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Seventh Circuit Reminder: Employers Must Look to State Law When a Power of Attorney Is Used to Waive Spousal Benefits
DALLAS, Texas, Aug. 6 [Category: BizLaw/Legal] -- Haynes and Boone, a law firm, posted the following news:
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Seventh Circuit Reminder: Employers Must Look to State Law When a Power of Attorney Is Used to Waive Spousal Benefits
A recent decision from the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, Havlik v. University of Chicago, underscores that plan administrators must look to the governing state's power of attorney ("POA") laws to determine both whether a POA is valid and whether the plan must honor it. In Havlik, the University of Chicago rejected a beneficiary change form
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DALLAS, Texas, Aug. 6 [Category: BizLaw/Legal] -- Haynes and Boone, a law firm, posted the following news:
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Seventh Circuit Reminder: Employers Must Look to State Law When a Power of Attorney Is Used to Waive Spousal Benefits
A recent decision from the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, Havlik v. University of Chicago, underscores that plan administrators must look to the governing state's power of attorney ("POA") laws to determine both whether a POA is valid and whether the plan must honor it. In Havlik, the University of Chicago rejected a beneficiary change formthat would have redirected an ERISA-qualified Section 403(b) retirement plan participant's benefits from his spouse to trusts for his grandchildren.
The beneficiary change required spousal consent, which the spouse's son-in-law attempted to sign under a POA. The district court and the Seventh Circuit both found the POA deficient, holding that because ERISA is silent on whether an attorney-in-fact may execute a spousal waiver, state law governs. Applying Wisconsin law, the court concluded that the state's POA statute required an express, specific grant of authority to waive survivor annuity rights-authority that was not present in the spouse's general POA over retirement accounts.
This decision is a reminder that plan administrators faced with a beneficiary change or spousal waiver executed by an agent under a POA must undertake a two-part, state law driven inquiry: (i) whether the POA itself is valid and grants the agent sufficiently specific authority to take the action in question under the governing state's POA statute, and (ii) whether the plan administrator is required to give effect to that POA based on state law.
The Seventh Circuit opinion is available here (https://cases.justia.com/federal/appellate-courts/ca7/25-2821/25-2821-2026-07-20.pdf?ts=1784568659).
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Original text here: https://www.haynesboone.com/news/blogs/seventh-circuit-reminder-when-power-of-attorney-used-to-waive-spousal-benefits
Marianne Ajemian Named to Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly 2026 Hall of Fame
BOSTON, Massachusetts, Aug. 6 -- Nutter, a law firm, issued the following news release:
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Marianne Ajemian Named to Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly 2026 Hall of Fame
Marianne Ajemian, a partner in Nutter's Real Estate Department, has been selected to Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly's 2026 Hall of Fame class. Membership in the Hall of Fame is reserved for the Commonwealth's most distinguished attorneys in recognition of a lifetime of achievement, leadership, and professional excellence.
Marianne focuses her practice on advising clients in complex transactions. She represents financing institutions,
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BOSTON, Massachusetts, Aug. 6 -- Nutter, a law firm, issued the following news release:
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Marianne Ajemian Named to Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly 2026 Hall of Fame
Marianne Ajemian, a partner in Nutter's Real Estate Department, has been selected to Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly's 2026 Hall of Fame class. Membership in the Hall of Fame is reserved for the Commonwealth's most distinguished attorneys in recognition of a lifetime of achievement, leadership, and professional excellence.
Marianne focuses her practice on advising clients in complex transactions. She represents financing institutions,real estate investment funds, developers, real estate investors and advisors, pension fund advisors and their institutional investors, REITs, healthcare and senior housing companies, and nonprofit institutions.
In addition, Marianne advises clients on all aspects of commercial real estate acquisitions, development, dispositions, and leasing involving a broad range of projects, including mixed-use and transit-oriented developments, downtown and suburban office buildings, research and development properties, retail and industrial properties, multi-family housing projects, hotels, restaurants, and institutional uses.
