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MoFo Advises Veeco Instruments Inc. in $5.2 Billion Stock-for-Stock Merger

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MoFo is advising Veeco Instruments Inc. (Nasdaq: VECO), a global designer and manufacturer of semiconductor process equipment, in...

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MoFo is advising Veeco Instruments Inc. (Nasdaq: VECO), a global designer and manufacturer of semiconductor process equipment, in its definitive agreement to combine with Axcelis Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: ACLS) in an all-stock merger. The transaction values the combined company at approximately $5.2 billion. The transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2026, subject to customary closing conditions, including approval by stockholders of both companies and receipt of regulatory approvals. The MoFo team advising Veeco was led by M&A partners Spencer Klein and Joe Sulzbach and M&A associates Gabriella Fortun, Sahana Ragunathan and Moe Alismail. The wider team included: capital markets partners Justin Salon, John Hensley and Rhys Bortignon and of counsel Emily Beers; antitrust partner Alexander Okuliar; FDI partners Felix Helmstaedter, Chuan Sun and Marie-Claire Strawbridge; national security partners James Brower, Charles Capito and Chris Chamberlain; technology transactions partner Anthony Ramirez; tax partners Richard Nugent and Phil Jaworskyj; executive compensation partner Domnick Bozzetti; labor and employment partner Michael Schulman; real estate of counsel Susanna Cupp; finance partner Mike Vernace; environmental partner Bill Tarantino; privacy partner Julie O’Neill and of counsel Jonathan Louis Newmark; patents partner Jonathan Bockman; and litigation partner Robert May. Read the <a href="https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/axcelis-technologies-and-veeco-instruments-to-combine-creating-a-leading-semiconductor-equipment-company-302572285.html" target="_blank">press release</a>.

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Spencer Klein is Chair of the firm's global Mergers & Acquisitions Group.Spencer focuses his practice on M+A transactions and related matters such as proxy contests and takeover defense counseling. He has advised on more than 200 successfully closed mergers, tender and exchange offers, stock and asset acquisitions, divestitures and joint ventures. He is also a veteran of numerous contested matters and regularly counsels corporate boards and committees in transactional and high-profile corporate governance matters.Spencer frequently advises leading U.S. and multinational companies across multiple industries. His engagements include multi-billion dollar deals in health care and life sciences, financial services, technology, consumer products, manufacturing, retail, energy, and entertainment, media and sports. In addition to prominent corporate clients and private equity funds, he has represented some of the world's leading bulge bracket and boutique investment banks.Spencer also co-chairs the firm’s Interactive and Digital Media group, an interdisciplinary team that operates at the convergence of technology with media and entertainment.Prior to joining Morrison & Foerster, Spencer was a partner at O’Melveny & Myers LLP, McDermott Will & Emery LLP and Shearman & Sterling LLP. Spencer received his B.A. from The Pennsylvania State University in 1986, and his J.D. from Hofstra University School of Law in 1989, where he served as Editor-in-Chief of the Hofstra Law RevieSpencer has been recognized regularly as one of the world's leading M+A lawyers by International Financial Law Review, Super Lawyers, Legal 500 United States, and The World's Leading Lawyers for Mergers and Acquisitions: U.S. Expert Guide (Legal Media Group). He has been named a "New York Super Lawyer" by Law & Politics in each of the last fifteen editions. Legal 500 US has referred to Spencer as "one of the best deal lawyers in the country."Spencer serves as a Special Professor of Law at Hofstra University School of Law, a member of the Alumni Board of Visitors of the Department of Political Science at The Pennsylvania State University, and the founding Chair of the Hofstra Law Review Alumni Advisory Board. In 2022, Spencer was an inaugural inductee into the Hofstra Law School Hall of Fame.

Spencer Klein

Global Chair of M&A Practice

Joe Sulzbach is a partner in the Transactions Department, focusing on mergers and acquisitions and private equity. He is also co-chair of the Semiconductors Industry Group. Joe has represented numerous public and private entities in a variety of transactions, including domestic and cross-border merger and acquisition transactions, private equity transactions, joint ventures, and corporate governance matters. He has advised a broad range of clients across industries, including technology, media, and telecom (TMT), life sciences, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, industrial, chemicals, consumer goods and retail, energy, and real estate.Joe has also represented a number of companies in engagements with activist stockholders, including in responding to Starboard Value, Carl Icahn, Elliott Management, JANA Partners, Farallon Capital Management, and VIEX Capital.In addition, Joe has represented investment banking firms and financial advisors in a variety of significant transactions, including representation of Qatalyst Partners, Morgan Stanley, Evercore Partners, Greenhill, Ducera Securities, and Solomon Partners.Select examples of Joe’s experience include the following representations:<ul><li>Sachem Capital Corp. on its $3.4 billion strategic combination with Industrial Realty Group.</li></ul><ul><li>Modiv Industrial on its $535 million all-stock sale to Global Net Lease.</li><li>RE/MAX Holdings, Inc. on its $880 million stock and cash sale to The Real Brokerage Inc.</li></ul><ul><li>Sumitomo Forestry Co., Ltd. in its $4.5 billion acquisition of Tri Pointe Homes, Inc.</li></ul><ul><li>SoftBank Group Corp. on its $4 billion acquisition of DigitalBridge Group, Inc., a leading global alternative asset manager dedicated to investing in digital infrastructure.</li></ul><ul><li>CPE on its strategic partnership with Restaurant Brands International Inc., under which CPE will invest $350 million in Burger King China.</li><li>Plymouth Industrial REIT, Inc. in its $2.1 billion sale to an affiliate of Makarora Management LP and Ares Alternative Credit funds.</li></ul><ul><li>Veeco Instruments Inc. in its $5.2 billion merger with Axcelis Technologies, Inc.</li><li>BearingPoint, an independent management and technology consultancy firm, on its joint venture with ABeam Consulting.</li><li>SoftBank Group Corp. on its $2 Billion investment Intel Corporation. </li><li>Hooter’s Inc. and Hoot Owl Restaurants, L.L.C. in the acquisition of over 100 restaurants from Hooters of America LLC, the iconic casual dining and sports entertainment chain.</li><li>Shaklee Corporation in its acquisition of substantially all the assets of Modere.</li></ul><ul><li>Infineon Technologies AG in its $2.5 billion acquisition of Marvell Technology’s automotive ethernet business.</li><li>SoftBank Group Corp. in its proposed up to $40 billion investment in OpenAI, America’s premier artificial intelligence (AI) company and developer of the transformational large language models that are driving the AI revolution.</li><li>Infineon Technologies AG in the sale of its Austin, TX foundry to SkyWater Technology.</li><li>NorthStar Healthcare Income, Inc. in its $900 million sale to an affiliate of Welltower Inc.</li><li>Cartica Acquisition Corp in its $2.75 billion business combination with Nidar Infrastructure Limited, India’s leading data center provider for artificial intelligence and high-performance compute services.</li><li>Centuri Holdings and parent company Southwest Gas Holdings in Centuri’s $353 million IPO and concurrent private placement.</li><li>U.S. Silica Holdings, Inc. in its $1.85 billion sale to entities affiliated with Apollo Global Management.</li><li>The rock band KISS and its co-founders Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley in the sale of substantially all rights related to KISS to Pophouse Entertainment.</li></ul><ul><li>Sekisui House, Ltd. in its $4.9 billion acquisition of M.D.C. Holdings, Inc.</li><li>Astellas Pharma Inc. in its $175 million acquisition of Propella Therapeutics, Inc.</li></ul><ul><li dir="ltr">Southwest Gas Holdings, Inc. in its adoption of a Tax-Free Spin Protection Plan.</li><li dir="ltr">Kyowa Kirin Co., Ltd. in its up to $477 million acquisition of Orchard Therapeutics plc, including CVR payment.</li><li dir="ltr">Sugar Foods Corporation in its sale to Pritzker Private Capital.</li></ul><ul><li>The News Lens Co., Ltd. in its $275 million business combination with Blue Ocean Acquisition Corporation.</li></ul><ul><li>Upland Software, Inc. in its adoption of a Tax Benefit Preservation Plan.</li></ul><ul><li>The Board of Directors and Special Committee of Toshiba in the $15.2 billion takeover of Toshiba by a consortium led by Japan Industrial Partners.</li><li>Infineon Technologies AG in the sale of its HiRel DC-DC converter business to Micross Components, Inc.</li></ul><ul><li>AgroFresh Solutions, Inc. in its $545 million going-private acquisition by Paine Schwartz Partners.</li><li>Unity Software Inc. in multiple transactions, including its all-stock $4.4 billion acquisition of ironSource and Unity’s concurrent $1 billion PIPE investment by Silver Lake and Sequoia, and in response to the related $13.6 billion unsolicited acquisition proposal from AppLovin Corporation.</li><li>Southwest Gas Holdings, Inc. in its defense against a hostile tender offer and proxy contest for board control by Carl Icahn, including adoption of a shareholder rights plan, and negotiated resolution.</li><li>Marrone Bio Innovations in its $244 million acquisition by Bioceres Crop Solutions Corp. in a stock-for-stock merger.</li><li>Paine Schwartz Partners, a global leader in sustainable food chain investing, in its new platform investment in Registrar Corp., a leading provider of supply chain compliance software and services to domestic and foreign food and beverage, medical device, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic customers.</li><li>Silver Crest Acquisition Corporation in its $1.7 billion business combination with TH International Limited (Tims China), a master franchisee and operator of Tim Hortons coffee shops in China.</li><li>Sky Harbour LLC in its $777 million business combination with Yellowstone Acquisition Company.</li><li>SoftBank Group Corp., as the largest investor in WeWork, in WeWork’s $9 billion business combination with BowX Acquisition Corp.</li><li>Leading provider of patient access and engagement platform in its sale to a publicly listed company.</li><li>ON Semiconductor Corporation in its adoption of a shareholder rights plan.</li><li>Whitestone REIT in its adoption of a shareholder rights plan.</li><li>Exantas Capital Corp. in the acquisition of its external management contract by ACRES Capital Corp. from C-III Capital Partners LLC, and $375 million financing from MassMutual and Oaktree Capital Management.</li><li>NTT Communications Corporation and Secure-24 in the acquisition of SymSoft Holding Inc. and Symmetry Holding Inc. from Symmetry Holdings, LLC, a portfolio company of Great Hill Equity Partners.</li><li>Kirin Holdings Company, Limited in its acquisition of approximately 40% of the capital stock of Thorne Holding Corp.</li><li>Rao’s Specialty Foods, Inc. in its sale to Sovos Brands, an affiliate of funds managed by Advent International.</li><li>JERA in its sale of a minority interest in Cricket Valley Energy Center to Development Bank of Japan.</li><li>JERA in the acquisition of a 43% stake in Cricket Valley Energy Center, the developer of a 1,000 MW natural gas-fired power plant located in Dover, New York.</li><li>Renesas Electronics in its $3.2 billion acquisition of Intersil Corporation.</li><li>DaVita HealthCare Partners in its acquisition of Renal Ventures Limited.</li><li>Inovalon Holdings, Inc. in its acquisition of Creehan Holding Co., Inc.</li><li>Inovalon Holdings, Inc. in its acquisition of Avalere Health, Inc.</li><li>GLP Pte. Ltd. in the acquisition of a $4.55 billion U.S. logistics portfolio from Industrial Income Trust.</li><li>JLB Group, LLC in its acquisition of Sneakz, LLC.</li><li>Futamura Chemical Co., Ltd. in its acquisition of the cellulose business of Innovia Films.</li><li>Kirin Holdings Company, Limited in its acquisition of approximately 24.5% of the capital stock of The Brooklyn Brewery Corporation.</li></ul>

Joseph Sulzbach

Partner

Gabriella Fortun is a corporate associate in the Miami office of Morrison Foerster.Gabriella advises clients in connection with complex domestic and cross‑border corporate matters, including mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, and corporate governance.Gabriella represents public and private companies and private equity funds in a variety of industries, including financial services, telecommunications, energy, and technology. She also has experience in advising corporate and sovereign clients in a wide range of cross-border transactions, principally in Latin America, including public-private partnership transactions, equity and debt offerings, financings, and restructurings.Prior to joining Morrison Foerster, she was an associate at another international law firm in New York.

