Overview
Ira J. Schacter is a seasoned strategic advisor and head of the firm’s financial services practice, reinforcing our position as a trusted advisor at the nexus of private equity, hedge funds, insurance, and financial services, and scaling our offerings in the evolving market dynamics between traditional banks and private credit. With decades of experience advising on mergers and acquisitions (M&A), complex finance, and restructurings across financial institutions, life sciences, pharmaceuticals, and technology, Ira brings a sharp focus on M&A, litigation, crisis response, and complex structured finance transactions.
By combining his extensive experience with McDermott Will & Schulte’s comprehensive capabilities across private equity, funds, and insurance, Ira delivers tailored counsel that addresses the unique needs of his clients, positioning them for success in an ever-evolving financial landscape.
Results
- Represented Cybereason Inc. in connection with its $200 million Series E investment, its $350 million Series F investment and its $100 million Series G investment led by a multinational investment company.*
- Represented Salix Pharmaceuticals, Ltd. in its $15.6 billion acquisition by Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc.*
- Represented Mercuria Energy Group in its acquisition of J.P. Morgan’s physical energy and commodities business*
- Represented an international investment bank as a placement agent in a $1.5 billion financing of long-term intellectual property rights for a university related to certain trademark license royalty payment obligations and other assets, a non-profit medical center that was spun-off in 2016 was named “Most Innovative Securitization Deal of the Year” by GlobalCapital in 2019*
- Represented Oppenheimer and an international investment bank as initial purchasers in a $400 million offering of 6.875% senior secured notes due 2027, collateralized by airport passenger charges and the company’s right to receive payments from the government of Argentina in the event the company’s concession to operate the airports is terminated, expropriated, or redeemed*
- Represented J.P. Morgan and other lenders in a $21 billion securitization of Hilton Hotels and related brands’ hotel franchise agreements, secured by franchise royalties, intellectual property, real estate and related operating cash flows for select U.S. and international properties*
- Represented a leading royalty fund in several royalty financings, including for Agenus, Chiasma Pharmaceuticals, and Vertex Pharmaceuticals among others*
*Matter handled prior to joining McDermott Will & Schulte.
Recognitions
- Lawdragon, 500 Leading Dealmakers in America, 2025
- IFLR1000, Capital Markets: Structured Finance and Securitization, 2023
- Legal 500 US, Securitization, 2020
Credentials
Education
New York University School of Law, LLM, 1985
Nova Southeastern University, Shepard Broad College of Law, JD, 1984
State University of New York at Stony Brook, BA, 1981
Admissions
New York
