Veteran technology and corporate transactions lawyer William Helmstetter has joined Akerman as a Corporate Practice Group partner. Helmstetter brings with him over two decades of experience advising public companies and private equity sponsors on transactions where technology, data, and privacy considerations constitute key components of the deal. Helmstetter has both in-house and outside counsel experience, having most recently served as senior counsel of Strategic Transactions and Innovations with The Cigna Group where he advised Cigna’s venture capital group in connection with its strategic investments in healthcare startups.
“We anticipate a busy deal market in the years ahead, particularly with technology transactions,” said Jonathan Awner, Co-Chair of Akerman’s Corporate Practice Group. “To capitalize on that growing need, we’re deepening our already impressive bench with talent like Bill.”
“Bill brings important and valuable skill sets to the Technology Transactions Team that will help support the growth of our M&A and private equity practices and support our clients with their technology, privacy, and cybersecurity related matters. We are looking forward to having him on the team,” said Melissa Koch, Chair of Akerman’s Technology Transactions Team.
Prior to his time with Cigna, Helmstetter was a partner in Kirkland & Ellis’ Technology and Intellectual Property Transactions Practice, where he advised private equity firms in more than 100 acquisitions, divestitures, and investments in technology, data security, and data analytics companies. Bill has extensive experience negotiating complex, high-profile commercial agreements, including joint ventures, software and IP licenses, and outsourcing agreements, and he regularly counsels clients regarding data privacy compliance and data security incidents.
“Akerman is highly regarded in the world of corporate transactions and private equity,” Helmstetter said. “The firm’s national platform is known for its versatility and client focus, so I am very excited to be joining the team.”
Source: www.akerman.com
