The Week at Ropes & Gray: Private Equity Invests in Tech; Anti-Money Laundering Enforcement Trends; New Video Highlights AXA Litigation Takeaways; Pro Bono Publico Award

In The News
October 28, 2016

Weekly highlights of what’s happening at Ropes & Gray:

  • Ropes & Gray’s private equity lawyers were busy this week with tech transactions, representing PE firm Kohlberg & Company in a deal to acquire MarketCast, a leading provider of market research services and data analytics to the entertainment industry, and Berkshire Partners in its acquisition of Masergy, the Plano, Tex.-based owner and operator of the world’s largest independent software-defined networking platform.  
  • In light of recent disease outbreaks associated with the use of contaminated medical devices, as well as multiple initiatives by the FDA to create a more comprehensive national device surveillance program, the FDA announced a public workshop to remind hospitals of their reporting obligations and explore potential opportunities for enhancing requirements.  An alert authored by our health care and FDA regulatory groups summarizes the FDA’s announcement and the impact on stakeholders.
  • In a new video, Rob Skinner, a partner in our business & securities litigation group, discusses the decision in AXA’s excessive fee litigation and outlines key takeaways for fund boards and advisors. 
  • Finally, private investment funds partner Ann Milner received the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court’s prestigious Adams Pro Bono Publico Award for her work developing and implementing a pioneering debt defense clinic for clients of Rosie’s Place, a Boston women’s shelter. The award was presented to Ann on Oct. 26 at a ceremony at the John Adams Courthouse in Boston. Ann is the second Ropes & Gray partner in recent years to receive the award, which honors Massachusetts lawyers who make an outstanding and exceptional commitment to providing volunteer legal services for the poor and disadvantaged. 
2016-adams-pro-bono-publico-award
L-R: Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Chief Justice Ralph D. Gants; Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Justice Geraldine S. Hines; Attorney Roger J. Reid; Attorney Bancroft "Bats" Wheeler; Attorney Carolyn Goodwin, Director for Public Service and Pro Bono at the Boston University School of Law accepting the award on behalf of 2016 Boston University Law School graduate Alexandra Tucker; Ropes & Gray private investment funds partner Ann Milner.