Baker McKenzie boosts Los Angeles team with transactional lawyers from Munger, Tolles & Olson

Baker McKenzie has announced the expansion of its Los Angeles office with the addition of a transactional team from Munger, Tolles & Olson (MTO).

According to the firm, the move strategically enhances its capabilities in mergers and acquisitions (M&A), private equity, funds, finance, and transactional tax. The team joining Baker McKenzie includes corporate and tax partners Jennifer Broder, Kimberly Chi, David Goldman, Michael Greaney, Tyler Hilton, Judith Kitano, Kelly Kriebs, David Lee, Brett Rodda, Matthew Schonholz, and Nikole Zoumberakis, alongside a group of talented associates.

Colin Murray, CEO of Baker McKenzie North America, emphasized the strategic importance of this addition, stating, "This elite team brings impeccable credentials and a track record of leading sophisticated, high-end M&A and investment management work, complementing our established and growing transactional and tax practices in North America."

The newly joined team has been involved in several deals such as Intel’s US$ 9 billion divisional sale to SK Hynix, Oaktree Capital Management’s US$ 4.7 billion partial sale to Brookfield Asset Management, and Berkshire Hathaway’s US$ 11.6 billion acquisition of Alleghany Corp.

"Adding this high calibre group to our team speaks to our Firm’s commitment to providing best-in-class transactional support to our clients,” said Alan Zoccolillo, Baker McKenzie’s North America transactional practice chair.

Baker McKenzie’s global M&A chair, Jannan Crozier, added, “Our transactional lawyers work together with our colleagues across practices to strategically address all legal and regulatory implications of a deal to minimize business risk, unlock value and drive synergies. The arrival of this group adds to the depth and breadth of our global transactional practice, expanding high value services to clients around the globe."

The Los Angeles office, led by Perrie Weiner, has grown to more than 70 lawyers and business professionals since its opening in 2018. Under the leadership of Leif King, the California Transactional Group comprises more than 50 lawyers and provides innovative solutions for deals and transactions both on the West Coast and globally.

M&A and private equity partner Brett Rodda expressed enthusiasm about the new opportunities at Baker McKenzie, noting, "Baker McKenzie presents an unmatched opportunity for our team to be part of a global transactional platform. We are excited about the chance to continue providing our clients with exceptional service, and now with the added benefits of Baker McKenzie's deep bench strength, specialist support and international reach."

This strategic move is part of Baker McKenzie’s broader initiative to strengthen its global M&A, private equity, funds, finance, and tax platform. Over the past year, the firm has added nearly 30 partners in key business markets worldwide.