Finance Lawyer Stefanie Birkmann Joins Ropes & Gray in New York

Ropes & Gray today announced that Stefanie Birkmann is joining the global law firm’s New York office as a partner in the finance group, bolstering services to private equity firms, investment and commercial banks and others involved in an increasingly active M&A landscape.

Ms. Birkmann, 42, was previously senior counsel at Simpson Thacher & Bartlett in New York. She has advised clients on a number of recent high-profile cases, including the representation of JPMorgan in connection with $2.8 billion in acquisition financing for 3G Capital’s purchase of Burger King and the representation of Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. in its $7.3 billion purchase of Dollar General Corporation.

“Stefanie Birkmann is a world-class lawyer with an impressive record of handling complex financings for her clients,” said Byung Choi, co-leader of Ropes & Gray’s finance group. “We have experienced increased activity over the last year and are delighted to have someone of Stefanie’s caliber join us as we continue to expand our capacity to serve clients in sophisticated financing transactions.”

Ms. Birkmann focuses on syndicated bank financings with an emphasis on leveraged acquisitions, recapitalizations and restructuring transactions. She has considerable experience advising private equity sponsors, corporations and an array of financial institutions on senior credit facilities, bridge loans and debt restructurings, including DIP and exit financings.

Ms. Birkmann is a graduate of Columbia University School of Law and the University of Munich School of Law.

Ropes & Gray, a global law firm with more than 1,000 lawyers and professionals, has been recognized as having one of the world’s leading finance groups. The finance group’s lawyers in the United States, United Kingdom and Asia have handled well over $100 billion in financing transactions and commitments over the last few years, representing a diverse client base that includes private equity sponsors, corporations, investment and commercial banks, as well as other traditional and non-traditional lending entities.