PHILADELPHIA – Sheri Adler, an employee benefits and executive compensation partner at Troutman Pepper Locke, has been appointed president of the Philadelphia chapter of the National Association of Stock Plan Professionals (NASPP). The NASPP is the leading association for resources, education, and community building to advance the careers and knowledge of professionals working with stock plans.
Adler is a trusted advisor to companies on all aspects of executive compensation. As a go-to resource throughout all stages of a company’s life cycle, clients appreciate her forward-thinking, practical advice, and ability to navigate evolving and complex issues. Adler counsels boards, compensation committees, and public companies on executive and director compensation, incentive equity and cash programs, and the employee benefits and compensation aspects of major transactions, including mergers, acquisitions, and public offerings. Known for her collaborative, solution-oriented style, she is also a visible leader within the firm and the broader executive compensation community, frequently writing and speaking on emerging trends at the intersection of securities, disclosure, tax, and governance.
Troutman Pepper Locke’s nationally recognized employee benefits and executive compensation team develops tailored strategies that help mitigate risk and advance clients’ goals. Clients rely on the firm for every aspect of their compensation, benefits, and compliance needs — from designing, drafting, and implementing plans and agreements to counseling on compliance, fiduciary duties, and plan administration. Through client work in all major sectors, including energy, insurance, health care, financial services, private equity, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, and technology, Troutman Pepper Locke attorneys offer industry-specific insights and perspectives.
Troutman Pepper Locke
Troutman Pepper Locke helps clients solve complex legal challenges and achieve their business goals in an ever-changing global economy. With more than 1,600 attorneys in 30+ offices, the firm serves clients in all major industry sectors, with particular depth in energy, financial services, health care and life sciences, insurance and reinsurance, private equity, and real estate. Learn more at troutman.com.
Well-Known Trial Lawyer Bolsters Firm’s Product Liability and Mass Tort Capabilities
PHILADELPHIA – Ryan J. O’Neil, a respected trial attorney with vast experience trying high-stakes product liability and mass tort cases, has joined Troutman Pepper Locke’s Health Care and Life Sciences Litigation Practice Group as a partner in the firm’s Philadelphia office.
O’Neil joins Troutman Pepper Locke from Campbell Conroy & O’Neil, where he built a nationwide practice defending clients in complex product liability litigation matters across federal and state courts. He has served as national and trial counsel in major product liability and mass tort proceedings, including multidistrict litigations and coordinated state court actions.
Deeply rooted in the health care and life sciences sectors, O’Neil advises clients across an array of industries, including pharmaceuticals and medical devices, nutrition and food science, consumer products, and more. Beyond life sciences, he has significant experience defending Fortune 100 and 500 companies in consumer products, toxic tort, and transportation-related matters, in addition to white collar and internal investigations.
“Ryan has already built a sophisticated, client-driven practice and earned the trust of clients navigating complex regulatory and commercial challenges,” said Sean Fahey, chair of Troutman Pepper Locke’s Health Care and Life Sciences Department. “His decision to join us underscores the strength of our platform and our ability to support clients at every stage of growth.”
O’Neil has widespread experience representing clients in all phases of litigation. His work spans pre-litigation counseling and investigation, motion practice, fact and expert discovery, oral argument, pretrial, trial, and appeal, as well as mediation. He also regularly advises clients on risk management and litigation avoidance strategies.
“Ryan will bring a wide range of litigation and trial skills to the firm. His trial experience and strong presence in Pennsylvania state and federal courts will enhance our capabilities in mass tort and product liability matters, which are key areas of growth for our firm and our Philadelphia office, in particular,” added Joe Imperiale, Philadelphia office managing partner.
“I’ve long respected Troutman Pepper Locke’s work in the health care and life sciences space and have seen firsthand the value the firm brings to clients,” said O’Neil. “Joining Troutman Pepper Locke’s larger, nationally recognized platform will allow me to better serve and drive meaningful outcomes for clients, and I’m eager to partner with my new colleagues to expand our reach.”
Active in both the profession and community, O’Neil is a member of the International Association of Defense Counsel, Defense Research Institute, Philadelphia Association of Defense Counsel, and serves on the board of the Aark Wildlife Education and Rehabilitation Center. He also maintains an active pro bono practice, representing individuals facing homelessness and veterans in benefits and disability matters.
Troutman Pepper Locke’s leading Health Care and Life Sciences Practice encompasses the entire spectrum of health care and life sciences companies. The team collaborates across disciplines to solve complex legal challenges confronting clients, offering a full suite of corporate, intellectual property, regulatory, and litigation services. Few law firms have a comparable health care and life sciences practice, and Troutman Pepper Locke draws on its deep industry knowledge to provide the precise, holistic advice and guidance clients need throughout their business cycles.
