- Counsel to a Germany-based global manufacturer in its $400 million acquisition of a manufacturer of military engines and transmissions and related businesses from a US-based defense technology company.
- Counsel to a diversified bank holding company in its acquisition of a privately held investment banking, advisory, and brokerage firm.
- Counsel to an international financial services provider in its growth acquisitions in the fields of insurance, banking, and investment management.
- Represented a closely held investment management firm in its strategic business combination with a global asset manager with over $300 billion under management.
- Counsel to a European private equity firm in various agribusiness investments in the U.S.
- Represented a European private equity group in the financing and acquisition of the North American operations of a German vitamin and generic prescription drug maker.
- Represented a leading international supplier for the pharmaceutical and biotech industries in its acquisition of a majority equity stake in a U.S. manufacturer of single-use components for biopharmaceutical applications.
- Represented a publicly traded DNA-based cancer diagnostics company in its acquisition of a privately held global provider of clinical pharmacogenomics solutions.
- Counsel to a development stage biotech company in its two-step sale transaction to a global generic pharmaceutical company.
Partner,
- Phone: +1 212 210 9522
- Email: james.sullivan@alston.com
Strategic investors and corporate clients from the U.S. to Europe value James's advice during complex cross-border M&A and financing transactions. As a co-leader of the German Practice Team, James is familiar with the regulations of the region and the needs of clients located or doing business in Germany.
James Sullivan is a partner in Alston & Bird’s Corporate Group, the partner-in-charge of the firm’s New York office, and former chair of the firm’s Partners Committee.
James is also a member of the Global Resources & Strategies Committee and co-chair of the German Business Team (CV auf Deutsch). James advises institutional clients and management teams in domestic and cross-border M&A and corporate finance transactions across a wide range of industries. He also serves as outside general counsel to the U.S. operations of various foreign companies and private equity houses. His cross-border practice is primarily focused on the D-A-CH region, the Netherlands, and the UK.
James is recognized in the 2023 edition of The Best Lawyers in America© for his work in Corporate Law. He has also been recognized by Super Lawyers magazine for his corporate and M&A work and is a frequent lecturer and guest speaker at Columbia Business School’s Private Equity Program.
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Press Release January 14, 2025Alston & Bird Bolsters M&A and Private Equity Practice with Two Partners in New YorkAlston & Bird has strengthened its leading Mergers & Acquisitions and Private Equity teams with the addition of two partners in the firm’s New York office.Press Release January 14, 2025Alston & Bird Bolsters M&A and Private Equity Practice with Two Partners in New YorkAlston & Bird has strengthened its leading Mergers & Acquisitions and Private Equity teams with the addition of two partners in the firm’s New York office.
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Press Release May 9, 2024Alston & Bird Adds Trial Lawyer Scott SchirickAlston & Bird has enhanced its Litigation & Trial Practice Group with the addition of partner Scott Schirick, resident in the New York office. Scott focuses on complex federal and state litigation, securities enforcement and regulatory investigations, and white-collar criminal defense matters.Press Release May 9, 2024Alston & Bird Adds Trial Lawyer Scott SchirickAlston & Bird has enhanced its Litigation & Trial Practice Group with the addition of partner Scott Schirick, resident in the New York office. Scott focuses on complex federal and state litigation, securities enforcement and regulatory investigations, and white-collar criminal defense matters.
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Press Release April 2, 2024Alston & Bird Enhances Mergers & Acquisitions Practice with New York PartnerAlston & Bird has further strengthened its mergers and acquisitions practice by adding partner David L. Shaw to the firm’s New York office. David guides public and private companies through complex business transactions and general corporate matters. He advises on a variety of transactions, including private equity, mergers and acquisitions, dispositions, and majority and minority investments.Press Release April 2, 2024Alston & Bird Enhances Mergers & Acquisitions Practice with New York PartnerAlston & Bird has further strengthened its mergers and acquisitions practice by adding partner David L. Shaw to the firm’s New York office. David guides public and private companies through complex business transactions and general corporate matters. He advises on a variety of transactions, including private equity, mergers and acquisitions, dispositions, and majority and minority investments.
