The American Lawyer Selects Patrick Dooley as a Dealmaker of the Year

(New York) – Akin Gump’s work, in particular that of former corporate partner Patrick Dooley, has been recognized by The American Lawyer in its “Dealmakers of the Year” issue for its role in advising Paulson & Co. Inc. in its $512 million acquisition of Steinway Musical Instruments, Inc.

Dooley, who left Akin Gump earlier this year to become general counsel of long-time client Corvex Management, was instrumental, according to the magazine, in the “hectic buyout process that included three rival bidders issuing multiple topping offers and, ultimately, the first use of a newly implemented Delaware statute, Section 251(h), that allows contested deals to close more quickly.” Dooley noted that Paulson’s merger agreement with Steinway occurred “right in the time period where [they] would have the ability to use” the new law, which he described as “an exciting challenge.”

The transaction closed in September 2013. Members of the deal team, in addition to Dooley, included counsel Eli Miller and associate John Howell. Financing arrangements relating to term loans and ABL facilities were managed by corporate partner Brian Kim, counsel Meng Ru and associates Brian Oh and Erika Leon, with corporate partner Mark Volow assisting on complex margin regulation issues.

Founded in 1945, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP is a leading international law firm with more than 850 attorneys in offices throughout the United States, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

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