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Troutman Pepper Locke helps clients solve complex legal challenges and achieve their business goals in an ever-changing global economy. With more than 1,600 attorneys in 30+ offices, the firm serves clients in all major industry sectors, with particular depth in energy, financial services, health care and life sciences, insurance and reinsurance, private equity, and real estate. Learn more at troutman.com.
Related Industries + Practices
Troutman Pepper Locke’s Victoria Alvarez, Andy Flavin, Will Homiller, and Tim McHugh have been selected as Fellows of the American Bar Foundation (ABF). This prestigious fellowship is by invitation only and limited to one percent of licensed attorneys, who are nominated by their peers and selected by the ABF Board.
ABF Fellows are a global honorary society of attorneys, judges, law faculty, and legal scholars whose public and private careers have demonstrated outstanding dedication to the highest principles of the legal profession.
Victoria Alvarez, partner in the firm’s Business Litigation Practice Group, maintains a sophisticated international arbitration and commercial litigation practice, counseling clients on high-stakes disputes involving international contracts, cross-border transactions, and multijurisdictional matters. She often represents manufacturers, life sciences companies, real estate developers, and utilities.
Andy Flavin, partner in the firm’s Environmental and Natural Resources Practice Group, focuses his practice on state and federal energy and environmental matters. An 18-year veteran of the energy industry, he frequently represents electric and natural gas utilities and other businesses in energy and environmental administrative litigation, enforcement actions, citizen suits, and permit proceedings.
Will Homiller, partner in the firm’s Real Estate Practice Group, advises clients in all areas of commercial real estate, including the development, acquisition, sale, financing, leasing, and construction of office buildings, retail centers, industrial facilities, apartment projects, hotels, mixed-use projects, and high-density residential properties. He also assists clients with zoning, permitting, and subdividing of property and other land-use issues.
Tim McHugh, partner in the firm’s Regulatory Investigations, Strategy, and Enforcement Practice Group, draws on more than 15 years of legal and military experience to advise a diverse client base on complex administrative law issues before agencies, commissions, and courts throughout the U.S. He is particularly experienced in leading teams on critical infrastructure projects, as well as federal and state veterans’ educational benefits compliance issues.
Founded in 1952, the ABF is a nonprofit, independent research institute that conducts cutting-edge, interdisciplinary research addressing critical questions at the intersection of law and society. The nonprofit is focused on advancing justice and the understanding of law.
Troutman Pepper Locke
Troutman Pepper Locke helps clients solve complex legal challenges and achieve their business goals in an ever-changing global economy. With more than 1,600 attorneys in 30+ offices, the firm serves clients in all major industry sectors, with particular depth in energy, financial services, health care and life sciences, insurance and reinsurance, private equity, and real estate. Learn more at troutman.com.
NEW YORK –Troutman Pepper Locke received two Deal of the Year Awards at Global M&A Network’s USA Middle Market Atlas Awards in the USA fintech and distressed M&A categories, and was again named Outstanding M&A Law Firm. Global M&A Network recognized the achievements of Troutman Pepper Locke and fellow honorees during the publication’s seventh annual award gala held Dec. 9 at the Metropolitan Club of New York.
The USA M&A Middle Market Atlas Awards honor the best value-creating deals, outstanding firms, and top dealmakers exclusively from the small, lower to middle market segments.
USA Fintech Deal of the Year
Troutman Pepper Locke was awarded Fintech Deal of the Year for advising Payroc, an omni-channel payments provider, in its acquisition of i3 Verticals’ merchant services business. The team that advised Payroc included Brad Resweber, Mark Wilhelm, Peter Dragna, Monica Vu, Valentina Rivera, Samer Roshdy, James Schutz, Lauren Alvarez, Barbara Sicalides, Emily Schifter, Kristalyn Lee, Brent Hoard, Mike Crumbock, Joan Arnold, Thomas Gray, and Stefanie Brennan.
USA Distressed M&A Deal of the Year
The firm received Distressed M&A Deal of the Year recognition for its representation of Avem Partners (Avem), a leading private equity firm specializing in lower middle market aerospace and industrial investments, in closing its acquisition of substantially all the assets of Dynamic Aerostructures, Inc., and its affiliates, including Dynamic Aerostructures Intermediate, LLC, and Forrest Machining, LLC (collectively, FMI Aerostructures). The Troutman Pepper Locke team that represented Avem was led by David Kupetz and Sean Feener, and included Tori Remington.
