Attorney Intel is pleased to announce The Top 25 Corporate Finance and Capital Markets Attorneys of 2025. These attorneys are vital contributors to the financial markets, guiding clients through complex capital markets transactions, mergers, acquisitions, and corporate financings. Their expertise spans a wide range of areas, from public and private securities offerings to leveraged buyouts and syndicated loans, helping clients navigate regulatory challenges and seize strategic opportunities.
This year’s awardees are recognized for their deep industry knowledge and ability to drive results. Serving as trusted advisors, they work with businesses across diverse sectors—including finance, technology, healthcare, and consumer goods—ensuring successful transactions and robust corporate governance. Their insights empower clients to execute critical deals, optimize financial strategies, and stay competitive in fast-paced markets.
Among this year’s awardees, Folake Ayoola, Partner at Goodwin Procter, is recognized for her expertise in SEC regulatory and disclosure matters, guiding public and private companies through the complexities of going public and ensuring compliance with stock exchange listing requirements. Evan Toebbe, Partner at Squire Patton Boggs, stands out for his extensive experience in mergers and acquisitions, having advised on numerous high-value domestic and cross-border transactions, while also providing strategic counsel on capital markets matters, corporate governance, and SEC compliance. Greg Kilpatrick, Partner at McGuireWoods and Chair of the firm’s Securities & Capital Markets Department, is known for his leadership in securities and capital markets, working across various industries to tackle complex legal challenges and foster networking opportunities for Black professionals in the investment sector.
This year’s awardees were selected through a methodical process and careful consideration of each candidate’s career track record and industry contributions. Please join us in celebrating The Top 25 Corporate Finance and Capital Markets Attorneys of 2025.
1. Christina Roupas
Partner, Cooley
Christina Roupas is a founding Partner of Cooley’s Chicago office and services as the Partner-In-Charge of the Chicago office. Clients partner with Cooley on transformative deals, complex IP and regulatory matters, and high-stakes litigation. Cooley has nearly 1,400 lawyers across 19 offices in the United States, Asia, and Europe, and a total workforce of more than 3,000 people.
A seasoned corporate and securities lawyer with over 15 years of experience, Roupas specializes in capital markets, representing issuers and investment banks in public and private offerings of equity and debt securities, as well as advising public companies on disclosure, governance, and compliance matters.
Roupas has extensive industry knowledge and expertise in the technology, life sciences, retail, consumer products and real estate sectors, among others. Previously, Roupas was a co-chair of the capital markets and securities practice at Winston & Strawn. Roupas earned a JD from William & Mary Law School and an undergraduate degree in history and political science from The George Washington University.
2. Alejandro Lazzeri
Partner, Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom and Affiliates
Alejandro Lazzeri is a Partner at Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom and Affiliates. Lazzeri brings 20 years of experience to his current role. He plays a major role in the firm’s representation of investment banks, commercial banks and other financial institutions, strategic investors and corporations on a range of financing transactions in Latin America and Spain, including syndicated loans, acquisition financings, leveraged buyouts, bridge loans, asset-based loans, project financings, and debt and equity securities offerings in the international capital markets.
Lazzeri graduated from Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law with an LLM and from Universidad Iberoamericana, Ciudad de México with a JD.
3. Christopher Erckert
Partner, Mayer Brown
Christopher Erckert is a Partner at Mayer Brown. With 27 years of experience, Erckert has built an active practice representing sponsors in development and both sponsors and financial institutions in corporate financings, project financings, and other financing and restructuring transactions.
Erckert’s experience includes a broad range of financing structures, including those provided by commercial banks, multilateral agencies, export and other official creditors, and capital markets (through 144A/Reg S issuances as well as traditional private placements).
Erckert first got his start in 1998 as a Partner at Vinson & Elkins, his most recent position prior to joining Mayer Brown. Erckert graduated from Columbia Law School with a JD in law and from Oglethorpe University with an undergraduate degree.
4. Folake Ayoola
Partner, Goodwin Procter
Folake Ayoola is a Partner at Goodwin Procter, specializing in the Public Company Advisory Practice. At Goodwin Procter, she works closely with a team of attorneys, including former senior officials from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, to advise public and private companies seeking to go public. She helps clients navigate SEC regulatory and disclosure requirements, stock exchange listing compliance, and corporate governance matters. Her focus is on providing sophisticated, real-time legal insights to assist clients in achieving their business and legal goals while minimizing regulatory risks.
5. Evan Toebbe
Partner, Squire Patton Boggs
Evan Toebbe is a Partner in the global Corporate and Financial Services Practices of Squire Patton Boggs. Evan focuses his practice on mergers and acquisitions and has completed numerous complex domestic and cross-border transactions on behalf of both public and private clients.
