Jeffrey R. Poss

New York, NY (January 26, 2026) — Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP today announced that Payom M. Pirahesh has joined the Firm as a partner in the Private Equity Practice Group, based in the Los Angeles office. Payom brings significant experience advising private equity funds, asset managers, and other stakeholders on complex corporate transactions. “Payom is an accomplished dealmaker with an exceptional track record leading sophisticated transactions, and his substantial experience will be a valuable asset to our client base. His arrival underscores our continued commitment to invest in our private equity capabilities across the Firm,” said Jeffrey Poss, Co-Chair of the Private Equity Practice Group, and incoming joint Chairman of the Firm. Payom’s practice focuses on representing private equity funds, their portfolio companies and other sophisticated market participants in a wide range of transactions, including acquisitions, leveraged buyouts, sales, carve-outs, joint ventures, co-investments, minority investments, dividend recapitalizations and corporate governance matters. He has led high-profile deals across the technology; media, entertainment and live events; consumer and retail; financial services; construction services; and professional services sectors. He also regularly guides private equity funds and c-suites through private equity-style employment arrangements, management incentive plans and sale bonus plans. Payom was previously a partner at Sidley. Alex Weingarten, Managing Partner of Willkie’s Los Angeles office, commented: “Payom is an exceptional private equity practitioner. His rich background and skillset will further support our growing Los Angeles team, and we are excited to welcome him to Willkie.” Payom commented: “Willkie's unparalleled and diversified private equity and transactional platform is an ideal match for my practice. I look forward to working alongside this outstanding group of practitioners to continue building on the Firm’s success and serve the evolving needs of clients around the world.” Willkie is one of the industry’s preeminent advisors to private equity funds. We provide a full-service, 360° platform advising on everything from fund structuring and formation, platform and add-on investments and acquisitions, tuck-in acquisitions, co-invest structures and joint ventures, to bank credit, direct lending and other debt financings and offerings, IPOs, follow-on offerings, SPACs, PIPEs, other “bet-the-company” and lifecycle events, and ultimate exits. ***************************************************** Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP provides leading-edge legal solutions on complex, business critical issues spanning markets and industries. Our approximately 1,300 attorneys across 16 offices worldwide deliver innovative, pragmatic and sophisticated legal services across approximately 45 practice areas. Learn more at www.willkie.com.

Jan 26

2 min

New York, NY (February 11, 2026) — Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP today announced that Maurio A. Fiore has joined the Firm as a partner in New York. He is a member of the Corporate & Financial Services Department and the Private Equity and M&A Practice Groups. Maurio focuses his extensive practice on mergers and acquisitions involving public and private companies, private equity investments, joint ventures and corporate governance matters. His experience spans multiple industries, including the financial services, insurance and technology sectors. He regularly leads high-profile deals for private equity sponsors, public companies, insurers, reinsurers, financial institutions and other global clients. Maurio has earned top-tier rankings in national and international legal directories for his private equity work. He joins from Cravath. Jeffrey Poss, Co-Chair of the Private Equity Practice Group, and incoming joint Chairman of the Firm, commented: “Maurio is an accomplished dealmaker and his broad experience advising private equity sponsors and corporations on complex, high-value transactions makes him an excellent fit for Willkie and further enhances our ability to deliver best-in-class solutions to clients across the transactional landscape.” “Maurio has played a significant role in some of the most sophisticated M&A and private equity transactions in the market in recent years,” said Adam Turteltaub, Co-Chair of the M&A Practice Group. “His arrival further builds on our corporate platform’s momentum in New York and across the Firm, and we are pleased to welcome him to Willkie.” Maurio commented: “Willkie is widely regarded for its strength across corporate sectors, and I have long admired the Firm’s standout global transactional capabilities. I’m thrilled to join this talented team of practitioners amid the dynamic changes shaping private equity and other key markets.” Willkie is one of the industry’s preeminent advisors to private equity funds. We provide a full-service, 360° platform advising on everything from fund structuring and formation, platform and add-on investments and acquisitions, tuck-in acquisitions, co-invest structures and joint ventures, to bank credit, direct lending and other debt financings and offerings, IPOs, follow-on offerings, SPACs, PIPEs, other “bet-the-company” and lifecycle events, and ultimate exits. Willkie’s top-tier Mergers & Acquisitions Practice represents public and private buyers, sellers, special committees of boards of directors, debt and equity investors and financial advisors in some of the most significant and complex acquisition transactions. Our transactional teams advise on PE and M&A matters worldwide, with attorneys based in 16 key market centers across the United States, UK and Europe. ***************************************************** Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP provides leading-edge legal solutions on complex, business critical issues spanning markets and industries. Our approximately 1,300 attorneys across 16 offices worldwide deliver innovative, pragmatic and sophisticated legal services across approximately 45 practice areas. Learn more at www.willkie.com.

