Stroock Names Two New Co-Leaders of Its Broad Corporate Practice

NEW YORK, Nov. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Reflecting a recent surge in the volume and diversity in its transactional work growing out of the firm's recently adopted strategic plan, Stroock has named two new co-heads of its firmwide Corporate Practice group.  The new leadership is supported by a cross-functional team of partners in a variety of related groups.

Taking over as co-chairs of the Corporate team are longtime partners Christopher Doyle and Jeffrey Lowenthal. Mr. Doyle has particular experience in mergers and acquisitions, securities offerings, commodities financings and corporate governance. Mr. Lowenthal focuses on corporate finance, reorganizations and business combinations. Both lawyers boast extensive deal histories.

The elevation of new corporate group leadership complements a recent firmwide strategic review at Stroock. "Our transactional practice, with a powerful, integrated platform, is designed to help our clients across so many areas of corporate work – M&A, capital markets, financial restructurings, private equity and other investment funds, tax, and government regulatory counsel in support of their most critical deals," said Stroock co-managing partner Jeffrey Keitelman.

"Chris Doyle and Jeff Lowenthal have an enormous breadth of combined transactional experience and first-rate client advisory skills, as well as the ability to motivate and connect with their colleagues, making them the ideal partners to oversee our multi-disciplinary deal teams and energetically grow our corporate services offerings," Mr. Keitelman continued, noting that the previous co-heads of the group had recently moved to other firms.

Stroock's corporate group has turned in a strong year in transactions, advising on large M&A deals in the software, financial services, cybersecurity, insurance, specialty chemicals and other sectors.  In addition to its M&A work, Stroock's corporate practice encompasses a wide range of matters in the areas of capital markets, commodities focused on the energy sector, private equity, insurance, private funds and infrastructure, among others.

Thoroughly integrated with the firm's transactional practices, Stroock's financial restructuring lawyers have worked on the largest bankruptcy cases of the year, including Caesars, Avaya, Seadrill, Toys R Us and 21st Century Oncology, which total approximately $43 billion of restructured debt. And Stroock's real estate group has been at the center of the biggest commercial property deals, including the $2.15 billion recapitalization of 10 Hudson Yards in Manhattan.

Not to be overlooked, the firm's regulatory team in Washington has represented buyers and sellers undergoing sensitive CFIUS and related agency reviews in connection with more than $83 billion in inbound acquisitions into the U.S. by foreign purchasers.

"There are so many crosswinds impacting corporate transactions right now – a changing tax code, shifting regulatory environment, sky-high valuations, extreme consolidation in many industries. We think we have the right mix of expertise and experience, especially with Chris and Jeff at the helm, to help our clients make the best decisions regarding their own dealmaking," said Stroock co-managing partner Alan Klinger.

Backgrounds on Messrs. Doyle and Lowenthal

Christopher Doyle advises on mergers, acquisition financing and securities offerings, Mr. Doyle counsels companies and boards on corporate governance and compliance matters. He represents issuers and underwriters in debt and equity offerings, including IPOs, PIPE, registered offerings and 144/A transactions. His clients have included leading names in energy/commodities, defense and aerospace, technology, software, manufacturing and retail.

According to his Chambers review, clients note of Mr. Doyle, "He is the one that is creative in terms of finding solutions to problems. He is absolutely all over the detail. He knows everything."

Christopher Doyle was a member of the M&A and Corporate Finance groups at National Westminster Bank before joining Stroock in 1995. 

Jeffrey Lowenthal joined Stroock in 1990 after practicing six years with Cravath, Swaine & Moore. His practice spans corporate financings and securities offerings, as well as acquisitions, reorganizations and general corporate matters. In addition to work on public offerings and private placements, he advises public companies on complex disclosure requirements under federal securities laws.

Mr. Lowenthal has represented parties on all sides of business combinations – mergers and asset sales as well as joint ventures. In the credit space, he often advises bondholder committees, lenders, insurers and other institutions and investors in large debt restructurings. He has handled deals in a wide range of industries, including apparel/retail, energy, technology, gaming, transportation and financial services. 

Mr. Lowenthal has been a featured speaker on corporate matters for the Practicing Law Institute.

Stroock provides strategic transactional, regulatory and litigation advice to advance the business objectives of leading financial institutions, multinational corporations and entrepreneurial businesses in the U.S. and globally.  With a rich history dating back 140 years, the firm has offices in New York, Los Angeles, Miami and Washington, DC. For more, visit www.stroock.com.

Contact: Xenia Kobylarz 212-806-6528 [email protected] 

SOURCE Stroock