Dario De Martino > A&O Shearman > New York, United States > Lawyer Profile

Deploying a ‘commercial approach to negotiating transactions’, A&O Shearman has vast experience handling take-private acquisitions, complicated joint ventures, and cross-border M&A. Boasting an array of corporate specialists in the healthcare, tech, and finance sectors, the firm frequently acts on behalf of major domestic and international companies, with New York-based practice heads Scott Petepiece and Daniel Litowitz regularly providing ‘consistent top-tier advice’ when managing spin-offs, consortium investments, and stock mergers. Also in New York, Clare O’Brien is an expert on public company restructurings, while Creighton Condon is knowledgeable on shareholder activism. From Menlo Park, Daniel Mitz concentrates on representing global tech corporations. Former Global Managing Partner George Casey left the firm in January 2024. Following the recent merger between A&O Shearman and Allen & Overy LLP, the ‘hardworking, approachable’ team now has added expertise across the finance, tech, and energy sectors, regularly handling multi-jurisdictional acquisitions as well as sales of equity interests. Based in New York, Bill Schwitter chairs the corporate team and brings extensive experience managing securities issues and financing arrangements to the practice, while Kfir Abutbul is an expert on restructurings and workouts. The ‘very smart and experienced’ Stephen Besen focuses on joint ventures, Dario de Martino is knowledgeable on tender offers and divestitures, and Romain Dambre concentrates on carve-outs.

Noted for its capabilities in financial services regulatory matters and technology transactions, A&O Shearman is a strong choice for trade bodies on blockchain and cryptocurrency issues. In New York, Adam Chernichaw often advises users of fintech products and services on strategic alliances and product integrations, while Dario de Martino is well-equipped to assist clients on blockchain licensing, smart contracts, and tokenization. Based in San Francisco, Alex Touma handles the integration of financial and web3 services on card network services, global platforms, and stored value products. Operating out of Washington DC, Todd Beauchamp  arrived to the team from Latham & Watkins LLP in March 2023, leading the firm’s payments practice, and counts traditional financial institutions on his client roster. Other new arrivals to the team include Helen Christakos who joined the team from Fenwick & West LLP in April 2023.