Core Group of 150 Year Old Wall Street Powerhouse Joins Sonnenschein
December 22, 2008
- 100 lawyers from Thacher Proffitt & Wood LLP, including 40 partners, to join Sonnenschein. Critical groups staying together.
- Sonnenschein head count will increase to approximately 800 attorneys and other professionals.
- Lateral addition will double the size of Sonnenschein New York City office with highly regarded expertise in the fields of structured finance, banking, corporate, real estate and regulatory law. Also joining is a strong and complementary group of litigators, ERISA and employee benefits, and tax lawyers.
- New lawyers joining Sonnenschein not only advise the U.S. Treasury, but also represent some of the world’s largest financial institutions.
- Large lateral acquisition enhances Sonnenschein’s national corporate & finance practice.
NEW YORK, December 22, 2008 — Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal LLP announced today that in a major lateral move, effective January 1, 2009, the law firm will add approximately 100 lawyers – including 40 partners – from Thacher Proffitt & Wood LLP.
"With this move, we have dramatically enhanced our corporate and finance capabilities and doubled the size of our New York office,” said Sonnenschein Chairman Elliott Portnoy. “This core group of lawyers joining us from Thacher Proffitt accelerates our global growth strategy and reaffirms our continued commitment to client service.”
“Understanding their impressive backgrounds, we are pleased that these widely respected attorneys, after careful deliberation, felt that Sonnenschein represented the best possible fit for them and their valued clients,” continued Portnoy.
The partners and lawyers joining Sonnenschein from Thacher Proffitt have, for the most part, been with the firm for their entire careers and were determined to keep their groups together. The groups from Thacher Proffitt are comprised of prominent attorneys and counselors in structured finance, corporate, banking, real estate, and regulatory law, as well as a strong team of litigators, ERISA and employee benefits and tax lawyers.
"Most of all, this is an extraordinary move for our clients. With financial markets evolving and governments playing a greater role in the global economy, our move to Sonnenschein gives us the edge to excel with the industry leaders we serve,” said Robert McCarthy, Chairman of Thacher Proffitt’s Planning Committee. “Sonnenschein’s collegial, diverse and highly successful practice groups represent the best culture and platform for us and our clients.”
Those joining Sonnenschein from Thacher Proffitt have been on the cutting edge of the financial markets for their entire careers. Today, they are among the lawyers advising some of the world’s largest financial institutions, as well as the U.S. government, on how to navigate the new economy. Combining forces with these highly regarded lawyers achieves a long-time strategic goal for Sonnenschein. The majority of these lawyers are based in New York, with the balance resident in Washington, D.C.
"Having made a set of tough business decisions earlier in the year – ahead of others,” stressed Portnoy, “we are now well positioned for exactly this type of growth. We continue to move quickly to capitalize on strategic opportunities, and attracting the very best talent to the firm remains one of our top priorities. This timely move allows us to expand our New York footprint and national corporate and finance practice with a talented new team.”
Below are the partners and counsel – including the 4 chairmen of the 4 practice groups – who will be joining Sonnenschein.
Structured Finance
Diana G. Browne
A. James Cotins
Aimee M. Cummo
Mason L. Crocker
Charles A. Dietzgen
Salvatore O. Franco
Richard M. Horowitz
John J. Kim
Erik D. Klingenberg
Jeffrey H. Koppele
Stephen S. Kudenholdt
Maria M. Livanos
Andrea N. Mandell
Robert E. McCarthy
Michael C. McGrath
Jeffrey J. Murphy
Robert B. Olin
Stephen F.J. Ornstein
Lauris G.L. Rall
Richard D. Simonds, Jr
E. Lee Smith
Scott J. Swerdloff
Paul D. Tvetenstrand
Stephen T. Whelan
Marlo A. Young |
Corporate & Financial Institutions
Robert C. Azarow
Charles D. Bethill
W. Edward Bright
Matthew Dyckman
Cynthia D. Mann
Douglas J. McClintock
Stephanie G. Nygard
Mark I. Sokolow
Walter G. Van Dorn, Jr.
Kathleen A. Wechter
Real Estate
Stephen J. Cerniglia
David S. Hall
Peter J. Mignone
Donald F. Simone
Mitchell G. Williams
Litigation & Dispute Resolution
Jonathan D. Forstot
Hugh McDonald
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Over the past 12 months, Sonnenschein has continued its growth by adding 65 new lateral partners and counsel and recently opening the firm’s Zurich office prior to today's announced addition of Thacher Proffitt lawyers.
Sonnenschein is not merging with, combining with, or acquiring Thacher Proffitt. The addition of this lateral group from Thacher Proffitt is contemplated to commence on January 1, 2009.
For more information, visit www.sonnenschein.com.
Media Contacts:
Linda Butler
Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal LLP
(312) 876-3453
LButler@sonnenschein.com