Gabriella Fortun

Associate

Mohammed Alismail is a Corporate associate in the New York office of Morrison Foerster.Mohammed’s practice focuses on advising on a range of corporate matters, including public and private M&A, private equity transactions, and general corporate and securities matters.Prior to joining MoFo, Mohammed spent nearly two years at the Saudi office of another international law firm, where he advised on domestic and inbound M&A transactions, as well as general corporate, securities and antitrust matters.Mohammed received his LL.B. from the University of Reading (UK) and his LL.M. from the NYU School of Law. Mohammed is a native Arabic speaker.

Mohammed Alismail

Justin is chair of the firm’s Capital Markets practice and former co-chair of Morrison Foerster’s REIT practice.Justin represents both issuers and underwriters in a wide variety of corporate and securities matters, including initial public offerings, primary and secondary offerings, private placements, senior and subordinated debt financings, and liability management transactions. In addition, he serves as primary outside counsel to numerous public company clients with respect to corporate governance issues, compliance with the U.S. federal securities laws, and the requirements of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and NASDAQ, as well as general corporate matters.For his role as lead attorney on Arm's IPO, The American Lawyer recently recognized Justin as a 2024 "Dealmaker of the Year," an award honoring lawyers who guided the most complex, groundbreaking, and impactful deals of the past year.Justin is recommended by The Legal 500 US 2023 for Capital Markets: Debt Offerings, Capital Markets: Equity Offerings, M&A / Corporate and Commercial: Private Equity Buyouts, and REITs. He is also recognized as a leading lawyer in Chambers USA 2023 for REITs.<h4 dir="ltr">Representative Experience</h4><h5 dir="ltr">Equity</h5><ul><li dir="ltr">Represented Arm Holdings plc, the world’s leading semiconductor IP company, in its blockbuster $5.22 billion USD IPO on Nasdaq, the largest IPO of 2023.</li><li>Represented SoftBank Group Corp. in connection with its $2 billion PIPE investment into Intel Corporation (Nasdaq: INTC).</li><li>Represented Uber Technologies Inc. (NYSE: UBER) in connection with its $300 million PIPE investment into Lucid Group, Inc. related to a global robotaxi program created exclusively for the Uber ride-hailing platform.</li><li dir="ltr">Represented Armada Hoffler Properties, Inc. (NYSE: AHH) in connection with multiple follow-on offerings of common stock and preferred stock and represented the underwriters in connection with Armada Hoffler’s initial public offering.</li><li dir="ltr">Represented Inovalon Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: INOV) in its initial public offering.</li><li dir="ltr">Represented RLJ Lodging Trust (NYSE: RLJ) in connection with its initial public offering.</li><li dir="ltr">Represented the underwriters in connection with Plymouth Industrial REIT’s initial public offering, multiple follow-on offerings of common stock, and issuance of perpetual preferred stock.</li><li dir="ltr">Represented the underwriters in connection with Community Healthcare Trust’s (NYSE: CHCT) initial public offering and numerous follow-on equity offerings.</li><li dir="ltr">Represented Farmland Partners, Inc. (NYSE: FPI) in its initial public offering, subsequent public offerings of common stock, and offering of 6.00% Series B Participating Preferred Stock.</li><li dir="ltr">Represented issuers or underwriters in connection with SPAC IPOs for Anzu Special Acquisition Corp I, Endurance Acquisition Corp., Pegasus Digital Mobility Acquisition Corp., Revelstone Capital Acquisition Corp., Science Strategic Acquisition Corp. Alpha, and Sound Point Acquisition Corp. I.</li><li dir="ltr">Represented Education Realty Trust (NYSE:EDR) in connection with multiple public offerings of common stock resulting in proceeds in excess of $1 billion.</li><li dir="ltr">Represented UDR, Inc. in connection with multiple follow-on equity offerings.</li><li dir="ltr">Represented the underwriters in connection with multiple registered offerings of preferred stock and common stock by Sotherly Hotels (NASDAQ: SOHO).</li><li dir="ltr">Represented Trade Street Residential, Inc. in its backstopped rights offering and corresponding PIPE.</li><li dir="ltr">Represented the underwriters in connection with Independence Realty Trust’s (NYSE: IRT) offering of common stock and concurrent listing on the NYSE.</li></ul><h5 dir="ltr">Debt and Liability Management</h5><ul><li>As designated underwriters’ counsel to Royal Dutch Shell Plc, represented the underwriters in connection with registered offerings of more than $34 billion of fixed and floating rate notes by Shell International Finance, the U.S. financing subsidiary of Royal Dutch Shell Plc.</li><li>Represented the dealer managers in Shell plc’s exchange offers of up to $8.4 billion involving six series of outstanding notes and the issuance of new privately placed notes guaranteed by Shell.</li><li dir="ltr">Represented the underwriters in connection with the registered offering of $5 billion of notes by Novartis Capital Corporation, the U.S. financing subsidiary of Novartis AG.</li><li dir="ltr">Represented Education Realty Trust (NYSE:EDR) in connection with multiple public offerings of debt securities resulting in proceeds in excess of $1 billion.</li><li dir="ltr">Represented ON Semiconductor Corporation (NASDAQ: ON) in its $500 million Rule 144A offering of 1.625% convertible senior notes, $805 million Rule 144A offering of its 0% convertible senior notes due 2027, and privately negotiated repurchase and exchange transactions for outstanding senior notes.</li><li dir="ltr">Represented Vontier Corporation (NYSE: VNT) in its $1.6 billion 144A offering of senior notes and its $1.6 billion registered exchange offer.</li><li dir="ltr">Represented Veeco Instruments Inc. (NASDAQ: VECO) in its $300 million 144A offering of 2.70% convertible senior notes and its $125 million Rule 144A offering of 3.75% convertible senior notes.</li><li dir="ltr">Represented Whole Foods Market, Inc. in its $1 billion Rule 144A/Regulation S offering of 5.200% senior notes due 2025 and subsequent registered exchange offer.</li><li dir="ltr">Represented the Commonwealth of the Bahamas in connection with its $100 million 144A sovereign debt offering.</li><li dir="ltr">Represented AutoZone, Inc. (NYSE: AZO) in connection with $1.55 billion of registered offerings of senior notes.</li><li dir="ltr">Represented Smithfield Foods, Inc. in its $1 billion offering of senior notes and concurrent tender offer for over $750 million of outstanding senior notes.</li><li dir="ltr">Represented WellPoint, Inc. (NYSE: WLP) in its $1.75 billion offering of senior notes.</li><li dir="ltr">Represented Aventine Property Group in connection with its $100 million private offering of convertible senior notes.</li><li dir="ltr">Represented the underwriters in connection with multiple registered offerings of senior notes by Sotherly Hotels (NASDAQ: SOHO).</li><li dir="ltr">Represented the placement agent in connection with the $50 million private offering of senior secured notes by Newport Realty Trust, a private mortgage REIT.</li><li dir="ltr">Represented the placement agent in connection with the private placement of $100 million aggregate principal amount of 6.75% senior unsecured notes due 2023 issued by MCREIF SubREIT, LLC, a private REIT managed by M360 Advisors, and fully and unconditionally guaranteed by M360 CRE Income Fund LP.</li><li dir="ltr">Represented the placement agent in connection with the private placement of $36.5 million aggregate principal amount of 7.5% senior unsecured notes due 2025 issued by NextPoint Real Estate Finance Operating Partnership, L.P., the operating partnership subsidiary of NexPoint Real Estate Finance, Inc. (NYSE: NREF).</li><li dir="ltr">Represented the placement agent in connection with the private placement of $42.25 million aggregate principal amount of its 7.00% senior unsecured notes due 2026 issued by Pelorus Fund REIT, LLC.</li></ul><h5 dir="ltr">M&A</h5><ul><li dir="ltr">Represented Education Realty Trust in its $4.6 billion all-cash sale to a newly formed perpetual life vehicle led by an affiliate of Greystar Real Estate Partners.</li><li dir="ltr">Represented UDR, Inc. (NYSE: UDR) in connection with Home Properties, Inc.’s $7.6 billion acquisition by Lone Star Funds, in which UDR acquired six communities for approximately $908 million.</li><li dir="ltr">Represented Greenlane Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: GNLN), in its merger of equals with KushCo Holdings, Inc.</li><li dir="ltr">Represented Pivotal Investment Corp. II in connection with its merger with XL Fleet Corp., a leader in vehicle electrification solutions for commercial and municipal fleets.</li><li dir="ltr">Represented Farmland Partners, Inc. in connection with its stock-for-stock acquisition of American Farmland Company (NYSE: AFCO), as well as more than $400 million of property acquisitions.</li><li dir="ltr">Represented Trade Street Residential, Inc. in its acquisition by Independence Realty Trust, Inc.</li><li dir="ltr">Represented the Special Committee of the board of directors of Bluerock Residential Growth REIT in connection with the proposed internalization of its external manager.</li></ul>

Justin Salon

John Hensley is a partner in the firm’s Capital Markets and Public Company Advisory & Governance practices. He represents publicly and privately held companies in a variety of corporate and securities law matters.John represents both issuers and underwriters in initial public offerings, follow-on offerings and private placements, including offerings of common and preferred equity, debt, and convertible debt. In addition, John regularly advises numerous public company clients regarding general business matters, corporate governance issues and compliance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the requirements of the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq.<h4 dir="ltr">Representative Experience</h4><ul><li>Represented Carlsmed, Inc. (Nasdaq: CARL) in connection with its $100.5 million initial public offering</li><li dir="ltr">Represented Arm Holdings plc (NASDAQ:ARM), the world’s leading semiconductor IP company, in its blockbuster $5.22 billion USD IPO on Nasdaq, the largest IPO of 2023</li><li dir="ltr">Represented Centuri Holdings and parent company Southwest Gas Holdings in $353 million IPO and concurrent private placement</li></ul><ul dir="ltr"><li dir="ltr">Represented Krystal Biotech, Inc. (NASDAQ:KRYS) in multiple equity offerings, with an aggregate value of approximately $635 million</li><li dir="ltr">Represented Southwest Gas Holdings, Inc. in its $238.4 million public offering of common stock</li><li dir="ltr">Represented UDR, Inc. (NYSE:UDR) in connection with multiple public debt offerings with an aggregate value of approximately $1.3 billion and in connection with multiple public equity offerings with an aggregate value of over $2 billion</li><li dir="ltr">Advised eBay Inc. (NASDAQ:EBAY) in connection with a $1.15 billion offering of senior unsecured notes under its existing shelf registration statement and in connection with a $2.5 billion offering of senior unsecured notes under its existing shelf registration statement</li><li dir="ltr">Advised Sky Harbour LLC, a developer of private aviation infrastructure, in connection with its business combination agreement with Yellowstone Acquisition Company (NASDAQ: YSAC, YSACU, and YSACW), a publicly traded SPAC sponsored by Boston Omaha Corporation (NASDAQ:BOMN); as part of the business combination with Sky Harbour, a subsidiary of Boston Omaha purchased 10,000,000 shares of Yellowstone Class A common stock and acquired additional shares of Class A common stock and warrants to purchase Class A common stock as Yellowstone’s sponsor.</li><li dir="ltr">Represented Vontier Corporation (NYSE:VNT) in connection with its 144A private offering of $1.6 billion in senior notes</li><li dir="ltr">Represented Education Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:EDR) in connection with multiple public offerings of debt and equity securities resulting in proceeds in excess of $2.0 billion</li><li dir="ltr">Represented Farmland Partners Inc. (NYSE:FPI) in its $53.2 million initial public offering, its $46.5 million and $37.0 million follow-on offerings, and its $25.0 million at-the-market equity offering</li><li dir="ltr">Represented the underwriters in connection with registered offerings of over $33 billion of fixed and floating rate notes by Shell International Finance, the U.S. financing subsidiary of Royal Dutch Shell Plc</li><li dir="ltr">Represented the underwriters in connection with the registered offering of $5 billion of notes by Novartis Capital Corporation, the U.S. financing subsidiary of Novartis AG</li><li dir="ltr">Represented the underwriters in connection with Plymouth Industrial REIT’s approximately $58 million initial public offering, multiple follow-on offerings of common stock, and $45 million offering of preferred stock</li><li dir="ltr">Represented Southwest Gas Corporation in multiple registered debt offerings of over $1.6 billion in the aggregate</li><li dir="ltr">Represented Vonage Holdings Corp. in connection with its $300 million Rule 144A offering of convertible notes</li><li dir="ltr">Represented MedEquities Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:MRT) in its $275 million initial public offering</li><li dir="ltr">Represented Inovalon Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:INOV) in its $685 million initial public offering</li><li dir="ltr">Represented Veeco Instruments Inc. (NASDAQ:VECO) in two 144A convertible notes offerings of $425 million in the aggregate</li><li dir="ltr">Represented onsemi (NASDAQ:ON) in its $500 million Rule 144A offering of 1.625% senior convertible notes and in its $700 million offering of 3.875% senior unsecured notes</li><li dir="ltr">Represented the sales agents in connection with Equity Residential’s (NYSE:EQR) at-the-market offering program of 13 million common shares</li><li dir="ltr">Represented the underwriters in connection with the establishment of a $300 million at-the-market (ATM) equity offering program by Apple Hospitality REIT</li></ul>

