DLA Piper announced today that a prominent four-partner corporate and litigation group has joined the firm in New York.
The group, which joins DLA Piper from Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP, consists of Berge Setrakian, Margaret Civetta, the former managing partner of Dewey & LeBoeuf’s Madrid office and co-managing partner of the firm’s Paris office, Kevin Walsh and Gassan Baloul. Setrakian and Civetta join DLA Piper’s Corporate and Finance practice, and Walsh and Baloul join the firm’s Litigation practice.
“We are thrilled to welcome this sophisticated international group to the firm,” said Roger Meltzer, global chair of DLA Piper’s Corporate and Finance practice. “They bring deep experience in Europe and the Middle East, among other important regions, that will be instrumental in enhancing our clients’ businesses and helping industry leaders execute important transactions and resolve high-profile disputes around the world.”
The group regularly acts as US counsel for foreign corporations and has handled numerous acquisitions and cross-border transactions, as well as major litigations and arbitrations, from white collar crime to multi-billion dollar commercial claims. They also act as outside general counsel for their clients and are called upon regularly to advise on corporate, finance, litigation, arbitration, acquisition, restructuring, employment and regulatory matters.
“We are delighted to join DLA Piper, which provides the platform and resources to serve our diverse client base around the world,” said Setrakian.
About the Lawyers:
Berge Setrakian practices in international commercial and corporate law. His clients include international corporations engaged in various fields of activities, including telecommunications, technology, tobacco, banking and trade. He also represents various high net-worth individuals. He received a Diplôme d’Etudes Superieures de Droit Compare from F.I.E.D.C. in Strasbourg, France, a Diplome d’Etudes Superieures de Doctorat en Droit from the Université de Lyon, a Licence en Droit Français from the Université Saint-Joseph, Beirut, and a Licence en Droit Libanais from the Lebanese University of Beirut.
Margaret Civetta’s practice is primarily involved with advising on general corporate law and international transactions. Her experience includes private placements, mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, contracts, international sales and other international commercial transactions. She received her J.D. from New York University School of Law and her B.A. from Marymount Manhattan College.
Kevin Walsh advises clients in the telecommunications, media, technology and banking industries, among others, in complex commercial litigation and international arbitration matters. In addition to his experience in state and federal courts, Mr. Walsh has conducted arbitrations under the auspices of the ICC, the London Court of International Arbitration and the International Dispute Resolution Centre of the American Arbitration Association. He received his J.D. from the University of Chicago Law School and his A.B. from Harvard University.
Gassan Baloul’s experience includes a wide range of complex commercial litigations, international arbitrations and white collar criminal proceedings. He has worked with domestic and international clients engaged in a variety of industries. He received his J.D. from Washington University School of Law and his B.B.A. from the University of Oklahoma.
