Blank Rome LLP is pleased to announce that Robert Wessely has joined the Firm as a Partner in the Corporate, M&A, and Securities group and Cross-Border practice. He is based in the Firm’s New York office and comes to Blank Rome from Withers Bergman LLP.
Mr. Wessely focuses his practice on cross-border transactions, advising foreign businesses on all aspects of expanding their operations in the United States, and American companies going abroad, including strategic and structural advice regarding mergers and acquisitions, private equity, joint ventures, venture capital, financing, restructuring, and licensing transactions. His clients span an array of industries such as financial services, offshore funds and investment vehicles, aviation, software, manufacturing, media and entertainment, and oil and gas, among others.
“We are thrilled to welcome Rob to the Firm,” said Alan J. Hoffman, Blank Rome’s Chairman and Managing Partner. “Rob is a dedicated and trusted adviser to his clients. He often goes a step beyond legal counsel to connect new entrants to the U.S. market with highly skilled professionals that a business operating in the United States for the first time might need, including accountants, HR professionals, and marketing and advertising experts. He’s truly an asset to his clients and will be a fantastic addition to Blank Rome.”
Outside of traditional transactional work, Mr. Wessely has counseled radio, publishing, and film entities on corporate and intellectual property matters, and he has significant experience in real estate, construction, and architectural matters involving foreign investors. He has also counseled oil and gas companies on transactional issues.
“At a time when such uncertainty surrounding international relations exists, Rob’s extensive cross-border experience is a welcome addition to the Firm,” said Louis M. Rappaport, Co-Chair, Corporate, M&A, and Securities group. “While Rob is adept at navigating international law, his true gift is in building and maintaining relationships. His career has thrived from the meaningful personal and professional connections he has with lawyers and other business advisers all over the world, which will undoubtedly enhance our corporate practice and benefit our clients seeking cross-border counsel.”
“I’m excited to join Blank Rome, primarily for the opportunity to further develop the Firm’s cross-border practice,” said Mr. Wessely. “Blank Rome has experienced significant and impressive growth over the past few years. I welcome the opportunity to bring my experience working in regions such as Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East, and to apply that knowledge to help the Firm expand its already burgeoning cross-border services, including litigation, intellectual property, and mergers and acquisitions.”
Outside of his legal practice, Mr. Wessely is president of the American Austrian Foundation, an international charitable organization dedicated, among other things, to training doctors all over the world. To date, the organization has provided specialized education to more than 18,000 doctors from 119 countries. The Foundation is also active in sponsoring cross-border programs in media and the arts.
Mr. Wessely earned his A.B. from the University of Illinois and University of Vienna, Austria, and received his J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School. Mr. Wessely is admitted to practice in New York, is a registered foreign lawyer in the United Kingdom, and is fluent in German.
About Blank Rome
Founded in 1946, Blank Rome is an Am Law 100 firm with 13 offices and over 600 attorneys throughout the United States and in Shanghai who represent businesses and organizations ranging from Fortune 500 companies to start-up entities around the globe. With a strong focus on the key industry sectors of energy, maritime and transportation, real estate, financial services, healthcare and life sciences, chemical, gaming, technology, and manufacturing, Blank Rome advises its clients on a full spectrum of legal matters involving litigation; M&A and securities; finance, business restructuring, and bankruptcy; cybersecurity and data privacy; environment and mass torts; government contracts; insurance coverage; intellectual property; labor and employment; international trade; matrimonial and family law; policy and political law; tax and benefits; and white collar defense and investigations. The Firm also represents pro bono clients in a wide variety of cases and matters. Blank Rome is annually ranked and recognized for its leading middle-market corporate, M&A, real estate, and finance practices, to name a few, and is internationally acclaimed for its global maritime practice and capabilities. For more information, please visit www.blankrome.com.
