Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP

In a move described by President Trump as ending “the economic menace” of beneficial ownership information reporting, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network issued an interim final rule on March 21, 2025 to dramatically curtail the Corporate Transparency Act requirements. Full background: https://lnkd.in/ezUsFfg5

Five years ago today marks the opening of Willkie Chicago. Led by Craig C. Martin, Chairman, Midwest, the office launched with just six partners and has grown to more than 100 lawyers today. Willkie Chicago is a destination for trials, major investigations, patent disputes, private wealth, capital markets, private equity, mergers & acquisitions, and a host of other transactional services. Congratulations to our Chicago colleagues, and thank you to our clients, friends and the local community who join with us in celebrating this exciting milestone. 

On April 14, partner and Co-Chair of the firm’s Capital Markets practice Edward Best will participate as a chairperson and speaker as part of The SPAC Life Cycle: Business, Legal, and Accounting Considerations Forum 2025, hosted by Practising Law Institute in New York City. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/dhG4mTwX

Last week, Willkie’s Women’s Professional Development Committee (WPDC) in London hosted a panel event featuring Willkie London alumnae Abra Edwards (Head of Legal Compliance, Save the Children UK), Nicole Kapu-Leyland (Deputy General Counsel, Fidelis Insurance Group), Kate Luton (Head of Legal, Yapily), and Victoria Swann (Legal Counsel, Freshstream), and moderated by London associates Mélina Combeau and Ida A. Nizankowska-Polus.   The panelists discussed observations and lessons from their in-house experience, offered advice to those in private practice on what in-house lawyers are looking for from their external counsel, and shared memories of their time at Willkie. In addition to the panelists, the London WPDC was delighted to welcome back several other Willkie alumnae for an evening of insightful discussion and community connection. Thanks to all who participated!

Just a few days before obtaining its new consumer law powers on 6 April 2025, the UK Competition and Markets Authority has underlined its focus on this area by taking action in respect of its investigation into certain potentially misleading sales practices in the event ticketing sector.  Full background: https://lnkd.in/dcbYfhvG

Anna Martini G. Pereira, a partner in Willkie’s Corporate & Financial Services Department and Chair of the firm’s Latin America Practice Group, has been named to Lawdragon’s inaugural list of the “100 Lawyers You Need to Know in South America.” She was recognized among the top dealmakers in the Latin America market. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/e7W3WArt

Willkie was recognized in The AmLaw Litigation Daily with a Litigator of the Week “Shout Out” for obtaining the dismissal of a securities class action lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York relating to the June 2020 IPO and follow on secondary offering of Vroom, Inc., an online automobile retail platform. Willkie represented the underwriters in the IPO and follow on offering. The Willkie team was led by partners Todd G. Cosenza and Charles Cording, along with associate Khara John. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eQcw9B3h

Nearly every series of corporate bonds, whether investment grade or high yield, has some sort of redemption feature allowing or requiring the issuer to “call” all or a portion of the series prior to maturity. This edition of our Willkie CAPITAL LETTERS newsletter, titled "Winning the Lottery on Partial Redemptions: Who Gets What?" was prepared by John Ablan, Edward Best, Jennifer Carlson and Susan Rabinowitz. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/etr7iJ3A

This week in Willkie’s Munich office, we jointly hosted a Compliance & Investigations Lunch with Alvarez & Marsal. The discussion focused on sanctions compliance, investigations and enforcement. Following an introduction by partner Dr. Richard W. Roeder, partner Britt Mosman spoke about current developments in U.S. trade compliance and enforcement. Raphael Kiess, Managing Director of the Disputes and Investigations practice of Alvarez & Marsal in Germany, shared insights on data-analytical methods for the prevention of sanctions violations, and partner Matthias Schrader, LL.M. (NYU) highlighted the impact of sanctions in the context of litigation. Guests enjoyed a typical Bavarian lunch, and the event concluded with a lively discussion among clients and friends on these timely topics. Thanks to all who joined us. Pictured left to right are Raphael, Richard, Britt and Matthias. 

Willkie has been recognized as a market leader in the latest Legal 500 guide to France, earning 14 practice area rankings and 44 additional individual lawyer recognitions. Willkie’s Paris office was recognized for excellence across its transactional and disputes practices and Willkie’s attorneys were recognized among the foremost practitioners in the market. The firm’s individual recognitions include “Hall of Fame” rankings for Asset Management partner Nathalie Duguay, Amir Jahanguiri, Co-Chair of the Project Finance & Investment Practice Group, Thierry Laloum, head of the Public & Environmental Law practice, Litigation partner Dominique Mondoloni, and Lionel Spizzichino, Co-Chair of the European Restructuring Group and Managing Partner of the Paris office. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eyxViMrY