International law firm McDermott Will & Emery announced today that it has appointed Harris C. Siskind as the new global head of its Corporate & Transactional Practice Group, effective immediately. Mr. Siskind replaces Ira J. Coleman who will take over as the Chair of the Firm as of January 1, 2017.

Mr. Siskind advises clients on private equity transactions, mergers and acquisitions, and general corporate matters. He has handled many complex transactions, including acquisitions and divestitures on behalf of private equity sponsors. He has also represented numerous strategic buyers, public corporations and private companies in connection with acquisitions, sales and a broad range of other corporate transactions.

“We would like to extend our warmest congratulations to Harris on his appointment to lead our global Corporate & Transactional practice,” said McDermott co-chair Jeffrey E. Stone. “We are confident that he will inspire success across the Firm and play a key role in delivering on McDermott’s strategic plan, which focuses on strengthening our core capabilities, including in private equity and cross-border transactions,” added co-chair Peter J. Sacripanti.

Mr. Siskind has an impressive track record in his various leadership roles, including being co-head of McDermott’s International Private Equity Practice and partner-in-charge of the Corporate & Transactional practice for the Firm’s Miami office. He is widely respected in the industry, and is ranked year over year by Chambers USA (2007-2016) and the Legal 500 (2015-2016). He was recently awarded the 2017 Lawyer of the Year for Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity in the Miami area by Best Lawyers in America.

Ira Coleman, chair-elect of the Firm, added: “Since joining McDermott in 2005, Harris has been a valued partner, mentor and leader who embodies the McDermott spirit. I have worked with him since he joined the Firm and know firsthand the impact that he makes and the energy he inspires. It is not only what he does, but how he does it: enthusiastically and collaboratively, and always with a commitment to excellence. I am confident that the practice group will flourish under his leadership.”

McDermott’s Corporate & Transactional Practice represents business interests around the world, from global corporations and industry-leading companies to privately funded and entrepreneurial driven enterprises, private equity sponsors and the financial institutions that support them. McDermott consistently ranks in the leading league tables, including Mergermarket, Thomson Reuters, Bloomberg and PitchBook. The Corporate & Transactional Practice Group was named “Team of the Year” for Middle Market M&A/Buyouts by The Legal 500 and is highly ranked by Chambers in the United States, Germany and the United Kingdom.

McDermott has a renewed commitment to increasing its Corporate & Transactional capabilities, and throughout recent months, the practice has experienced a period of dynamic growth with the addition of several notable laterals. Most recently, the Firm welcomed Albert L. Sokol in the Boston office and David Lipkin in McDermott’s Silicon Valley office. Other Corporate & Transactional hires in the recent months include New York partners Robert Goldstein, Frank Steinherr, Daniel Martin, Gary Emmanuel and Jeremy Dickens. The hiring trend extends overseas as well with Alicia Videon, Hamid Yunis, Piero Carbone and Michael Holter as the latest additions to the Firm’s London office.