John Hensley

Rhys Bortignon is a partner in Morrison Foerster’s Capital Markets practice, based in New York. Rhys’ practice focuses on derivatives and structured products. He is a member of the firm’s Derivatives, Commodities + Structured Products practice group and Co-Head of its Securities + Derivatives Regulatory Solutions team.With a focus on practical and commercial solutions, Rhys provides counsel to a diverse range of U.S. and international clients, from both the buy side and sell side, including corporates, investment banks, commercial banks, private equity, funds, investment managers, and sovereigns. Rhys offers strategic guidance to his clients from both a transactional and a regulatory perspective and navigates complex cross-border issues with proficiency, providing pragmatic advice to clients operating globally.Rhys’ experience spans the spectrum of derivative transactions across asset classes, including rates, foreign exchange, credit, equity, digital assets, and commodities. He also frequently advises on margin loans, repo and securities lending transactions, the hedging components of project and corporate financings, as well as various structured products. Rhys is well-versed in U.S. derivatives legal and regulatory matters under the Dodd-Frank Act, the Commodity Exchange Act, and the Securities Exchange Act as well as related CFTC, SEC, and prudential regulation, including the regulation of security-based swaps, swaps, futures and options as well as security-based swap dealers, futures commission merchants, introducing brokers, swap dealers, commodity pool operators, commodity trading advisors, and exchanges and clearing organizations. Rhys advises on leading-edge issues in the derivatives space, such as AI, digital assets, distributed ledger technologies (including DeFi), energy transition matters, and sustainability-linked transactions. He frequently authors thought leadership pieces on current and proposed derivatives regulations in the United States.Rhys sits on the Board of Directors of the LGBT Bar Association of New York, a voluntary professional organization dedicated to ensuring full equality for members of the LGBTQ+ community, promoting the advancement of LGBTQ+ legal professionals, and serving the larger community through various pro bono initiatives.Prior to joining the firm, Rhys was counsel at another international law firm in New York. He also gained experience as an associate at leading law firms in London and Sydney. Rhys is admitted to practice law in New York, England & Wales, and New South Wales, Australia.<h4>Representative Experience</h4><h5>Securitizations</h5><ul><li>Advised a global vehicle rental and leasing company with respect to its derivatives transactional and regulatory matters, including in connection with its international securitization platform and related financing activities</li></ul><h5>Equity Derivatives</h5><ul><li>Represented a leading geothermal company engaged in recovered energy generation in connection with its Rule 144A private offering of green convertible senior notes and the negotiation and execution of the associated capped call transactions with various dealer counterparties</li><li>Represented a data security and analytics pioneer in connection with its private Rule 144A offering of convertible senior notes, and the negotiation and execution of the associated capped call transactions with various dealer counterparties</li><li>Represented the initial purchasers and the capped call transaction counterparties in a digital sports betting and gaming platform’s offering of convertible senior notes, including the negotiation and execution of the associated capped call transactions</li><li>Represented a major South American mobile telecoms operator on its derivatives trading documentation in connection with its high-yield bond tap issuance</li><li>Represented the sole bookrunner in connection with the offering of a leading player in the global snack arena’s guaranteed zero-coupon exchangeable bonds and associated derivatives elements</li></ul><h5>Lending + Finance</h5><ul><li>Represented an international specialty finance company in connection with its global funding structure, which included: a notes offering; a consent solicitation of the holders of multiple preexisting issuances of notes; an amended multi-currency revolving credit facility; and the amendment and restatement of the company’s private placement notes purchase agreement</li><li>Represented a portfolio company of a Canadian asset management firm in connection with its entrance into a warehouse facility intended to finance a portfolio of consumer home rental contracts</li></ul><h5>Business Restructuring + Insolvency</h5><ul><li>Represented an operator of power infrastructure in the United States and its applicable debtor subsidiaries in connection with the consummation of the strategic transactions contemplated by the company’s chapter 11 plan of reorganization and provided assistance with the completion of its restructuring. The plan of reorganization entailed, among other components: the infusion of new equity capital pursuant to a common equity rights offering; a revolving credit facility; a Term Loan B credit facility; a Term Loan C credit facility; and a bilateral line of credit, as well as full repayment of the company's formerly existing first-lien funded debt and the consensual equitization of all of the company’s formerly existing unsecured notes. Representation included the drafting and negotiation of the foregoing debt financing transactions (including implementing intercreditor and first-lien security arrangements for derivative counterparties) and the renegotiation and implementation of commodity derivative documentation with several counterparties.</li></ul><h5>Project Finance</h5>Advised on the derivatives transactional and regulatory aspects of several high-profile project financing matters, including drafting and negotiation derivatives documentation, structuring hedging trades, and advising on intercreditor and other related matters:<ul><li>Represented a group of 13 commercial banks in connection with a non-recourse senior secured financing of the redevelopment of multiple terminals of a major global airport in the United States</li><li>Represented a group of international commercial banks in connection with a non-recourse financing of a wind project in Brazil</li><li>Represented a group of international banks as lenders and issuing banks in connection with the non-recourse first- and second-lien project financings of a wind farm and a solar power plant in Chile</li><li>Represented a leading private equity firm specializing in the energy industry in connection with a senior secured facility to finance the development, operation and maintenance of certain assets in the United States</li></ul><h5>M&A</h5><ul><li>Represented a leading private equity firm specializing in the energy industry in its sale of one of the premier independent utility-scale energy storage and renewable energy platforms in the United States to a French multinational utility company</li></ul>

Rhys Bortignon

Co-Head of Securities + Derivatives Regulatory Solutions

Emily Beers is of counsel in Morrison Foerster’s Capital Markets and Public Company Advisory & Governance practices. Her practice focuses on representing publicly and privately held companies in a variety of corporate and securities law matters.Emily represents both issuers and investment banks in initial public offerings, follow-on offerings, and private placements, including offerings of common and preferred equity, investment-grade debt, convertible debt, and high-yield debt. Emily also regularly advises clients with respect to liability management transactions, including tender offers, as well as M&A transactions.In addition, Emily regularly counsels companies with respect to corporate governance issues, compliance with the U.S. federal securities laws, and the requirements of the New York Stock Exchange and NASDAQ, as well as general corporate matters.Emily is recognized in IFLR1000 for Capital Markets: Debt, Capital Markets: Equity, and M&A (2021).Prior to joining Morrison Foerster, Emily worked as an associate in the capital markets practices of other international law firms in New York and London.<h4>Representative Matters</h4><ul><li>Represented the dealer managers in Shell plc’s exchange offers of up to $8.4 billion involving six series of outstanding notes and the issuance of new privately placed notes guaranteed by Shell.</li><li>Represented the underwriters in connection with the $2.35 billion offering of guaranteed notes issued by Shell Finance U.S. Inc., a subsidiary of Shell plc.</li><li>Represented the underwriters in the $450 million bond offering of Senior Notes by First Industrial, L.P., a real estate investment trust company.</li><li>Represented the underwriters in the $400 million registered offering of Senior Notes by COPT Defense Properties, L.P., a real estate investment trust.</li><li>Represented Riot Platforms, Inc. in its offering of $594.4 million of 0.75% convertible senior notes due 2030.</li><li>Represented the initial purchasers in the $345 million bond offering of 5.25% Exchangeable Senior Notes due 2028 by COPT Defense Properties, L.P.</li><li>Represented Wells Fargo Securities, Deutsche Bank Securities, and Goldman Sachs & Co. in Shell plc’s $12 billion exchange offering of Convertible Notes.</li><li>Represented Veeco Instruments Inc. (Nasdaq: VECO) in its private offering of up to $230 million aggregate principal amount of 2.875% Convertible Senior Notes due 2029. </li><li>Represented Crinetics Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: CRNX) in its $500 million public offering of 10,000,000 shares of its common stock. </li><li>Represented Crinetics Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: CRNX) in its $350 million private placement of 8,333,334 shares of its common stock. </li><li>Represented McKesson Corporation (NYSE: MCK) in its offering of $500 million of 4.250% notes due 2029 and subsequent redemption of 5.250% notes due 2026. </li><li>Represented onsemi (NYSE: ON) in its upsized $1.5 billion private offering of 0.50% Convertible Senior Notes.</li></ul><ul><li>Represented Sprint Corp. and SoftBank Group Corp., the controlling shareholder of Sprint, on the all- stock merger of Sprint and T-Mobile US Inc. The total implied enterprise value for Sprint in the transaction was approximately $59 billion and the aggregate for the combined company enterprise value was approximately $146 billion.</li><li>Represented onsemi (NASDAQ: ON) in its Rule 144A offering of $1.5 billion 0.5% Convertible Senior Notes due 2029; in its Rule 144A offering of $700 million 0% Convertible Senior Notes due 2027; and in its Rule 144A offering of $700 million 3.875% Senior Notes due 2028.</li><li>Represented The Chemours Company (NYSE: CC) in its Rule 144A offering of $650 million 4.625% Senior Notes due 2029; in its Rule 144A offering of $800 million 5.750% Senior Notes due 2028 and concurrent tender offers to purchase all or a portion of its outstanding Senior Notes and related consent solicitations; and in its registered offering of €450 million 4.000% Senior Notes due 2026 and concurrent tender offers to purchase all or a portion of its outstanding senior notes and related consent solicitations.</li><li>Represented McKesson Corporation (NYSE: MCK) in its registered offering of $500 million 5.250% Notes due 2026; in its registered offering of $500 million 1.300% Senior Notes due 2026 and related tender offer to repurchase a portion of its outstanding senior notes; and in its registered offerings of $700 million 3.650% Notes due 2020 and $400 million 4.750% Notes due 2029 and concurrent tender offers to purchase a portion of its outstanding senior notes and related consent solicitations.</li><li>Represented BlackBerry Limited (NYSE: BB) in its $200 million Rule 144A offering of convertible notes. </li><li>As designated underwriters’ counsel to Royal Dutch Shell Plc, represented the underwriters in connection with registered offerings of more than $30 billion of fixed and floating rate notes by Shell International Finance, the U.S. financing subsidiary of Royal Dutch Shell Plc.</li><li>Represented Southwest Gas Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: SWX) in its defense against a hostile tender offer and proxy contest by Carl Icahn, and in its subsequent registered offerings of common stock and debt. </li><li>Represented Unity Software Inc. (NYSE: U) in its stock-for-stock merger with ironSource, Ltd. for an approximate value of $4.4 billion.</li><li>Represented the underwriters in connection with the registered offering of $5 billion of notes by Novartis Capital Corporation, the U.S. financing subsidiary of Novartis AG.</li><li>Represented Vontier Corporation (NYSE: VNT) in its $1.6 billion 144A offering of Senior Notes and its $1.6 billion registered exchange offer.</li><li>Represented the placement agent in connection with the $50 million private offering of senior secured notes by Newport Realty Trust, a private mortgage REIT, the private placement of $36.5 million aggregate principal amount of 7.5% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2025 issued by NextPoint Real Estate Finance Operating Partnership, L.P., the operating partnership subsidiary of NexPoint Real Estate Finance, Inc. (NYSE: NREF), and the private placement of $42.25 million aggregate principal amount of its 7.00% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2026 issued by Pelorus Fund REIT, LLC.</li><li>Represented Veeco Instruments Inc. (NASDAQ: VECO) in its registered offering of $300 million 2.70% Convertible Senior Notes due 2023.</li><li>Represents the sales agents in connection with Equity Residential’s (NYSE: EQR) at-the-market equity offering; as designated underwriters’ counsel, represented the underwriters in connection with registered offerings by Equity Residential’s operating partnership, ERP Operating Limited Partnership, of an aggregate of $1.25 billion of notes.</li><li>Represented Whole Foods Market, Inc. (NASDAQ:WFM) in its $1.0 billion Rule 144A/Regulation S offering of 5.200% Senior Notes due 2025.</li><li>Represented the underwriters in connection with Community Healthcare Trust Incorporated’s (NYSE: CHCT) approximately $136.6 million initial public offering and in subsequent follow-on offerings.</li><li>Represented Inovalon Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: INOV) in its approximately $685 million initial public offering.</li></ul>

