Global law firm White & Case LLP is continuing to bolster its Global Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) Practice, adding senior dealmakers in New York as part of a broader push to scale its US transactional platform.
The firm has appointed Jennifer Cheng as a partner in New York. Cheng joins from Reed Smith, where she served as chair of the firm’s Global M&A Practice.
“White & Case is actively investing in high-growth areas, including our M&A platform in the US,” said Heather McDevitt, chair of White & Case. “With Jennifer’s appointment, we scale our talent bench and strengthen our ability to lead clients through their most strategic and complex transactions.”
Cheng advises Fortune 500, international and middle-market companies on a broad range of corporate transactions, including public and private mergers, take-privates, asset and stock acquisitions and divestitures, reverse mergers, joint ventures and private equity investments across multiple industries.
Calling her an “outstanding dealmaker,” Kimberly Petillo-Décossard, co-head of Global M&A at White & Case, said Cheng’s ability to lead complex matters and build long-term client relationships aligns with the firm’s growth ambitions.
In a separate move, the firm has also added Andrea Merediz Basham as a partner in New York, further strengthening its US M&A and private capital capabilities. Basham joins from Freshfields, where she was a partner.
“Investment in US M&A and private capital are key priorities for White & Case,” McDevitt said. “Andrea’s exceptional track record as a trusted advisor to global corporate and sponsor clients advances our ability to deliver transformative client outcomes.”
Basham advises international corporates and private capital investors, including sovereign wealth funds, on complex mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, debt and equity investments and co-investment structures. Petillo-Décossard said the firm is seeing strong client demand for integrated, high-calibre M&A advice, prompting continued expansion of the team.
White & Case’s M&A Practice has seen more than 25 lateral partner hires globally over the past year. Recent US-based additions include Paul Tiger, Airi Hammalov and Stephen Fraidin in New York; Gabriel Salinas, Josh Teahen, Ian Goldberg and Alex Miron in Houston; and Nicole Daley in Boston.
