National law firm Akerman is growing its Corporate and Tax practices with the arrival of three corporate partners – William A. Hoy, Mario C. Fallone and Edward M. Stone – and transactional tax partner, Diana Clarkson. All four lawyers were most recently with Harter Secrest & Emery LLP.
Will Hoy focuses his practice on the representation of private equity sponsors, family offices and their portfolio companies in complex mergers, acquisitions, dispositions, recapitalizations, rollup strategies and growth equity financing transactions, including structuring and capitalizing platform acquisition structures for his private equity clients. His practice encompasses many industry sectors, including financial services, residential services, business services, healthcare, value-added distribution, niche manufacturing, consumer products and logistics. Will is a graduate of Vanderbilt University and Cornell Law School.
Mario Fallone’s practice is focused on venture capital, private equity and general corporate matters. He primarily works with startups, strategic investors and venture capital funds in all aspects of venture financings, including initial and follow-on financing with preferred equity and convertible debt structures. He also represents private equity funds in portfolio company transactions. Prior to returning to private practice, Mario worked in the alternative investment space, including with angel investors and emerging growth companies. He is a graduate of Hamilton College and Harvard Law School.
Ed Stone advises private equity funds, strategic investors, operating companies and entrepreneurs. He represents clients in all aspects of corporate transactions and equity investments, including mergers, acquisitions, leveraged buyouts, divestitures, joint ventures and strategic partnerships. His experience spans a variety of industries including energy, financial services, healthcare, infrastructure, logistics, manufacturing, telecommunications, and transportation. Ed is a graduate of Harvard University and UCLA School of Law.
Diana Clarkson focuses her practice on representing private equity sponsors, operating companies, closely held corporations, and business owners in a variety of federal and state tax matters, with an emphasis on tax structuring. She works with privately held businesses and private equity fund managers to address the full range of federal and state tax regulations relating to mergers and acquisitions, tax-free spin-offs, debt financings and other transactions. Diana is a graduate of Princeton University and The College of William and Mary School of Law.
Corporate Practice Group Co-Chair David Birke said, “Our Corporate team is excited to have Will, Mario, Ed, and Diana join Akerman. They have consistent track records of providing exceptional service to their clients and bring extensive knowledge and experience to the private equity and venture capital segments of our practice.”
Tax Practice Group Co-Chair Peter Larsen said, “Diana has a broad skillset that helps businesses and their owners deal successfully with a range of complex tax challenges on the state and federal levels. Her addition to our Tax practice builds strength on strength, further enhancing Akerman’s ability to advise on private equity deals, as well as other corporate tax issues.”
Corporate Co-Chair Jonathan Awner added, “Our Corporate practice has been focused on representing middle market private equity funds in buy-side and sell-side transactions, and we are routinely recognized among the most active law firms in the U.S. for our private equity deal volume. With the welcome addition of these excellent lawyers, we can offer even greater capabilities and continue to be a leader in providing a full range of services to private equity as well as venture capital funds.”
