Published : 6 years ago, on 12/06/2018

New York, NY – Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP today announced that Matthew J. Rizzo and Jessica A. Sheridan have joined the firm as corporate partners in the Private Equity Practice Group. Mr. Rizzo, based in New York, was most recently a partner and a practice area team leader of the Private Equity practice at Sidley Austin LLP.  Ms. Sheridan was also previously a partner at Sidley.

Mr. Rizzo, who began his career as an associate at Willkie, represents private equity firms in acquisitions and dispositions of privately and publicly held businesses across a wide range of industries.

He also has extensive experience representing venture capital investors and privately held companies in early-stage and follow-on investments and financings.  Ms. Sheridan focuses on complex corporate and transactional matters, including the representation of private equity firms and public companies in connection with public and private acquisitions, divestitures and investments.

“We are delighted to have Matt rejoin his friends and colleagues at Willkie and to welcome Jessica to our private equity team,” said Willkie Chairman Steven Gartner.  “Matt’s achievements over the past few years have been most impressive and we look forward for him to continue to build his significant private equity practice back at Willkie.”

“I have great regard for Sidley Austin as a firm,” stated Mr. Rizzo.  “However, the opportunity to join Willkie allows me to practice in one of the top private equity groups in the market and return to the firm where I spent the formative years of my career.”

Representing more than 125 U.S. and international private equity sponsors as well as thousands of portfolio companies and management teams, Willkie is an active and longtime advisor of market-leading private equity and venture capital institutions operating across a broad range of geographies and industries.  Named “Private Equity Team of the Year” at the 2018 IFLR Americas Awards, our private equity attorneys are recognized leaders with extensive experience in the U.S. and global investment arenas.