Akerman Adds M&A and Private Equity Partners Max Drake and Paul Quinn in Chicago
Akerman LLP announced the expansion of its national Corporate Practice Group with Chicago partners Paul Quinn and Mason “Max” Drake. They work in middle market M&A, private equity and investment funds.
Drake arrives from Greenberg Traurig, Quinn from Paul Hastings. The lawyers join Akerman less than a week after the firm announced it is more than doubling its physical footprint in Chicago. The office has grown fivefold from eight to 44 lawyers since opening just two years ago in February 2014, the firm said.
“Max and Paul are accomplished lawyers who bolster Akerman’s national strengths in middle-market mergers and acquisitions, private equity and venture capital investments, as well as investment fund formation,” said Mary Carroll, chair of the Corporate Practice Group. “Their arrival in Chicago extends the firm’s growing presence in a market of rising importance to our clients across several industry sectors, particularly financial services.”
Quinn represents private equity funds and their portfolio companies in leveraged acquisitions and dispositions. In addition, he advises private companies and portfolio companies in connection with general corporate governance and management teams with respect to employment and compensation arrangements. Quinn also counsels distressed-focused private equity funds in connection with acquisitions through Section 363 asset sales processes, reorganizations in bankruptcy, and out-of-court restructurings, as well as private equity and venture capital funds in minority growth equity investments.
Quinn is a former certified public accountant and has worked with clients in the healthcare, financial services, technologies and manufacturing sectors. Quinn is co-resident in Akerman’s Chicago and Fort Lauderdale office.
Drake concentrates his practice on mergers and acquisitions, private equity and venture capital investments, and investment fund formation. He also advises clients in connection with secured debt and structured finance transactions and employment and compensation arrangements. Drake counsels business entities and their owners through all stages of development, from startup, to growth financing, to ultimate sale. He also represents minority investors and management teams and individuals in related transactions. Drake is co-resident in Akerman’s Chicago and New York offices.
