M&A and Private Equity Leader and Board Advisor To Succeed Michael Schmidtberger in April 2025
Chicago and New York – Sidley is pleased to announce that Brian Fahrney has been elected to Chair of the Firm’s Executive Committee. Mr. Fahrney will succeed Michael Schmidtberger, who has served as a member of the Executive Committee since 2002 and as its Chair since January 2018. Mr. Schmidtberger is slated to transition from that position in April 2025 as required under the Firm’s partnership agreement. He will remain a partner in the Firm’s market-leading Investment Funds practice.
“It is a privilege to be elected Chair of the Executive Committee at one of the leading global law firms. I am looking forward to working as chair-elect with Mike and Firm leadership to effect a smooth transition,” said Mr. Fahrney, who currently serves on the Management and Executive Committees. “I commend Mike on his many accomplishments during his tenure as Chair and, before that, as Office Managing Partner of our New York office. His leadership and commitment to Sidley have set a great example for our attorneys as we continue to grow globally.”
“Having started his career at Sidley and grown through the ranks, Brian represents the best of Sidley,” said Mr. Schmidtberger, Chair of the Executive Committee and a member of the Management Committee. “He has embraced our client-focused approach and the teamwork required to get the best results possible for our clients. Under his leadership, our M&A and Private Equity practice has consolidated its status as a top-tier practice and has attracted many talented lawyers and noteworthy clients to our platform.”
Mr. Schmidtberger added, “During my tenure, we have seen the Firm grow revenue by over 50% and experienced commensurate growth in profitability. I know that the Firm is in great hands as Sidley continues to build on the foundation of excellence that has been established over the past 158 years.”
“Brian and I have served together on the Management Committee and Executive Committee for many years. We have a compelling and unified vision of how to lead Sidley,” said Yvette Ostolaza, Chair of the Management Committee and member of the Executive Committee. "Our focus on client service, culture, leadership development at all levels, and platform maximization will move Sidley boldly into the future. These are exciting times at Sidley as we continue to build to win on behalf of our global client base having surpassed the $3 billion threshold.”
As global co-leader of the M&A and Private Equity practice, Mr. Fahrney represents both acquirors and sellers in a wide variety of public and private merger and acquisition transactions including complex carve-outs, take privates, cross-border transactions, spinoffs, and leveraged acquisitions. He has been a trusted advisor to numerous public companies in their strategic transactions, capital raising activities, and SEC disclosure matters. He will continue practicing law and serving clients while chairing the Executive Committee. Mr. Fahrney’s bio can be found here.
Sidley is an elite global law firm. With 2,300 lawyers, annual revenue of US$3.2 billion, and experience that spans 158 years, we have established a reputation using Built to Win℠ legal strategies in successfully representing clients in more than 70 countries on complex transactional, investigation, regulatory, and litigation matters.
With 21 offices strategically situated in key commercial and financial hubs throughout the United States, most recently in San Diego, CA, Europe, and Asia Pacific, our perspective and our reach are truly global. Our lawyers and business professionals, fluent in more than 80 languages, possess the cultural awareness and cross-border legal acumen needed to bring clarity to a dynamic business landscape.
Matt Messinger, Director, Public Relations, +1 312 456 4009
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