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In the News March 22, 2022Law360 | What Law Firms Learned from Prior Return to Office AttemptsJames Sullivan is quoted on the need for continued flexibility in law firm return to office plans.In the News March 22, 2022Law360 | What Law Firms Learned from Prior Return to Office AttemptsJames Sullivan is quoted on the need for continued flexibility in law firm return to office plans.
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In the News February 18, 2022Savoy | 2022 Most Influential Black LawyersCari Dawson and James Sullivan are noted as two of 2022’s Most Influential Black Lawyers in Savoy Network’s legal edition, a distinction based on professionalism, community engagement, and a commitment to the protection of rights.In the News February 18, 2022Savoy | 2022 Most Influential Black LawyersCari Dawson and James Sullivan are noted as two of 2022’s Most Influential Black Lawyers in Savoy Network’s legal edition, a distinction based on professionalism, community engagement, and a commitment to the protection of rights.
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In the News January 4, 2022Law360 | 5 NYC Managing Partners on Their Priorities for 2022James Sullivan is quoted on Alston & Bird’s New York office growth amid the pandemic and its approach to a post-pandemic workplace.In the News January 4, 2022Law360 | 5 NYC Managing Partners on Their Priorities for 2022James Sullivan is quoted on Alston & Bird’s New York office growth amid the pandemic and its approach to a post-pandemic workplace.
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Press Release July 16, 2021Alston & Bird Recognized as a Fortune “Best Workplace” in New York for Third Straight YearAlston & Bird has been named one of the top places to work in New York by Fortune magazine, the third consecutive year the firm has been recognized with this honor.Press Release July 16, 2021Alston & Bird Recognized as a Fortune “Best Workplace” in New York for Third Straight YearAlston & Bird has been named one of the top places to work in New York by Fortune magazine, the third consecutive year the firm has been recognized with this honor.
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Press Release April 2, 2021Renk to Acquire Combat Propulsion Systems Businesses from L3Harris for $400 MillionAlston & Bird client Renk AG has signed a definitive agreement to acquire the Combat Propulsion Systems (CPS) and Magnet-Motor GmbH (MM) businesses from defense contractor L3Harris Technologies Inc. for $400 million in cash.Press Release April 2, 2021Renk to Acquire Combat Propulsion Systems Businesses from L3Harris for $400 MillionAlston & Bird client Renk AG has signed a definitive agreement to acquire the Combat Propulsion Systems (CPS) and Magnet-Motor GmbH (MM) businesses from defense contractor L3Harris Technologies Inc. for $400 million in cash.
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Press Release March 3, 2021James Sullivan Named an Inaugural Fellow of the Herndon Directors InstituteJames Sullivan, Alston & Bird partner and head of the firm’s New York office, has been selected as a Distinguished Fellow in the inaugural class of the Herndon Directors Institute (HDI), the nation’s first institute dedicated solely to preparing minorities and women as leaders in board governance.Press Release March 3, 2021James Sullivan Named an Inaugural Fellow of the Herndon Directors InstituteJames Sullivan, Alston & Bird partner and head of the firm’s New York office, has been selected as a Distinguished Fellow in the inaugural class of the Herndon Directors Institute (HDI), the nation’s first institute dedicated solely to preparing minorities and women as leaders in board governance.
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In the News March 1, 2021Law360 | L3Harris Sheds Defense Units in $1.45B Sales Led by 5 FirmsJames Sullivan, Zack Young, Jason Waite, Helen Galloway, Clare Draper, Kyle Woods, Andy Howard, Ronnie Gosselin, and Jessica Williams-Vickery are noted for representing Renk AG in its $400 million acquisition of the Combat Propulsion Systems and related businesses from defense contractor L3Harris.In the News March 1, 2021Law360 | L3Harris Sheds Defense Units in $1.45B Sales Led by 5 FirmsJames Sullivan, Zack Young, Jason Waite, Helen Galloway, Clare Draper, Kyle Woods, Andy Howard, Ronnie Gosselin, and Jessica Williams-Vickery are noted for representing Renk AG in its $400 million acquisition of the Combat Propulsion Systems and related businesses from defense contractor L3Harris.
Bar Admissions
- New York
- Georgia
Education
- Emory University (J.D., 1998)
- Morehouse College (B.A., 1995)
VIDEOS | JULY 13, 2018
The Art of the Multijurisdictional Transaction
James Sullivan, transactions partner, shares insights on structuring cross-border deals, an area with a decade of steady growth.