Latham & Watkins Llp: Gerstein Mark D

In the dynamic and often complex world of corporate law, businesses in Illinois require more than just legal advice; they need strategic partners who can navigate intricate transactions, advise on crucial governance matters, and skillfully handle high-stakes negotiations. For companies, boards of directors, and financial advisors across the state, having access to seasoned expertise in mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and corporate governance is paramount. This is where Mark D. Gerstein, a highly respected corporate lawyer previously serving as Global Co-Chair of Latham & Watkins LLP's Mergers & Acquisitions Practice, offered invaluable counsel from the firm's Chicago office. Although retired from the partnership, his legacy and the firm's continued expertise remain a significant resource for the Illinois business community.

Mark D. Gerstein was a distinguished corporate partner and the previous Global Co-Chair of Latham & Watkins LLP's Mergers & Acquisitions Practice, operating from their prominent Chicago office. During his extensive career, which included over two decades at Latham & Watkins, he consistently advised public and private companies, special committees of boards of directors, and financial advisors on complex corporate transactions and critical corporate governance issues. His expertise spanned a broad range of M&A activities, from defending and advancing unsolicited bids to orchestrating cross-border public company combinations and complex spin-off transactions.

Mr. Gerstein was widely recognized as a leading corporate lawyer, celebrated by clients who described him as a “superb negotiator with phenomenal commercial skills,” highlighting how his “knowledge, skill and creativity contributes significantly to the success of the deal.” His strategic acumen and deep understanding of corporate finance and securities law were instrumental in shaping major transactions, including the significant merger of the Chicago Board of Trade and the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. While he retired from the partnership in December 2022, his influence and the robust M&A and corporate governance practice he helped build at Latham & Watkins continue to serve as a cornerstone for businesses navigating complex corporate landscapes in Illinois and globally. For any enterprise in Illinois seeking sophisticated corporate legal guidance, the foundation laid by attorneys like Mark D. Gerstein ensures that Latham & Watkins remains a premier choice.

Mark D. Gerstein was based at Latham & Watkins LLP's Chicago office, which is strategically located at 330 N Wabash Ave #2800, Chicago, IL 60611, USA. This address places the firm within a key commercial and legal hub in downtown Chicago, offering exceptional accessibility for clients throughout Illinois.

The office's prime position near the Chicago River provides convenient access for those driving, with various parking garages available in the surrounding blocks. For individuals utilizing public transportation, the location is highly advantageous. It is within a short walking distance of multiple CTA 'L' train lines, including the Brown, Green, Orange, Pink, and Purple lines at the State/Lake or Clark/Lake stations, as well as the Red Line at Grand or Lake. Numerous city bus routes also serve the immediate area, further enhancing the ease of access for clients coming from diverse parts of Illinois, whether from within Chicago's neighborhoods or from the broader suburban and regional areas such as DuPage, Lake, Will, or Kane counties. This central and well-connected location underscores Latham & Watkins LLP’s commitment to providing convenient access to top-tier legal services for the entire Illinois business community.

While Mark D. Gerstein has retired from the partnership, his practice at Latham & Watkins LLP focused on a wide array of complex corporate and transactional matters, which the firm continues to excel in. These services are crucial for public and private companies in Illinois.

• Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A): Expertise in all aspects of M&A, including defending and advancing unsolicited bids, negotiating cross-border public company combinations, and handling complex take-private transactions.

• Corporate Governance: Advising boards of directors, special committees, and senior management on critical corporate governance issues, including compliance, board composition, and fiduciary duties.

• Shareholder Activism Planning and Defense: Strategic counsel to companies preparing for or responding to shareholder activist campaigns, including proxy contest defense.

• Special Committee Representation: Guiding special committees of boards of directors through complex transactions involving conflicts of interest, such as going-private deals.

• Spin-off Transactions: Legal support for companies undertaking complex spin-off transactions, ensuring compliance and smooth execution.

• Strategic Alliances and Joint Ventures: Counseling clients on the formation and operation of strategic partnerships.

• Public Company Transactions: Extensive experience in various public company transactions, including mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures.