Emily Beers

Of Counsel

Alex Okuliar is Chair of Morrison Foerster’s Global Antitrust Law Practice Group. He served as the Deputy Assistant Attorney General for Civil Antitrust Enforcement at the U.S. Department of Justice during the first Trump Administration and, earlier in his career, as a trial attorney at DOJ and an advisor at the Federal Trade Commission. His practice includes merger reviews, litigation, and government investigations.“The ‘excellent’ Alex Okuliar has a broad practice taking in merger clearance, conduct investigations and antitrust litigation. He is particularly noted for his work on behalf of media and technology companies.” – Chambers USA, DC AntitrustAlex represents clients in lawsuits in federal and state courts around the United States. Described as “very smart” and “incredibly knowledgeable,” he has helped clients succeed in a wide range of cases, including class actions and private party disputes alleging price fixing, monopolization, group boycotts, market allocation, and tying. He and his team recently won Global Competition Review’s 2026 Litigation of the Year – Non-Cartel Prosecution for their representation of Avadel Pharmaceuticals in a monopolization case against another pharmaceutical company.He also regularly represents clients in merger and conduct investigations by the U.S. Department of Justice, the Federal Trade Commission, state Attorneys General, and foreign agencies, including the European Commission and the UK Competition and Markets Authority. He has guided clients through the complex global merger clearance process and litigated agency merger challenges through trial.Alex has notable federal agency senior leadership experience. He was appointed the Deputy Assistant Attorney General for Civil Enforcement in the DOJ Antitrust Division during the first Trump Administration and in that role oversaw more than 150 career staff, agency merger enforcement, and an industry-wide review of online platforms. He was also one of the principal architects and leaders of the agency’s landmark search monopolization case against Google (U.S. v. Google). Earlier in his career, Alex served as an attorney advisor to former FTC Commissioner Ohlhausen and a trial attorney in the Networks & Technology Enforcement Section of the Antitrust Division. Prior to his service as Deputy AAG, Alex was a partner at another international law firm.Alex is a thought leader and a frequent writer and speaker. He has edited or contributed to leading antitrust treatises and handbooks, including Antitrust Law Developments (7th edition), the Premerger Notification Practice Manual (3rd and 4th editions), and the Intellectual Property and Antitrust Handbook (2nd edition).Before law school, Alex co-founded and sold an online technology company.<h4>Representative Experience</h4><h5>Merger Review </h5>Alex has worked on nearly a thousand deals across many industry sectors over his roughly 25-year career. He has handled dozens of second requests and litigated merger cases through trial. Clients appreciate his in-depth knowledge of the federal agencies and the range and depth of his experience, particularly in technology markets. As one client noted in The Legal 500 U.S. Antitrust: Merger Control guide, “Alex Okuliar brings a deep knowledge of the law and economics of antitrust, and the ability to frame that knowledge within the unique circumstances of the digital economy.” Representative deals include:Agriculture, Food & Beverage<ul><li>AgroFresh Solutions in its acquisition of Pace International, a global provider of sustainable post-harvest solutions, equipment, and technical services, from Sumitomo Chemical.</li><li>Paine Schwartz Partners in multiple transactions in the agriculture technology and food space, including the recapitalization of Special New Fruit Licensing (SNFL), a table grape R&D company, as part of SNFL’s combination with IFG, and the investment by EQT into SNFL.</li><li>Sugar Foods Corporation in its sale to Pritzker Private Capital.</li></ul>Technology and Online Platforms<ul><li>Apigee, a cloud computing company, in its $625 million sale to Google.</li><li>AVG Technologies in its $1.3 billion sale to Avast Software, maker of antivirus and security software.</li><li>Cisco in multiple matters, including its $600 million acquisition of SD-WAN provider, Viptela.</li><li>Dupont Photomasks, a leading maker of semiconductor photomasks, in its roughly $650 million sale to Toppan Printing Co. Ltd., which closed after a Second Request investigation by the DOJ Antitrust Division.</li><li>Infineon Technologies AG in the sale of its HiRel DC-DC converter business to Micross Components, Inc.</li><li>Microsoft in many deals, including its $7.5 billion acquisition of GitHub, an AI-powered developer platform.</li><li>Molina Healthcare in the $231 million sale of its Medicaid management information systems business to DXC Technology.</li><li>Propel Media, an online advertising platform, in an FTC Second Request investigation and federal court and administration litigation related to its proposed acquisition by healthcare data company, IQVIA.</li><li>ShowingTime, a leading residential property technology company, in its $500 million sale to Zillow, which cleared successfully without conditions after a Second Request investigation by the FTC.</li><li>Uber in its multi-hundred-million-dollar investments in both Nuro, an American self-driving technology company and Lucid Group, Inc., a Silicon Valley-based technology company focused on creating the most advanced EVs in the world.</li><li>Unity Software Inc. in multiple transactions, including its all-stock $4.4 billion acquisition of app monetization platform and tool developer ironSource and the concurrent $1 billion PIPE investment by Silver Lake and Sequoia, and in response to the related $13.6 billion unsolicited acquisition proposal from AppLovin.</li></ul>Media, Entertainment & Telecommunications<ul><li>Hispanic Broadcasting Company in its $3 billion sale to Univision, which closed with a settlement after a year-long DOJ Second Request investigation.</li><li>Nexstar Media Group, one of the nation’s leading media companies and local television station owners, in achieving DOJ clearance of its $6.2 billion acquisition of Tegna Inc., an owner and operator of local television stations, and in subsequent litigation against several State AGs and a private party challenging the consummated deal.</li><li>Planet Labs, a satellite imagery and analytics company, in the acquisition of satellite company, Terra Bella Technologies, from Google.</li></ul>Energy, Infrastructure, and Industrials<ul><li>Axalta Coating Systems in its acquisition of U-POL Holdings Limited, a manufacturer of automotive repair and refinish products, for £428 million in cash (approximately US$590 million).</li><li>Advised Axalta Coating Systems on antitrust aspects of its approximately $285 million acquisition of The CoverFlexx Group, a provider of economy coatings for automotive refinish and aftermarket applications, from Transtar Holding Company.</li><li>Enterprise Products Partners in its $13 billion acquisition of GulfTerra, which closed with limited divestitures after an FTC Second Request investigation.</li><li>Enterprise Products Company (EPCO) and Dan L. Duncan in the FTC investigation related to EPCO and Duncan’s roughly $1.1 billion acquisition from Duke Energy of Texas Eastern Products Pipeline Company.</li><li>McGrath RentCorp. in its $400 million acquisition of Vesta Modular, a provider of temporary and permanent modular buildings, from Kinderhook Industries.</li><li>McGrath RentCorp. in its $200 million sale of Adler Tank Rentals to Ironclad Environmental Solutions.</li><li>McGrath RentCorp. in the FTC Second Request investigation of McGrath’s proposed $3.8 billion acquisition by WillScot Mobile Mini Holdings.</li><li>Meade Pipeline Co. in the $1.37 billion sale of its natural gas pipeline system to NextEra Energy Partners.</li><li>Nova Chemicals in its joint venture to build a $1.7 billion ethylene cracker and a polyethylene plant in Texas with Borealis and Total.</li><li>A private equity fund in the FTC investigation of the fund’s acquisition of a large North American plastics distribution business.</li><li>Schlumberger in the creation of Sensia, a joint venture with Rockwell Automation to develop and provide digital, integrated automation solutions for the oil and gas industry.</li><li>Superior Plus Corp., a leading North American distributor of propane, compressed natural gas, renewable energy and related products and services, in the $325 million sale of its construction products distribution business to Foundation Building Materials, a US distributor of building materials backed by Lone Star Funds.</li><li>Superior Plus Corp. in its $900 million acquisition of NGL Energy’s retail propane distribution business.</li></ul>Life Sciences<ul><li>Bayer AG in its $600 million acquisition of biotech company, BlueRock Therapeutics.</li><li>Bayer AG, through Leaps by Bayer, in its $215 investment in Century Therapeutics.</li><li>Kindred Biosciences in its approximately $450 million sale to Elanco Animal Health.</li><li>Otsuka Pharmaceuticals in its roughly $250 million acquisition of ADHD-drug developer, Neurovance.</li></ul>While serving at the DOJ and FTC, Alex investigated or oversaw the review of hundreds of transactions, including the $180 billion merger of United Technologies and Raytheon, NASDAQ’s proposed $11 billion acquisition of NYSE Euronext, Deutsche Boerse’s proposed $10 billion acquisition of NYSE Euronext, Waste Management’s $4.6 billion acquisition of Advanced Disposal Services, Liberty Latin America’s $1.95 billion purchase of AT&T Puerto Rico, Google’s $2 billion acquisition of Fitbit, Google’s $700 million acquisition of ITA Software, Reading Health System’s proposed acquisition of Surgical Institute of Reading, and Universal Health Service’s acquisition of Ascend Health Corporation, among many others.<h4>Antitrust Conduct Litigation</h4>Alex has represented clients in some of the most significant antitrust cases of the last twenty years, including class actions and private party disputes, and has represented both plaintiffs and defendants. As The Legal 500 U.S. Antitrust: Civil Litigation/Class Actions Defense guide noted, “Alex Okuliar litigates cutting-edge antitrust topics such as platform competition and data collection as well as media cases.” His thought leadership on class action issues has also been cited by courts (See In re GPU Antitrust Litigation, 253 F.R.D. 478, 492–3 (2008)). Representative cases include:Private Party Disputes (Plaintiff and Defense)<ul><li>Avadel, a leading biopharmaceutical company, in Jazz Pharmaceuticals v. Avadel CNS Pharmaceuticals (D. Del.), alleging monopolization and other unlawful conduct by Jazz Pharmaceuticals. The case squarely addressed conduct long viewed by enforcers as anticompetitive, placing it at the forefront of pharmaceutical antitrust enforcement. The FTC also filed an <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2022/11/ftc-amicus-brief-challenges-abuse-fda-orange-book-listing-procedures-block-drug-competition" target="_blank">amicus brief</a> explaining to the Court the harm to competition from such listings. With trial imminent, achieved sweeping global settlement, delivering $90 million payment, perpetual worldwide license to key patents, and long-term certainty over Avadel’s commercial rights, unlocking Avadel’s strategic potential, culminating in a proposed $2.37 billion acquisition. The MoFo team recently won Global Competition Review’s 2026 – Litigation of the Year – Non-Cartel Prosecution.</li></ul><ul><li>Capital One in American Express v. Visa, et al. (S.D.N.Y.), where he defended the client against group boycott claims alleging that certain exclusive bylaws for the Visa and Mastercard credit card networks represented an agreement to boycott American Express. The case settled after years of litigation.</li><li>The Clorox Company and its Brita subsidiary in Zerowater v. Clorox, Brita, et al. (E.D. Pa), a lawsuit which involves allegations of patent ambush, monopolization and unfair competition. The case recently settled.</li><li>Icon, a real estate development company, in Icon v. Southwest Regional Council of Carpenters, et al. (C.D. Cal.), a federal antitrust lawsuit alleging monopolization, sham petitioning, and other claims in labor markets. See the press coverage in <a href="https://www.bloomberglaw.com/bloomberglawnews/antitrust/XEJFH0U8000000?bna_news_filter=antitrust#jcite" target="_blank">Bloomberg</a>. The case settled.</li><li>Provi, an e-commerce platform, in Tiz (d/b/a Provi) v. Southern Glazer’s and Republic National Distribution Co. (N.D. Ill.), an antitrust claim alleging monopolization, tying, and group boycott, among other conduct, by the nation’s largest alcohol distributors to eliminate new and innovative online marketplace competition from Provi. See coverage of the case by <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2022/03/29/alcohol-ordering-antitrust-suit-00021383" target="_blank">Politico</a>.</li><li>A national financial institution in its defense against state unfair competition claims in connection with a business transaction.</li><li>A leading online professional networking site in its defense against unfair competition claims based on allegations that the site had blocked a competing site from scraping its data to develop another service.</li><li>A leading medical imaging technology company in an antitrust counterclaim related to a patent infringement action.</li><li>An online media streaming company in an antitrust counterclaim against the major national television broadcasters related to a copyright infringement lawsuit.</li></ul>Class Action Defense<ul><li>Asiana Airlines in In re Korean Air Lines Co. Antitrust Litigation (C.D. Cal.), defending against a class action alleging price-fixing of passenger air fares. Client prevailed on motion to dismiss claims of indirect purchasers of passenger air fares, which was upheld in relevant part on appeal, and the remainder of the case settled. </li><li>Asiana Airlines in In re Air Cargo Shipping Services Antitrust Litigation (E.D.N.Y) to defend against a class action alleging price-fixing of cargo shipping fees. The case was ultimately settled.</li><li>Capital One in In re Payment Card Interchange Fee and Merchant Discount Litigation (E.D.N.Y.), to defend against alleged price-fixing claims related to credit card interchange fees. This matter ultimately settled.</li><li>Honeywell in Wright v. Honeywell (Vt.), McKinnon v. Honeywell (Me.), Fagan v. Honeywell (Mass.), and Roos v. Honeywell (Cal.), to defend against class actions alleging monopolization of certain home thermostats. Certain cases were dismissed after briefing and oral argument and others were ultimately settled.</li></ul>Other (Government Litigation)<ul><li>The United States in United States v. Google (search) (D.D.C.), in its landmark monopolization case against a leading online search engine. He served as the senior Antitrust Division official overseeing the DOJ staff team to develop and prosecute the lawsuit.</li><li>The United States in United States and the State of Michigan v. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (E.D. Mich.) regarding allegations that the defendant’s most favored nation provisions in its contracts with providers were an unlawful restraint of trade. The matter was dismissed after the State of Michigan enacted laws banning the use of most favored nation clauses by insurers, health maintenance organizations, and nonprofit health care corporations in contracts with providers.</li></ul><h4>Government Investigations & Policy Advocacy</h4>Alex also handles investigations, compliance counseling, and policy advocacy for governmental entities. As one client noted in The Legal 500 U.S. Antitrust: Cartels guide, “Alex Okuliar brings a calm and thoughtful approach to the matters he advises on. He has good judgment and delivers advice in a user-friendly format. He stays current on emerging issues in antitrust law and provides a helpful perspective on areas of risk and how to best address those areas.”Some of his matters include representing:<ul><li>An AI company in an FTC investigation of a technology platform.</li><li>A technology company in its defense against an FTC investigation into an alleged order violation.</li><li>A major chemical company as a leniency applicant in a DOJ criminal price-fixing investigation.</li><li>An airline in various DOJ criminal cargo and passenger airfare antitrust investigations.</li><li>A technology company in a DOJ investigation of an alleged no-poach agreement relating to employee hiring.</li><li>A major energy company as a third-party complainant and witness in an FTC investigation leading to litigation against the merging companies.</li><li>An energy company in an internal investigation of trading activity related to allegations of price fixing.</li><li>A major hospital system in a state AG price-fixing and market allocation investigation.</li><li>A ticket reseller in a state AG consumer protection investigation.</li><li>A major retailer as a third party in multiple state and federal investigations.</li><li>Clients advocating to government agencies on issues relating to technology platforms, mergers, and issues involving antitrust and intellectual property.</li></ul>