Evan represents both strategic buyers/sellers, as well as sophisticated private equity firms (both in platform and add-on transactions). In the last few years, Evan has advised clients on transactions valued well into the billions of dollars. In addition, Evan advises clients on Securities and Exchange Commission compliance, capital markets matters, corporate governance and general corporate matters.
6. Michael R. Halsband
Partner, McDermott Will & Emery
Michael R. Halsband is a Partner at McDermott Will & Emery. Halsband has more than 25 years experience combined in the capital markets and reinsurance and insurance industry, as an attorney and in investment banking. He is a Partner in the Corporate Advisory Group and serves as Global Leader of the Insurance Transactions and Regulation Practice. His principal focus is on insurance M&A and all facets of the InsurTech ecosystem.
Previously, Halsband led the formation of Sirius Capital Markets, White Mountains Insurance Group's engagement in ILS and third party reinsurance capital management. At Goldman Sachs and Deutsche Bank he advised clients in the structuring, execution, marketing and placement of insurance risk linked securities and structuring, formation and capital raise of ILS funds.
Prior to his time in the capital markets, Halsband's experience included positions of leadership in start-up/early stage insurance and (re)insurance operations, mostly in the role of legal counsel, but steeped in business operations, corporate, regulatory, HR and related matters. Halsband earned a JD in law from Rutgers Law School and an undergraduate degree in political science and French from Muhlenberg College.
7. Andy Campbell
Partner, Morrison & Foerster
Andy Campbell is a Partner at Morrison & Foerster. Morrison & Foerster serves a wide range of clients, including financial institutions, Fortune 100 companies, and leaders in technology and life sciences. The firm’s approach combines diverse perspectives and a consultative style to address client needs, ensuring clear understanding of the risks involved and the best path forward.
Before joining Morrison & Foerster, Campbell was an associate at Bass, Berry & Sims and before that an associate at Hogan Lovells. Campbell graduated from The University of Alabama School of Law with a JD and from Williams College with an undergraduate degree in history.
8. Christodoulos Kaoutzanis
Partner, Paul Weiss Rifkind Wharton & Garrison
Christodoulos Kaoutzanis is a Partner at Paul Weiss Rifkind Wharton & Garrison. Kaoutzanis advises financial sponsors and issuers on public and private offerings of debt and equity securities, leveraged finance transactions and general corporate and securities law matters.
With 12 years of experience, Kaoutzanis has expertise representing financial sponsors and issuers, including prominent international shipping companies, gaming companies and home security companies, in initial public offerings, secondary equity offerings, high-yield and investment-grade debt offerings, secured and unsecured credit transactions, and disclosure and corporate governance matters.
Kaoutzanis graduated from Columbia University Department of Political Science with a PhD in international relations, from Columbia Law School with a JD, and from Georgetown University with an undergraduate degree in international politics.
9. Jessica Hammons
Partner, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld
Jessica Hammons is a Partner at Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld. Hammons advises clients on corporate and securities transactions. Her practice focuses on mergers, acquisitions, dispositions, joint ventures and securities matters, with particular focus in the upstream and midstream energy sectors.
Hammons’s experience encompasses public and private mergers and acquisitions, including numerous transaction types (mergers, stock acquisitions, asset acquisitions, joint ventures, recapitalizations, auctions and divestitures); public and private securities offerings, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) reporting and general securities compliance, and general corporate, partnership, limited liability company and contract matters.
Earlier in her career Hammons worked with Thompson & Knight as a Partner. Hammons earned a JD from LSU Law and an undergraduate degree in accounting from Louisiana Tech University.
10. Greg Kilpatrick
Partner, McGuireWoods
Greg Kilpatrick is a Partner at McGuireWoods and Chair of the firm’s Securities & Capital Markets Department. He collaborates with colleagues across various practice areas to address complex challenges. Greg co-founded McGuireWoods’ Black Professionals in Private Equity & Finance initiative, which fosters networking, relationship-building, and business opportunities among Black professionals in the investment sector.
In addition to his professional work, he holds volunteer leadership positions, including chairing the board of education for Lake Norman Charter School and serving as vice chair for Hospice and Palliative Care of Charlotte.
11. Lisa Firenze
Partner, WilmerHale
Lisa Firenze is a Partner at WilmerHale. With 35 years of experience, Firenze has a broad-based practice focused on corporate transactions and securities law matters. She has extensive experience representing both issuers and underwriters on all aspects of public and private securities offerings, including initial public offerings, follow-on equity and debt offerings, private placements, spin-offs, convertible note deals, and SPAC transactions.
