Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP

In the past month, there have been two major elections in Europe, in the UK and in France. Whilst the US gears up for its own electoral showdown and the dust settles in France (and we wait to find out what the government there will look like), we know that in the UK, after 14 years, Britain has a Labour government and a new Prime Minister. Sir Keir Starmer has promised ‘Change begins’, so whilst he gets to grips with his new job, we take a look at the changes we can expect for privacy, cybersecurity and AI under the new Labour government. Full background: https://lnkd.in/eHwev6Nk

On July 30, Craig C. Martin, Chairman, Midwest will moderate the keynote panel titled “Global Private Equity Investing” as part of the Private Equity Chicago Forum, hosted by Markets Group. Craig and the panelists will discuss recent private markets activity and provide insights on global private equity investing. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/dkBcWZjx

All personnel in our New York office were recently invited to take a break and enjoy an ice cream treat. An ice cream truck was parked outside the office all afternoon. It was a great opportunity to connect with colleagues and beat-the-heat. Thanks to all who stopped by! 

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners’ group capital calculation was enacted into law in New York pursuant to amendments to New York’s insurance holding company laws, effective as of August 23, 2023. These laws require an ultimate holding company to submit an annual GCC to the New York State Department of Financial Services when New York is the group’s lead state regulator. Full background: https://lnkd.in/eb7hqk2U

A Willkie pro bono team has been recognized by The AmLaw Litigation Daily with a “Shout Out” for its success in securing the dismissal of Rudy Giuliani’s bankruptcy case. On Friday, July 12, U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Sean Lane dismissed Giuliani’s bankruptcy protection case, clearing the way for Willkie clients Shaye Moss and Ruby Freeman to start collecting the money that is owed to them. Last December, in a landmark defamation suit, Willkie secured $148.1 million in damages for Shaye and Ruby for the harm Rudy Giuliani caused by spreading lies that they had intentionally undermined the results of the 2020 presidential election in Georgia. Partner and Chair of the Business Reorganization & Restructuring Department Rachel Strickland, counsel Aaron Nathan and associate Jim Burbage played a key role in securing the bankruptcy case dismissal. The Willkie team also includes partners Michael Gottlieb, Meryl Governski (Conant) and Kristin Bender, associates M. Annie Houghton-Larsen, J. Tyler Knoblett, Maggie MacCurdy, Perri Haser, Jessica Graber and Marine Loison. Co-counsel includes Von DuBose of DuBose Miller and John Langford of Protect Democracy. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eS9Mturi

Willkie has once again been recognized as a market leader for Private Wealth Law in the 2024 edition of Chambers High Net Worth. The firm’s Private Wealth group is ranked among the leading practices nationwide as well as in the Illinois, New York and Southern California markets. Additionally, numerous attorneys in Chicago, Los Angeles and New York received individual rankings and recognitions for their respective regions. Chambers noted that high-net-worth clients describe Willkie’s Private Wealth practitioners as “highly competent, practical and creative” and “well-versed in the most advanced estate planning techniques.” Willkie’s Private Wealth group provides best-in-class legal services to clients domestically and abroad on a wide variety of matters, including estate planning and income, estate and gift tax planning for the cost-effective transfer of wealth, the administration of complex estates, trusts and charitable organizations, business succession planning and corporate transactions, and philanthropy. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/ezNNDmxb

Partner PK Paran, a member of Willkie’s Insurance Transactional and Regulatory Practice Group, recently appeared as the featured guest on The Deal’s Drinks with The Deal podcast, hosted by senior reporter David Marcus. In the episode, PK discussed his career trajectory, move from London to New York, the cross-border nature of insurance M&A and current trends in the space, as well as his interests outside of work, and other topics. Learn more and listen the full episode here: https://lnkd.in/evgp4SsF

Willkie was pleased to participate in AIRROC’s Summer Membership Meeting this week in New York. Partners PK Paran and Allison Tam participated in the panel discussion titled “Transactions, Transactions, Transactions— What is New and Notable in Runoff Structures?” The lively discussion covered the latest developments in the P&C legacy/retrospective space on both sides of the Atlantic, including in the U.S., Bermuda, Europe and the UK. Thanks to all who joined us for this enlightening event. 

Willkie has again ranked among the very top law firms for diversity in Law360’s Diversity Snapshot, an annual survey of the legal industry. In the 2024 survey, Willkie ranked 2nd for overall attorney diversity and 5th for equity partner diversity among all major law firms. Law360 recognized Willkie as one of the leading firms for surpassing industry diversity benchmarks. The top rankings highlight the racial and ethnic diversity of Willkie’s lawyers at every level as well as the firm’s commitment to the development and advancement of all of its attorneys. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eeyWebXz

Rachel Strickland, partner and Chair of Willkie’s Business Reorganization & Restructuring Department, recently appeared on CNN to discuss the latest development in Willkie’s ongoing representation of former Fulton County Georgia election workers Shaye Moss and Ruby Freeman. Learn more and watch the clip: https://lnkd.in/d34f72PV