McGuireWoods has been honored as “Law Firm of the Year” in Mergers & Acquisitions magazine’s 2017 Mid-Market M&A Awards, winning recognition for the growth of its deal work and innovations that distinguish the firm as an industry leader.
The award was announced March 21 in an article published on Mergers and Acquisitions’ website. The recognition complements McGuireWoods’ recent top 10 rankings in year-end M&A league tables published by Thomson Reuters and Bloomberg.
“This is a well-deserved tribute to the amazing and tireless work of our lawyers and their dedication to our clients,” said Scott Westwood, chair of the firm’s Mergers & Acquisitions, Corporate Transactions & Technology Department, who is quoted in the magazine article. “It is especially gratifying to be recognized for groundbreaking client initiatives that enhance the firm’s reputation as a key industry player.”
Mergers & Acquisitions singled out McGuireWoods for two client-focused initiatives in which the firm added value beyond the traditional role of legal counsel. McGuireWoods is the first law firm to implement a nationwide program to connect independent sponsors with potential capital providers for specific private equity transactions, highlighted by the firm’s October national conference in Dallas that was among the largest-ever gatherings of independent sponsors and capital providers. Partner Jon Finger, a driving force behind the initiative, is quoted in the Mergers & Acquisitions story.
The firm also launched an ambitious initiative to promote the advancement of women in the private equity and lending sectors. Partner Amber McGraw Walsh, chair of the firm’s Healthcare Department, led a team of women lawyers in organizing a series of industry-focused events that provided a platform for investors, lenders and McGuireWoods lawyers to make connections, discuss deal opportunities and create thought leadership opportunities. Mergers & Acquisitions quoted Walsh in the article and honored her on its 2017 list of “Most Influential Women in Mid-Market M&A.”
McGuireWoods also was recognized for its dominance in dynamic industries such as healthcare, emerging technologies, energy, transportation, logistics, and food and beverage. Notable deals Mergers & Acquisitions cited include the firm’s representation of Smile Doctors in numerous acquisitions that helped the company become the country’s largest orthodontic dental support organization.
McGuireWoods’ global M&A capabilities earned high marks from respected, independent authorities in 2017. The firm was recognized for deal work in multiple industry sectors in the Legal 500 United States guide. In addition, McGuireWoods London attained top rankings for corporate and commercial M&A in the Legal 500 UK guide for the past two years. The firm also earned prominent M&A rankings from Legal 500 Europe, Middle East and Africa for the work of its Brussels lawyers.