Prior to joining WilmerHale, Firenze served as executive director and senior counsel at UBS Investment Bank. Firenze graduated from Columbia Law School with a JD in law and from Yale University with an undergraduate degree in political science.
12. Morgan Hayes
Partner, Debevoise & Plimpton
Morgan Hayes is a corporate Partner, Co-Chair of the Technology Group, and a member of the Debevoise & Plimpton’s Capital Markets and Private Equity Groups. Hayes regularly represents issuers, private equity firms and underwriters in public and private offerings of debt and equity securities, and he also counsels public and private companies on disclosure, corporate governance, finance and general corporate matters.
Prior to joining Debevoise, Hayes was an associate at an international law firm in Palo Alto, California. Hayes holds a JD from Fordham University School of Law and a bachelor’s degree from Cornell University.
13. Stephen Ashley
Partner, Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman
Stephen Ashley is a Partner at Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman, where advises clients on a wide range of securities law matters and regularly represents both issuers and underwriters in both domestic and cross-border capital markets transactions.
Stephen’s experience includes public offerings and private placements of common and preferred equity and investment grade, high-yield and convertible debt securities, as well as liability management transactions such as exchange offers, tender offers and consent solicitations. He also advises clients on various compliance, corporate governance, stock exchange listing and other general corporate matters.
He has advised companies from a wide range of industries, including the information technology, software, finance, consumer products, biotechnology, life sciences and pharmaceuticals, energy, infrastructure and transportation sectors.
Stephen Ashley's Insight
"I have enjoyed representing companies across a wide range of sectors for the past 20 years, assisting on securities transactions of all sizes and complexities and providing advice on key issues. At the end of the day, what my clients are looking for is someone who can help them navigate the relevant legal issues but also be able to do so clearly while understanding their overall business needs and objectives – someone who isn’t just their lawyer but who is a part of their team."
14. Christina Russo
Partner, Akerman
Christina Russo co-chairs the Capital Markets Practice at Akerman, a full-service, national law firm. She advises clients on securities matters, mergers and acquisitions, and corporate governance, drawing on her background in accounting. Christina has extensive experience with both initial and secondary offerings. As a Hispanic woman, she is dedicated to supporting women and minority lawyers and is a member of Chief, the Cuban American Bar Association, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Christina Russo's Insight
“As a Hispanic woman who has risen to the top of the highly competitive field of corporate law, I am deeply honored by this recognition. It is a testament to the power of tenacity, expertise, and shattering glass ceilings. This recognition is also a reflection of the dedication, hard work, and collaborative efforts of my exceptional team and the clients we serve.”
15. Malcolm Ross
Partner, Blank Rome
Malcolm Ross is a Partner at Blank Rome. Ross focuses his practice primarily on the representation of U.S. and non-U.S. companies in mergers and acquisitions, private and public offerings of securities, joint ventures and strategic alliances, and debt restructurings.
In addition, Ross has experience in the areas of private equity, the representation of special committees of boards of directors, and general corporate advice to public companies, including regarding corporate governance. He also has particular industry experience in the alcohol beverage and telecommunications industries.
Earlier in his career he worked with Dickstein Shapiro as a Partner. Ross earned a JD in law from Cornell Law School and an undergraduate degree in mathematics from Cornell University.
16. Charles Wu
Partner, Locke Lord
Charles Wu is a Partner at Locke Lord. With 29 years of experience, Wu brings extensive experience in corporate and transactional matters, including mergers and acquisitions, public and private offerings of securities, compliance with securities laws, joint ventures, corporate governance, and commercial contracts.
Before joining Locke Lord, Wu was a counsel at O'Melveny & Myers and before that an associate attorney at Mayer Brown. Earlier in his career he worked with the Ministry of Construction of China.
Wu graduated from the University of Chicago Law School with a JD in law, from the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign with a master's degree in urban planning, and from Tongji University with an undergraduate degree in city/urban, community, and regional planning.
17. Courtney Butler
Partner, Hunton Andrews Kurth
Courtney Butler is a Partner at Hunton Andrews Kurth. With 19 years of experience, Butler is co-lead of the firm's Capital Markets practice group, having advised clients in securities-related transactions with an aggregate value in excess of $100 billion.
Her practice crosses a broad range of industries and disciplines, including representing issuers and investment banks in public offerings and private placements of equity and debt securities, including IPOs, and representing private equity investors and issuers in capital-raising transactions, including preferred equity and convertible debt transactions.
Butler graduated from Tulane University with a JD and from the University of Texas at Austin with an undergraduate degree in business administration.
