Akin has announced the addition of two new partners to its Chicago office. M&A partner Joshua La Vigne and investment management partner Jessica Pan have joined from Mayer Brown, further expanding Akin’s presence in the city. This follows recent additions of other partners, Wendy Dodson Gallegos and Jason Wagenmaker.
“Joshua and Jessica are terrific additions to our M&A and real estate funds practices,” said Akin co-chair Abid Qureshi. “They have advised sophisticated sponsors in complex fund structuring matters and investors and strategics in global transactions, and our clients will benefit from their impressive track records and understanding of the market.”
La Vigne specializes in mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures, and corporate governance across various industries including infrastructure, financial services technology, automotive, consumer finance, commercial finance, chemicals, technology, and real estate.
Pan focuses on advising fund sponsors on private investment funds’ formation, marketing, management, and regulatory compliance. She brings over 15 years of experience working with major real estate firms, private equity firms, and asset management institutions.
“We are excited to continue growing our team with strong lawyers like Joshua and Jessica,” said corporate practice co-head Zachary Wittenberg. “Along with Jason and Wendy, they enhance our premier M&A and investment management groups.”
Wendy Dodson Gallegos expressed enthusiasm about welcoming back her former partners: “We are delighted to welcome our two former partners… Both bring a wealth of experience representing institutional sponsors on fund formation and complex transactions.”
La Vigne stated his excitement about joining Akin’s transactional team: “It’s exciting to continue working with my long-time partners Jason, Wendy and Jessica as well as new Akin colleagues.”
Pan also shared her enthusiasm for joining Akin: “I am thrilled to be joining Akin… I look forward to reuniting with former partners Wendy, Jason and Josh as well as working with new colleagues at Akin.”
Akin’s corporate practice involves more than 300 transactional lawyers who work globally across borders. The firm provides counsel on mergers & acquisitions among other financial services. Its investment management practice includes over 100 lawyers recognized for their work with large institutional fund sponsors.
Akin is an international law firm with over 900 lawyers operating in offices throughout the United States, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.