Morris Nichols partner Melissa DiVincenzo provides advice on corporate governance matters and private and public corporate transactions, including initial public offerings, mergers, asset sales, domestications, dissolutions and financing transactions. Clients look to Melissa for specialized knowledge of Delaware law when structuring transactions and confronting complex or novel corporate issues. Her work also involves guiding Delaware corporations on the requirements of the Delaware General Corporation Law (“DGCL”), counseling boards of directors and board committees with respect to fiduciary duties, and providing formal legal opinions on issues of Delaware law. Melissa has represented Fortune 500 companies, retailers, energy companies, agriculture and food businesses, technology companies, and many others on matters of Delaware law. For more, view her bio at https://www.morrisnichols.com/lawyers-melissa-a-divincenzo.
North America - United States • M&A/corporate and commercial
Morris, Nichols, Arsht & Tunnell LLP
Morris, Nichols, Arsht & Tunnell LLP are specialists in Delaware law, and extremely experienced in this area and have a strong reputation, working on large private transactions for large corporations. One client comments that it is a ‘go- to firm for the most complex Delaware state law and corporate governance issues.’ Daniel Matthews, Jeffrey Wolters, David Harris, and Louis Hering head up the practice, and are well supported by team members such as Eric Klinger-Wilensky, who ’is exceptionally knowledgeable about the law’ and is instrumental in the team’s corporate work when it comes to transactions. The quartet are also supported by ‘superstar female partners’ such as Melissa DiVincenzo and Patricia Vella who ’have deep knowledge, expertise and practical wisdom.’ Jason Russell is also a key team member for alternative entities.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Morris, Nichols provided excellent advice and were very responsive to the committee's questions and concerns. The firm has all the knowledge and skills needed and brought in specialized members of the firm as appropriate.’
‘Mr. Eric Klinger-Wilensky is exceptionally knowledgeable about the law, was available for discussion at all times, and provided valuable guidance. The transaction, although complex, was successfully completed.’
‘Highly knowledgeable, responsive, and supportive with special committees.’
‘The team, in particular Patricia Vella and Melissa DiVincenzo, are superb. They have deep knowledge, expertise and practical wisdom. It is a go- to firm for the most complex Delaware state law and corporate governance issues. They are also extremely client focused and a pleasure to work with.’
‘Patricia Vella and Melissa DiVincenzo are superb. They are superstar female partners who are committed to the practice, client development, critical thinking and relationship building.’
Lawyers
Leading lawyers
Morris Nichols partner Lou Hering is actively involved in the organization and structuring of all forms of Delaware alternative entities. His practice includes mergers and acquisitions, with an emphasis on structures involving alternative entities, and the delivery of third-party legal opinions in connection with the full spectrum of Delaware contracts. He works with private equity, hedge and mutual funds in connection with their formation and operation. He also regularly represents sponsors and conflicts committees of master limited partnerships. For more, visit his bio at https://www.morrisnichols.com/lawyers-louis-g-hering.
Morris Nichols partner Jeff Wolters counsels corporations, boards of directors and investors on Delaware law. His practice ranges from advising venture-backed companies to counseling public company boards and board committees. He has been “Delaware counsel” to hundreds of public and private Delaware companies over the years and many of the leading VC and PE funds. Jeff also provides formal legal opinions on Delaware corporate law and related matters under the Delaware General Corporation Law. For more, visit his bio at https://www.morrisnichols.com/lawyers-jeffrey-r-wolters.
Next Generation Partners
Morris Nichols partner Jason Russell focuses on limited liability company, partnership (including master limited partnerships (MLPs)) and statutory trust law. Jason represents clients in a broad range of commercial matters, including mergers, asset acquisitions, joint ventures, financings and bankruptcy related transactions, and prepares Delaware legal opinions in connection with these matters. Jason has also worked extensively in bank regulatory matters and unclaimed property audits, compliance and voluntary disclosure programs. Jason regularly represents private equity, hedge fund and mutual fund companies that organize investment funds as Delaware limited partnerships, limited liability companies and/or statutory trusts and assists these companies with other Delaware law matters. He has also advised numerous bank and other financial institutions with the organization, acquisition and disposition of banks and trust companies, including limited purpose trust companies. Jason helps clients resolve issues and accomplish transactions in a wide range of other commercial settings, including serving as Delaware counsel to MLPs. He drafts and negotiates credit and security documents; merger, asset sale and stock sale documents; and general commercial contracts. In connection with all of these types of matters, Jason has extensive experience in preparing Delaware legal opinions and has developed a focus in preparing legal opinions for new market tax credit transactions. As outside counsel, Jason has advised dozens of companies, including many Fortune 500 companies, in connection with unclaimed property issues. He has represented clients across a broad range of industries in audits, voluntary disclosure programs and compliance matters. For more, visit his bio at https://www.morrisnichols.com/lawyers-r-jason-russell.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Daniel Matthews, Jeffrey Wolters, David Harris, Louis Hering