Mark D. Gerstein's career at Latham & Watkins LLP was marked by numerous significant features and highlights that exemplify his expertise and the firm's capabilities in corporate law.

• Global M&A Leadership: As the former Global Co-Chair of Latham & Watkins' Mergers & Acquisitions Practice, Mr. Gerstein played a pivotal role in establishing the firm as a global leader in complex public company transactions.

• Exceptional Negotiator and Commercial Skills: He was lauded by clients for his "superb negotiation" and "phenomenal commercial skills," highlighting his ability to contribute significantly to successful deal outcomes.

• Involvement in Landmark Transactions: Mr. Gerstein advised on numerous high-profile transactions, including his representation of the special committee of the directors of the Chicago Board of Trade during its merger with the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, a seminal financial merger in Chicago.

• Distinguished Academic Contributions: He serves as an adjunct professor of law at Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law and has been a member of Northwestern University's Ray Garrett Jr. Corporate and Securities Law Institute Steering Committee, demonstrating his commitment to legal education and thought leadership. He also served on the University of Chicago Law School's Advisory Council.

• Community Engagement: Beyond his legal practice, Mr. Gerstein has shown significant civic engagement, serving as Chair and currently as a Board member of Youth Guidance, an organization working with at-risk children in Chicago Public Schools and nationally. He also serves as a trustee of The Ravinia Festival, the summer home of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

• Fortune 500 Counsel: He frequently counseled the directors and officers of Fortune 500 companies and other public companies on corporate governance, investor relations, and crisis management.

Based on publicly available information, Mark D. Gerstein, during his time at Latham & Watkins LLP, and the firm itself, do not explicitly advertise ongoing general promotions or special offers such as free initial consultations or discounted rates. As a global leader in corporate and transactional law, Latham & Watkins LLP provides highly sophisticated and specialized legal services, particularly for complex M&A and corporate governance matters. Their fee structures are typically tailored to the specific demands and scope of each engagement, reflecting the depth of expertise and resources required for such high-stakes work. Prospective clients interested in the firm's services are encouraged to contact Latham & Watkins LLP directly. During an initial discussion, the firm can provide clarity on their billing practices, fee arrangements, and how costs would be managed for the specific legal challenges a client faces, ensuring transparency and alignment on financial expectations.

To inquire about the corporate and transactional legal services offered by Latham & Watkins LLP in Chicago, you can use the following contact details:

Address: 330 N Wabash Ave #2800, Chicago, IL 60611, USA

Phone: (312) 876-7700

Mobile Phone: +1 312-876-7700

Direct contact through these channels will allow you to connect with the firm's corporate practice group and discuss your specific legal needs.

For businesses, boards of directors, and financial advisors throughout Illinois, the corporate law practice at Latham & Watkins LLP, significantly shaped by leaders like Mark D. Gerstein, offers an exceptionally suitable and advantageous legal partnership. The firm's deep specialization in complex corporate transactions, including M&A, corporate governance, and shareholder activism defense, directly addresses the critical needs of Illinois's diverse business landscape, from burgeoning startups to established multinational corporations. This specialized expertise ensures that local entities receive cutting-edge legal strategies tailored to their specific industry and strategic objectives.

The firm’s prominent Chicago location provides superior accessibility for clients across the state. Its central position, easily reachable via extensive public transportation networks and major roadways, minimizes logistical hurdles, enabling seamless collaboration between clients and their legal team. This convenience is vital when navigating time-sensitive and high-stakes corporate matters.

Furthermore, the legacy of attorneys like Mark D. Gerstein, combined with Latham & Watkins LLP's global resources and stellar reputation, instills a strong sense of confidence and trust. Clients in Illinois can be assured that they are engaging with a firm that not only possesses profound legal knowledge but also a proven track record of successfully guiding companies through their most significant corporate transformations. For any Illinois business seeking sophisticated, strategic, and results-oriented corporate legal counsel, Latham & Watkins LLP stands as a premier and highly suitable choice, empowering local enterprises to thrive in a competitive global economy.