Profil
Gemma L. Descoteaux practices corporate law, focusing on mergers and acquisitions in various industries including technology, private equity, media, health care, and transportation. Her practice encompasses advising buyers and sellers in complex M&A transactions. She structures deals with consideration for financing, regulatory requirements, and market factors that may impact outcomes. Her approach combines practical strategies with a deep understanding of her clients’ industries.
With more than 30 years of experience, Gemma has worked on numerous high-value transactions. She has represented public companies in divestitures exceeding $1 billion, negotiated international joint ventures, and advised on the acquisition of manufacturing facilities. Her work also includes counseling clients on public offerings, long-term licensing agreements, and pharmaceutical development projects.
Gemma’s background includes in-house experience at several companies, where she handled commercial agreements, managed inter-disciplinary teams, and coordinated acquisition integrations. She has also negotiated defense systems advanced development and production contracts and joint venture agreements.
Concentrations
- Provides practical advice to founders in the sale of their business to private equity or strategic buyers.
- Provides strategic counsel to entities seeking to tack on platform acquisitions.
- Provides savvy counsel to private equity portfolio companies on commercial transactions, acquisitions, and daily matters.
Kompetencje
Doświadczenie
- Represented Univar in its acquisition of Valley Solvents & Chemicals.
- Represented YUM Brands in various transactions involving Pizza Hut and Habit Burger.
- Represented Conduent Inc. in the acquisition of Health Solutions Plus, a software provider of healthcare payer administrative solutions.
- Represented Conduent Inc. in the sale of numerous non-core businesses, including a portion of its call center servicing business located in 16 countries, the sale of its constituent government software solutions business to Avenu, the sale of its firehouse software business suite of emergency records management products to ESO Solutions, Inc., and the sale of three health care consulting businesses to ATOS, SE.°
- Represented Wrapports Holdings LLC in the sale of the Chicago Sun-Times and the Chicago Reader to an investor group, including Edwin Eisendrath and the Chicago Federation of Labor.°
- Represented AIM Media Midwest, LLC, in its acquisition of the Ohio print and online newspaper publishing assets and commercial printing assets of Civitas Media LLC.°
- Represented AIM Media Indiana, LLC, in its acquisition of the Indiana print and online newspaper publishing assets and commercial printing assets of Home News Enterprises.°
- Represented an international company specializing in biopharmaceuticals in its acquisition of a world-class facility for the development and manufacture of life-saving biopharmaceuticals and biotechnology and vaccine capabilities.°
- Served as North American M&A counsel to a French public company in the negotiation of international joint venture arrangements in excess of $2 billion; the negotiation of multiple transformative acquisitions, including the acquisition and subsequent operation of steel manufacturing facilities in Houston and Youngstown, Ohio, and the acquisition of a steel drill pipe manufacturing facility in Houston from a Canadian corporation; the construction of a $1 billion rolling mill in Ohio; and general corporate matters.°
- Represented a U.S. public provider of technology-enabled business solutions and services, including cloud, cybersecurity, big data and mobility, in the divestiture of multiple business units exceeding $1 billion in the aggregate and the formation of strategic joint ventures.°
- Represented a U.S. public business process outsourcer and integrated information-based loyalty and marketing solutions corporation in connection with numerous private acquisitions and the negotiation of outsourcing service contracts.°
- Represented a U.S. public business process outsourcing and information technology services provider in connection with multiple private acquisitions; advised the company regarding public company governance and securities matters.°
- Represented a leading independent pharmaceutical company in multiple public offerings, acquisitions and divestitures exceeding $1 billion in the aggregate, including the acquisition of a public pediatric pharmaceutical corporation; long-term licensing of pharmaceutical products and technologies; pharmaceutical development projects; the acquisition of various pharmaceutical products; and international transactions involving the acquisition of the North American rights to the dominant natural, cosmetic wrinkle filler.°
- Represented multiple newspaper publishing, printing and distribution companies in the acquisition and divestiture of more than 100 suburban newspapers; the negotiation of long-term print and distribution agreements.°
°The above representations were handled by Ms. Descoteaux prior to her joining Greenberg Traurig, LLP.
- S. Commercial Counsel, Chlor Alkali, GCO, Epoxy, Strategic Sourcing & Procurement (Seconded), Olin, 2015-2016
- M&A and Strategic Alliances (Seconded), Computer Sciences Corporation (now part of DXC), 2012-2013
- Securities Counsel (Seconded), Affiliated Computer Sciences Corporation (now Conduent), 2008
- Associate General Counsel, EXE Technologies, Inc., 2000
Sukcesy i wyróżnienia
- Listed, D CEO, “Dallas 500; The Most Powerful Business Leaders in Dallas-Fort Worth,” 2020-2025
- Listed, The Best Lawyers in America, Corporate Law; Mergers & Acquisitions, 2016-2025
- Listed, Super Lawyersmagazine, Texas Super Lawyers, 2019-2024
- Selected, DCEO Magazine, Deal of the Year Award Winner, 2021
- Selected, Global M&A Network, “U.S.A. Top Women Dealmaker,” 2021
- Listed, D Magazine, “Best Lawyers in Dallas,” 2014-2024
- Selected, Texas Lawyer, Professional Excellence Awards, “Best Mentor,” 2019
- Listed, National Diversity Council, “Top 50 Women Lawyers in Dallas,” 2017
- Selected, Dallas Women Lawyers Association, “Outstanding Director,” 2017
- Listed, D Magazine, “Best Women Lawyers in Dallas; Corporate Finance/Mergers,” 2010
- Listed, Best Lawyers Business Edition, Women in the Law; Corporate, 2016
- Selected, Chambers USA American’s Leading Lawyers, “Up and Coming in the area of Corporate/M&A,” 2008
- Member, DFW Association for Corporate Growth (DFW ACG), 2015-Present
- Immediate Past President, 2019
- President, 2018
- President-Elect, 2017
- Chair, Women of ACG DFW, 2015-2017
- Member, University of Texas Center for Women in Law, Leaders Circle, 2017-Present
- Member, Dallas Women Lawyers Association, 2015-Present
- Chair, Mentorship, 2016-2017
- Director-at-Large, 2015-2020
- Member, Women’s Advocacy Awards Committee, 2017
- Member, Dallas Diversity Task Force, 2016
- Member, Grove City College Alumni Council, 2009-2016
Kwalifikacje
Wykształcenie
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J.D., magna cum laude, Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law
- Order of the Coif
- Editor-in-Chief, The Journal of Air Law & Commerce
- Staff Member, The Southern Methodist University Law Review
- B.A., Grove City College
Posiadane uprawnienia
- Texas