Legal Committee Member Bios

Legal Committee Member Bios

Sascha Leske [Chair]
Tax Advisor, Partner/Rechtsanwalt
NOERR LLP
Sascha Leske is continuously advising key clients in major M&A transactions, private equity investments and reorganizations mainly in the field of new technology, media, telecommunication and internet.
As head of Noerr’s New York office he is a specialist for cross-border transactions and regularly takes the lead in multijurisdictional projects, coordinating advice in several jurisdictions.

Deirdre Geraghty
Partner
A&L GOODBODY LLP
Deirdre Geraghty is a partner in A&L Goodbody’s Corporate and M&A group and is based in the New York office. She has extensive experience advising international and domestic clients on all aspects of corporate law including public and private M&A, equity capital markets, corporate restructurings and corporate governance. Deirdre advises clients across a range of industry sectors including pharma/healthcare, technology and energy. She also frequently advises US companies who are establishing operations in Ireland for the first time, having spent a number of years in A&L Goodbody’s New York office.

Brian Jenkins
Partner
ALIXPARTNERS
Brian’s clients benefit from his extensive experience as a financial consultant specializing in corporate investigations as well as litigation and dispute services. He has consulted in a variety of international and domestic corporate investigations, Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) investigations, litigation and regulatory matters, white-collar-prosecution efforts, arbitration and dispute-related services, and bankruptcy proceedings. Brian holds a Master of Science in accounting from the University of Virginia. He is a certified public accountant, a Certified Fraud Examiner, and a member of the American Institute of CPAs and the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners.

James Rosener
Managing Partner
TROUTMAN PEPPER LOCKE LLP & President, EACCNY
James Rosener is a partner in the Commercial Department of Troutman Pepper LLP. Mr. Rosener heads the firm’s International Practice Group, is managing partner of the New York office and has served as a member of the firm’s Executive Committee. His practice is devoted primarily to international transactions, private equity, mergers and acquisitions and corporate financing.
Mr. Rosener has represented domestic and foreign private equity funds in transactions in over 70 countries throughout the world, including platform and follow-on acquisitions, distressed buyouts, including in bankruptcy, corporate carve-outs and restructurings. He also has represented U.S.-based companies in transactions throughout Europe, Latin America and Asia (particularly, India and China), as well as several European, Indian, South American and Japanese companies in merger and acquisitions, financing and licensing transactions involving the United States. In addition, he also has represented management-led groups in the acquisition of businesses from divesting corporations.
Within the corporate financing practice area, Mr. Rosener has represented domestic and foreign issuers, in public offerings (both U.S. and foreign listings), venture and mezzanine capital raising, and traditional bank financing transactions. In addition, he has represented a number of issuers and bondholder groups in debt restructuring, recapitalization and work-out plans. Mr. Rosener regularly acts as international legal counsel to issuers and underwriters on off-shore public offerings in India, the U.K. and Europe.
Mr. Rosener worked in the corporate finance field for nine years before becoming a lawyer. His experience in senior financial positions included the initial and subsequent public offerings of equity and debt securities of a major international integrated oil producer and a health care company, the acquisition of several publicly held companies and the financing of several stand-alone projects.

Katherine MacIlwaine
Shareholder
OGLETREE DEAKINS
Katherine MacIlwaine is a shareholder in the immigration practice at Ogletree Deakins, and she serves as the immigration liaison to the firm’s financial services practice group. Katherine’s practice focuses on the intricacies of U.S. business immigration law. Katherine works closely with companies to manage their U.S. immigration programs and to support foreign national employees through all parts of the U.S. immigration lifecycle. Her clients range from small businesses to Fortune 100 companies in industries such as financial services, manufacturing, technology, life sciences, sports, entertainment, media, and fashion.
Katherine received her J.D. from New York University School of Law and graduated magna cum laude from Duke University, receiving a B.A. in History.

Christopher J. Carolan
Partner
BAKERHOSTETLER
Christopher Carolan is an experienced debt finance and corporate attorney and Co-Leader of BakerHostetler’s national Debt Finance team. He has led engagements on behalf of arrangers, agents, lenders, borrowers and issuers involved in commodities, retail, technology, telecommunications, media, real estate, healthcare, oil and gas, waste, renewable energy and manufacturing.
Chris has extensive experience with syndicated credit facilities, letters of credit, receivables purchase transactions, mortgage repurchase transactions and mortgage warehouse lines of credit. He often handles transactions that raise international or cross-border collateral and guaranty issues and complex intercreditor arrangements.

Joseph B. Cartafalsa [Proxy]
Shareholder
OGLETREE DEAKINS
Joseph B. Cartafalsa represents management in all aspects of labor and employment law and related litigation. He frequently represents and advises employers on their rights and obligations under the myriad of federal, state and local employment related laws and regulations. He has worked closely with employers to provide counseling during particularly sensitive times such as during layoffs, mergers or corporate restructuring; when sexual harassment or discrimination is alleged; and when an employee requests a medical leave or job accommodation. Mr. Cartafalsa has also been called upon to draft and review employment contracts and non-compete agreements to protect his clients from unfair competition and the theft of trade secrets. He is a regular presenter at CLEs and industry conferences regarding labor and employment law issues.