Blank Rome Appoints Jeffrey “Jeff” A. Fickes and Christopher “Chris” J. DePizzo as Partners

New York, July 8, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Blank Rome LLP is pleased to announce that Jeffrey “Jeff” A. Fickes and Christopher “Chris” J. DePizzo have joined the firm’s New York office as partners in the Corporate, M&A and Securities group. They bring extensive experience representing companies and investors throughout the United States and internationally in private equity transactions, mergers and acquisitions, and other corporate matters. Jeff and Chris come to Blank Rome from Ballard Spahr, where Jeff co-led the private equity group and served as a member of the firm’s leadership team.

Jeff and Chris join Blank Rome at a time of exciting strategic growth. In May, the firm opened its Boston office with a 25-lawyer team with leading practices in corporate, finance, M&A, tax, litigation and cannabis, and expanded a few weeks later to include three additional corporate and transactional lawyers.

“We are pleased to welcome Jeff and Chris to our firm and our growing corporate team,” said Grant S. Palmer, Chairman and Managing Partner of Blank Rome. “They are both highly respected corporate lawyers who have successfully handled complex and challenging transactions for their clients. Jeff also has extensive business experience that gives him a unique perspective as a lawyer and enables him to build close relationships with his clients. We are excited about the momentum in our corporate, M&A and securities group and look forward to continued growth in support of our clients.”

Jeff brings decades of business experience to his role as a trusted advisor to his clients, which include investors, company owners, boards of directors and senior executives. He has served as a lead advisor on domestic and international mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures, PE, venture capital, recapitalization, debt and equity financing and other strategic transactions, as well as corporate governance and organizational matters. Jeff grew up in a tight-knit business environment and prior to entering private practice held financial management positions in both public and private companies, including a Assets 500 companies.

Chris has extensive experience advising private equity firms and their portfolio companies, as well as other public and private companies, on a broad range of complex transactions, including platform and add-on acquisitions, leveraged buyouts, carve-outs, strategic mergers, minority and emerging company investments, divestitures, special situation transactions and joint ventures. He also advises clients on a variety of general commercial, corporate and governance matters. He has completed transactions and represented companies from all lifecycles, from innovative start-ups to international market leaders.

“Jeff and Chris are an excellent addition to our experienced team of dealmakers,” said Louis M. Rappaport, partner and co-chair of the Corporate, M&A and Securities group. “They have impressive track records advising clients on a broad range of transactional matters, and their experience will be critical in helping our clients navigate the complexities of dealmaking as we capitalize on the dynamic opportunities of the second half of 2024.”

“Blank Rome is well-respected for its corporate expertise and ability in mergers, acquisitions and private equity transactions, which will complement my practice,” said Jeff. “I was also attracted to Blank Rome because of the firm’s diverse practice areas and strategic office locations, particularly in markets outside of New York such as Chicago, Dallas and Houston, where I have strong client relationships. I look forward to serving clients from Blank Rome’s national platform and contributing to the firm’s success.”

“I am excited to join Blank Rome and work with my talented new colleagues across the firm,” said Chris. “Blank Rome has an excellent reputation for providing high-quality legal services and strategic business advice to its clients. The firm also has a collaborative and supportive culture that encourages professional growth and development. I look forward to expanding the work we do for clients at Blank Rome.”

Jeff completed Harvard Law School’s Leadership of Law Firms program and earned his JD from Ohio State University’s Moritz College of Law, his MBA (emphasis in finance) from Ohio State University’s Fisher College of Business, where he was a Banc One Capital Fellow and a member of Beta Gamma Sigma Honors Fraternity, and his BS in Accounting from the University of Akron.

Chris earned his JD from the University of Pennsylvania Law School, his certificate in business administration and public policy from the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School of Business, and his BA, summa cum laudefrom St. Peter’s University.

About Blank Rome

Blank Rome is an Am Law 100 firm with 16 offices and 750 attorneys and principals providing comprehensive legal and advocacy services to clients in the United States and around the world. Our professionals have built a reputation for their leading knowledge and experience across a range of industries and are known for their commitment to pro bono work in their communities. Since our founding in 1946, Blank Rome’s culture has been focused on providing superior service to all of our clients and is rooted in the strength of our diversity and inclusion initiatives. For more information, visit blankrome.com.