McDermott Will & Schulte

McDermott Will & Schulte is proud to be selected as counsel to the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors in the Chapter 11 bankruptcy case of Sangamo Therapeutics, a genomic medicine company focused on serious neurological diseases that has raised more than $1 billion of equity. Leading this engagement are Darren Azman, Kristin Going, and David Hurst.

Our teams have remained active across a broad range of transactions in recent weeks, advising clients across the finance, healthcare, sports, employment, real estate, private equity, technology, artificial intelligence, and energy sectors. From acquisitions to strategic investments to dispute resolutions, we supported deals across Europe and the US, helping clients scale their businesses and unlock new opportunities. Explore the full list of transactions and what they mean for the market. https://lnkd.in/eaE9Py_n

We are proud to be ranked No. 24 on The American Lawyer’s 2026 Pro Bono Scorecard. The scorecard measures average pro bono hours per US-based lawyer and the percentage of lawyers who dedicate more than 20 hours to pro bono each year. While this recognition is meaningful, the numbers only tell part of the story. What matters most is the commitment our lawyers bring to their pro bono clients every day, defending individual rights, supporting organizations on the front lines, and helping expand access to justice. Thank you to our lawyers, our clients, and the organizations we work alongside to make this work possible. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eM7SakWJ

How should businesses prepare for the most significant review of the EU Merger Guidelines in more than 20 years? We were pleased to partner with Brunswick Group for a special edition of our Global Antitrust Update webinar series, exploring how the European Commission's proposed reforms could reshape merger control across the EU. Our panel discussed the key themes emerging from the review, including the growing focus on innovation, resilience, and competitiveness, the proposed "theory of benefit", the wider geopolitical context, and why early preparation and a robust commercial rationale will be increasingly important for businesses planning strategic transactions. Read our key takeaways to learn what these developments could mean for future deals and how organisations can begin preparing now. https://lnkd.in/e_zdbMZZ

McDermott Will & Schulte is proud to be selected as counsel to the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors in the chapter 11 bankruptcy case of SIMAD Holdings, the owner and operator of 30 summer camps around the country. Leading this engagement are Darren Azman and Kristin Going.

Regardless of who lifts the World Cup trophy, Major League Soccer (MLS) could be one of the tournament’s biggest winners. Record-setting US television ratings are creating fresh momentum for the sport, and that momentum could strengthen MLS’s position as it negotiates future broadcasting deals. MLS entered the tournament with viewership already up 62% year over year, and reports suggest major media and streaming platforms may be prepared to spend significantly more for future US World Cup rights than current rights holders paid for the 2026 tournament. In our recent client alert, mentioned by Yahoo Finance, we explained that the World Cup could be MLS’s most important commercial test yet. A successful tournament will not automatically increase the league’s value, but it could give owners, players, sponsors, broadcasters, streamers, and investors stronger evidence of the scale and strength of the American soccer opportunity.

The next three words could be yours. See where a career at McDermott Will & Schulte can take you: careers.mcdermottlaw.com

We are delighted to welcome Adria Crowe as a partner in our Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation Practice Group, based in Chicago. Adria’s arrival reflects our continued investment in our employee benefits platform and in the capabilities that support clients across private equity and M&A transactions. Her practice focuses on employee benefits and executive compensation matters in mergers and acquisitions, spin-offs, divestitures, joint ventures, and restructurings, strengthening the firm’s transactional capabilities. Her addition is especially valuable for clients navigating today’s deal market, where selective underwriting, heightened regulatory scrutiny, and employee benefits considerations call for more integrated advice. “With the volume and complexity of transactions continuing to rise, clients are looking for seamless support that can keep pace with sophisticated deal teams. As a highly technical employee benefits lawyer with a strong transactional mindset, Adria brings precisely that capability,” said Andrew Liazos, global head of the firm’s Benefits & Compensation Practice Group. “She joins our practice ready to advise clients at every stage of the deal lifecycle.” Read more about Adria's arrival: https://lnkd.in/eGCpTYaG

For emerging fund managers and independent sponsors, some of the most compelling opportunities in private equity are found in the lower middle market. While much of the industry remains focused on a relatively small pool of larger companies, the lower middle market continues to be underserved and undercapitalized. That imbalance creates attractive opportunities for investors with the ability to source proprietary deals, execute efficiently, and partner closely with management teams. At our Emerging Manager and Independent Sponsor Forum, we uncovered forward-looking insights for fund professionals navigating this market. One key takeaway was that emerging managers should focus on segments where the volume of opportunities exceeds the available capital, creating more favorable conditions for investors. The lower middle market is where emerging managers can find these opportunities to build differentiated track records without competing directly with mega-funds for the same deals. Learn about more takeaways from the forum: https://lnkd.in/eUgBGHKM

We are pleased to welcome Robert A. Rizzo as Global Co-Head of our Private Equity Group. Rob joins from Weil, Gotshal & Manges and brings more than 22 years of experience advising private equity sponsors, funds, related businesses, and asset managers across the full investment lifecycle. His practice covers a broad range of private equity transactions, including leveraged buyouts, mergers and acquisitions, independent sponsor transactions, growth equity investments, recapitalizations, complex carve-outs, fundraising, employee-related matters, divestitures, SPACs, and cross-border initiatives. “Private equity is one of our most important power alleys—it’s where we’re investing, leading and winning, and Rob is a testament to our approach,” said firm Chairman Ira Coleman. “He’s built relationships at the highest and most challenging funds in private equity work, and he has the platform-building mindset that will continue to elevate our service offerings. Just as important, he's a natural fit for our culture: collaborative, ambitious, and people-first.” “The market for sponsor-side talent has never been more competitive, and we are thrilled for Rob to join us,” said Harris Siskind, Global Head of the Transactions Practice Group. "He gives private equity sponsor clients direct access to the full breadth of the firm — M&A, financing, tax, regulatory — and the seniority to bring it together on the deals that matter most. That integrated firepower sets our practice apart, particularly in this shifting environment." Read more about Rob's arrival: https://lnkd.in/ekQDbgis