Feb 11

2 min

Willkie is representing Aquiline Capital Partners LP and its portfolio company Relation Insurance Services, one of the largest independent insurance brokers in the United States, in the sale of Relation to BayPine. Relation provides risk management and benefits consulting services nationwide, delivering specialized expertise and tailored solutions to clients of all sizes across a range of industry segments, including construction, transportation, agriculture, entertainment, healthcare, manufacturing, hospitality, and real estate. Willkie previously advised Aquiline on its acquisition of Relation in 2019. Since Aquiline’s initial investment, Relation has completed more than 100 acquisitions, executed a targeted broker recruitment strategy, diversified its product suite, and built differentiated specialty capabilities across several niche industries. Aquiline is a global private investment firm with offices in New York, London, and Philadelphia that focuses on financial services and technology. The Willkie team was led by partners Jeffrey Poss and Thomas Sharkey and counsel David Avraham.

Feb 19

1 min

New York, NY (October 13, 2025) — Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP today announced that Hamesh Khatkar will join as a partner in the Private Equity Practice Group in the Firm’s London office. Hamesh represents the world’s leading private equity sponsors and sovereign wealth funds on cross-border M&A and corporate transactions across numerous industries. He will join from Kirkland & Ellis. “Hamesh is a highly talented and knowledgeable lawyer with deep experience handling private equity and real estate M&A transactions across all sectors. Private equity is a core practice of the Firm globally, and we remain focused on continuing to invest in our platform. The arrival of Hamesh in London, as well as a number of other notable partner additions in recent months in New York, Palo Alto, San Francisco, Dallas and Munich, reflect that commitment,” said Jeffrey Poss, Co-Chair of the Private Equity Practice Group, and incoming joint Chairman of the Firm. Gavin Gordon, Chair of Willkie’s European Private Equity Practice Group, commented: “Hamesh brings substantial experience advising the world’s leading sponsors and sovereign funds on all types of corporate transactions across the UK and Europe, and his practice aligns well with our market-leading London private equity team. We’ve seen increased market demand for complex capital transactions and Hamesh’s technical proficiency and client-focused approach will be a great asset to our clients’ needs. We are thrilled to welcome him to Willkie.” Hamesh represents private equity funds, sovereign wealth funds and other financial sponsors on all types of public and private cross-border M&A matters, joint ventures, minority investments, carve-outs, shareholder and co-investment matters and management equity plans. He regularly leads high-profile and complex deals for numerous private equity sponsors, asset managers and sovereign wealth funds spanning the technology, services, consumer, real estate and digital infrastructure industries. “Willkie offers a market-leading private equity-focused platform with exceptional depth across industries and geographies,” said Hamesh. “Its strong presence in London and key European markets, including recognized market-leading practices in France and Germany, aligns strongly with the needs of my clients and the cross-border nature of my practice. I’m excited to join the firm’s outstanding team and to further extend its capabilities across the UK and globally.” Willkie is one of the industry’s preeminent advisors to private equity funds. We provide a full-service, 360° platform advising on everything from fund structuring and formation, platform and add-on investments and acquisitions, tuck-in acquisitions, co-invest structures and joint ventures, to bank credit, direct lending and other debt financings and offerings, IPOs, follow-on offerings, SPACs, PIPEs, other “bet-the-company” and lifecycle events, and ultimate exits. Our team handles transactions worldwide, with attorneys based in 16 key market centers across the United States, UK and Europe. ***************************************************** Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP provides leading-edge legal solutions on complex, business critical issues spanning markets and industries. Our approximately 1,300 attorneys across 16 offices worldwide deliver innovative, pragmatic and sophisticated legal services across approximately 45 practice areas. Learn more at www.willkie.com.

