Winston & Strawn Bolsters West Coast Corporate, Securities, Private Equity, and Finance Practices with Arrival of Levin and Loui

LOS ANGELES, September 8, 2010 — Winston & Strawn LLP announced today that it has significantly expanded its M&A, securities, private equity, and finance capabilities on the West Coast with the addition of C. James Levin who has joined the firm’s Los Angeles office as partners. Levin joins Winston from O’Melveny & Myers LLP, where he was a partner in and former co-chair of the firm’s M&A/Private Equity practices.

He has well-established practices in Southern California, bring a rare combination of experience representing public and private companies in acquisitions and divestitures, securities offerings, and corporate finance transactions, including securitizations, structured and acquisition finance matters, and capital raises for emerging companies.  

Levin has represented numerous Fortune 500 companies as well as private companies in their acquisitions and business dispositions, and has advised many prominent investment banking firms. Loui’s representation of lenders and issuers includes acquisition financings of up to $3.7 billion, and structured financings and other securitizations in transactions valued up to $6 billion, including some of the first securitizations of non-performing loans and life settlements, the first securitization of electronic automobile receivables, and the first securitization under the Federal Reserve’s Term Asset-Backed Securities Loan Facility.

“We are extremely pleased to welcome Jim and Warren to our office,” said Laura Petroff, managing partner of the Los Angeles office. “Their reputation and proven deal-making abilities, along with their uncommon blend of experience, will allow our office to grow strategically in ways that complement our existing corporate presence in California and the firm’s global capabilities.” 

“Jim brings superb skills that will benefit clients on the West Coast and beyond,” added Steve Gavin, chair of Winston’s corporate department. “His experience adds significant depth in a number of critical corporate areas.” 

Said Levin: “Joining Winston & Strawn’s Los Angeles office is a terrific growth opportunity that will greatly expand the firm’s corporate platform, enhancing capacities in the corporate governance, M&A, and securities arenas.”    

Levin earned his J.D. from Northwestern University, cum laude, where he was a member of the Northwestern Law Review. He also earned an M.M. from Northwestern University, and a B.A. from DePauw University.