Outstanding USA M&A Law Firm
Troutman Pepper Locke was among only four firms to receive the Outstanding M&A Law Firm Award for its work on behalf of clients.
Consistently recognized as a top-tier practice, Troutman Pepper Locke’s corporate attorneys regularly handle middle market transactions for private equity clients alongside strategic deals for Fortune 100 corporations. Core areas of service include mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance, corporate governance, securities laws compliance, capital markets transactions, and other significant domestic and cross-border transactions, as well as general corporate counseling. The firm has a strong focus in the private equity and private fund services space, advising clients on matters including fund formation, growth equity investments, leveraged buyouts, recapitalizations, and exit transactions.
Troutman Pepper Locke
Troutman Pepper Locke helps clients solve complex legal challenges and achieve their business goals in an ever-changing global economy. With more than 1,600 attorneys in 30+ offices, the firm serves clients in all major industry sectors, with particular depth in energy, financial services, health care and life sciences, insurance and reinsurance, private equity, and real estate. Learn more at troutman.com.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Dameon Rivers, partner in Troutman Pepper Locke’s Multifamily Housing Finance Practice Group, has been honored with the 2025 Lawyers in Real Estate Award from Connect CRE for his practice excellence and contributions to his local community. He is among only 10 attorneys in the D.C. area to be profiled by the organization.
Rivers focuses his practice on balance-sheet, Fannie Mae, and Freddie Mac financings for multifamily and charter school projects, including affordable housing developments benefited by 4% or 9% Low Income Housing Tax Credits. He is a member of a national team of attorneys and dedicated real estate professionals who provide end-to-end guidance and management for thousands of transactions originated by mortgage lending clients every year. Rivers has significant experience with the full range of agency loan products and regularly represents lenders of Fannie Mae’s Delegated Underwriting and Servicing product line and Freddie Mac’s Capital Markets Execution program.
Troutman Pepper Locke’s Multifamily Housing Finance practice is known for its industry-leading knowledge and experience. Clients rely on the team to utilize the experience garnered from thousands of closings to offer fresh insight and creative problem-solving to their most difficult transactions. The team’s approach to efficiency and process management has helped it become widely known as the top legal team for multifamily finance in the U.S.
Now in its sixth consecutive year, Connect CRE’s Lawyers in Real Estate Awards spotlight real estate attorneys who have made an impact through both their practice in real estate-related matters and the contributions they have made as members of the industry.
Troutman Pepper Locke
Troutman Pepper Locke helps clients solve complex legal challenges and achieve their business goals in an ever-changing global economy. With more than 1,600 attorneys in 30+ offices, the firm serves clients in all major industry sectors, with particular depth in energy, financial services, health care and life sciences, insurance and reinsurance, private equity, and real estate. Learn more at troutman.com.
Richmond/Virginia Beach – Virginia Business has named 22 Troutman Pepper Locke attorneys to its 2025 Legal Elite list. The annual list recognizes top attorneys in the state across 21 practice areas based on peer nominations.
2025 Legal Elite:
Robert Angle (Intellectual Property)
Pamela Belleman (Real Estate Land Use)
Carl Bivens (Real Estate Land Use)
Sarah Bennett Bures (Legal Services Pro Bono)
Dabney Carr (Civil Litigation)
David Constine (Labor Employment)
Gene Fishel (Cybersecurity Data Privacy Technology)
Christopher Forstner (Intellectual Property)
John Owen Gwathmey (Business Law)
Erin Harrigan (Criminal Law)
William Homiller (Real Estate Land Use)
Michael Lacy (Civil Litigation)
John Lynch (Civil Litigation)
David Mancini (Construction)
David Meyers (Business Law)
Stephen Piepgrass (Administrative Government Legislative)
Brooks Smith (Environmental Law)
Ashley Taylor (Administrative Government Legislative)
John West (Criminal Law)
Erin Whaley (Health Law)
Gillian Williston (Civil Litigation)
Andrea Wortzel (Environmental Law)
For 26 years, Virginia Business has partnered with the Virginia Bar Association to identify the top legal talent in the state. More than 14,000 attorneys from over 50 law firms were asked to nominate the honorees.
Troutman Pepper Locke
Troutman Pepper Locke helps clients solve complex legal challenges and achieve their business goals in an ever-changing global economy. With more than 1,600 attorneys in 30+ offices, the firm serves clients in all major industry sectors, with particular depth in energy, financial services, health care and life sciences, insurance and reinsurance, private equity, and real estate. Learn more at troutman.com.