A longtime leader in the real estate industry, Marianne is a fellow in the American College of Real Estate Lawyers (ACREL). She is also a member of the Real Estate & Finance Association (RE&FA), NAIOP, and the Urban Land Institute (ULI), where she is also a member of the ULI Urban Development Mixed-Use Product Council and the ULI Boston District Council. Marianne has served on the Board of Directors of the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce since 2000 and was a member of the Women's Network Advisory Board for a decade.
Marianne will be honored on September 15 at a reception in Boston.
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Original text here: https://www.nutter.com/trending-newsroom-news-ajemian-mlw-hall-fame
[Category: BizLaw/Legal]
K&L Gates Advises Clean Power Hydrogen on pound sterling7.3 Million Fundraising
PITTSBURGH, Pennsylvania, Aug. 6 -- K&L Gates, a law firm, issued the following news release:
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K&L Gates Advises Clean Power Hydrogen on pound sterling7.3 Million Fundraising
Global law firm K&L Gates advised Clean Power Hydrogen plc (CPH2), an AIM-listed green hydrogen technology and manufacturing company, on its placing, subscription, and retail offer, raising gross proceeds of approximately pound sterling7.3 million.
The transaction builds on K&L Gates' ongoing advice to CPH2 on previous fundraisings as the company continues to develop and commercialize its proprietary hydrogen production
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PITTSBURGH, Pennsylvania, Aug. 6 -- K&L Gates, a law firm, issued the following news release:
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K&L Gates Advises Clean Power Hydrogen on pound sterling7.3 Million Fundraising
Global law firm K&L Gates advised Clean Power Hydrogen plc (CPH2), an AIM-listed green hydrogen technology and manufacturing company, on its placing, subscription, and retail offer, raising gross proceeds of approximately pound sterling7.3 million.
The transaction builds on K&L Gates' ongoing advice to CPH2 on previous fundraisings as the company continues to develop and commercialize its proprietary hydrogen productiontechnology.
The deal was led by London partner James Green and included Charlotte partner Sean Jones, London senior associate Robert Boughey, Charlotte associate Jeff Pititto, and London trainee solicitor Alice MacHenry.
Green commented: "We were pleased to advise CPH2 on this important fundraising, which positions the company to advance its commercial objectives and continue developing innovative hydrogen production technology. The transaction also reflects continued investor interest in companies supporting the energy transition."
K&L Gates' Corporate practice is one of the most substantial in the legal industry, with hundreds of lawyers in offices across the globe providing clients with practical legal solutions in the structuring, financing, and closing of domestic, international, and cross-border transactions.
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K&L Gates is a globally integrated law firm trusted by sophisticated clients to deliver market leading legal counsel across jurisdictions and industries. Operating as one firm worldwide, K&L Gates combines deep local insight with seamless global coordination to address clients' most complex legal and business challenges. Guided by a relentless focus on client service, the firm delivers practical, high impact solutions with consistency, efficiency, and a clear emphasis on results.
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URL: Clean Power Hydrogen
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Original text here: https://www.klgates.com/KL-Gates-Advises-Clean-Power-Hydrogen-on-73-Million-Fundraising-8-5-2026
[Category: BizLaw/Legal]
Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer Advises Black Kite Partners on the Successful Completion of Its Acquisition of 13SICK, DoctorDoctor, 24-7Medcare and Australian Surgical Assisting
NEW YORK, Aug. 6 -- Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP, a law firm, issued the following news:
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Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer advises Black Kite Partners on the successful completion of its acquisition of 13SICK, DoctorDoctor, 24-7Medcare and Australian Surgical Assisting
Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer (HSF Kramer) has advised newly formed private equity firm, Black Kite Partners, on its acquisition of the DR2 business (comprising 13SICK, DoctorDoctor, 24-7Medcare and Australian Surgical Assisting).
