
Corporate/M&A & Private Equity
USA Guide 2026 : Pennsylvania: Pittsburgh & Surrounds
Rankings

Ranked Individuals
Ranked Individuals
About
Provided by Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP
We work on a broad range of global mergers and acquisitions. Our team counsels sellers and buyers, investors and owners, boards of directors, and sources of financing and intermediaries, including private equity and venture capital funds. We help secure transaction financing, working with investment and commercial banks and other institutional lenders, and we advise entity-level decisionmakers, counseling boards, independent director committees, and management groups in myriad regulated and unregulated industries around the world. Our transactions have ranged in value from a few million dollars to more than $70 billion.
Our team can handle any issues arising from a merger, acquisition, or divestiture, whether environmental, labor, employment, and compensation matters or government contracts, regulatory obligations, intellectual property rights, and tax matters. We help clients negotiate purchase and divestiture agreements, tender offers, restructurings, joint ventures, spin-offs, leveraged buyouts, and public-to-private transactions, and acquire distressed assets. We also advise public company targets and would-be acquirers regarding implementing or overcoming takeover defense mechanisms.
Chambers Review
Provided by Chambers
Work Highlights
Provided by Chambers
Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP represented FirstEnergy in a Rule 144A Offering of an aggregate of $2.5 billion in convertible senior notes.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
The Morgan Lewis team provides speed, responsiveness and commercial thinking.
Corporate/M&A & Private Equity respondentUSAThe team at Morgan Lewis consistently delivers pragmatic, client-focused advice that aligns legal strategy with broader business objectives.
Corporate/M&A & Private Equity respondentUSAThe firm brings an efficient and thoughtful approach to transactions.
Corporate/M&A & Private Equity respondentUSAThe Morgan Lewis team executes matters at a consistently high level.
Corporate/M&A & Private Equity respondentUSA
Notable Practitioners
Provided by Chambers
Band 1 
Band 1 
James McKenzie
James McKenzie focuses his acclaimed practice on sophisticated M&A and securities transactions. He often works on matters in the technology and life sciences sectors. James is a prominent practitioner.
Corporate/M&A & Private Equity respondentUSAJames is thorough and he brings a sense of calmness. He is also very good with details and can spot issues that may arise.
Corporate/M&A & Private Equity respondentUSA
Band 1 
Band 1 
Joanne R Soslow
Joanne Soslow has extensive experience in financing matters, M&A and high-value public offerings. Her clients include pharmaceutical companies. Joanne is an excellent counsel through difficult transactions.
Corporate/M&A & Private Equity respondentUSA
Band 1 
Band 1 
Richard B Aldridge
Richard Aldridge handles complex cross-border acquisitions and investment matters for clients from industries including healthcare and manufacturing.
He is a terrific M&A lawyer.
Corporate/M&A & Private Equity respondentUSARichard is a very seasoned and thoughtful lawyer.
Corporate/M&A & Private Equity respondentUSA
Band 2 
Band 2 
Justin W Chairman
Justin Chairman garners praise from market sources for his knowledge of securities and corporate governance issues. Justin is a good and practical adviser.
Corporate/M&A & Private Equity respondentUSA
Band 2 
Band 2 
Mark Opitz
Mark Opitz is noted for his representation of clients in complex M&A and other transactions. He is sought after by significant public and private companies and private equity firms. Mark is a very good attorney. He is flexible, logical and easy to work with.
Corporate/M&A & Private Equity respondentUSAMark is a well-rounded and extremely knowledgeable lawyer with the ability to look for commercial solutions to complex problems.
Corporate/M&A & Private Equity respondentUSA
Band 4 
Band 4 
Benjamin R Wills
As co-leader of the M&A practice at his firm, Benjamin Wills maintains a broad transactional practice, with a strong emphasis on the energy sector.
He is a very good lawyer.
Corporate/M&A & Private Equity respondentUSABenjamin understands our internal dynamics and goals and always offers a practical path forward.
Corporate/M&A & Private Equity respondentUSABenjamin is a strong partner.
Corporate/M&A & Private Equity respondentUSA
Ranked Individuals at Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP (6)
Members
Provided by Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP

Barbara J. Shander

Benjamin R. Wills

Colby W. Smith

Justin W Chairman
View profile of Justin W Chairman
Joanne R Soslow
View profile of Joanne R Soslow
James McKenzie
View profile of James McKenzie
Richard B Aldridge
View profile of Richard B Aldridge
Benjamin R Wills
View profile of Benjamin R Wills
Mark Opitz
View profile of Mark Opitz
Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP has rankings in the following guides
Band 1 USA 2026
Practice area: Corporate/M&A & Private Equity
Location: Pennsylvania: Philadelphia & Surrounds
View department profile for USA 2026Band 2 USA 2026
Practice area: Corporate/M&A & Private Equity
Location: Pennsylvania: Pittsburgh & Surrounds
View department profile for USA 2026Band 4 USA 2026
Practice area: Corporate/M&A & Private Equity
Location: District of Columbia
View department profile for USA 2026
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