Neal J. Reenan

Global law firm Freshfields is advising CVC, one of the world’s leading private markets investment firms, on its acquisition of Marathon Asset Management, (‘Marathon’) a leading global credit manager. Following completion, the combination of CVC’s existing credit business and Marathon will create a world-class, multi-asset global credit manager with scaled investment capabilities across both Private and Public Credit. The addition of Marathon materially broadens CVC’s credit offering and significantly enhances its ability to scale and serve clients across Institutional, Private Wealth, and Insurance channels globally. The transatlantic Freshfields team is being led by partners Andy Robinson, David Sonter, Charles Hayes and Neal Reenan, senior associate Ted Haxby and associate Andrew Rondeau on M&A, with partners Emily Szasz and Joe Soltis on tax.

Jan 26

1 min

Global law firm Freshfields today announced that Michael J. Palermo has joined the firm as a Private Capital M&A partner in Boston. Michael’s practice focuses on advising private equity sponsors and strategic investors on the structuring and negotiation of investments and divestitures. He advises private equity sponsors and their portfolio companies on a broad range of corporate matters including corporate governance, regulatory compliance and equity and equityholder arrangements. Michael’s experience spans industries, including consumer products, retail, infrastructure, business services, healthcare and technology. Matt Goulding, Managing Partner of Freshfields’ Boston Office and Partner in Freshfields’ Private Capital group said: “Michael has consistently been the go-to advisor for some of the most demanding private equity clients, executing complex transactions at the highest levels. His depth of experience is exceptionally rare and will be a major asset for our growing Boston office. His client-centricity comes through effortlessly, earning trust and repeat engagements over many years. We’re thrilled Michael has chosen to join our practice.” U.S. Managing Partner Sarah Solum noted: “Michael has cultivated strong client relationships while commanding confidence in high-stakes situations. We are delighted that he has chosen to join forces with our Private Capital team.” Michael's arrival follows private capital additions across the U.S. including Global Co-Head of Private Capital Neal Reenan, Head of U.S. Private Capital Ian Bushner, Head of New York Private Equity Claire James, Ivet Bell and Ryan Blicher in New York, as well as Eva Mak in Silicon Valley/San Francisco and Matt Goulding in Boston. Michael added: “I'm looking forward to joining the firm and collaborating with the Private Capital team and the broader group of Freshfields partners focused on client service and commercial advice. The global strength of the private capital practice provides a uniquely compelling platform for significant growth in Boston and beyond.” Freshfields is regularly recognized across league tables where it excels in cross-border, U.S., Europe, Asia, MENA and private equity markets. Freshfields is also the only firm with Band 1 rankings from Chambers Global 2025 in the following worldwide transactional, regulatory and risk practices: Private Equity, M&A, Antitrust, Dispute Resolution, International Arbitration, Tax and Public International Law.”

Nov 24

2 min

A Washington consumer who claims she became addicted to beverage maker Mitra-9's kratom-based seltzers, powders and shots has agreed to drop her lawsuit weeks after the company called the buyer out for claiming to have bought the products before it was even established. Shelah Palmer voluntarily dismissed her proposed class action lawsuit against Mitra-9 Brands LLC on Monday. Chiefly, her suit claimed that the company offers no kind of warning on its products, even though the active ingredients — kratom alkaloids mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine — have a similar effect on the brain as morphine, heroin and fentanyl. She is represented by a firm, Bursor & Fisher PA, which is also counsel for a consumer who made similar claims in New York. In October, the company urged the court to dismiss the suit, arguing that the claims are barred by the statute of limitations and that the suit's assertion it is well known that kratom is addictive was undercut by the claim that the company concealed that fact. But most notably, Mirta-9 claimed it was incorporated and made its first sales after December 2020, but Palmer claimed she first bought products in 2019. "Plaintiff cannot support the exercise of specific personal jurisdiction over Mitra-9 because Plaintiff's claims are factually impossible," according to the motion filed on Oct. 21. Palmer is identified as a "he" in the original complaint, but in the voluntary motion to dismiss the plaintiff is identified as "she." Palmer is represented by Wright A. Noel of Carson Noel PLLC and Ryan Brooks Martin, Neal J. Deckant and Luke Sironski-White of Bursor & Fisher PA. Counsel information for Mitra-9 was not immediately available. The case is Palmer v. Mitra-9 Brands LLC, case number 2:25-cv-00250, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Washington.

Nov 12

1 min

Twenty-two Freshfields partners have been selected to Lawdragon’s 500 Leading Lawyers in America guide for 2026. Since 2005, this flagship guide has recognized seasoned lawyers for their exceptional skill in practice and their exhibition of strong leadership on cases, deals and other significant contributions throughout the most important legal matters of the previous year. This is the largest number of Freshfields partners ever featured in this guide. The partners recognized are: Andrea Merediz Basham, M&A, New York Eric B. Bruce, White Collar Investigations, Washington DC Ian N. Bushner, Private Capital, New York Timothy J. Clark, Private Funds & Secondaries, New York Mary Eaton, Securities & Shareholder Litigation, New York John Fisher, M&A, Silicon Valley Elliot Friedman, International Arbitration, New York Matthew Goulding, Private Capital, Boston Jenny Hochenberg, M&A, New York Paul Humphreys, M&A, New York Gayle Klein, Commercial Litigation, New York Ethan Klingsberg, M&A, New York Meredith Kotler, Securities & Shareholder Litigation, New York Allison Liff, Leveraged Finance, New York Eric Mahr, Antitrust Litigation, Washington DC Noiana Marigo , International Arbitration, New York Jennifer Mellott, Antitrust, Washington DC Sanjay Murti, M&A, New York Melissa Raciti-Knapp, Project Finance, New York Neal J. Reenan, Private Capital, New York Sarah K. Solum, Capital Markets, Silicon Valley Damien Zoubek, M&A, New York

Jan 9

1 min

Twenty-two Freshfields partners have been selected to Lawdragon’s 500 Leading Lawyers in America guide for 2026. Since 2005, this flagship guide has recognized seasoned lawyers for their exceptional skill in practice and their exhibition of strong leadership on cases, deals and other significant contributions throughout the most important legal matters of the previous year. This is the largest number of Freshfields partners ever featured in this guide. The partners recognized are: Andrea Merediz Basham, M&A, New York Eric B. Bruce, White Collar Investigations, Washington DC Ian N. Bushner, Private Capital, New York Timothy J. Clark, Private Funds & Secondaries, New York Mary Eaton, Securities & Shareholder Litigation, New York John Fisher, M&A, Silicon Valley Elliot Friedman, International Arbitration, New York Matthew Goulding, Private Capital, Boston Jenny Hochenberg, M&A, New York Paul Humphreys, M&A, New York Gayle Klein, Commercial Litigation, New York Ethan Klingsberg, M&A, New York Meredith Kotler, Securities & Shareholder Litigation, New York Allison Liff, Leveraged Finance, New York Eric Mahr, Antitrust Litigation, Washington DC Noiana Marigo , International Arbitration, New York Jennifer Mellott, Antitrust, Washington DC Sanjay Murti, M&A, New York Melissa Raciti-Knapp, Project Finance, New York Neal J. Reenan, Private Capital, New York Sarah K. Solum, Capital Markets, Silicon Valley Damien Zoubek, M&A, New York

Jan 9

1 min