DR2 is a tech-enabled healthcare business delivering primary care through home visits
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NEW YORK, Aug. 6 -- Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP, a law firm, issued the following news:
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Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer advises Black Kite Partners on the successful completion of its acquisition of 13SICK, DoctorDoctor, 24-7Medcare and Australian Surgical Assisting
Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer (HSF Kramer) has advised newly formed private equity firm, Black Kite Partners, on its acquisition of the DR2 business (comprising 13SICK, DoctorDoctor, 24-7Medcare and Australian Surgical Assisting).
DR2 is a tech-enabled healthcare business delivering primary care through home visitsand telehealth services under the 13SICK, DoctorDoctor 24-7Medcare and Australian Surgical Assisting brands.
The HSF Kramer team was led by partners Nicole Pedler and Natalie Bryce, with support from senior associates Caitlin Walker, Crusoe Flynn-Pittar and Saskia Gude, and solicitors Kate Bartkowski and Gia Saldanha.
Nicole Pedler, HSF Kramer Partner, said, "We are delighted to have assisted Black Kite Partners with their maiden investment. It is a testament to the Black Kite team's execution capability to complete their first platform acquisition so quickly after establishment."
Natalie Bryce, HSF Kramer Partner and Sector Lead for Healthcare, said, "DR2 operates in an essential part of our healthcare sector, caring for patients at home and after hours. We value the opportunity to assist our clients to navigate the complexities of funding in the sector, to empower their investments in important social services."
This transaction highlights HSF Kramer's market-leading work in Australian private equity and healthcare M&A.
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URL: Black Kite Partners
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Original text here: https://www.hsfkramer.com/news/2026-08/hsfkramer-advises-black-kite-partners-on-the-successful-acquisition-dr2
[Category: BizLaw/Legal]
Akin Expands Core and Digital Infrastructure Capabilities With Addition of Mitch Holzrichter and Nick Vallorano in Chicago
WASHINGTON, Aug. 6 -- Akin Gump, a law firm, issued the following news release on Aug. 5, 2026:
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Akin Expands Core and Digital Infrastructure Capabilities with Addition of Mitch Holzrichter and Nick Vallorano in Chicago
(Chicago) - Akin announced today that Mitch Holzrichter and Nick Vallorano have joined the firm as partners in its energy & infrastructure practice in Chicago, adding significant capabilities in transportation, social and digital infrastructure across project development and finance, public-private partnerships and M&A. Their arrival strengthens Akin's ability to advise
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WASHINGTON, Aug. 6 -- Akin Gump, a law firm, issued the following news release on Aug. 5, 2026:
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Akin Expands Core and Digital Infrastructure Capabilities with Addition of Mitch Holzrichter and Nick Vallorano in Chicago
(Chicago) - Akin announced today that Mitch Holzrichter and Nick Vallorano have joined the firm as partners in its energy & infrastructure practice in Chicago, adding significant capabilities in transportation, social and digital infrastructure across project development and finance, public-private partnerships and M&A. Their arrival strengthens Akin's ability to adviseowners, sponsors, developers, investors and lenders on complex infrastructure assets across their full lifecycle, from development and financing through acquisition and operation.
Mitch and Nick further expand Akin's ability to advise public and private sector clients on complex infrastructure opportunities. Together, they advise on some of the market's most innovative public-private partnerships and infrastructure finance projects, including the first long-term lease of a major U.S. commercial airport, the largest issuance of surface transportation private activity bonds in the U.S., the first use of tax-exempt private activity bonds to finance highway service areas and the development of a $2 billion data center in Fort Worth, Texas.
* Mitch Holzrichter represents infrastructure owners, developers, investors and lenders in the development, acquisition, financing and sale of complex infrastructure assets. Recognized by Chambers USA for his work in Public-Private Partnerships, his practice focuses on transportation, social and digital infrastructure projects, including airports, roads, data centers and fiber networks. He advises clients across the full lifecycle of project development and also counsels on emerging technologies and next-generation infrastructure, including autonomous vehicle lanes and vertiport projects.
