising on all aspects of corporate law for emerging growth companies and entrepreneurs. 

The past year has seen Jason Shargel's work emphasize the venture capital and private equity markets. Highlights include advising Superdog Pet Food on its sale to a private equity fund and acting for 24/7 TrafficTV on a venture funding. His abilities to "retain focus on what we need to accomplish and to draft in a language that winds up being agreeable to both sides" are particular strengths noted by clients.

Richard Busis leads the securities and regulatory practice at this firm. He focuses on securities offerings and M&A and has recently advised clients on strategic partnerships, regulatory issues and a financing involving a mortgage indenture.  

THE FIRM This corporate group is spread across five offices in Pennsylvania and it principally focuses on representing the seller in transactions; one such deal was for Moda Technology, which sold all of its stock to a Swiss pharmaceutical company. In another highlight, it acted on the financing to enable the acquisition of a drug compound for AltheRx from GlaxoSmithKline. Its varied client base also includes Russell BioTech, Fifth Generation Computer and Roska Direct Marketing.

Sources say: "They provide what I need in terms of legal issues and giving me general business insights; they are detail-oriented so I know there is another set of eyes on things."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Michael Harrington is prominent in this market for his expertise in representing startup companies, in particular those in the life sciences arena who are backed by venture capital investment. One client enthuses: "He is good at getting to the heart of the problem," while another notes: "He is outward-facing and understands client needs." 

Associate Sandra Romaszewski enters the rankings following repeated praise for acting beyond expectation. "She displayed an incredible work ethic and much patience in dealing with complicated financial issues," a client reports. 

THE FIRM K&L Gates is located in Pittsburgh, from where it represents clients in transactions involving a wide range of markets, including M&A, capital markets, venture capital, private equity and corporate governance. This team has significant expertise behind it in the energy sphere, and more specifically in the oil and gas industry. It recently advised The Phillips Companies on acquisitions via mergers of subsidiaries with ExxonMobil that gave it considerable access to the gas-rich Marcellus Shale, in a deal valued at $1.7 billion. The group also acts on behalf of Arch Coal, United Technologies and Merrill Lynch.

Sources say: "They all understand where our risk points are and understand our business."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Robert Zinn splits his time between Pittsburgh and New York and heads up the firmwide practice. He is well regarded by his peers and represents both Halliburton and PPG Industries on corporate transactions.

Michael McLean is a securities attorney who recently provided counsel for private resale of securities valued at $350 million, for an electric public utility owned by Duquesne Light Holdings. He regularly represents the issuers in securities matters and has a strong reputation in the Pittsburgh market.