Lawfuel – The Law Newswire – NEW YORK, May 9, 2007 – William L. Ellis, Jr. has joined the New York office of McKenna Long & Aldridge LLP as senior counsel in the Corporate Practice Group. He had been counsel at Torys LLP.
Before joining Torys, Ellis was counsel at Clifford Chance US LLP. Previously, as inside counsel, he was senior vice president, general counsel, and secretary of Guinness UDV (now Diageo North America, Inc.). During his tenure at Guinness, he completed a long list of acquisitions and divestments for the company. He also has held positions as deputy general counsel of Primerica (now part of Citigroup) and senior counsel international of Merck & Co., Inc.
“We are delighted to have Bill join the firm,” said Thomas Wardell, chair of the firm’s corporate practice. “His comprehensive experience working in the M&A field, both internally as a general counsel and externally serving a number of clients, will bring added strength to our thriving corporate practice.”
Ellis has more than 40 years of experience, with a background that encompasses all aspects of mergers and acquisitions, including feasibility studies, negotiations, letters of intent, due diligence, regulatory approvals, closings, integration of acquired businesses, resolving escrows, and claims/litigation.
“I’m enthusiastic about the opportunity to work with this talented group,” said Ellis. “I look forward to collaborating with them in providing our clients the high level of service they have come to expect from McKenna Long & Aldridge.”
In addition to his M&A work, Ellis has been a speaker at seminars focusing on corporate governance, litigation management, and alternate dispute resolution. He was a recipient of the award for ADR achievement from the Center for Public Resources.
Ellis earned his LL.B. from the University of Virginia Law School (1963) and his B.A. from Yale University (1960).
Please visit www.mckennalong.com for additional information.
