olivia
Michal Berkner is a partner in the London office of McDermott Will & Emery practicing in the field of mergers and acquisitions in the area of life sciences, healthcare and technology space.
She has over 27 years of advisory on cross–border transactions and corporate governance. Berkner is a dual-qualified lawyer, admitted in both, New York, and England & Wales and is ranked among the most influential lawyers in “Chambers Global” and “Chambers UK”.
She was also named among the 50 Women Business Leaders of the year by the “Financial Times” in 2017 and has still been lauded for her efforts in the fight for women’s rights particularly in the legal profession through the formation of the Skadden Women Attorneys Network.
A Trailblazer in M&A Law
Michal Berkner is an M&A specialist, being one of the few women in this rather male-dominated industry.
She has worked for over 20 years in Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom before she became an expert of merger and acquisition deals.
In 2018, she transferred to Cooley and this increased her recognition in the legal profession.
Now, she is with McDermott Will & Emery where she works as a legal counsel conducting mergers and acquisition legal research for big companies.
Educational Background and Early Career
Michal Berkner holds a law degree from the University of Pennsylvania which she completed in 1997 as well as a Bachelor’s degree from Johns Hopkins University.
For over 20 years she served at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom where she was exposed to mergers and acquisitions.
She got into Skadden and there she worked at large, complicated transactions and rose to the rank of a market star.
She has been impactful in the high-value deals in the areas of life science, healthcare & technology.
Expertise in Life Sciences, Healthcare, and Technology Sectors
Michal Berkner is an expert in mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in life sciences, healthcare, and technology, which are key for innovation and growth.
Her skills are especially important in these fields due to their complex regulations and large financial requirements.
He has worked on significant deals, like advising a biotech company on a $1 billion purchase and a global biopharmaceutical company on a $248 million merger.
Dual Qualification
Michal Berkner is licensed to practice law in both New York and England & Wales, which greatly improves her skills in managing deals across countries.
Her ability to understand and work within the legal systems of both places makes her very useful in big international deals.
She’s especially good at handling complicated deals that involve different legal systems, offering detailed advice that meets U.S. and UK legal standards.
Key Transactions and Achievements
Michal Berkner has helped with many important deals in her career, showing her skill in big transactions.
She’s been involved in deals worth billions, like a $1.8 billion purchase of dental technology and a $33.8 billion merger of steel companies.
She’s also given advice to big companies on complicated deals, like helping a biotech company become public and focus on new medicines.
Recognition and Awards
Michal Berkner has earned many awards for her work in mergers and acquisitions, showing her expertise in complex deals in life sciences, healthcare, and technology.
She’s ranked highly in “Chambers Global” and “Chambers UK” for her skills. Berkner also made the “Financial Times” HERoes list in 2017, recognizing her as one of the top 50 women leaders in business in the UK and Ireland, highlighting her dedication to diversity in law. These awards highlight her leadership and impact in a male-dominated field.
Mentorship and Advocacy for Women in Law
Michal Berkner is dedicated to helping women in law, especially by starting the Skadden Women Attorneys Network in 2008.
This group helps women lawyers in Europe by offering leadership, mentorship, and networking.
They also have educational events and talks with experienced female leaders. This effort has been very successful, building a supportive community that helps women succeed in their careers.
Berkner also works hard to make the legal field more diverse and fair by focusing on the growth and support of female lawyers and partners, especially in the area of mergers and acquisitions.
Navigating Complex Cross-Border Deals
Michal Berkner uses a detailed and all-encompassing strategy to deal with complex international transactions, thanks to her qualifications in both New York and England & Wales.
She’s especially good at managing legal issues in deals across borders, as seen in her work on big deals like a $33.8 billion merger and a $1.8 billion acquisition.
Her role in these transactions shows she can give important advice to big companies, helping them follow U.S. and UK laws smoothly and improve their position in the global market.
Corporate Governance and Takeover Defenses
Michal Berkner is an expert in helping companies with mergers and acquisitions, guiding them on how to do these deals smoothly and legally.
She’s especially good at understanding the complex rules of corporate governance, which can greatly affect the success of these deals.
For instance, she’s helped companies protect themselves from unwanted takeovers and keep their value for shareholders.
She’s worked with big companies in the biopharmaceutical industry, creating strong rules to reduce risks and improve decision-making during important negotiations.
Challenges Faced in the M&A Landscape
The M&A landscape is facing challenges like stricter regulations and market instability, which are making fewer deals happen.
This is because the rules are tougher, making compliance harder, and the economy and global issues are making buyers more careful.
Michal Berkner suggests being flexible and taking the lead by being open to uncertainty and using new methods to find value.
Michal Berkner is a top expert in European mergers and acquisitions, using her deep experience and two qualifications to handle complicated deals across borders.