Oct 13

2 min

Veteran restructuring lawyer to lead and expand Willkie’s premier restructuring platform New York, NY – October 27, 2025 – Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP (“Willkie”) today announced that Ryan Blaine Bennett, one of the nation’s most respected restructuring lawyers, will join Willkie as Chair of the Restructuring Group. As Chair, Bennett will lead Willkie’s growing restructuring platform, which advises debtors, creditors, investors, and sponsors on complex restructurings, hybrid capital solutions, and distressed acquisitions. “Ryan has long been recognized as one of the foremost restructuring practitioners in the country," remarked Matthew Feldman, Chairman of Willkie. "His ability to lead complex restructurings and inspire teams of professionals to deliver exceptional results will be invaluable as we grow Willkie’s platform to meet client demand across industries.” Bennett’s arrival marks a significant milestone in Willkie’s continued strategic growth across key transactional, advisory, and litigation practices. In recent years, Willkie has added market- leading partners across its corporate, private equity, M&A, litigation, and restructuring practices across the platform, further strengthening its global offerings. “Ryan is a dynamic leader and a trusted advisor to clients navigating their most critical challenges," said Jeffrey Poss, Co-Chair of the Private Equity Practice Group, and joint Chairman of Willkie as of January 1, 2027. "His strategic insight, collaborative spirit, and deep experience representing both company and creditor constituencies makes him an outstanding fit for Willkie as we continue to expand our premier restructuring, hybrid capital, and special situations capabilities.” Ryan will be supported by U.S. co-chairs of the Restructuring Group, Debra Sinclair and Brett Miller. Bennett, a long-time Chicagoan, will be instrumental in Willkie’s continued growth as it recruits top talent across the country. “Ryan represents the best of what Willkie stands for – strategic insight, excellence, teamwork and a client-centric approach,” said Craig C. Martin, Chairman of the Americas. “His arrival elevates our restructuring capabilities and our ability to deliver seamless service across practices and geographies. Ryan also will continue to build on our energy, growth, and market prominence in Chicago.” Bennett joins Willkie from Kirkland & Ellis LLP, where he was a longtime partner in the firm’s preeminent restructuring practice and a hiring partner for the Chicago office. Bennett has led and advised on many of the most complex and high-profile restructurings and distressed transactions over the past two decades. His clients have included public and private companies, private equity sponsors, investors, and major creditors across industries such as manufacturing, logistics, technology, automotive, hospitality, retail, and financial services. He is consistently recognized by Chambers USA, The Legal 500, and Turnarounds & Workouts as one of the country’s leading restructuring lawyers. “I’m beyond excited to join Willkie, a firm that has achieved remarkable growth and strategic momentum over the past several years,” remarked Bennett. “Willkie’s restructuring brand is iconic, and I look forward to collaborating with Debbie, Brett, and Willkie’s exceptional restructuring team as we continue to shape the future of the practice together. As I start this next chapter of my career, I will always be grateful to my friends and colleagues at Kirkland & Ellis for their partnership and support.” About Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP provides leading-edge legal solutions on complex, business critical issues spanning markets and industries. Our approximately 1,300 attorneys across 16 offices worldwide deliver innovative, pragmatic, and sophisticated counsel across approximately 45 practice areas. Learn more at www.willkie.com.

Oct 27

2 min