Alexander Okuliar

Chair of Global Antitrust Law Practice Group

Felix Helmstaedter possesses more than fifteen years of experience in complex regulatory counselling, compliance, and litigation. He advises major companies, public sector entities, and innovative businesses on EU and German regulatory law, with a particular focus on foreign trade, government contracts, and competition. His clients span a range of industries, including telecoms, digital economy, media, technology, financial services, healthcare, energy, and transportation (automotive, e-mobility, public transport, and railway). Felix regularly represents clients in administrative proceedings and public and civil law disputes before national and European authorities and courts, including in public procurement matters and bid protests.His specific experience in foreign trade matters comprises EU sanctions and export control compliance counselling, representation of Asian or U.S. investors in foreign investment control clearance proceedings, and other complex matters involving cybersecurity or further national security concerns.Felix also oversees large-scale internal investigation or regulatory law-driven transactional projects and is particularly experienced in providing strategic advice to market entrants and representing clients in sophisticated multiparty negotiations.As a member of our leading global National Security, Sanctions and Export Control, Government Contracts, and Antitrust practice groups, Felix works closely with high-ranking experts across three continents.Felix regularly lectures at the Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin. His dissertation deals with the market regulation issues of liberalizing the railway sector.Felix studied in Berlin (Dr. iur.) and Geneva, Switzerland (“Certificate in Transnational Law”). He worked as an intern in the Hearing Office of the European Commission (Directorate-General for Competition) in Brussels and at the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology (Department of Competition, Regulation and Privatization Policy) in Berlin.<h4>REPRESENTATIVE EXPERIENCE*</h4><h5>Foreign Investment, Sanctions and Export Control</h5><ul><li>Advising major global businesses and organizations on sanctions, export control compliance and internal compliance programs.</li><li>Representing companies in sanctions related disputes and litigation.</li><li>Counseling EU companies on conflicts of laws relating to U.S. sanctions and EU or EU Member State blocking laws and regulations.</li><li>Secured foreign investment control clearances in global M&A transactions before the German Ministry of Economics and Energy and coordinated with local counsel in multiple jurisdictions on clearance under local foreign investment and national security laws.</li></ul><h5>Regulatory, Government Contracts, Competition and EU State Aid</h5><ul><li>Advising a public transportation company on regulatory laws and regulations.</li><li>Counseling companies on public tenders and bid protests.</li><li>Assisted a tech startup with market access to build loading infrastructure for electric vehicles.</li><li>Advised private railway companies on track access, public tenders and EU state aid matters.</li></ul><h5>Compliance and Investigations</h5><ul><li>Advising a major OEM regarding diesel emissions.</li><li>Conducted an internal investigation at a healthcare company in relation to government contracts, and represented the client successfully in a bid protest and follow-on litigation.</li><li>Conducted multinational government contracts compliance review and associated risk assessment for a Fortune Global 500 company, including recommending process improvements and policy changes.</li><li>Conducted a multinational compliance review regarding conflicts of interest and anti-kickback policies.</li></ul><h5>Transactions</h5><ul><li>Represented 1&1/United Internet in negotiations and advised on establishing the European netID Foundation together with ProSiebenSat.1 and RTL.</li><li>Supported U.S. satellite network operator Planet Labs, Inc. during the acquisition of the German satellite system RapidEye.</li><li>Assisted a Chinese investor in the acquisition of Bochumer Verein, a steel manufacturer with plants in Germany and Brazil, from Georgsmarienhütte.</li><li>Represented Viacom in negotiations and advised on establishing the television and video ad sales marketing joint venture “Visoon” with Axel Springer.</li></ul> * includes prior law firm experience

Dr. Felix Helmstädter berät seine Mandanten seit über fünfzehn Jahren zu komplexen Fragestellungen des Regulierungsrechts, bei Transaktionen sowie bei Compliance-Verstößen und vertritt sie in Verwaltungs- und Gerichtsverfahren.Zu seinen Mandanten zählen führende nationale und internationale Unternehmen, Unternehmen der öffentlichen Hand und neue, innovative Marktteilnehmer. Er berät diese sowohl strategisch als auch in Verhandlungen oder streitigen Auseinandersetzungen in zahlreichen Bereichen des europäischen und deutschen Regulierungsrechts, mit einem besonderen Fokus auf Fragen des Außenwirtschaftsrechts, Vergabe- und Beihilferechts sowie Wettbewerbsrechts.Besondere branchenspezifische Kenntnisse besitzt Dr. Felix Helmstädter in den Sektoren Telekommunikation, Digitalwirtschaft, Big Data, Medien, Technologie, Finanzdienstleistungen, Gesundheit, Energie und Transport (Automotive, E-Mobility, Öffentlicher Nahverkehr und Eisenbahn).Er vertritt seine Mandanten regelmäßig in Verwaltungs- und Bußgeldverfahren sowie verwaltungs- und zivilgerichtlichen Prozessen vor nationalen sowie europäischen Behörden und Gerichten. Hierzu zählt auch die Vertretung bei vergaberechtlichen Streitigkeiten und Nachprüfungsverfahren sowie in Investitions- und Fusionskontrollverfahren.Seine spezifische Expertise in Außenhandelsfragen umfasst die Compliance mit EU-Sanktionen und Exportkontrollanforderungen, insbesondere auch im Verhältnis zum US-Sanktions- und Exportkontrollrecht. Dr. Felix Helmstädter vertritt zudem vor allem asiatische und US-amerikanische Investoren bei Verfahren zur Genehmigung ausländischer Investitionen und berät zu komplexen Fragen der Cybersicherheit etwa im telekommunikationsrechtlichen oder außenwirtschaftsrechtlichen Kontext.Weitere Beratungsschwerpunkte von Dr. Felix Helmstädter sind die Koordinierung und Durchführung von umfangreichen internen Ermittlungen, die Beratung zu vergaberechtlicher und beihilfenrechtlicher Compliance, die Betreuung von regulierungsrechtlich geprägten M&A-Transaktionen, sowie die strategische Beratung etwa in Fragen des Marktzugangs oder die Verhandlungsführung bei komplexen Vertragsprojekten.Als Mitglied der führenden globalen Praxisgruppen National Security, Sanctions and Export Control; Government Contracts; und Antitrust arbeitet Dr. Felix Helmstädter eng mit hochrangigen Experten über drei Kontinente hinweg zusammen.Er lehrt an der Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin. Seine Dissertation behandelt marktordnungsrechtliche Fragen der Liberalisierung des Eisenbahnsektors.Dr. Felix Helmstädter studierte in Berlin (Dr. iur.) und Genf (Certificat de Droit Transnational). Während seines Referendariats arbeitete er u.a. im Hearing Office der Europäischen Kommission, Generaldirektion Wettbewerb (Brüssel) sowie im Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Technologie, Referat für Wettbewerbs-, Regulierungs- und Privatisierungspolitik (Berlin).