Finalist Selection Highlights Troutman eMerge’s Metrics-Driven Legal Advocacy and Technical eDiscovery Work With Zurich North America
ATLANTA – Troutman eMerge has been recognized as a finalist at The American Lawyer 2025 Industry Awards in the Best Client–Law Firm Team category. The shortlist honors client–law firm collaborations that deliver measurable, mutual value–aligning goals, coordinating seamlessly, and translating legal work into business results. The firm was recognized for its collaboration with long-term client, Zurich North America, where the team has consistently advanced the client’s business through legal advocacy, disciplined matter management, technology-enabled workflows, and outcomes-focused delivery.
“Being a finalist for Best Client–Law Firm Team is a meaningful validation of how we work with clients to achieve measurable business results, not just legal wins,” said Alison Grounds, founder and managing partner of Troutman eMerge. “This category recognizes client–firm relationships that deliver standout outcomes through trust, coordination, innovation, and measurable impact. It signals that our collaboration model is performing at the very top of the market.”
The American Lawyer Industry Awards honor the most exceptional lawyers, law firms, legal departments, and organizations in the country. The prestigious awards serve not only as a platform to honor these achievements but also as a means to inspire excellence and innovation within the legal industry.
About Troutman eMerge
Troutman eMerge offers clients integrated legal, technology, and AI-enhanced services to address complex data-driven problems in litigation, transactional and compliance matters, government investigations, and information governance initiatives. Troutman eMerge’s lawyers have received numerous accolades from leading industry authorities, including Chambers USA and Legal 500. For more information, visit troutmanemerge.com.
NEW YORK – Troutman Pepper Locke’s Private Equity, Emerging Company and Venture Capital, Corporate, and Mergers and Acquisitions practices achieved improved standings and continued strong results in the Q3 2025 global league table rankings released by The Deal, PitchBook, and LSEG (formerly Refinitiv).
Notably, Troutman Pepper Locke rose five spots in The Deal’s Private Equity League Tables, moving from No. 36 in Q2 to No. 31 in Q3. The firm also climbed three spots in PitchBook’s U.S. Private Equity Deals report, rising from No. 23 to No. 20 in the most active law firms in PE deals by geography, and advanced six places in PitchBook’s Health Care sector activity rankings, from No. 18 to No. 12.
“The step-up in our Q3 rankings demonstrates the impact of our combined platform, delivering measurable results across practices while accelerating in private equity and key sectors like energy and health care,” said Paul Mahoney, leader of Troutman Pepper Locke’s Private Equity and Investment Funds Practice. “These achievements underscore our unwavering commitment to client service, delivering exceptional counsel, and building a robust platform that our clients can rely on for their most significant transactions and investments.”
The Deal | Q3 2025 Private Equity League Tables
#31 Private Equity Law Firm
PitchBook | Q3 2025 Global League Tables
Private Equity Deals
Geography
#20 Most Active in U.S.
U.S. Regions
#15 Most Active in the Southeast
#14 Most Active in the Mid-Atlantic
#8 Most Active in the South
#8 Most Active in New England
Sector
#13 Most Active in Energy
#12 Most Active in Health Care
#25 Most Active in IT
Representing
#18 Most Active in U.S. Investors
Venture Capital
#22 Most Active in the Mid-Atlantic
#8 Most Active in HC Devices & Supplies
M&A
#25 Most Active in U.S. Investors
#22 Most Active in U.S. Companies
LSEG | Q3 2025 Global Private Equity and Venture Capital Review
Advisors to Company: All Private Equity Stages Based on Round Value
#14 Ranked Firm
Advisors to Company: Americas: All Private Equity Stages Based on Round Value
#12 Ranked Firm
Advisors to Company: LBO & Related Rounds Based on Round Value
#11 Ranked Firm
Advisors to Company: LBO & Related Rounds Based on Number of Rounds
#22 Ranked Firm
Advisors to Company: Venture Capital Rounds Based on Number of Rounds
#21 Ranked Firm
Consistently recognized as a top-tier practice, Troutman Pepper Locke’s Private Equity and Investment Funds Group regularly handles middle market transactions for private equity clients alongside strategic deals for Fortune 100 corporations. Core areas of service include mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance, corporate governance, securities laws compliance, capital markets transactions, and other significant domestic and cross-border transactions, as well as general corporate counseling. The firm has a strong focus in the private equity and private fund services space, advising clients on matters including fund formation, growth equity investments, leveraged buyouts, recapitalizations, and exit transactions.
