Proskauer Expands Capital Markets Group With Addition of Justin Breen

NEW YORK, Dec. 14, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Justin Breen has joined Proskauer as a Partner in New York, expanding the firm's Capital Markets Group and further strengthening its high-yield and overall corporate finance capabilities.

Mr. Breen focuses his practice on public and private capital markets transactions and leveraged bank financings with a particular focus on high-yield debt offerings and syndicated loan transactions. He has represented underwriters, initial purchasers, agents, lenders, and dealer managers, including Bank of America, Citigroup, Deutsche Bank, Morgan Stanley, J.P. Morgan, Goldman Sachs, Barclays, Credit Suisse, Jefferies and Wells Fargo.

"We have made tremendous strides over the past five years in expanding the breadth and depth of our capital markets practice to provide our clients with the most comprehensive platform of services," said Frank Lopez, Partner and co-head of Proskauer's Capital Markets Group. "Justin is one of the top high-yield execution lawyers on Wall Street and his reputation, experience, level of knowledge and network of contacts strengthen, and allow for the continued expansion of, our capabilities."

Mr. Breen also represents funds in senior and mezzanine debt transactions, as well as equity financings, and has represented corporations and private equity firms in acquisitions and dispositions of private and public companies, debt and equity financings, and other investments. Additionally, he regularly assists clients in general securities and corporate matters.

"Our Capital Markets Group has experienced a record level of activity in the past year, and the nature of the market is such that the needs of our clients will continue to increase in the coming months and years," said Bruce L. Lieb, co-Chair of Proskauer's Corporate Department. "Likewise, our reputation as a go-to practice for underwriters and issuers in the area of high yield has continued to grow. This is exactly where Justin fits in—he is widely respected in the field, and will not only enhance our ability to execute for our clients, but serve as yet another building block for our future."

Mr. Breen received his J.D. from Villanova University School of Law and his B.A. from the University of Vermont. He formerly practiced at Cahill Gordon & Reindel, where he worked in a variety of industries, including energy, communications, gaming, pharmaceuticals, biotech, manufacturing, financial services, insurance, technology, and food services.

His move to Proskauer continues the growth of the firm's Corporate Department, which has recently welcomed Ron Franklin and Greg Ruback from Mayer Brown, who have deep experience in leveraged finance matters, Daniel Ganitsky, who joined the firm's Mergers & Acquisitions and Latin America groups from Skadden Arps, and Gabe Gregson, who joined the firm's Finance Group from Skadden.

Proskauer's Capital Markets Group is one of the premier practices in the U.S., representing investment banks, sponsors, issuers and institutional investors. The group has experienced dramatic growth over the last four years with a presence in New York, Los Angeles, Sao Paulo, Hong Kong and London. The group is nationally recognized in Chambers USA and US Legal 500, and achieved top rankings in Bloomberg and Thomson Reuters' league tables for both underwriters and issuer-side representation in debt and equity transactions.

About Proskauer

Founded in 1875, Proskauer is a global law firm widely recognized for its leadership in a variety of legal services provided to clients worldwide from offices in Boca Raton, Boston, Chicago, Hong Kong, London, Los Angeles, New Orleans, New York, Newark, Paris, Sao Paulo and Washington, DC. Additional information about the firm, which has extensive experience in all areas of practice important to businesses, not-for-profit institutions and individuals, can be found at www.proskauer.com.

SOURCE Proskauer