Americas  Rising Dealmakers

Awards Recognition Ceremony & Editorial


WHAT, about: The inaugural A-list features highly accomplished, brilliant, and talented young dealmakers from the North American investor, legal and advisory transactional communities.

WHY, value: “Once in a life-time” recognition, validates the young dealmaker’s record and enthusiasm for closing value-creating deals. Likewise, these professionals will progressively take-on leadership role at their firms and industries for years to come.

WHO, criteria: Objectively selected based on the professional’s deal execution record, seven plus years of experience, and abilities – personifying the “Distinction in Dealmaking” qualities.

2018, list: Features 18 dealmakers from the private and growth equity investor class, 12 from the financial advisory group, 20 lawyers for a sum total of 50 dealmakers including 7 women.


James C. Lee
Profession: Lawyer
Location: New York, New York.
Education: J.D., Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law

James advises on private equity, venture capital and investors related transactions. Most recently James advised Patricia Industries, part of Investor AB on its purchase of Sarnova, and LABORIE Medical Technologies acquisition of Cogentix Media.


Edward J. Lee
Profession: Lawyer
Location: New York, New York.
Education: J.D., Harvard Law School

Ed advises on friendly and hostile mergers and acquisitions, cross-border and domestic transactions. Recent deals advised by Ed include United Technologies separation into three public companies, Salesforce purchase of MuleSoft and Sale of Frutarom Industries.


Christopher R. Machera
Profession: Lawyer
Location: New York, New York.
Education: J.D., Duke University School of Law

Christopher advises on private equity related transactions. Notable deals advised by Christoper include Blackstone, Goldman Sachs Merchant Bank and Ipreo on sale Ipreo to IHS Markit, and Aterian Investment Partners purchase of Pioneer Metal Finishing.


Ken S. Myers
Profession: Lawyer
Location: New York, New York.
Education: .D., Harvard Law School

Ken advises on mergers and acquisitions and general corporate matters across a variety of industries. Noteworthy deals involving Ken include Cisco Systems purchase of BroadSoft, Sale of Bonobos to Wal-Mart, Facebook purchase of Oculus VR.


Stephen T. Olsen
Profession: Lawyer
Location: Houston, Texas
Education: J.D., University of Texas at Austin, Law School

Stephen advises on public and private acquisition and divestiture deals. Stephen represented Flowchem, a portfolio company of Arsenal Capital Partners’ sale to KMG Chemicals, Western Refining, a subsidiary of Andeavor purchase of asphalt terminals from Delek US Holdings.


Mark L. Opitz
Profession: Lawyer
Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Education: J.D., University of Notre Dame Law School

Mark represents private equity and VC funds, listed companies and entrepreneurs on transactional related matters. Deals advised by Mark are PEMCO World Air Services sale of Air Transport Services and Airborne Maintenance Engineering assets, and sale of Denali Sourcing Services.


Oscar Pinkas
Profession: Lawyer
Location: New York, New York
Education: J.D., Seton Hall University School of Law

Oscar is member of Restructuring and Insolvency group, advising on matters related to distressed, insolvency and bankruptcy situations. Notable deals advised by Oscar includes Chapter 11 restructuring of Global A&T Electronics, Stellex Capital purchase of Fenix Parts, and Mesabi Metallics purchase of ESML Holdings.


Vijay S. Sekhon
Profession: Lawyer
Location: Century City, California
Education: J.D., Stanford Law School

Vijay concentrates on private equity, M&A, reorganizations and capital markets related transactions. Notable deals advised by Vijay include Siris Capital buyout of Web.com as well as Siris and Polycom, the video conferencing company, sale to Plantronics.


Aaron T. Slavens
Profession: Lawyer
Location: Miami, Florida
Education: J.D., University of Pennsylvania Law School

Aaron counsels public and private companies on mergers, acquisitions, sales and investments related transactions. Recent deals advised by Aaron include ipDatatel merger with Resolution Products, and The Carlyle Infrastructure Partners sale of ITS ConGlobal to AMP Capital.


Blaine Statham
Profession: Lawyer
Location: Dallas, Texas
Education: J.D., University of Pennsylvania Law School

Blaine advises on mergers, acquisitions, private equity investments, and corporate matters across several industries. Blaine often represents FleetPride on its many acquisitions, as well as, Trive Capital on its recent purchase of SSW Holding.