Новости

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13 May 2008

Mark Knowles joins DLA Piper in Dallas

Addition Strengthens Firm’s Corporate and Finance Practice in Texas

Пресс-релиз

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(Dallas) – DLA Piper today announced that Mark Knowles, a leading corporate and finance lawyer in Texas, has joined the firm’s Corporate and Finance practice in its Dallas office.

Knowles focuses his practice on complex domestic and international financings, including syndicated loans, leveraged buyout and other acquisition financings, first lien/second lien financings, asset-based financings, project financings, loan workouts, restructurings, debtor-in-possession financings, letter of credit financings, structured trade finance transactions, real estate financings, derivatives transactions and private placements. He has extensive experience representing senior lenders, borrowers, credit enhancers and equity sponsors.

His arrival marks the latest move in the continued expansion of DLA Piper’s global Corporate and Finance practice in the year since Roger Meltzer joined the firm to lead an aggressive expansion of the practice globally. As global chair of the Corporate and Finance practice, Meltzer has been working to attract and manage significant engagements in the U.S. and abroad and to spearhead recruitment of leading corporate and finance lawyers in major financial centers around the world.

“Mark’s addition illustrates our continued commitment to strengthening the firm’s Corporate and Finance practice regionally, nationally, and internationally by attracting lawyers of his caliber,” said Meltzer. “His strong reputation and vast knowledge will be integral in enhancing the firm’s profile throughout Texas business communities.”

Continuing to Build a Leading Global Corporate and Finance Practice

“Mark’s capabilities are a great fit with DLA Piper’s global platform and his tremendous initiative will allow him to thrive in our firm, which has a renowned Corporate and Finance practice,” added John Cusack, vice chair of DLA Piper’s Finance practice and co-chairman of the firm’s Real Estate Capital Markets Group.

DLA Piper’s Corporate and Finance practice includes more than 800 lawyers worldwide and is recognized as one of the most active in the private equity sector. Last year, the firm ranked 3rd globally in venture capital and private equity deals, based on 761 transactions worldwide (according to Private Equity Analyst, 2008).

DLA Piper lawyers advise clients on public and private debt and equity securities offerings, mergers and acquisitions and reorganizations, in addition to corporate governance, IT, tax, compensation and technology issues.

The firm’s corporate group has seen a number of additions in the past few months. Last week, DLA Piper announced the addition of Craig Andrews as a partner in the San Diego office. His arrival comes on the heels of partners Michael Kagnoff, Martin Nichols, Jeffrey Thacker and Ross Burningham joining in that same office last month. The firm also announced the addition of Michael Bolton as a partner in the Houston office, which the firm established in March.

About Mark Knowles

“We are delighted to have Mark join our team in Dallas,” said Philip Weller, managing partner of DLA Piper’s Dallas office. “He has a unique network of contacts within the corporate and finance sector that will complement and drive a variety of new business opportunities, fueling the firm’s growth opportunities in Dallas and nationwide.”

Previously, Knowles served as a partner at Bracewell & Giuliani LLP in Dallas. He received a J.D. from the University of Kansas and a B.A., magna cum laude, from Duke University.