Tatjana Paterno Firm NewsTell us about your practice.

I represent public and private companies in mergers and acquisitions (M&A), debt and equity offerings and other complex transactions, with values that have ranged from under $1 million to over $5 billion. My practice focuses on companies within several industries, including healthcare, senior living, diagnostic testing, pharmaceuticals and information technology. I also advise public companies on compliance with federal securities laws, executive compensation matters, shareholder proposals and governance matters.

What are some trends you are seeing related to the legal industry or in the industry in which you practice?

In the M&A world, we are seeing a significant increase in activity. There are more deals in the pipeline this year than in the past few years. Additionally, we are seeing more competition for attractive acquisition opportunities, which results in sellers being able to demand more favorable terms. Finally, the use of representation and warranties (R&W) insurance is increasing. Sellers typically use R&W insurance to limit their liability exposure for unintentional and unknown breaches of their representations and warranties. For buyers, it can be a tool to distinguish themselves in competitive bidding situations.

What is the most fulfilling part of your job?

I enjoy coming up with creative solutions to ensure my client’s interests are protected; working with talented, dedicated clients and colleagues; and learning from opportunities that come up every day – they make my job challenging and fun at the same time.