New York – March 9, 2006 – LAWFUEL – The Law News Network – Franci J. Blassberg, a partner of Debevoise & Plimpton LLP and co-chair of the firm’s Private Equity Group, has been recognized as a Dealmaker of the Year by The American Lawyer magazine. Ms. Blassberg was recognized for her work as lead legal advisor to Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, Inc., The Carlyle Group and Merrill Lynch Global Private Equity, in their $15 billion acquisition of The Hertz Corporation, the world’s largest vehicle rental organization, from the Ford Motor Company.
The profile of Ms. Blassberg, which appears in the magazine’s March 2006 issue, notes that the transaction, “the second-largest private equity deal ever,” was highly involved and included “…the creation of a complex financing package that involved hundreds of interdependent contracts for asset-backed securities and loans, unsecured high-yield debt, secured bank debt, and international bridge financing among 12 borrowers in seven currencies.” Ms. Blassberg was among 12 lawyers profiled by The American Lawyer as Dealmakers of the Year.
Martin Frederic Evans, presiding partner at Debevoise, said, “We congratulate Franci for this special acknowledgement by The American Lawyer of her leadership role in what is certainly among the largest and most complex private equity transactions ever done. Franci has been a pioneer and leader in the private equity field for over 20 years, and her role in the Hertz transaction underscores her reputation for bringing innovative structure and strategy to the table on behalf of clients.”
Ms. Blassberg has deep experience counseling private and public companies in domestic and international acquisitions and divestitures, securities offerings and other transactions. As co-chair of Debevoise’s Private Equity Group, a member of the Mergers & Acquisitions Group and a member of the firm’s Management Committee, Ms. Blassberg has helped to build one of the preeminent law firm private equity practices in the world. She originated and acts as editor-in-chief of the Debevoise & Plimpton Private Equity Report. She is also the co-editor of The Debevoise & Plimpton European Private Equity Handbook.
The international Debevoise team led by Ms. Blassberg and partner David A. Brittenham included partners John M. Allen, Jr., William B. Beekman, Gary M. Friedman, Gregory V. Gooding, David P. Mason, Nicholas F. Potter, Kevin M. Schmidt and Steven J. Slutzky in New York; partners Katherine Ashton, Alan J. Davies and David F. Hickok in London; partner Friedrich E.F. Hey and international counsel Philipp von Holst in Frankfurt; and international counsel James C. Swank in Paris.
Debevoise has been a pioneer in private equity for over 25 years, crafting innovative solutions in some of the largest and most complex transactions in the industry. Debevoise consistently ranks as a leading firm in private equity, M&A, and fund formation.
Debevoise & Plimpton LLP is a leading international law firm, representing a wide range of clients around the world. Founded in 1931, the firm has offices in New York, Washington, D.C., London, Paris, Frankfurt, Moscow, Hong Kong and Shanghai. The firm now has over 640 lawyers, including more than 100 lawyers in Europe. For more information, please visit our website at www.debevoise.com.