Felix Helmstädter

Chuan Sun is Managing Partner of the Shanghai and Hong Kong offices.Chuan focuses his practice on cross-border M&A transactions; sophisticated technology, media, and telecom (TMT) transactions; and complex IP/commercial matters across Greater China.With more than 20 years of experience in both Asia and the U.S., Chuan regularly advises multinational corporations, state-owned enterprises, private companies, and PE/VC firms in complex cross-border M&A transactions, joint ventures, strategic alliances, and business separation transactions.Chuan has extensive experience in complex corporate-commercial and technology transactions across the Fintech, e-commerce, and broader TMT sectors. His work covers payment technology, eKYC, credit technology, blockchain, e-platform arrangements, R&D, co-development, technology collaborations, and IP licensing. He also advises on strategic outsourcing, manufacturing, distribution, supply, and franchising arrangements across various industries.Chuan regularly counsels clients on cutting-edge technology and IP regulatory matters, including Fintech, data privacy, cybersecurity, data localization, cross-border data transfers, cloud computing, telecommunications, telematics, and third-party payment services.Prior to joining MoFo, he worked in the Hong Kong office of a Magic Circle firm and the Chicago office of another leading international firm.Chuan co-authored the Hong Kong & mainland China chapters of Getting the Deal Through – Telecoms and Media, 2014, 2015 & 2016; the Hong Kong & mainland China chapters of Getting the Deal Through: Market Intelligence – Telecoms and Media, 2015; and the Hong Kong chapter of Sourcing World 2nd Edition 2015.Chuan is fluent in Mandarin and English.“Chuan Sun has a wealth of knowledge on his clients’ existing products and services offerings and a good understanding of what terms they are or are not willing to accept. This helps tremendously with contract negotiations.”“Chuan Sun has extensive experience in the technology space. Many other competitor firms in the technology space are not really pure IT lawyers, as they are more focus on privacy and trade marks or other related fields, as opposed to technology contracts such as SAP or Microsoft software license agreements. A normal general commercial lawyer would not be able to identify the same issues or raise the right questions, as they are not equipped with the technology know-how of the products and services, their benefits, and general industry standard terms and trending patterns in the market.” Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2020<h4>Representative Experience:</h4><ul><li>CPE, a Chinese alternative investment firm, in connection with its US$350 million joint venture with Restaurant Brands International (RBI), one of the world's largest multinational fast food holding company, to operate Burger King in China which has around 1,250 restaurants in total. This transaction is one of the most significant private equity-led transactions in China’s consumer sector in 2025.</li><li>OcuMension Therapeutics (HKSE: 01477), a Hong Kong Stock Exchange listed ophthalmic pharmaceutical platform in China in its acquisition of substantial assets valued at HK$1.28 billion (approximately US$165 million) from Alcon Inc., a global leader in eye care. The transaction involves asset purchase, global license, transition services and manufacture and supply arrangement and constitutes a very substantial transaction of OcuMension.</li><li>Ascendent Capital Partners in its US$1.66 billion privatization of Hollysys Automation Technologies Ltd. (NASDAQ: HOLI), a leading international automation control system solutions provider. This is a rare transaction where a PE fund successfully acquires a US-listed Chinese company without forming a consortium with controlling shareholder or management. It is also the first and only U.S. take-private of a BVI-incorporated company involving a dissenter process. </li></ul><ul><li>Leading Global, China-Headquartered Fintech Company. Advise the company in connection with its first provision of blockchain and Real World Asset solutions in the fintech industry to a leading Chinese securities company for the latter’s first launch of structured product tokens, enabling secure, transparent, tamper-proof transactions for fixed-income and principal-protected tokenized products linked to US equity ETFs.</li><li>Leading Global, China-Headquartered Fintech Company. Advise the company in connection with the international expansion of its various business operations that are based on cutting-edge technologies, including blockchain and crypto, into multiple jurisdictions. </li></ul>

孙川是美富上海办公室和香港办公室的管理合伙人。孙川律师的执业领域集中在大中华区的跨境并购交易，复杂的技术、媒体和电信(TMT)交易以及复杂的知识产权/商务事宜。孙律师在亚洲和美国有20多年工作经验，他经常代理跨国公司、国有企业、私人企业和私募股权/风险投资机构处理复杂的跨境并购交易、合资、战略联盟和业务拆分等交易。孙律师在战略性的公司商务和技术交易方面也拥有极为丰富的经验，包括外包、制造、分销、供应与特许经营安排，以及跨行业知识产权许可安排等。他在TMT和知识产权监管方面的经验包括电信、电子商务、互联网、网络安全、数据隐私、云计算以及车联网。在加入美富前，孙律师在一家 “魔法圈”律所(Magic Circle)的香港办事处和另一家领先的国际律所的芝加哥办事处工作。孙律师与他人合著了2014，2015和2016版《让交易推进下去––电信与媒体》(Getting the Deal Through – Telecoms and Media)中的香港和中国大陆章节，2015年版《让交易推进下去：市场情报––电信与媒体》(Getting the Deal Through: Market Intelligence – Telecoms and Media)中的香港和中国大陆章节，以及2015年《采购世界》第二版(Sourcing World 2nd Edition)的香港章节。2018年《亚太法律500强》指出“孙川律师十分高效、负责和实际。他非常擅长处理IT协议，包括软件许可和IT采购合同的相关事宜。他也十分善于处理跨境TMT交易。”孙律师精通普通话和英语。<h4>具有代表性的交易 </h4><ul><li>代表中国另类投资公司CPE源峰 就其与世界上最大的餐饮公司之一餐饮品牌国际集团（Restaurant Brands International，简称 RBI）成立价值3.5亿美元的合资企业。该合资企业将负责汉堡王在中国的运营，目前在全国拥有约 1,250 家餐厅。本次交易是 2025 年中国消费行业中由私募股权基金主导的最具代表性交易之一。</li><li>代表香港上市的中国眼科制药平台欧康维视生物医药(HKSE: 01477)处理其收购全球眼科护理领域的领导者爱尔康公司价值 12.8 亿港元（约 1.65 亿美元）重大资产的事宜。交易涉及资产收购，以及全球许可、过渡期服务、生产和供应安排等，是欧康维视的一项非常重大交易。</li><li>代表上达资本处理其以16.6亿美元对和利时自动化技术有限公司（纳斯达克证券交易所股票代码：HOLI）进行私有化事宜。和利时是一家领先的国际自动化控制系统解决方案提供商。这是一宗罕见的交易。在这宗交易中，私募股权基金在未与控股股东或管理层组建财团的情况下，就成功收购了在美国上市的中国公司。这也是首宗且唯一一宗涉及异议股东程序的，在英属维尔京群岛注册成立的公司的美国上市公司私有化交易。</li><li>代表一家总部位于中国的全球领先金融科技公司首次为金融科技行业提供区块链及现实世界资产（RWA）解决方案，协助一家中国头部证券公司首次发行结构化产品代币。该方案为挂钩美国股票ETF的固定收益及保本型代币化产品提供了安全、透明且防篡改的交易支持‌。</li><li>代表一家总部位于中国的全球领先金融科技公司处理基于区块链和加密货币等尖端技术开展的各项业务在多个司法管辖区进行国际扩张的事宜。</li></ul>

Chuan Sun

Managing Partner, Shanghai and Hong Kong

An antitrust specialist with more than 15 years of experience, Marie-Claire advises clients on merger control and foreign investment aspects of complex global transactions, investigations, abuse of dominance, and complex vertical agreements. Drawing on this expertise, she also chairs the firm’s cross-practice Government Strategies group.She has advised corporate clients and financial investors across a range of sectors including technology, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, energy, retail, healthcare, sports rights and industrials. In addition to coordinating complex multi-jurisdictional advice and delivering EU and other global merger control and foreign investment clearances, she has extensive UK CMA experience, having acted for clients on a number of complex CMA investigations, both at Phase 1 and Phase 2 and having delivered multiple informal CMA clearances. She regularly advises on CMA engagement strategy in global deals.She also regularly counsels clients in relation to compliance across all aspects of competition law, including horizontal and vertical commercial agreements and dominance. She has also represented clients before the EU and UK regulators in relation to both cartels and abuse of dominance as well as in the context of market investigations.Marie-Claire is recognized in each of the annual editions of Who’s Who Legal: Competition – Future Leaders from 2017 to 2024.<h4>Representative Experience</h4><ul><li>Advising Unity Technologies in relation to its $4.4B Acquisition of ironSource</li></ul><ul><li>Advising Nikon Corporation, a globally active Japanese manufacturer of optical technology solutions, in connection with the public takeover of SLM Solutions Group AG, a Lübeck-based manufacturer of metal 3D printers</li><li>Advising SoftBank in Connection with $3.4 Billion Combination of Eutelsat and OneWeb</li><li>Advising Endurance Acquisition Corp in connection with its investment in Satixfy</li><li>Advising a major record label in relation to a CMA market study into music streaming</li><li>Advising a major energy company and fund manager, active in retail, generation and fund management in relation to the merger control and foreign investment aspects of strategic investment</li><li>Advising a global software company in relation to a CMA merger control investigation into its acquisition of a key competitor</li><li>Advising a UK grocery retailer in relation to a CMA investigation into a failed merger between two of the four major UK grocery retailers</li><li>Advising a consortium of financial investors on the global merger control and UK and foreign public interest aspects of a takeover of UK-based satellite telecommunications company</li></ul>

Marie-Claire Strawbridge

James Brower is a partner in Morrison Foerster’s Litigation Department, residing in the Washington D.C. office.James has extensive experience advising and representing clients in matters relating to the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) and other national security-related matters. He has worked across a variety of departments within the U.S. Federal Government, including the Defense Security Service (now the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency) within the Department of Defense and the Office of Investment Security within the Department of the Treasury. James, while with the Department of the Treasury, led the review, assessment, and investigation of over one hundred transactions and spent years handling complex filings, transactions, and policies. He also led CFIUS’s mitigation monitoring efforts and the deployment and implementation of the CFIUS Pilot Program.Directly prior to joining Morrison Foerster, James worked at a global law firm representing clients before CFIUS advising clients on various policies and processes in compliance with federal statutes, and leading engagements with the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency.James received his B.A. in English as well as Government and International Politics from George Mason University, and his J.D. from The George Washington University Law School.

