Jay Tannon to Co-Chair DLA Piper’s U.S. Private Equity Practice
(WASHINGTON) May 30, 2006 – LAWFUEL – Press Release Service – DLA Piper Rudnick Gray Cary US LLP has announced that Jay Tannon has joined the firm’s Washington D.C. office as a partner in the Corporate and Securities practice group. Tannon will co-chair the firm’s U.S. Private Equity practice, sharing that role with Tony Rickert, who is also a Corporate and Securities partner based in Washington. Tannon joins DLA Piper from Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP where he served as co-chair of that firm’s private equity and China practices.
Tannon focuses his practice on private equity investments and mergers and acquisitions, in both domestic and international transactions, and has counseled U.S., Canadian, Asian and European businesses, both public and private, on acquisitions, joint ventures, direct investments, capital formation, and other commercial arrangements. Tannon has served as lead outside counsel on significant projects for such companies as Onex Corporation and UPS.
“One of our top strategic goals since our merger has been to enhance our private equity capabilities and, although we made significant progress in 2005, this area remains a top lateral recruiting priority,” said Jay Rains, partner and co-chair of DLA Piper’s Corporate and Securities practice. “Jay Tannon has a national practice that will help us accelerate our growth in this important area.”
“Jay is an experienced, respected lawyer and we look forward to working with him as we continue to grow the firm’s private equity practice,” added Rickert. “In addition to the work he has done for U.S.-based private equity clients, his significant cross-border experience is a perfect fit for our global footprint and international deal flow, which has been one of the fastest-growing segments of our private equity practice this year.”
“Many of the private equity firms with which I work actively pursue transactions across the country and across international borders,” said Tannon. “DLA Piper’s global reach and capacity will enable me to serve clients wherever they conduct business.”
The Secretary of Commerce and the U.S. Trade Representative recently reappointed Tannon as a member of the Advisory Committee on Services. The Governor of Virginia also appointed Tannon to represent the Commonwealth on the Southern Technology Council and to assist with the Venture South initiative.
Additionally, Tannon helped the China Council for Promotion of International Trade and the CPR Institute of Dispute Resolution create the U.S.- China Business Mediation Center operating in Beijing and New York. Tannon has also led or participated in trade missions to a number of nations, including China, Singapore, Malaysia, Mexico, the United Kingdom, France, Germany and the Czech Republic.
Tannon is often a speaker on the subject of cross-border acquisitions and direct investments. Within the past six months, he has addressed business audiences in Beijing, Montreal and Washington. He also has published several articles on international business, including 2006 articles directed to European acquirers of U.S. companies and the rise of private equity in China.
“We are pleased to welcome Jay to our growing corporate practice in D.C.,” said Ann Ford, managing partner of DLA Piper’s Washington D.C. office. “He has extensive contacts with leading private equity firms and public companies, and we know he will help us expand our relationships with the firm’s current and future clients, including those based in the mid-Atlantic.”
Tannon earned a B.A., summa cum laude, from the University of North Carolina and a J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law.
About DLA Piper Rudnick Gray Cary (www.dlapiper.com) DLA Piper Rudnick Gray Cary has 3,100 lawyers and 59 offices in 22 countries throughout the U.S., U.K., Continental Europe, Middle East and Asia. It has leading practices in commercial, corporate and finance, human resources, litigation, real estate, regulatory and legislative, and technology, media and communications.