Troutman Pepper Locke
Troutman Pepper Locke helps clients solve complex legal challenges and achieve their business goals in an ever-changing global economy. With more than 1,600 attorneys in 30+ offices, the firm serves clients in all major industry sectors, with particular depth in energy, financial services, health care and life sciences, insurance and reinsurance, private equity, and real estate. Learn more at troutman.com.
Chaves’ Power Generation and Project Finance Background Positions Firm to Serve Increased Energy Market Demands
WEST PALM BEACH – Andrés Chaves has joined Troutman Pepper Locke’s Energy Transactional Practice Group as a partner in the West Palm Beach office.
Chaves joins Troutman Pepper Locke from Hogan Lovells, where he advised project sponsors, developers, lenders, and private equity investors on transactions related to renewable energy, oil and gas, and infrastructure. His work encompasses all phases of project development and finance. With a background in engineering and manufacturing finance, Chaves has particular experience with project and commercial agreements, including power purchase agreements (PPAs) and other offtake agreements, major equipment (OEM) supply agreements, and engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) agreements.
“As AI data centers fuel growing power demand and renewed interest in gas-fired generation, Andrés’ addition to the team enhances our bench in a key growth area, particularly PPAs and EPCs,” said Christine Byrnes, leader of Troutman Pepper Locke’s Energy Transactional Practice Group. “Bringing on top talent, such as Andrés and Thomas Heffernan, who recently joined the firm in New York, expands our capacity to manage the complete lifecycle of these projects to meet our clients’ needs.”
Chaves concentrates his practice on renewable energy, including wind, solar, hydro, and biomass, refinery and petrochemical projects, pipelines, and other midstream oil and gas facilities, mining and natural resources, liquefied natural gas, and the manufacturing sector.
“Andrés’ strong background in the energy sector and his end-to-end deal perspective will further strengthen the firm’s energy capabilities and enhance our South Florida presence,” added Thomas Cunningham, West Palm Beach office managing partner.
Chaves guides clients across a range of global energy matters. He also advises on private mergers and acquisitions, asset purchases and sales, joint ventures, and cross-border commercial arrangements. On the financing side, Chaves’ work includes secured syndicated bank and development finance institution financings, export credit agency-backed facilities, mezzanine financings, and structured investments in midstream oil and gas. He also works with virtual PPAs, regasification terminals, and large, multijurisdictional project developments.
“Troutman Pepper Locke’s strength and depth across the energy sector is unmatched,” said Chaves. “I look forward to leveraging my experience to further enhance our offerings and support our clients’ success amid rising power demand.”
Troutman Pepper Locke’s market-leading energy practices help clients with their most important and complex matters throughout the U.S. and beyond. From electric power, oil and gas, or emerging technologies, the cross-discipline team is equipped to handle any related matters, drawing on the depth of the firm’s knowledge in the market. Troutman Pepper Locke regularly advises electric utilities, independent power producers, banks, upstream and midstream natural gas companies and service companies, private equity funds, and other large corporations. Learn more at energylawinsights.com.
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Troutman Pepper Locke
Troutman Pepper Locke helps clients solve complex legal challenges and achieve their business goals in an ever-changing global economy. With more than 1,600 attorneys in 30+ offices, the firm serves clients in all major industry sectors, with particular depth in energy, financial services, health care and life sciences, insurance and reinsurance, private equity, and real estate. Learn more at troutman.com.
NEW YORK – Troutman Pepper Locke has been listed in the Global Restructuring Review’s 2025 edition of the GRR 100, the publication’s guide to the world’s leading law firms for cross-border restructuring and insolvency matters. This marks the firm’s seventh consecutive year on the list, which is compiled based on the results of an annual survey and includes the top firms capable of handling insolvencies and restructurings, as well as related matters such as banking and sovereign debt crises.
The Troutman Pepper Locke attorneys mentioned for their achievements include:
Troutman Pepper Locke’s Bankruptcy and Restructuring group provides clients with creative solutions that prioritize recovery or return on investment. Clients impacted by distressed situations rely on the team to enforce their rights and maximize value. The group’s deep understanding of pre- and post-insolvency issues from every stakeholder’s perspective enables them to help clients prevent and prepare for a financial crisis and, when needed, serve as trusted advisors to respond to financial distress.
Troutman Pepper Locke
Troutman Pepper Locke helps clients solve complex legal challenges and achieve their business goals in an ever-changing global economy. With more than 1,600 attorneys in 30+ offices, the firm serves clients in all major industry sectors, with particular depth in energy, financial services, health care and life sciences, insurance and reinsurance, private equity, and real estate. Learn more at troutman.com.