McDermott Secures Two ‘Deal of the Year’ Awards

CHICAGO, Illinois, July 2 -- McDermott Will and Emery, a law firm, issued the following news release:

Leading international law firm McDermott Will & Emery has been awarded The Deal's "Healthcare and Pharma Deal of the Year" and "Deal of the Year."

The awards are in recognition of the firm's work on the landmark transaction between CVS Health Corp. and Aetna, Inc. In 2018, CVS Health purchased health insurer Aetna for $70 billion cash and stock. McDermott advised CVS Health on health regulatory and other matters, including tax, real estate, IP, and IT. The McDermott team was led by Joan Polacheck, Kate McDonald, Jeremy Earl, Ankur J. Goel, Timothy S. Shuman and Barry J. Quirke. McDermott was one of several firms involved in advising the transaction.

"We are honored to have been one of the firms who worked with CVS Health and Aetna on this transaction that is expected to transform health care," said McDermott partner Joan Polacheck.

In connection with this merger, McDermott also represented CVS Health on the divestiture of Aetna Inc.'s standalone Medicare Part D prescription drug plans to a subsidiary of WellCare Health Plans, Inc. McDermott served as CVS Health's corporate, health, and tax counsel on the transaction. The transaction team was led by Kate McDonald and Dale C. Van Demark, with assistance from Gary Scott Davis, Timothy S. Shuman, Barry J. Quirke, Adam R. Marks, and Lauren E. Parisi.

McDermott Will & Emery is the only health practice to receive top national rankings from U.S. News - Best Lawyers "Best Law Firms," Chambers USA, The Legal 500 US, and Law360. The practice was also recognized by Chambers as "Health Team of the Year" in 2010, 2013, 2017 and 2019. McDermott has held the top spot in PitchBook's League Tables as the most active firm for health care private equity since 2017.

About McDermott

McDermott Will & Emery partners with leaders around the world to fuel missions, knock down barriers and shape markets. With more than 20 locations on three continents, our team works seamlessly across practices, industries and geographies to deliver highly effective--and often unexpected--solutions that propel success. More than 1,100 lawyers strong, we bring our personal passion and legal prowess to bear in every matter for our clients and the people they serve.