Fried Frank Strengthens M&A, Corporate Governance and Litigation Offerings

NEW YORK, Feb. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP announced today that Warren S. de Wied has rejoined as a partner in the Mergers and Acquisitions and Private Equity Practice, resident in the Firm's New York office. In addition, Scott B. Luftglass will join as a partner in the Litigation Department, also resident in the Firm's New York office.

For nearly 30 years, Mr. de Wied has represented corporate boards, public companies, private equity firms and investment banks in connection with major M&A transactions, takeover defense, contested bids, activist shareholder campaigns and corporate governance matters.

Mr. Luftglass' practice focuses on litigation, strategic advice and regulatory inquiries with respect to corporate transactions and other corporate governance matters. He regularly represents corporations, boards of directors, special committees and financial advisors in hostile and friendly takeovers, governance disputes and shareholder litigation. 

"We are delighted that Warren and Scott have chosen to be part of the Fried Frank team, as they share our commitment to helping clients with their most complex and sophisticated matters," said David Greenwald, chairman of Fried Frank. "Warren is coming back home to Fried Frank during an exciting period of growth for our M&A and Private Equity Practice, having been part of the Firm's storied history that includes some of the most notable transactions of the past few decades. Scott will be a great addition as we continue to build a more robust Litigation Department with a strong M&A litigation capability that works collaboratively with our transactional lawyers and their clients."

Mr. de Wied's practice in recent years has increasingly focused on advising technology and life sciences companies on takeover defense, shareholder activism and corporate governance issues. He has been involved in many of the most prominent activist situations in the technology sector.

"Warren brings a unique perspective that draws on his longstanding ties to Fried Frank, strong business acumen and experience working with important players in key industry sectors," said Robert C. Schwenkel, co-chair of Fried Frank's Corporate Department and global head of the Firm's M&A and Private Equity Practice. "We are pleased that he is working with us again, and we are excited that our clients will benefit from his talents as a lawyer and trusted advisor."

Before returning to Fried Frank, Mr. de Wied was a partner at Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati. He first joined Fried Frank as a summer associate in 1986 and became a partner in 1994. Mr. de Wied has also served as a managing director at Merrill Lynch & Co., where he led the takeover defense and shareholder activist response practice.

Mr. de Wied received his J.D. from the University of California, Berkeley, Boalt Hall School of Law in 1987, where he was a member of the Order of the Coif, and his B.A. and M.A. from Trinity College, Cambridge University.

Mr. Luftglass advises clients on pre-litigation strategy, complex commercial disputes and shareholder and derivative actions in the Delaware Court of Chancery, as well as other state and federal courts. He has also led purely regulatory engagements, including internal investigations in response to SEC and FINRA inquiries.  

"In today's environment, most U.S. public company transactions are followed by shareholder litigation and investment banks increasingly face lawsuits under a range of theories. We are pleased that Scott is coming on board to help Fried Frank's clients navigate these challenges," said James D. Wareham, chair of the Firm's global Litigation Department. "His intellectual rigor and deep understanding of the sectors in which our clients operate will add tremendous value."

Before joining Fried Frank, Mr. Luftglass was counsel in Davis Polk's Litigation Department. He received his JD in 2004 from the University of Virginia School of Law, where he was a member of the Order of the Coif and the Virginia Law Review and was awarded the Earle K. Shawe Labor Relations Award. Mr. Luftglass received his BA, cum laude, in 2001 from Yale University and is admitted to practice in the State of New York and the US District Court for the Eastern and Southern Districts of New York.

About Fried Frank

Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP is a leading international law firm with approximately 450 lawyers who advise the world's leading corporations and financial institutions on their most critical legal needs and business opportunities. The Firm has offices in New York; Washington, DC; London; Paris; Frankfurt; Hong Kong; and Shanghai. More information can be found at www.friedfrank.com.

SOURCE Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP

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