* Nick Vallorano advises government owners, sponsors, investors, lenders and contractors on public infrastructure and related financing transactions, with particular strength in public-private partnerships. His work includes revenue-risk concessions, availability payment structures and design build or design-build-finance projects involving development, financing and procurement of airports, roads, bridges and social infrastructure, as well as secondary market transactions involving infrastructure assets.
"Akin has built one of the market's premier energy and infrastructure platforms, and Mitch and Nick add highly complementary capabilities that position us for continued growth," said Akin co-chair Abid Qureshi. "Mitch strengthens our ability to serve clients in the rapidly expanding infrastructure and data center sector, while Nick broadens our public-private partnerships and project finance capabilities. Together, they enhance our ability to advise on increasingly sophisticated infrastructure developments across the market."
"We are seeing strong demand from clients pursuing complex infrastructure investments, including in the transportation and data center spaces," said corporate practice co-head Zachary Wittenberg. "Mitch brings exceptional experience across project development, financing and M&A transactions involving core and digital infrastructure assets, while Nick's deep public-private partnerships experience expands our capabilities in transportation and social infrastructure. Their arrival allows us to support clients across a broader range of opportunities and increasingly complex projects."
"Akin has assembled an impressive team advising on energy, infrastructure, digital infrastructure and construction matters across the globe," said Mitch. "Nick and I are excited to build on that foundation and help clients navigate the development, financing and acquisition of critical infrastructure assets, from data centers and digital infrastructure projects to transportation and public-private partnership initiatives."
Mitch and Nick are the latest additions to the firm's comprehensive energy & infrastructure platform, which continues to expand across key markets. Recent additions include energy tax partner Richard Wright; projects & energy transition partners Ron Erlichman, Nick Atwood and Chadron Edwards in New York; energy transactions partner Charlie Ofner, private equity partner Andrew Lehman, capital markets partner Bryan Flannery and projects & energy transition partner April Kim in Houston; and energy transactions partner Rob Butler in London.
Their arrival also continues the rapid growth of Akin's Chicago office, following the arrivals of investment management partner and Chicago office leader Wendy Dodson Gallegos; infrastructure M&A partners Jason Wagenmaker and Joshua La Vigne; investment management partner Jessica Pan; tax partner Christopher Odell; Rory Wellever, head of the firm's music practice; and, most recently, real estate senior counsel Daniel Pieringer.
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About Akin's Energy & Infrastructure Practice
Akin is a leading advisor to companies and capital providers across the full spectrum of energy & infrastructure investments and transactions. Spanning upstream, midstream, downstream, commodities trading and energy services, our practice encompasses the oil & gas industry's entire value chain. Our global, interdisciplinary team also has market-leading experience advising on conventional power generation, mining & critical minerals, and the full range of renewable & energy transition technologies, from solar, wind and energy storage to carbon capture, hydrogen and sustainable fuels.
We also advise on transportation infrastructure such as roads, ports, airports and rail; social infrastructure, including schools, hospitals and government facilities; and digital infrastructure, including data centers, fiber networks and telecommunications towers. Our lawyers serve as trusted counsel to public & private companies, private equity, credit and infrastructure investors, and management teams--helping them develop, finance, construct, operate, buy and sell energy & infrastructure projects and companies throughout the world.
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Akin is a leading international law firm with more than 1,100 lawyers in offices throughout the United States, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
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Original text here: https://www.akingump.com/en/insights/press-releases/akin-expands-core-and-digital-infrastructure-capabilities-with-addition-of-mitch-holzrichter-and-nick-vallorano-in-chicago
[Category: BizLaw/Legal]
A&O Shearman Represents FNZ on the Sale of FNZ Bank to Advent
LONDON, England, Aug. 6 -- A and O Shearman, a law firm, issued the following news:
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A&O Shearman represents FNZ on the sale of FNZ Bank to Advent
A&O Shearman has advised FNZ, the leading global wealth management platform, on the sale of FNZ Bank to Advent, and a consortium including HarbourVest Partners. Completion of the transaction is expected to occur in the second half of 2027, subject to customary regulatory and other approvals.
