Our Attorneys

Firm Leadership

Partners

Every client engages directly with the partners who lead their matter. No hand-offs. No second-tier teams.

Managing Partner

James R. Hartwell

Over 200 transformative M&A transactions across four decades. James leads the firm's corporate practice with the authority of someone who has seen every kind of deal — and closed them. He is ranked Band 1 in Chambers USA for Corporate M&A: New York.

Corporate M&A Hostile Defense Board Counsel

J.D., Yale Law School · B.A., Princeton University
Bar: New York · Delaware

Senior Partner — Corporate

Victoria Voss

New York's foremost authority on securities law. Victoria has guided 60+ public offerings and served as independent counsel to the boards of three Fortune 50 companies. Former Deputy Chief Counsel, SEC Division of Corporation Finance.

Securities Capital Markets SEC Enforcement

J.D., Harvard Law School · B.S. Economics, Wharton
Bar: New York · District of Columbia

Partner — Litigation

Daniel Mercer

Former federal prosecutor. 22 years of trial experience in federal and state courts. Daniel has tried complex commercial cases involving breach of contract, securities fraud, and post-M&A disputes. He has never lost a case he should have won.

Complex Litigation Securities Fraud Arbitration

J.D., Columbia Law School · B.A., Georgetown University
Bar: New York · New Jersey · Federal Courts

Of Counsel & Associates

Supporting Team

Experienced attorneys who bring depth and specialist expertise to every engagement.

Partner — Private Equity

Margaret Chen

Leads the firm's private equity practice. Former counsel at KKR Legal. Deep expertise in leveraged buyouts, growth equity, and fund formation across technology and healthcare sectors.

Of Counsel — Corporate

Robert Ashford

Forty years of corporate counsel experience. Robert advises on governance, director obligations, and complex cross-border transactions with a steady hand that junior partners still study.

Senior Associate — M&A

Sophia Laurent

Rising force in the firm's M&A practice. Sophia has been primary associate counsel on over 30 transactions since joining from Skadden. Recognised by The American Lawyer as a Rising Star.