Overview
Thomas Sauermilch concentrates in cross-border mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures and other complex cross-border corporate/commercial transactions for major multinational corporations, private equity funds and their portfolio companies and medium-sized businesses. He also advises clients in corporate governance and compliance matters. He has led transactions in a wide range of sectors, including aerospace and avionics, automotive industries, chemicals, energy, engineering, food and beverage, manufacturing, media, medical devices and scientific instruments, metals and natural resources, packaging, pharmaceuticals, semiconductor equipment, software, technology and trading in North and South America, Europe and Asia. He has been recognized over many years by leading legal directories and nominated as Lawyer of the Year by The Deal (2018) and Dealmaker of the Year by M&A Advisor (2017). He has also been recognized as a BTI Client Service All-Star 2020 (BTI Consulting Group) and led the McDermott teams winning both the 2020 M&A Advisor Deal of the Year Awards in two categories (Cross-Border Deal of the Year and Materials Deal of the Year; $500million to $1billion) for Evonik Industries’ acquisition of PeroxyChem and the 2021 M&A Advisor Award for M&A Deal of the Year ($500million to $1billion) for Kaiser Aluminum’s acquisition of Alcoa Warrick. Thomas has held various leadership positions in the Firm, including former chair of its global M&A Practice and its Global Industrials Practice as well as a former member of the Firm’s Corporate Practice Leadership Team and its Management Committee.
To read Thomas’ full biography in Japanese please click here.
Thomas is a former chair of the Firm’s Global M&A Practice.
Results
- Represented a leading specialty chemicals company in its $3.8 billion acquisition of a worldwide specialty and additives business, its $1.6 billion acquisition of pharmaceutical manufacturing operations and strategic alliance with a major US based pharmaceutical company, its $2 billion acquisition of the worldwide personal care business of and strategic alliance with a leading US chemicals company, its $640 million acquisition of a worldwide specialty chemicals business and numerous other acquisitions, divestitures and joint ventures
- Represented a leading European privately-owned petrochemicals company in its acquisition of a global copolymer business from a leading US petrochemicals company and a South Korean industrials group
- Represented a US metals mining company in the $700 million sale to a publicly listed Canadian mining company and related equity offering and debt financing and subsequent $650 million acquisition of a Canadian mining company and related $300 million gold streaming agreement
- Represented a European life sciences company in various acquisitions, disposals and joint ventures including the $725 million acquisition of a pharmaceutical container business and a worldwide joint venture for life sciences products and the sale of its worldwide pharmaceutical glass tubing operations to and joint venture with a major US based glass and materials science company
- Represented a major Japanese trading company in investments in the US health care industry
- Represented one of the largest beverage companies in South America in a complex transaction with a global beer company involving the termination of a license to a prominent beer brand in consideration for payments of $400 million plus the transfer of rights to seven prominent beer brands
- Represented one of the leading US aluminum companies in its acquisition of one of the largest US aluminum rolling mills in a complex carve-out transaction valued at $670 million
- Represented a major European commodities trading company in its $400 million investment in a US coal mine valued in excess of $1.5 billion
- Represented a leading European packaging company in its $750 million acquisition of a global plastics packaging business, its joint venture with a leading US-based metals closure company and the euro 1.7 billion sale of its global PET and metal closure business
- Represented a European coal company in the $1.1 billion acquisition of one of the largest US-based coal producers and the $1 billion sale of its US and Australian coal mines to a private equity consortium
- Represented a leading European energy and industrials conglomerate as worldwide regulatory counsel in its announced $8.6 billion merger with a Swiss industrials group (terminated) and as U.S. counsel in its $14 billion merger with a German energy and industrials company and subsequent $2.8 billion divesture of its global aluminum business and its $700 million divestiture of its global packaging business.
Recognitions
- Thomson Reuters, Stand-out Lawyer – independently rated lawyers, 2022-2023
- M&A Advisor Awards, M&A Deal of the Year ($500 MM – $1B), 2021
- M&A Advisor Awards, Cross Border Deal of the Year; Materials Deal of the Year ($500 MM – $1B), 2020
- BTI Client Service All-Star, 2020
- Nominated as Lawyer of the Year by The Deal, 2018
- Nominated for Dealmaker of the Year by M&A Advisor with respect to Evonik’s $3.8 billion acquisition of the global performance materials division of Air Products and Chemicals, 2017
- Acritas Star Lawyer, 2016 to 2020 (noting his high level of expertise, strong advocacy skills and pragmatic approach)
- Chambers USA, 2006 to 2014 (noting his experience, practicality and perfect understanding of different legal cultures)
- Client Choice Awards 2016, sole winner in the M&A category (New York)
- Law and Politics, Super Lawyer for M&A international business transactions
- The Legal 500 United States, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018 (noting his exceptional work and creativity in structuring many transactions)
- Super Lawyers, 2006 to 2008, 2011 to present
Community
- American Bar Association
- American Council on Germany
- International Bar Association
Credentials
Education
Fordham University School of Law, JD, 1988
Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, MALD, 1985
Indiana University Maurer School of Law, LLM, 1981
University of Kiel, Staatsexamen, 1983
Admissions
New York
Languages
English
German
