Jenner & Block is pleased to announce that H. Kurt von Moltke, an elite corporate lawyer with more than 30 years of experience structuring, negotiating and executing complex M&A transactions, including billion-dollar mergers, acquisitions and divestitures, is joining the firm as a partner in the Chicago office and co-chair of the firm’s Mergers and Acquisitions Practice. He also joins the firm’s Securities, Corporate Finance and Corporate practices.
Mr. von Moltke focuses his practice in the areas of mergers and acquisitions, both hostile and negotiated, as well as private equity transactions, complex corporate debt restructurings, corporate finance and securities transactions and counseling public company boards of directors. He has been involved in several large, complex debt restructurings and workouts by public companies. He also has extensive experience structuring cross border transactions, representing both US and international clients.
“Kurt is an exceptional practitioner who provides depth and breadth to our Corporate practice and the Mergers & Acquisitions area in particular,” Managing Partner Terrence J. Truax said. “We are excited that he is joining Jenner & Block, as his portfolio of clients and his abilities further enhance our capabilities as a firm of global reach.”
Mr. von Moltke, who will co-chair the Mergers and Acquisitions practice with Partner Thomas A. Monson, comes to Jenner & Block after 26 years at Kirkland & Ellis LLP.
“Kurt presents a tremendous opportunity for the firm to continue to expand our Corporate practice,” said firmwide Corporate Chair Joseph P. Gromacki, who has known Mr. von Moltke for more than 20 years and worked with him as a colleague at Kirkland & Ellis before joining Jenner & Block in 2003. “His impeccable credentials and deep experience with sophisticated M&A, securities and corporate finance transactions will enhance our reputation as the go-to firm for companies’ most significant matters.”
Mr. Monson added, “I look forward to working with Kurt as we continue to grow the firm’s transactional platform. Kurt is an extraordinarily talented and experienced practitioner who will enhance the quality and reputation of our practice.”
Mr. von Moltke has also closed joint venture transactions in China, Japan, Turkey and Australia. In the corporate finance and securities areas, he has handled initial public offerings, follow-on equity offerings, universal shelf registrations of equity and debt, investment grade debt offerings and high yield debt offerings on behalf of issuers and underwriters.
“I am excited to join Jenner & Block,” Mr. von Moltke said. “The firm’s platform is a great fit for my practice and serving the complex needs of my clients well. I am eager to be part of the firm’s strategic efforts to grow our corporate capabilities, particularly in M&A.”
The addition of Mr. von Moltke represents the latest in a string of hires that has bolstered Jenner & Block’s transactional practice in the past year. In January, tax and private equity lawyer Olga A. Loy rejoined the firm as a partner in the Chicago office; she started her career as an associate at Jenner & Block (1998-2000). Richard Levin, an author of the 1978 US Bankruptcy Code, left Cravath, Swaine & Moore last year to join Jenner & Block as a partner in New York; he is currently co-chair of the firm’s Restructuring and Bankruptcy Department. Chicago private equity lawyers Alan B. Roth, who has one of the most active fund formation and small business investment company practices in the United States, and Christopher J. Douglass joined the firm as partners from Locke Lord; and Los Angeles corporate finance lawyer Neil Cummings joined the firm as a partner from Proskauer Rose LLP.
Mr. von Moltke received his J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School and his B.A. from Northwestern University. He started his legal career at Cravath, Swaine & Moore. He has consistently been recognized as a Best Lawyer in America in the areas of Corporate Governance Law and Securities/Capital Markets Law. He is active in a number of pro bono and community activities, including serving as a Vice Chair – National Board of Review of USA Swimming and as an inaugural member of the N Club Mentor Program at Northwestern. He is a member of the Cavaedium Society at the University of Michigan Law School and active in Michigan alumni activities.
Source: jenner.com