James Brower

Charles Capito is a partner in both Morrison Foerster’s National Security and Government Contracts + Public Procurement practices.In the National Security space, he has significant experience counseling clients on the complex and evolving considerations related to the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS). Charles frequently helps investors and U.S. businesses through every aspect of the CFIUS process, from understanding and allocating CFIUS risk on the front end, to presenting cases before the Committee, to negotiating appropriate mitigation measures, and ultimately to implementing and complying with mitigation agreements after the fact. Charles’ experience includes securing clearances for some of the largest and most sensitive cases reviewed by CFIUS, as well as dozens of more discreet transactions and investments.Charles regularly advises clients on critical regulatory regimes in the national security space. Whether in the context of specific transactions or day-to-day counseling, clients rely on Charles to help them comply with and operate under U.S. export controls, in particular, the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and Export Administration Regulations (EAR). These regimes, especially the EAR, are undergoing noteworthy and complex changes, and now play key roles in other legal regimes like CFIUS. In addition, government contractors with access to classified information and their investors go to Charles to understand their obligations under the National Industrial Security Program (NISP) and, in particular, the sensitive issues presented by foreign ownership, control, or influence (FOCI) in this space.Companies operating in today’s national security space are wise to take a holistic view of the legal environment incorporating not only their legal obligations today, but also the wider geopolitical landscape to plan for the future. Charles speaks and writes regularly on these and other topics in the national security space, and has been recognized by legal publications like Chambers USA and Best Lawyers for his expertise in these areas.Charles is also a seasoned Government Contracts practitioner, assisting government contractors with a wide variety of compliance and litigation issues. This includes the numerous national security issues government contractors face when they are subject to FOCI, manufacture or export defense articles under the ITAR or sensitive dual-use technology under EAR, or are required to understand and comply with recent compliance regimes like Section 889 of the 2019 National Defense Authorization Act. Charles also has years of experience on pre- and post-award bid protests before the Government Accountability Office and the Court of Federal Claims, and contracts claims and disputes before the boards of contract appeals, and other judicial and administrative tribunals.  Additionally, he counsels clients on prime- and subcontractor disputes, small business issues, compliance with federal procurement regulations, and government contracts mergers and acquisitions.Charles graduated from Washington & Lee University School of Law, where he served as senior articles editor of the Washington & Lee Law Review. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Duke University.

Charles Capito

Chris Chamberlain is a partner in Morrison Foerster’s National Security Group. He previously served as a Senior Advisor at the U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), where he focused on complex high-technology issues in export controls at the forefront of U.S. national security and foreign policy, including semiconductors. He brings over 15 years of government and private practice experience, including in-depth knowledge in export controls and related fields. Chris has extensive experience advising and engaging with senior government and industry leadership, and in navigating interagency and international coordination on export controls. During his time at BIS, Chris was a Senior Advisor to the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Export Administration and was the senior policy lead for semiconductor manufacturing controls. He played a pivotal role in strategizing, drafting, and implementing key regulations and policy actions on semiconductor issues. Chris advised on key issues pertaining to the Department of Treasury’s outbound investment regulations. In his work in and out of government, Chris has led teams and personally handled the execution of virtually every aspect of regulatory implementation in export controls. This includes extensive coordination with enforcement personnel, engineers, and other regulatory and legal experts on issues arising from license applications and determinations, Advisory Opinions, Letter Authorizations and the Is-Informed process, and other regulatory mechanisms and issues. Chris also has extensive experience in the extraterritorial application of export controls, including under the Foreign Direct Product Rule (FDPR) and De Minimis Rule, and restrictions on U.S. Person activities. Chris has a particular industry focus on semiconductor production, microelectronics, telecommunications (including encryption), and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning. His experience also includes advising companies’ export controls issues in semiconductor design and test, cloud based services, and various technologies involved in autonomous vehicles, making him a valuable asset in navigating the regulatory landscape of these high-tech sectors. He also has extensive experience consulting with industry to provide feedback on regulations, and he has strategized and executed numerous internal investigations to assess compliance with U.S. trade and national security controls. In private practice, Chris has advised on the development and application of a wide array of national security and trade laws, with a specific focus on export controls (EAR/ITAR) and specializations in federal procurement and other regulations on cyber and supply chain security. Chris has extensive experience in export compliance, policy, and enforcement, having developed and implemented global compliance programs focused on trade and national security controls, especially on controls related to China and Russia. His work has involved advising on export jurisdiction and classification determinations (CCATS and Commodity Jurisdiction requests), strategizing and preparing export license applications and similar requests, and conducting internal risk assessments and investigations to assess compliance with U.S. trade controls. In the context of CFIUS, Chris has conducted export control jurisdiction and classification analysis in company-wide critical technology reviews for CFIUS filings and evaluated potential outcomes and timing for CFIUS reviews. He has also drafted guidance and advised on national security authorities in the context of commercial and corporate transactions, especially related to China and telecommunications, including undersea cable projects. Earlier in his career, Chris served as a Judicial Law Clerk to Judge Margaret Ryan on the United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces, where he drafted memoranda and briefed cases involving complex constitutional law and regulation. Prior to that, he worked as a Program Analyst in the Office of Audits at the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of the Inspector General, where he designed and executed audit plans focused on immigration, procurement, transportation, and grants. Chris earned his J.D., cum laude, from Georgetown University Law Center, where he was recognized as an Exceptional Pro Bono Pledge Honoree.

Chris Chamberlain

Anthony Ramirez is a partner in the Technology Transactions Group in the New York office of Morrison Foerster.Anthony advises clients on general commercial and transactional matters. He regularly advises companies on the IP aspects of their M&A transactions. His clients include technology, digital media and content for television and music, financial services, and communications companies with diverse intellectual property assets and issues.His practice focuses on the legal aspects of developing, licensing, and commercializing technology and intellectual property, as well as negotiating general commercial contracts, including outsourcing transactions, as well as content and data licenses. He regularly assists clients with legal issues relating to licensing and commercialization of digital media and content, digital content that is distributed over the Internet or streamed, mobile applications and social media, as well as the licensing of recorded music for distribution via digital platforms. Anthony is also experienced with issues relating to open-source software, software development, artificial intelligence and machine learning, cloud-based technology, and protection of proprietary information.Anthony has extensive experience working on matters involving disruptive technologies, such as blockchain. He has helped fintech clients with general intellectual property issues in connection with terms of service for online financial products and services.Anthony is an integral part of the outside pro bono legal team for nonprofit organizations based in New York, including advising clients on legal issues regarding entertainment, social media, privacy rights, and the negotiation of outsourcing and service agreements. Anthony received his J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School in 2009. He received his B.S. from Cornell University in 2004.

Anthony Ramirez

Richard Nugent is a partner in the firm’s New York office and chair of its Tax practice.Richard has over 25 years of experience advising on the tax aspects of complex transactions including public and private M&A, spin-offs, joint ventures, internal restructurings, and financings and capital markets transactions. He also advises debtors and creditors within and outside of bankruptcy.Richard has been recognized in Chambers USA, where he is praised as “an extremely knowledgeable and dedicated attorney” and “well-versed in communicating complex issues.” The Legal 500 describes Richard as having a “deep understanding of the business, including product supply, marketing, and distribution” which clients describe as “priceless when representing us in deal matters.” Prior to joining Morrison Foerster, Richard was a tax partner at another international law firm in New York. He serves on the Executive Committee of the New York State Bar Association Tax Section and is a member of the Tax Forum. A sought-after speaker, Richard frequently presents on tax topics for Practising Law Institute programs.Richard holds an LL.M. with distinction from Georgetown University, a J.D. with honors from Rutgers School of Law – Newark, and a B.A., summa cum laude, from Saint Peter’s University. He also served as a law clerk to Judge Richard F. Suhrheinrich of the U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit and Judge Robert P. Ruwe of the U.S. Tax Court.<h4>Representative Experience</h4><ul><li>Represented Centuri Holdings and parent company Southwest Gas Holdings in $238 million public offering of common stock</li><li>Represented Paine Schwartz Partners, a global leader in sustainable food chain investing, in its investment in Chex Finer Foods, a value-added specialty food distributor</li><li>Represented the board of Continental Disc Corporation, a portfolio company of Tinicum, in connection to its sale to Baker Hughes, an energy technology company</li><li>Represented Hooter’s Inc. and Hoot Owl Restaurants, L.L.C. in the acquisition of over 100 restaurants from Hooters of America LLC, which filed for Chapter 11 protection on March 31st in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court</li><li>Represented Centuri Holdings and parent company Southwest Gas Holdings in $353 million IPO and concurrent private placement</li><li>Represented C2 Capital Partners in its investment in Stella & Chewy’s, a leading North American pet food manufacturer</li></ul>

Richard Nugent

Chair of the Tax Practice

Phil advises clients on U.S. federal income tax considerations in connection with domestic and cross-border transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, reorganizations, capital markets transactions, derivatives, and other financial products. He regularly represents clients in a wide variety of industries, including foreign and domestic banks, financial institutions, technology and Fintech companies, investment funds, and companies in the consumer and hospitality industries.Phil’s practice also includes advising on all U.S. federal income tax aspects of formation, ongoing operations, and compliance matters for public and private REITs and real estate funds, private equity funds, and joint ventures. This broad experience allows him to provide commercially minded advice and deliver practical solutions to the firm’s clients. In addition to transactional tax matters, Phil enjoys helping clients navigate and successfully resolve administrative matters with the IRS, as well as complex tax controversies. Phil regularly contributes to MoFo’s pro bono and community engagement initiatives, including education policy and advocacy matters.

Philip Jaworskyj

Domnick advises the firm’s clients on all matters relating to executive compensation, with a focus on compensation and benefits aspects of corporate transactions, including mergers, spin-offs and initial public offerings. Domnick also advises a broad range of clients on design and implementation of equity and cash-based incentive arrangements (including compensatory partnership interests), severance, change in control and executive employment agreements, non-qualified deferred compensation plans and related issues concerning tax (including sections 280G and 409A) and securities law issues. His clients range from Fortune 500 companies to emerging growth companies.Domnick also works regularly with public companies in preparing executive compensation disclosures for annual proxy statements and merger proxies, as well as advising on section 16 and other securities law and stock exchange issues relating to equity-based compensation.

Domnick Bozzetti

Michael Schulman is a partner in the firm’s Global Employment and Labor Group and co-head of the firm’s Washington, D.C. Litigation Department.Michael regularly advises clients in connection with important workforce-related matters, including hiring and negotiating employment agreements for senior executives, sensitive executive separations, internal workplace investigations, employment claims and disputes, and employment issues arising in the context of mergers, acquisitions, bankruptcies and other corporate transactions. Michael is known for using a pragmatic, efficient, and results-oriented approach, focused on achieving his clients’ desired business outcomes.Michael regularly guides clients through complex workforce issues, including, for instance allegations of workplace misconduct; restrictive covenant drafting, enforcement, and strategic evaluation; worker classification and wage-and-hour compliance practices; and the unique issues that arise in a unionized workplace. Michael’s experience covers a broad range of employment and labor laws at the federal, state, and local level, including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 1981 of the Civil Rights Act of 1866, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the National Labor Relations Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act, the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, the Defend Trade Secrets Act, and corresponding state and local laws.Michael has unique experience addressing labor and employment matters that arise in connection with corporate transactions, particularly for private equity firms. Michael has represented clients in over 2,000 transactions, including many large-scale multinational mergers, acquisitions, and asset carve-outs. He regularly conducts acquisition-related labor and employment due diligence and advises clients on the employment and workforce integration or separation implications of mergers, acquisitions, sales, and financings.In the litigation context, Michael represents employers in U.S. federal and state court litigation, administrative agency proceedings, and arbitrations arising out of alleged labor and employment law violations. Michael defends employers against actions brought by government agencies, such as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and Department of Labor, as well as actions initiated by current and former employees. He also prosecutes suits against former employees and their new employers for breach of restrictive covenants.