The divestment is consistent with FNZ's strategy of focusing on its core wealth management technology business and serving large financial institutions
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LONDON, England, Aug. 6 -- A and O Shearman, a law firm, issued the following news:
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A&O Shearman represents FNZ on the sale of FNZ Bank to Advent
A&O Shearman has advised FNZ, the leading global wealth management platform, on the sale of FNZ Bank to Advent, and a consortium including HarbourVest Partners. Completion of the transaction is expected to occur in the second half of 2027, subject to customary regulatory and other approvals.
The divestment is consistent with FNZ's strategy of focusing on its core wealth management technology business and serving large financial institutionsat scale.
The transaction supports FNZ's long-term growth ambitions by reinforcing its positioning as a technology platform provider for wealth businesses globally, including in Germany where FNZ Bank remains a key client.
Will Samengo-Turner, global co-head of technology at A&O Shearman, said: "We're proud to have built a long-standing relationship with FNZ and to have supported the business through another significant milestone in its evolution. Advising on matters like this reflects the strength of our technology practice and our experience supporting many of Europe's leading fintechs as they grow, invest and execute transformational transactions."
The A&O Shearman team was led by partners Will Samengo-Turner and Michael WeiB alongside senior associates Josh Little and Veronika Gaile.
Following completion of the transaction, FNZ and FNZ Bank intend to continue their long-standing partnership, leveraging FNZ's technology capabilities to support the bank's continued growth and client offering.
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Original text here: https://www.aoshearman.com/en/news/ao-shearman-represents-fnz-on-the-sale-of-fnz-bank-to-advent
[Category: BizLaw/Legal]
A&O Shearman Advises Charterhouse on the Acquisition of Animalcare Group
LONDON, England, Aug. 6 -- A and O Shearman, a law firm, issued the following news:
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A&O Shearman advises Charterhouse on the acquisition of Animalcare Group
A&O Shearman has advised Charterhouse Capital Partners ("Charterhouse"), one of the longest established private equity firms operating in Europe, on all M&A and financing aspects of its acquisition of Animalcare Group plc ("Animalcare"), following its delisting from the London Stock Exchange (AIM).
The investment aligns closely with Charterhouse's strategy of partnering with high-quality healthcare businesses that have strong market
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LONDON, England, Aug. 6 -- A and O Shearman, a law firm, issued the following news:
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A&O Shearman advises Charterhouse on the acquisition of Animalcare Group
A&O Shearman has advised Charterhouse Capital Partners ("Charterhouse"), one of the longest established private equity firms operating in Europe, on all M&A and financing aspects of its acquisition of Animalcare Group plc ("Animalcare"), following its delisting from the London Stock Exchange (AIM).
The investment aligns closely with Charterhouse's strategy of partnering with high-quality healthcare businesses that have strong marketpositions and clear opportunities for value creation.
Animalcare is an animal healthcare company specializing in the development and commercialization of products for companion animals, equine and production animals.
The group holds around 150 animal health pharma brands, with core franchises in dental, equine and pain products with a strong presence throughout Europe and the APAC region.
The core deal team advising Charterhouse across both the M&A and financing side was led by partners Tina Barazandeh-Nejad, Matt Hamilton-Foyn and Nick Hallam alongside senior associate Akshay Naran, associates Charles Ashie, Angela Chan, Matthew Scrocca and Livia Gauntlet with trainee Ben Evans on the M&A aspects, and senior associate Fraser Jackson, and associates Jack Cameron and Sophie Hilton with trainee Maciej Skrzek on the financing.
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URL: Charterhouse Capital Partners
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Original text here: https://www.aoshearman.com/en/news/ao-shearman-advises-charterhouse-on-the-acquisition-of-animalcare-group
[Category: BizLaw/Legal]
