Blank Rome Welcomes Leading Private Equity and M&A Team in New York
09 July 2024 - 1:58AM
Blank Rome LLP is pleased to announce that Jeffrey “Jeff” A.
Fickes and Christopher “Chris” J. DePizzo have
joined the firm’s New York office as partners in
the Corporate, M&A, and Securities group. They bring
extensive experience representing businesses and investors
throughout the United States and internationally in private equity
(“PE”) transactions, mergers and acquisitions (“M&A”), and
other corporate matters. Jeff and Chris join Blank Rome from
Ballard Spahr where Jeff co-led the private equity group and served
as a member of the firm’s senior leadership team.
Jeff and Chris join Blank Rome during a period of exciting
strategic growth. In May, the firm opened its Boston office
with a 25-attorney team with leading corporate, finance,
M&A, tax, litigation, and cannabis practices, and several weeks
later expanded with three additional corporate and
transactional attorneys.
“We are delighted to welcome Jeff and Chris to our firm and
growing corporate team,” said Grant S. Palmer, Blank Rome’s
Chair and Managing Partner. “They are both highly regarded
corporate attorneys who have successfully handled complex and
sophisticated transactions for their clients. Jeff also has
significant business experience that provides him with unique
perspective as a lawyer and enables him to build deep relationships
with his clients. We are excited by the momentum in our Corporate,
M&A, and Securities group and look forward to continued growth
to support our clients.”
Jeff brings decades of experience in business to his role as a
trusted adviser to his clients, which include investors as well as
company owners, boards, and senior executives. He has served as
lead counsel on domestic and international mergers, acquisitions,
dispositions, joint ventures, PE, venture capital,
recapitalization, debt and equity financing, and other strategic
transactions, as well as corporate governance and organizational
matters. Jeff grew up in a closely held business environment, and
before entering private legal practice he held corporate financial
management positions in both public and private companies,
including a Fortune 500 company.
Chris has extensive experience advising private equity firms and
their portfolio companies, along with other public and private
companies, on a broad range of complex transactions, including
platform and add-on acquisitions, leveraged buyouts, carve-outs,
strategic mergers, minority and emerging company investments,
dispositions, special situations transactions, and joint ventures.
He also counsels clients on various general commercial, corporate,
and governance matters. He has handled transactions involving and
has represented companies spanning the corporate life cycle, from
innovative start-ups to international market leaders.
“Jeff and Chris are outstanding additions to our experienced
team of dealmakers,” said Louis M. Rappaport, partner and
co-chair of the Corporate, M&A, and Securities group. “They
have impressive track records of advising clients on a wide range
of transactional matters, and their experience will be instrumental
in helping our clients navigate the complexities of deal-making as
we embrace the dynamic opportunities of the second half of
2024.”
“Blank Rome is highly regarded for its corporate bench and
capabilities in mergers, acquisitions, and private equity
transactions, which will complement my practice,” said Jeff. “I was
also drawn to Blank Rome for the firm's diverse practice areas and
strategic office locations, particularly in markets outside of New
York such as Chicago, Dallas, and Houston where I have strong
client relationships. I look forward to serving clients from Blank
Rome’s national platform and contributing to the firm’s
success.”
“I am excited to join Blank Rome and work with my talented new
colleagues across the firm,” said Chris. “Blank Rome has a strong
reputation for providing high-quality legal services and strategic
business counsel to its clients. The firm also has a collaborative
and supportive culture that fosters professional growth and
development. I am eager to broaden the work we do for clients at
Blank Rome.”
Jeff has completed Harvard Law School’s Leadership of Law Firms
program and earned his J.D. from The Ohio State University Moritz
College of Law, his MBA (finance concentration) from The Ohio State
University Fisher College of Business where he was the Banc One
Capital Fellow and a member of Beta Gamma Sigma Honors Fraternity,
and his B.S. in Accounting from The University of Akron.
Chris earned his J.D. from University of Pennsylvania Law
School, his Certificate in Business and Public Policy from
University of Pennsylvania Wharton School of Business, and his
B.A., summa cum laude, from Saint Peter’s University.
About Blank Rome
Blank Rome is an Am Law 100 firm with 16 offices and 750
attorneys and principals who provide comprehensive legal and
advocacy services to clients operating in the United States and
around the world. Our professionals have built a reputation for
their leading knowledge and experience across a spectrum of
industries and are recognized for their commitment to pro bono work
in their communities. Since our inception in 1946, Blank Rome’s
culture has been dedicated to providing top-level service to all of
our clients and has been rooted in the strength of our diversity
and inclusion initiatives. For more information, please visit
blankrome.com.
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- Jeffrey “Jeff” A. Fickes
- Christopher “Chris” J. DePizzo
Abby Moriarty
Blank Rome LLP
3127762597
abby.moriarty@blankrome.com