the trial division, was an independent operator for years although big firms used her to argue their jury cases. The Berkeley Law alumna has served as counsel for defendants with charges ranging from racketeering to bank fraud.
Power Play: Roberts rescued Charles Bakaly, an associate of Special Prosecutor Kenneth Starr who was charged with leaking confidential materials. She was also named No. 1 in Washingtonian magazine’s “Top 75” attorneys.
Paul T. Williams Jr.
Partner
Bryan Cave
New York, NY
Contact: 212-541-2000
Career Highlights: Williams has represented government agencies and corporate clients, including automobile manufacturers, financial institutions, publishing companies, and national retailers. The Columbia Law School graduate has also represented private employers in labor and employment matters, including unlawful termination, alleged discriminatory hiring, and sexual harassment.
Power Play: Williams served as a gubernatorial appointee to the Governor’s Task Force on Diversity in the Judiciary and formerly served as counsel to the New York State Assembly Banking Committee. He was a founding partner of one of the oldest and largest African American-owned corporate law firms, Wood, Williams, Rafalsky & Harris.
MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS/SECURITIES
Michael C. Banks
Partner
Milbank, Tweed, Hadley, & McCloy
New York, NY
Contact: 212-530-5000
Career Highlights: The SUNY Buffalo Law School graduate is schooled in a range of deals from securities offerings to financings of power plants, pipelines, refineries, and other projects in the U.S., Asia, and Latin America.
Power Play: Banks represented underwriters in a $536 million leveraged lease financing by the subsidiaries of Ahold USA Inc. and represented purchasers in a $290 million securitization backed by the sale of oil generated by Ecopetrol.
Sharon Y. Bowen
Partner
Latham & Watkins
New York, NY
Contact: 212-906-1200
Career Highlights: Bowen represents corporations and financial institutions on a broad range of transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, securities offerings, corporate restructurings, venture capital, and private equity financings.
Bowen earned an M.B.A .from Kellogg University and a J.D. from Northwestern University.
Power Play: Bowen was counsel on the finance team for Coach Inc.’s bank financing after the company’s spin-off from Sarah Lee Corp.
John W. Carr
Partner
Simpson, Thacher & Bartlett
New York, NY
Contact: 212-455-2000
Career Highlights: Carr has had the Midas touch since graduating from Harvard Law School. He represents merchant banks as well as corporate clients on mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, and private equity funds. His client roster boasts the Apollo Theater Foundation, Sony Music Entertainment, and Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone.
Power Play: Carr negotiated NBC’s $415 million acquisition of PAX cable network.
Willie E. Dennis
Partner
Thelen Reid & Priest
New York, NY
Contact: 212-603-2000
Career Highlights: Dennis’ illustrious 15-year career encompasses broad experience in corporate finance, initial public offerings, and mergers and acquisitions. The Columbia Law School graduate also works with companies committed to funding minority businesses.
Power Play: Dennis represented Goldman Sachs’ Urban Investment Group when the powerhouse investment firm bought Border Media Partners, which owns Hispanic r
adio stations in Mexico and Texas.
Michael Flowers
Partner
Bricker & Eckler
Columbus, OH
Contact: 614-227-2300
Career Highlights: Flowers is a legal expert for hundreds of corporate, emerging business, and nonprofit organizations. The Ohio State Law alumnus represents multi-million dollar venture investors; numerous issuers of privately placed securities, both equity and debt; and numerous closely held businesses.
Power Play: Flowers represented a