BRIAN FAHRNEY is a member of the firm’s Executive Committee and is a global co-leader of the M&A and Private Equity group. He also serves on the firm’s COVID-19 Task Force.
Brian has represented both acquirors and sellers in a wide variety of public and private merger and acquisition transactions, including cross-border transactions. He has also represented underwriters and issuers in a variety of public and private securities offerings, including initial public offerings. Brian has substantial experience in the insurance and financial service industries, having represented insurance companies, banks and finance companies in various strategic transactions. In addition to his active transactional practice, he regularly advises public companies and public company boards on corporate governance, SEC disclosure and fiduciary duty matters.
Brian has frequently received accolades for his exceptional legal work. In 2018, Chambers recognized Brian for his work in Corporate/M&A, noting that clients describe him as “very experienced, [Brian] has good judgment and is calm under pressure.” He has also been recommended in Mergers, Acquisitions and Buyouts in The Legal 500 US (2014-2017) and Who’s Who Legal (2016). In 2015, he was named a Law360 MVP, one of only 11 M&A lawyers named. In addition, Brian has been recognized as “Dealmaker of the Week” by The American Lawyer.
Brian serves on the Executive Committee of The Ray Garrett Jr. Corporate and Securities Law Institute of the Northwestern University School of Law. He is a member of the Chicago Council on Global Relations and formerly was on the board of directors of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metropolitan Chicago.
Brian was a Certified Public Accountant and served as Associate Articles Editor of the Northwestern University Law Review.