Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP’s non-contentious tax practice in New York works closely with lawyers in the firm’s other departments, especially corporate, finance, real estate and asset management, to advise on a high volume of middle-market and billion-dollar transactions. Practice head Christopher Peters advises domestic and international clients, including private equity funds and insurance companies, on the tax aspects of taxable and tax-free mergers, acquisitions, spin-offs, leveraged buyouts, and joint ventures. Guy Inbar is experienced in the formation of REITs, real estate funds, and joint venture vehicles. Elizabeth Buckley Lewis focuses on advising not-for-profit organizations and asset management clients. Arthur Lynch’s broad expertise extends to matters relating to the convergence of the insurance and capital markets spaces (such as insurance-linked funds, catastrophe bonds, and sidecar investments) as well as public and private offerings of securities of offshore insurance companies. Vadim Mahmoudov offers expertise in M&A, bankruptcy restructurings, and debt workouts.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • 'Willkie stands out for its exceptional blend of unparalleled professionalism, for showing a deep understanding of the legal field, and for ensuring that all advice and solutions are legally sound and tailored to the client's unique needs. The team also stands out for its efficiency and understanding of the value of clients' time and resources, thereby adopting a streamlined approach to legal processes. This efficiency does not compromise the quality of work.'

  • 'Bryan Kelly is a standout individual whose skills and personal qualities make him a remarkable asset to the firm and me as its client. His project management skills are exceptional. He is adept at overseeing complex legal projects, ensuring they progress smoothly from inception to completion. His ability to foresee potential challenges and strategize accordingly is a testament to his expertise and experience in the field.'

  • ‘We have a team of two experienced tax partners on our account who have significant institutional knowledge as well. They work closely with the corporate and finance teams within the firm which is very beneficial to us as the client.'

  • ‘The team is extremely responsive to clients' needs and requirements, experienced in the industries we are in and keen on providing pragmatic advices to solve problems at hand. ’

  • ‘WFG's experience, communication, and commercial nature in deals are competitive strengths. The team is able to zero in on key issues quickly but also fit style of communication to the audience. ’

  • ‘Robert Jacobson has been a stand out. His experience, communication, and commercial nature in deals help us resolve structuring, diligence, and other issues quickly. He can also be strategic in how to position concepts with sophisticated counterparties.'

Key clients

  • Ferrara Candy Company
  • Fidelis Insurance Holdings Limited (FIHL)
  • Japan Post Insurance
  • Franklin Resources, Inc.
  • Kaleyra, Inc.
  • Brian Kahn (Franchise Group’s Chief Executive Officer)
  • Insight Partners
  • Tenex Capital
  • Standard Real Estate Investments
  • Second Alpha Partners
  • Stone Point Capital
  • Delaware Life Insurance Company
  • The NARCO Asbestos Trust
  • Truist Insurance Holdings, Inc.
  • Arevia Power

Work highlights

  • Advised Ferrara Candy Company in relation to tis acquisition of Dori Alimentos.
  • Represented Fidelis Insurance Holdings Limited (FIHL) in connection with its initial public offering on the New York Stock Exchange.
  • Advised Japan Post Insurance on its strategic partnership with KKR and Global Atlantic.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Christopher Peters

Other key lawyers

Guy Inbar, Arthur Lynch, Vadim Mahmoudov, Russell Pinilis, Isaac Silverstein, Robert Jacobson, Shane Nix, Bryan Kelly, Yaniv Maman, Elizabeth Buckley Lewis