18. Venroy July
Partner, Dickinson Wright
Venroy July is a Partner at Dickinson Wright. With 18 years of experience, July represents companies, both public and private, operating in the transportation, information technology, healthcare, oil and gas, government contracting, cybersecurity, banking and technology industries on an array of matters including equity and asset sales and purchases, leveraged buy-outs, restructurings, joint ventures, debt offerings, and licensing transactions.
Before joining Dickinson Wright, July was a Partner at Miles & Stockbridge P.C. and before that an associate at Hogan Lovells. Earlier in his career he worked with Dickstein Shapiro as an associate. July graduated from Duke University School of Law with a JD in law and from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with an undergraduate degree in political science and economics.
19. Will Anderson
Partner, Bracewell
Will Anderson is a Partner of Bracewell. With 36 years of experience, Anderson is a certified public accountant and practiced law for nine years with Sullivan & Cromwell prior to joining Bracewell. Anderson graduated from South Texas College of Law Houston with a JD and from Stephen F. Austin State University.
20. Frank Ballantine
Partner, Dykema
Frank Ballantine is a Partner at Dykema. Ballantine is a strategic advisor and counselor to senior management, boards of directors, and investors in public and private companies across a variety of sectors, based in the U.S. and abroad.
Previously, Ballantine was a Partner at Clark Hill and before that a Partner at Reed Smith. Earlier in his career he worked with Motivision/Newsfilm USA as an associate producer. Ballantine earned a JD from the University of Michigan and an undergraduate degree in English from Haverford College.
21. Arash Khalili
Partner, Loeb & Loeb
Arash Khalili is a Partner at Loeb & Loeb. Khalli is a vigorous deal maker and navigator of complex corporate, mergers and acquisitions, and commercial transactions. With 21 years of experience, his expertise spans a wide range of industries including media, entertainment, sports, technology, fashion, food and beverage, and health and wellness. Understanding his clients’ motivations and risk tolerance, Khalili serves as a trusted business and legal advisor, providing strategic counsel to successfully structure and negotiate some of his clients’ most intricate deals in the U.S. and abroad.
22. Anna Wang
Partner, Robinson+Cole
Anna Wang is a Partner at Robinson+Cole. With 16 years of experience, Wang has expertise working within the constructs of the Securities Act of 1933, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Blue Sky Laws.
Wang has more than 15 years of experience representing foreign issuers, including China-based companies, in their offering of securities, listing on U.S. stock exchanges and over-the-counter (OTC) markets, and maintenance of periodic filings with the SEC. Wang graduated from Vanderbilt University Law School with an LLM and from Durham University with an undergraduate degree in law.
23. Lauren Prevost
Partner, Morris Manning & Martin
Lauren Prevost is a Partner in the Corporate and Securities Practices and leads Morris Manning & Martin’s Real Estate Capital Markets team. Morris, Manning & Martin is a full-service law firm with national and international reach.
Previously, Prevost worked with Brown & Wood as an associate. Prevost earned a JD and undergraduate degree from University of North Carolina School of Law.
24. Michael Timpone
Partner, SEWARD & KISSEL
Michael Timpone is a Partner in the Corporate Finance Group at Seward & Kissel. Seward & Kissel, founded in 1890, is a leading U.S. law firm with an international reputation for excellence. They have offices in New York City and Washington, D.C. Their practice primarily focuses on corporate and litigation work for clients seeking legal expertise in the financial services, corporate finance and capital markets areas.
Timpone devotes most of his time to the representation of U.S. and non-U.S. banks and other institutional lenders in connection with secured loans and other financing transactions, as well as corporations and other business entities as borrowers in these transactions. Timpone graduated from Fordham University School of Law with a JD and from Rutgers University with an undergraduate degree in political science.
25. Kurt Dumaw
Partner, Wyrick Robbins Yates & Ponton
Kurt Dumaw is a Partner at Wyrick Robbins Yates & Ponton. Dumaw is a member of the firm’s M&A and Commercial Real Estate groups and focuses his practice on corporate law, mergers and acquisitions, business transactions, corporate financings, commercial contracts, real estate acquisition and development, and commercial leasing transactions.
Dumaw advises clients as outside corporate counsel on matters such as business acquisitions, corporate governance and compliance issues, corporate restructuring, joint ventures, financing transactions, contract drafting and negotiation, mixed-use developments, company policies, employee matters, and shareholder issues.
With 29 years of experience, Dumaw first got his start in 1996 as an attorney for Berry Moorman. From there he went on to Hooper Hathaway, before eventually rising to Ellis & Winters as a Partner, his most recent position prior to joining Wyrick Robbins Yates & Ponton.
Dumaw received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan and his JD from the Boston University School of Law. He recently served as a Board Member for the Cary Chamber of Commerce.
