Page 106 - NYLJ Professional Excellence 2021

DEALMAKERS OF THE YEAR

DEREK STOLDT, LISA ALTER AND KATIE BARON,

PARTNER AT PARTNERS AT
ARNOLD & PORTER ALTER KENDRICK & BARON

Q&A most satisfying successes Q&A What were some of your dealmaker must also be an acute listen-
What were some of your
er—both to her clients and to opposing
most satisfying successes
of the past year, and why? Helping our of the past year, and why? We are grate- counsel and other participants in the
clients develop, manufacture, and distrib- ful that our firm seamlessly transitioned transaction.
ute the COVID-19 vaccine and therapeu- to remote work during the pandemic
tics was a tremendous honor. We were and, despite all the challenges involved, What recent market factors have been
all keenly aware that we were in a race successfully negotiated and closed the most challenging in your practice
to save lives and return the world to nor- some of the most significant transac- area? The introduction of a wide range
malcy. We all had to think creatively and tions in the most business. of new players in the music industry has
take new approaches to time-honored We are particularly proud of our work fostered some challenges as parties not
ways of doing business to get it done. in connection with the acquisition by familiar with the industry have sought to
Reservoir Media Management, Inc. of reconcile the nuances of the music busi-
What qualities make a great dealmaker? the legendary Shapiro Bernstein cata- ness with traditional investment models.
The best dealmakers have very solid fun- log, the representation of Primary Wave
damentals but are also creative enough to Music in the acquisition of numerous A prospective client calls and asks why
identify bespoke solutions for novel issues. iconic music catalogs, including the you or your team should be retained.
interests of Stevie Nicks, Olivia Newton What is your response? Our highly-
What recent market factors have been John, and our role as music counsel trained team of lawyers and paralegals
the most challenging in your practice on behalf of Big Hit America Inc. in its is adept at representing clients in every
area? Speed. Life science deals during the acquisition of Ithaca Holdings, LLC. phase of complex transactions involving
pandemic needed to move at unmatched the purchase and sale of music assets,
speed. That speed often brought addi- What qualities make a great dealmak- as well as the merger and acquisition
tional complexity. We found that the most er? A great dealmaker must be able to of entities that work in this space.
important thing was to get the fundamen- understand the “big picture” or “drone Our work is founded in our in-depth
tals aligned and try to keep everyone’s eye view” of a transaction while simultane- knowledge of the copyright laws, which
on the ball. ously having an acute attention to detail. affords us essential insight into chain
Successful dealmaking not only involves of title issues, and our meticulous law-
A prospective client calls and asks why helping one’s client strike the most yering skills allow us to close even the
you or your team should be retained. advantageous deal, but also managing most complicated deals in an expedi-
What is your response? Our team under- complete and thorough due diligence, tious manner while never sacrifice our
stands your business and will identify risks mitigating potential risks, and ensuring focus on excellence.
that others will not and help find practi- that the transaction documents are clear,
cal approaches to address those risks. unambiguous, and well-crafted. A great —Responses prepared by Lisa Alter.

104 October 2021 | Photos: Arnold & Porter; Alter Kendrick