Winston & Strawn Adds Team of Restructuring Attorneys and M&A Veteran to New York Office

Winston & Strawn LLP announced that Lawrence A. Larose and Samuel S. Kohn have joined the firm's New York office as partners in the firm's Restructuring and Insolvency Group, and William J. Grant has joined as senior counsel in the Mergers and Acquisitions practice.

"Larry and Sam are exceptional additions to Winston's restructuring and insolvency team, and their extensive knowledge of corporate restructurings in key industries will further strengthen our ability to service our Fortune 100 clientele on the East Coast," said Michael S. Elkin, managing partner of the New York office.

"Our newest restructuring partners add critical mass and depth to both our New York restructuring group and to our national practice," said Eric E. Sagerman, Chair of the firm's Restructuring & Insolvency Group. Larose will head the Financial Restructuring practice within that group.

The addition of Larose, Kohn and Grant continues a steady expansion over the past two years of Winston's New York office, which has grown to nearly 200 attorneys and is expected to grow significantly this year and beyond. Recent additions include an eight person private equity team and a two person corporate and sourcing team.

Larose focuses his practice on the restructuring of financially troubled entities, both in and out of court. He represents major financial institutions in the acquisition or disposition of businesses and entities, and in the issuance, sale, and underwriting of securities. Larose was lead counsel for MBIA Insurance Corp. in its closely-watched restructuring effort and helped the world's largest financial insurance services provider prosper, despite the global financial crisis that has roiled the insurance as well as the financial industries. Larose was previously at Dewey & LeBoeuf where he led the Corporate Restructuring practice.

"I am delighted to join the Winston team," said Larose. "The firm's commitment to providing clients with high-quality services and solutions, coupled with the strategic growth of its New York office is an exceptional combination, and I look forward to being a part of this talented group of attorneys."

Kohn practices in the area of business reorganizations, including complex Chapter 11 cases and out-of-court restructurings. He represents large corporate debtors, official creditors' committees, secured lenders, distressed asset acquirers and investment bankers in a wide array of industries including financial services, energy, telecommunications, healthcare, entertainment, retail, broadcasting and shipping. Kohn also joined the firm from Dewey & LeBoeuf.

Grant represents corporate clients and investment banks, both nationally and internationally, in financings and acquisitions, particularly in the healthcare, technology and media industries. Last year he represented Stiefel Laboratories, Inc. in its $3.6 billion sale to GlaxoSmithKline plc. and Sepracor, Inc. in its $2.6 billion sale to a Japanese pharmaceutical company. He also has extensive experience in corporate governance and board advisory matters. Grant was previously a partner at Willkie Farr & Gallagher.

Elkin said, "Bill's extensive experience in mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance and corporate governance makes him an outstanding addition to our premier corporate and finance practices."

Larose earned his juris doctor, magna cum laude, from Georgetown University Law Center, where he was a member of the Georgetown Law Journal, and his bachelor's degree, summa cum laude, from Tufts University, where he was a member of Phi Beta Kappa.

Kohn earned his juris doctor, cum laude, from Brooklyn Law School, where he was a member of the Journal of Law and Policy and the Moot Court Honor Society. He earned his bachelor's degree from the City University of New York, Queens College.

Grant earned his juris doctor from the University of Virginia School of Law and his bachelor's degree from Washington and Lee University. Grant has been a guest lecturer in securities law at the University of Virginia School of Law. He also co-edited Mechanics of Underwriting: A Practitioner's Guide.

Winston & Strawn LLP is an international commercial law firm with 14 offices in Asia, Europe, and the United States. More information about the firm is available at www.winston.com.