New York, August 18, 2005 – LAWFUEL – The Law News Network – Baker & McKenzie has strengthened its corporate & securities and securitization practices with the addition of two partners in New York. Laurence Pettit joins from White & Case; and Martin Weisberg from Troutman Sanders LLP, formerly Jenkens & Gilchrist Parker Chapin LLP.
“These are two very seasoned lawyers, and we are very pleased to welcome them both aboard for the benefit of both our domestic and global clientele,” said David Hackett, Baker & McKenzie LLP’s North American Managing Partner. “Laurence and Martin bring unique experience that will strategically advance our securitization, private equity and securities practices in New York, North America and in markets worldwide.”
Laurence Pettit focuses his practice on securitization including future flow transactions involving payment rights, credit card receivables and infrastructure financings. He has been active in many securitization transactions and project financings in emerging markets, including Russia, Turkey and various jurisdictions in Latin America. Most recently he advised WestLB in Turkey’s largest ever securitization deal, totalling $US1.433 Billion.
Martin Weisberg focuses his practice in assisting public and private companies and private equity firms in mergers and acquisitions, securities offerings and other transactions and bank financings. He also advises Board of Directors and Independent Committees of Boards of Directors regarding fiduciary duties and other matters, including compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
“It’s with great pleasure that I welcome these talented lawyers to our New York office and the Firm—They are each significant additions to our existing practices,” said Gerry Hayes, Managing Partner of Baker & McKenzie LLP’s New York office. “Martin brings our clients almost 30 years of experience in advising public and private companies from mergers and acquisitions, to Sarbanes- Oxley and compliance issues. Laurence brings extraordinary global experience that will advance our securitization capabilities in Europe, Russia and the former Soviet Union as well as for many growing businesses in Latin America.”
Laurence Pettit holds a J.D. from Columbia University School of Law. He joined White & Case in New York in 1988, directly from law school, and practiced from the firm’s Istanbul office 1991-1992 and 1997-1998.
Martin Weisberg holds a J.D., summa cum laude from Northwestern University School of Law. At Northwestern, he was a Member of the Order of the Coif and Articles Editor of the Law Review. He began his legal career as an associate with Cravath, Swaine & Moore (1975 – 1981), and practiced with Gelberg & Abrams as a partner until 1987 when the firm disbanded. He was a partner at Morgan, Lewis & Bockius until 1991 when he joined Shea & Gould. He joined Parker Chapin as a partner in March 1994 upon the dissolution of Shea & Gould. Parker Chapin merged with Jenkens & Gilchrist in 2000, and its New York office recently became Troutman Sanders LLP.
Over the past 18 months, Baker & McKenzie’s New York office has added several securities/M&A partners, including Chuck Niemeth, Roslyn Tom, Howard Jiang, and Robert Grauman. The Firm will also be expanding its securitization capabilities in London with a team of four partners from Norton Rose, headed by Jonathan Walsh.
