Best Lawyers in America for Mergers and Acquisitions Law

Brian L. Petrequin is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Mergers and Acquisitions Law. Brian L., who practices law in Florham Park, New Jersey, has been recognized since 2017. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Brian L. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

John Egan, a partner and co-chair of the firm’s Technology practice, focuses on corporate securities, venture capital, growth equity and technology enterprises. Mr. Egan's practice involves early and late-stage venture financings, growth equity and leveraged recapitalizations, IPOs, mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, strategic licensing and the general representation of public and private emerging growth companies. Mr. Egan works with clients in industries ranging from enterprise...

Mark E. Beutelschies is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Economic Development Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law and Real Estate Law. Mark E., who practices law in Memphis, Tennessee, has been recognized since 2013. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Mark E. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Matthew D. Mitchell is a partner in the Mergers and Acquisitions Practice Group. Matt concentrates his practice in the areas of banking, corporate and securities, and real estate. Matt represents clients in a wide range of corporate and transactional matters, including entity formation and reorganization, corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions, securities offerings, and commercial contract drafting and negotiation. In addition, Matt assists clients in acquiring, developing, and leasin...

Andrew Moore, a partner in the firm’s Business practice, focuses his practice on public offerings and corporate finance, securities regulation, corporate governance and mergers and acquisitions. Andrew is a leader of the firm’s public companies group, regularly advising public companies on best corporate governance practices, disclosure matters and SEC compliance. He has a wide range of securities offering experience, including initial and follow-on public offerings, and shelf off...

Christopher Carlisle is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Mergers and Acquisitions Law and Venture Capital Law. Christopher, who practices law in Minneapolis, Minnesota, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Christopher is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Michelle Rowe Hallsten is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law and Venture Capital Law. Michelle Rowe, who practices law in Sacramento, California, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Michelle Rowe is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Ibrahim "Brahim" Barakat is a corporate attorney in Holland & Knight's Miami office. Mr. Barakat represents public and private corporations, private equity funds, strategic investors and founders in connection with a wide range of transactional and corporate matters. Mr. Barakat has extensive experience advising on domestic and international transactions, including mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, private equity investments, leveraged buyouts, recapitalizations, exits and financings...

David Spiller is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Law and Mergers and Acquisitions Law. David, who practices law in Chattanooga, Tennessee, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which David is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Luther D. (Lew) Starling, Jr. is a life-long resident of Clinton, North Carolina. He attended Clinton High School where he served as President of his senior class and President of the Future Farmers of America. He graduated from Campbell University in 1987 with a bachelor's degree in Business Administration. While at Campbell, Lew served as President of the Adam Smith Club, the university's second largest student organization. 1n 1990, he earned his Juris Doctor degree from Wake Forest Univer...

Christopher D. Stall is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Corporate Law and Mergers and Acquisitions Law. Christopher D., who practices law in Minneapolis, Minnesota, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Christopher D. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

David A. Barkus focuses his practice on mergers and acquisitions and private equity. David's industry experience includes aviation and aerospace, computer software and information technology, construction, consumer products, education, energy, food and beverage, franchising, gaming, health care, and restaurants.

David E. Wells focuses on advising public and private companies in connection with corporate finance transactions and mergers and acquisitions. In the field of corporate finance, Mr. Wells routinely assists clients with public and private securities offerings including IPOs, registered direct offerings, secondary offerings, PIPEs, registered shelf offerings, and Regulation D and offshore offerings. In the mergers and acquisition space, he has worked on a wide variety of transactions, includin...

Sara M. Kruse is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Mergers and Acquisitions Law. Sara M., who practices law in Southfield, Michigan, has been recognized since 2027. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Sara M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Mr. Schnell focuses on U.S. and international mergers and acquisitions. He also advises on private equity, anti-takeover preparedness and shareholder activism, financings and corporate governance. Mr. Schnell has been named as one of the leading lawyers practicing in the U.S. and has been recognized globally and in the U.S. as a leading lawyer in areas such as M&A, private equity, finance, corporate, corporate governance, health care and Latin America. Surveys that recognize Mr. Schnell i...

Thomas Laughlin is one of the founding partners of the Dallas office of Kirkland & Ellis LLP. Thomas regularly represents clients in mergers and acquisitions (including controlling investments, preferred equity and other minority investments, and SPAC transactions), divestitures, joint ventures, debt and equity financings, restructurings and other corporate matters. Thomas has broad experience across many industries, but in particular, he has focused his practice representing clients in t...