Overview
CHICAGO (July 28, 2015) — Adding to its broad and international private equity practice, McDermott Will & Emery announced today that Kathy Schumacher, an experienced finance lawyer who regularly represents private equity firms and portfolio companies in acquisition financings, has joined the firm in Chicago as a partner in the Corporate group.
Ms. Schumacher has an extensive background in acquisition financing, particularly on the borrower side, and in other types of finance transactions, including infrastructure and project finance. In addition to structuring the financing of private equity deals, she advises public and private companies in general corporate debt financings. She has represented many sponsors and issuers on transactions up and down the capital structure – including senior, first lien/second lien, mezzanine and subordinated debt financings. She has also negotiated large bridge loans and other facilities used in acquisitions.
Ms. Schumacher arrives at McDermott from the Chicago office of Kirkland & Ellis, where she practiced in the Debt Finance Group.
During her career, she has advised on numerous mid-market and large-cap financings. Frequently acting for private equity groups and their portfolio companies in acquisitions, Ms. Schumacher has structured transactions across many industry sectors, including hospitality and gaming, logistics, retail, building products, energy, refining and others.
At McDermott, she joins a corporate practice with deep private equity deal experience and industry expertise, along with strength in all areas of corporate finance. The firm’s Private Equity group includes more than 70 lawyers worldwide.
“Private equity remains a generator of significant transactional activity. Our group continues to be fully engaged, particularly in the middle markets,” said Harris Siskind, co-head of McDermott’s Private Equity practice. “Kathy Schumacher is a strong addition to our team, bringing significant experience handling debt financings of all sizes and complexities and across numerous industry segments. Her considerable range in handling complex debt financings will make her a valuable member of our group.”
McDermott’s private equity practice advises the full range of market participants – sponsors, investors, lenders, managers, and portfolio companies. The firm’s full-service approach to PE includes complementary practices in tax, antitrust, regulatory, intellectual property, employee benefits and executive compensation.
“The private equity group is an important centerpiece of our overall corporate platform, with an outstanding lineup of deal-tested lawyers who understand the dynamics of capital markets, tax, structured finance and other key components of portfolio company transactions,” said Brooks Gruemmer, who heads McDermott’s Chicago Corporate Advisory practice. “Kathy brings a strong track record and breadth of financing experience – we expect she will be an important contributor to our PE advisory team.”
Ms. Schumacher received her J.D. from New York University’s School of Law and her B.A. from the University of Iowa. She was a Recipient of The Legal Aid Society’s Pro Bono Award for outstanding service.
About McDermott
McDermott Will & Emery is a premier international law firm with a diversified business practice. Numbering more than 1,100 lawyers, we have offices in Boston, Brussels, Chicago, Dallas, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Houston, London, Los Angeles, Miami, Milan, Munich, New York, Orange County, Paris, Rome, Seoul, Silicon Valley and Washington, D.C. Further extending our reach into Asia, we have a strategic alliance with MWE China Law Offices in Shanghai.