Michael Schulman

Susannah Cupp has more than 20 years of experience representing clients in complex real estate finance transactions, including syndicated, portfolio, mezzanine, and construction loans, secured and unsecured revolving credit facilities, subordinate loans, participation arrangements, and intercreditor and co-lender agreements.Susannah represents prominent domestic and foreign banks and lending institutions, as well as property owners, in the financing of office and mixed-use properties, multi-family projects, hotels and resorts, condominium projects, retail/commercial centers, self-storage facilities, and industrial projects. She also represents banks in connection with secured and unsecured credit facilities to public and private homebuilders.Susannah’s practice also involves representing clients in purchase and sale transactions, joint venture arrangements, and leasing arrangements. She also has experience in distressed real estate matters, including workouts and restructurings. Prior to joining Morrison Foerster, Susannah worked in municipal government, and she is experienced in local government policies, procedures, and regulations.Susannah is a member of the Los Angeles County Bar Association and the Los Angeles Real Estate & Construction Industries Council.

Susannah Cupp

Michael Vernace is a partner in Morrison Foerster’s San Francisco office and member of the firm’s Finance and Private Equity Investments + Buyouts Groups.Mike’s practice focuses on supporting sponsor-borrowers along with additional lender-side representations and borrower-side bankruptcy remote financings. He regularly advises clients through syndicated finance and other commercial lending transactions, including acquisition, leveraged, investment-grade, asset-based, corporate, receivables, net asset value, and hybrid financings. He has extensive experience representing prominent private equity sponsors and their portfolio companies in complex domestic and cross-border financings, including acquisition financings and refinancings. He has led transactions covering a range of industries, including healthcare and life sciences, tech, telecommunications, and media and entertainment, among others.Mike was recently recognized by The Legal 500 Green Guide: United States 2024 for his efforts in promoting environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards, and he brings a wealth of experience from his previous role in another global law firm’s banking and credit group.Mike received his J.D. from Duke University and his B.S. in business administration, summa cum laude, from Boston University. He is admitted to practice in both California and New York.

Michael Vernace

Drawing on his considerable experience in environmental health, William (Bill) focuses his practice on environmental and consumer protection law, with an emphasis on climate-related goals and claims, hazardous substances, mass torts, and consumer product safety. Bill started his career at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Regional Counsel in San Francisco, and he currently leads the firm’s environmental practice.Bill routinely advises clients in connection with their carbon reduction and climate-related goals and claims (including carbon neutral and net zero carbon commitments) and helps clients substantiate their claims and avoid greenwashing claims. He frequently advises clients in connection with the Federal Trade Commission’s Green Guides, state consumer protection statutes, and a broad range of sustainability and chemical disclosure laws. He defends clients in environmental and consumer class action litigation in courts throughout the country and is highly regarded for his ability to coordinate technical, legal, and communications teams to counsel clients through crises. He has tried cases in state and federal courts for a variety of complex and multidistrict litigation matters, including product liability claims and environmental and land use disputes.Bill represents the firm’s clients in nearly every aspect of environmental regulation and supports the firm’s global transactional practices in all areas of U.S. environmental law. He is also a member of the firm’s Sustainability + Corporate Responsibility Steering Committee.<h5>Environmental Litigation and Regulatory</h5>Bill has represented the firm’s clients before a broad range of environmental regulatory agencies in rulemaking proceedings, permit applications, and appeals and enforcement actions. Bill heads MoFo’s environmental due diligence teams and serves as the lead on transactional negotiations involving environmental liability risks, including significant experience in cross-border transactions.<h5>Consumer Class Action, False Advertising, and Product Liability</h5>Bill has broad experience in consumer class action and false advertising litigation, especially concerning claims of health or environmental benefits. He has also advised numerous well known life sciences, technology, and consumer product companies on consumer disclosures and warnings, including compliance with U.S. and European requirements governing product safety.<h5>More About Bill</h5>Before entering private practice, Bill clerked at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region IX Office of Regional Counsel, where he assisted in the prosecution and resolution of cases brought by the U.S. Department of Justice for violation of the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and Resource Conservation and Recovery Act.Bill received his J.D. with honors from the Georgetown University Law Center and completed the Law and Public Health program sponsored by Georgetown University and the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Through this program, he earned a master’s in public health, as well as specialty certification in environmental health risk assessment from the Johns Hopkins Risk Sciences and Public Policy Institute. At Georgetown, he was an executive editor of the Georgetown International Environmental Law Journal and received the CALI Award for Excellence in International Environmental Law. In 2000, he studied law at the Universidad de Mendoza, in Mendoza, Argentina, as an international law fellow. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Berkeley.

William Tarantino

Clients seek out Julie because of her practical advice on cutting-edge issues at the intersection of privacy and consumer protection laws. She provides clients with practical solutions to compliance challenges around a wide variety of both online and offline privacy issues, including tracking, interest-based advertising, geo-targeting and other mobile tracking, personalization, and cross-device tracking. Recognized in The Legal 500 US 2014, 2016, 2019, and 2020 and Chambers USA 2021 for her exceptional legal work, her clients praise her saying, “She is really good at giving practical, targeted advice and taking stock of what the risk profile of the client is, so that the advice is holistic.” (Chambers USA).Julie provides clients with creative and practical advice on meeting the requirements of state and federal privacy laws, including the Federal Trade Commission Act (FTC), the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). She crafts guidelines and compliance programs for clients’ collection, use, and disclosure of personal information in diverse contexts and throughout the life cycle of their initiatives, such as for connected products (the Internet of Things) and mobile services. She also drafts privacy and cookies policies, online service terms of use, agreements involving online and offline advertising and marketing practices, and agreements concerning a variety of data uses. In addition, Julie helps clients assess and manage privacy risks, including in connection with mergers, acquisitions, and other strategic transactions.Julie creates compliance programs for clients’ use of a wide variety of channels for communicating with and marketing to consumers, including email, telephone, text message, and fax, both in the United States and around the world. She works with clients to develop their social media strategies and to clear their social media content. She also reviews advertising in both traditional and new media for compliance with applicable laws, including Section 5 of the FTC Act and various FTC rules and guides. In addition, she works with clients to structure, market, and implement their sweepstakes, contests, and other promotions in compliance with applicable laws.As a former FTC staff attorney, Julie regularly defends companies in investigations by the FTC and before data protection authorities around the world.<h4>Representative Experience</h4><ul><li>A company that creates online software used by schools in an FTC investigation of alleged COPPA violations.</li><li>A consumer services company investigated by the Korean data protection authority for alleged privacy violations</li><li>A manufacturer in connection with a challenge of its environmental advertising claims by the FTC </li><li>An advertising services company in an investigation of alleged privacy-related violations of the FTC Act</li><li>An online provider of entertainment services in an FTC investigation of alleged COPPA violations</li><li>A beverage company in an FTC investigation of alleged COPPA violations</li></ul>Before attending law school, Julie was a Peace Corps volunteer in The Gambia, West Africa.

Julie O'Neill

Jonathan Newmark is an of counsel in Morrison Foerster’s Data, Cyber + Privacy Group. He advises clients across industries on data protection best practices, national and international regulatory compliance, information governance, product development, consumer trust and safety, transaction diligence, crisis management, and cyber incident response.Jonathan counsels clients ranging from emerging to late-stage to public companies in a variety of industries on complex data privacy and cybersecurity issues related to local, global, and industry-specific legal frameworks, including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the ePrivacy Directive, the EU-U.S. Data Privacy Framework, state and federal wiretapping laws, the California Privacy Rights Act (CCPA/CPRA), the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA), the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), and the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA).As part of his practice, Jonathan has negotiated data transfer and processing agreements, implemented vendor risk management programs, developed information security policies and procedures, guided product development and design, and advised on corporate transactions. Jonathan has also coached clients through largescale data breaches and regulatory scrutiny related to information security and consumer protection, which has included representing clients in front of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the New York and Massachusetts attorneys general, and foreign regulators.Jonathan’s representative matters have comprised designing and implementing a large social media organization’s internal technical investigation related to the 2016 U.S. presidential election, advising on the development of a large technology company’s metaverse platform, designing trust and safety programs for an artificial intelligence chatbot application and a teen social media platform, and coaching a mobile banking business through cooperation with the Department of Justice and law enforcement authorities in consumer fraud investigations.Jonathan also maintains an extensive pro bono practice, which has included counseling nonprofit organizations on data protection best practices as well as successfully representing LGBTQ+ and other refugees in their applications for asylum and immigration status in the United States.Jonathan is designated as a Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP/US) by the International Association of Privacy Professionals.Jonathan received his J.D. from Columbia Law School, where he was recognized as a Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar. He received his B.A. from Harvard College, where he graduated cum laude.

Jonathan Newmark

Jon Bockman is the head of the firm’s Technology Patent Practice. In this capacity, he leads the firm’s prominent group of patent practitioners with degrees in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, computer science, computer engineering, chemical engineering, biomedical engineering and physics. His team handles work in all technology areas including medical devices, AI and machine learning, cybersecurity, computer hardware, advanced materials, and robotics. His practice concentrates on domestic and international patent prosecution, portfolio management, IP due diligence, patent infringement and validity determinations, and IP litigation support. His clients range from some of the largest domestic and international companies to early-stage startups.As lead patent prosecution counsel for several large and emerging companies, Jon has helped clients set up patent departments and committees for building and maintaining strategic patent portfolios. Clients note to IAM Patent 1000 that “[Jon] provides expert legal advice that is clear, understandable and tailored to the needs of the specific client. He is very responsive and is always available when you need him.”Jon has extensive experience helping clients navigate IP concerns including freedom-to-operate and potential litigation issues. Jon is also experienced with leading patent due diligence projects related to investments and mergers and acquisitions. He often leads investor-side and company-side patent due diligence reviews related to these transactions.Jon is a member of the firm’s Inter Partes Review and Post Grant Practice. In this capacity, he handles inter partes review and post-grant review proceedings that were introduced by the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act. He has also handled many disputes for clients in front of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), including inter partes reexaminations, ex parte reexaminations, and derivation proceedings.Jon is recognized as an IP Star by Managing Intellectual Property and as a leading patent practitioner by IAM Patent 1000. He is also recommended by The Legal 500 US for patent prosecution. While earning his J.D., Jon was the associate editor of the University of Colorado Law Review.

Jonathan Bockman

Robert May is a partner in the firm’s Litigation Department. His practice focuses on M&A litigation, corporate governance disputes, and securities litigation. Robert has more than fifteen years of experience representing clients in a broad range of industries including technology, financial services, and pharmaceuticals.Robert’s experience includes defending actions challenging corporate transactions on behalf of both targets and acquirers, including litigating motions for preliminary injunctions seeking to delay or prevent stockholder votes. He has significant experience defending clients in stockholder class actions brought under the federal securities laws, and responding to regulatory and criminal investigations. Robert’s practice also focuses on breach of fiduciary duty claims, as well as counseling companies and their directors and officers in governance disputes. Robert has particular experience effectively managing multi-forum matters to limit exposure and cost to his clients and navigating insurance issues in matters covered by directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policies.Before joining Morrison Foerster, Robert worked for six years in the New York office of another international law firm where he represented a variety of financial institutions, pharmaceutical companies, technology companies, and other multinational corporations in securities litigation, antitrust litigation, and regulatory enforcement matters. Robert also worked for one year as a law clerk to the Honorable Robert P. Patterson Jr., U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of New York.Robert received his J.D. from Columbia Law School, where he was a Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar, a managing editor of the Columbia Journal of Law and Social Problems, and a recipient of the Jane Marks Murphy prize for achievement in clinical offerings. Robert earned his B.A., with honors and distinction, from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.