(May 30, 2013, New York) – Reed Smith LLP, a leading international law firm, today announced the addition of James A. Mercadante as a partner in its firmwide Corporate & Securities Group in the firm’s New York office.
Mr. Mercadante’s practice focuses on capital raising and transactional activities of private equity funds, hedge funds and private companies. He advises clients in the formation of a broad variety of private equity funds, including buyout funds, real estate funds, mezzanine funds and funds-of-funds. He represents private equity firms and privately held businesses in acquisitions, dispositions and financing transactions. He has also structured “Dutch auction” and other specialized transactions for secondary market transfers of hedge fund interests.
“Jim has an extensive track record in private equity fund formation and transactional matters. Much of Jim’s work has been cross-border in nature, particularly involving the Middle East, China and India. His skill sets and international experience bolster our expanding group,” said Paul Jaskot, Chair of Reed Smith’s Corporate & Securities practice. “We look forward to having him on the team.”
Prior to joining Reed Smith, Mercadante was a partner at Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP. He was also previously a partner at Baker & Hostetler LLP as well as Morgan Lewis & Bockius LLP. He received his J.D., cum laude, from the University of Pennsylvania Law School; his M.B.A., with distinction, from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania; and his B.A., magna cum laude, from Columbia College.
“Reed Smith’s corporate and securities team takes pride in fostering a collaborative approach to its transactional practice, seamlessly working across jurisdictions, and I am thrilled to join a highly-skilled and energetic team of attorneys,” said Mercadante. “Outstanding client service and responsiveness are hallmarks of Reed Smith, and I look forward to contributing to the firm’s continued success and expansion.”
“We are continuing to see an increase in lateral activity, including in the private equity and capital markets sectors, and Jim’s substantial knowledge and experience in capital raising and private equity are tremendous additions to the firm and the New York office,” said Edward J. Estrada, managing partner of the firm’s New York office.
Reed Smith’s more than 230 Corporate & Securities lawyers represent private equity firms, hedge funds, venture capital funds, financial institutions, banks, portfolio managers, and equity fund investors – including major pension funds. The firm’s international mergers & acquisitions team offers strong industry experience in biotechnology, pharmaceutical, health care, e-commerce, communications, software development, information technology, shipping, energy and natural resources, and manufacturing, as well as a comprehensive understanding of the capital markets affecting these industry groups.
About Reed Smith
Reed Smith is a global relationship law firm with more than 1,800 lawyers in 25 offices throughout the United States, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Founded in 1877, the firm represents leading international businesses, from Fortune 100 corporations to mid-market and emerging enterprises. Its lawyers provide litigation and other dispute resolution services in multi-jurisdictional and other high-stakes matters; deliver regulatory counsel; and execute the full range of strategic domestic and cross-border transactions. Reed Smith is a preeminent advisor to industries including financial services, life sciences, health care, advertising, technology and media, shipping, energy and natural resources, real estate, manufacturing, and education. For more information, visit reedsmith.com.
U.S.: New York, Chicago, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, San Francisco, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Houston, Princeton, Northern Virginia, Wilmington, Silicon Valley, Century City, Richmond
Europe: London, Paris, Munich, Greece
Middle East: Abu Dhabi, Dubai
Asia: Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai, Singapore, Kazakhstan