Nixon Peabody LLP

False Claims Act Team Leader Adam Tarosky discusses the potential for increased FCA enforcement under the Trump administration as it supports the priorities outlined in recent executive orders.

Congratulations Stacie Collier for being named one of the Top 25 Women Chief Talent Officers of 2025 by Women We Admire! This list honors visionary leaders who are pivotal in shaping the workforce, setting the goals and direction of staffing operations, and driving success through strategic talent management. As Nixon Peabody's Chief Talent Officer, Stacie focuses on growing and enhancing our legal talent, and developing and cultivating our people and distinctive culture.

In celebration of Women’s History Month, we're proud to shine a spotlight on Alexandra Lebenthal, Managing Director and Senior Banker at Rockefeller Capital Management. Alex has been a true trailblazer in M&A. With 35 years of experience, she has navigated complex transactions, built successful teams, and played a significant role in shaping the industry. Alex has also dedicated her career to advancing the state of women in financial services. She was also named one of Mergers & Acquisitions “2025 Most Influential Women in Mid-Market M&A." Alex recently spoke with Nixon Peabody partner and Women in Dealmaking Co-Leader Amy (Pugliano) O'Keefe about her experience as a woman working in private equity and her words of wisdom for the next generation of women dealmakers.

Law enforcement appears to be taking a renewed interest in the foreign ties of scientists, universities, and companies with advanced technology. Higher education administrators should revisit policies and procedures relating to foreign engagements and responding to law enforcement, says Nixon Peabody attorneys Robert Fisher, Scott Seitz, and Simon P. This article provides crucial information for scientists and executives on how they can protect themselves and what to do when interacting with law enforcement. https://lnkd.in/dUqXCbpQ

With middle market M&A at a critical juncture, Nixon Peabody attorneys Amy (Pugliano) O'Keefe, Shaziah Singh, and Anthony V. Bova II share insights and predictions for deal activity for the rest of 2025: ?? Market Trends: A modest resurgence in deal activity was seen at the end of 2024. With $2 trillion in private equity funds waiting to be deployed globally, there's potential for increased activity despite market headwinds. ?? Seller Strategies: Sellers are being driven by strategic realignment, favorable market conditions, and technological disruptions. Many are divesting non-core assets, and narrowing valuation gaps could boost deal flow. ?? Buyer Approaches: Strategic buyers are aiming to expand core competencies using internal capital, while private equity sponsors manage record capital and assets and look to acquire new assets and offload aging ones. With significant capital ready to be deployed and a narrowing gap between buyer and seller valuations, this could be a pivotal year for M&A activity.

In an interview with Rochester Business Journal, partner and Cybersecurity & Privacy Deputy Practice Leader Jenny Lewis Holmes shared best practices and considerations for businesses establishing policies and procedures around the use of generative AI. Our attorneys can help guide organizations throughout the creation of AI policies to ensure proper compliance and mitigate any potential data privacy risks.

Welcome to Nixon Peabody, Michael Melzer! Mike joins our Project Finance & Public Finance practice as partner based in our Chicago office. https://lnkd.in/gVrSafA8 Mike’s practice focuses on helping clients navigate complex and novel financial structures for public finance matters. He paves the way for his clients to secure the financing they need to build for the future, while blending deep Illinois statutory knowledge with broad national experience, including several of the largest and more high profile public-private partnerships (P3s) undertaken in recent years. Mike draws on his varied and expansive background to solve complex challenges and deliver practical, impactful solutions to clients. He has extensive experience in project and public finance, including in public power and utilities, transportation, convention and tourism, education, healthcare, seniors living, and economic development.

A unanimous US Supreme Court decision found that party affiliates who are not named defendants are not liable to pay damages award in trademark dispute. SCOTUS ruled that the Fourth Circuit ignored important distinctions under the Lanham act and vacated nearly $47 million in damages. Erica Van Loon and Diler Cavdar analyze the ruling and explain why there are still a lot of unanswered questions. https://lnkd.in/gxDKBCAC

We asked the leaders of our Women in Dealmaking team to share insights on the M&A trends they're watching and predictions for the dealmaking landscape ahead. Swipe through to discover their perspectives! ?? "With the new Trump administration taking office, dealmakers are closely monitoring potential regulatory shifts, tax policies, and trade dynamics that could reshape corporate strategies. Expected changes to antitrust enforcement, foreign investment scrutiny, and capital markets regulation may impact deal structures and valuations. While some industries may see a more business-friendly environment, others may need to navigate evolving compliance landscapes, making proactive risk assessment and regulatory due diligence more critical than ever." – Rachel Pugliese ?? "Macroeconomic factors will continue to influence dealmaking in 2025, particularly inflation, interest rates, and access to capital. While inflationary pressures may ease, companies remain focused on cost efficiencies and strategic acquisitions to drive growth. Private equity firms and strategic buyers alike are adapting to a higher-for-longer interest rate environment, emphasizing creative financing solutions and disciplined valuations. As capital markets adjust, expect to see increased activity in distressed assets, carve-outs, and strategic partnerships as companies optimize their portfolios for long-term resilience." – Marissa Wiley ?? "The Trump Administration's stated policies related to a less restrictive regulatory landscape, immigration, and tariffs are expected to create an uneven impact on the market. While some sectors stand to benefit – driving the announcement of several mega deals early in the year – others are likely to face challenges due to these policy shifts, particularly sectors impacted by labor markets and supply chain costs." – Amy (Pugliano) O'Keefe ? "Private equity investment in sports will accelerate, fueled by rising franchise valuations, expanded media rights, and growing investor appetite. As leagues embrace institutional capital and deal structures evolve, new opportunities will emerge to shape the industry's future." – Shaziah Singh

The M&A market is beginning to feel the impact of the new administration's tariff war. Greg O'Shaughnessy shares expectations and insights for companies scrambling to adjust to the new, rapidly shifting, and unpredictable environment.