The following is an excerpt from Practice Perspectives: Vault's Guide to Legal Practice Areas.
Jaye Kasper is a partner in White & Case’s global M&A practice based in New York. Jaye’s practice focuses on advising private equity funds and private and public companies on complex business transactions, including M&A, M&A involving a special purpose acquisition company (de-SPACs), carve-outs, leveraged buyouts, minority investments, executive compensation, incentive equity arrangements, governance, and other general corporate matters. Jaye also advises private equity funds on the management of their portfolio companies, including financings, follow-on acquisitions, and liquidity events.
Describe your practice area and what it entails.
As an M&A lawyer, our practice encompasses far more than just M&A. We advise clients on a full spectrum of transactional and corporate matters, including mergers, acquisitions, sales, minority investments, and joint ventures. We work on matters in the United States and across the globe in a variety of industries, including technology, healthcare, industrials, business services, and media. In addition to facilitating deals, we also serve as trusted business advisors to our clients and help our clients think through strategic, structural, and operational matters that impact their business. This means that we are often involved in early-stage planning, risk assessment, and post-deal integration, ensuring our clients’ interests are protected throughout the life cycle of a transaction. The breadth of our practice requires us to stay informed about market trends, regulatory developments, and emerging risks, making it a dynamic field.
What types of clients do you represent?
We represent all sorts of clients, including private equity funds and their portfolio companies, public companies, private companies, and family offices. Our clients operate in a variety of sectors, which means we must be adept at understanding the unique challenges and opportunities in each industry. This diversity keeps our practice fresh and ensures that we are constantly learning and adapting to new business models and regulatory environments.
What types of cases/deals do you work on?
White & Case is a trusted advisor in leading some of the most exciting and high-profile M&A deals globally. Our work includes advising private equity funds such as CVC Capital, Nordic Capital, and EQT on leveraged buyouts, minority investments, and portfolio company management. We also represent public companies in their M&A activity, including Shutterstock in its $3.7 billion merger with Getty Images and EchoStar in its $17 billion sale of its spectrum network to SpaceX. We also handle carve-outs, de-SPAC transactions, and joint ventures, often involving complex cross-border elements. Each deal presents unique challenges, whether it’s navigating regulatory approvals, structuring innovative financing arrangements, or managing stakeholder interests. The variety and complexity of our matters require us to be agile, creative, and deeply knowledgeable about both legal and business considerations.
How did you choose this practice area?
My path to M&A was shaped by my academic background and personal interests. I was a business major in college and loved my Contracts, Corporate, and Negotiations classes in law school, so being a transactional lawyer was a natural fit. M&A lawyers are the quarterback of the deal, and we are responsible for making sure the entire process runs smoothly. M&A lawyers also work closely with all the expert practice groups, including intellectual property, tax, executive compensation, and antitrust. I love learning about all the different areas that impact our clients’ business.
What is a “typical” day like and/or what are some common tasks you perform?
One of the great things about M&A is that no two days are ever the same. I spend a lot of time on the phone or on video conferences helping clients think through issues and providing thoughtful solutions, including strategic planning and risk assessment. M&A lawyers are responsible for inking the terms of a deal, so a significant portion of my day involves reviewing, drafting, and negotiating agreements. Negotiation is a core skill, as we work to balance the interests of all parties and reach mutually beneficial outcomes.
What training, classes, experience, or skills development would you recommend to someone who wishes to enter your practice area?
All of the training will happen on the job. Taking a Corporations class is helpful, though my advice to law students is to pursue courses that genuinely interest them. White & Case has an incredibly robust training program that covers technical skills, deal mechanics, and soft skills such as negotiation and client management. Our job as senior lawyers is to continuously teach, mentor, and develop junior lawyers.
What do you like best about your practice area?
I enjoy working with incredibly smart and driven people who share the same enthusiasm for dealmaking. Since our clients invest and operate in a wide variety of industries, I love that I am constantly learning new things. I love that this job is challenging, intellectually stimulating, and constantly keeping me on my toes. It requires both strategic thinking and attention to detail. Our practice rewards practical business-focused thinking and the ability to turn legal complexities into work-able solutions.
What misconceptions exist about your practice area?
I think a common misconception is that all areas of BigLaw are inherently adversarial. M&A is actually a very collaborative practice. While we advocate vigorously for our clients and make sure their interests are protected, the ultimate goal is to bring all parties together and reach a “yes.” When we sign and close a deal, that’s a good day for everyone. Successful deals require cooperation, creativity, and problem-solving from everyone involved.
What are some typical tasks that a junior lawyer would perform in this practice area?
Every member of the team plays a vital role in every matter, and there is no limit for what a junior lawyer can accomplish. When a client is looking to invest in or acquire another company, junior lawyers are responsible for performing due diligence on the target company and identifying issues or areas that may create risk for our client. Junior lawyers also help keep the train moving and keep the team organized by managing timelines, coordinating communications, and ensuring that all necessary documentation is prepared and reviewed, which are critical to a fast-paced deal. Junior lawyers may draft ancillary agreements, prepare closing checklists, and participate in negotiations. Their contributions are critical to the success of the team.
How do you deal with the fast-paced nature of your work in M&A, especially given the high stakes for your client?
I personally love the thrill and adrenaline this job brings. The fast-paced nature of deals means that priorities can shift quickly, requiring adaptability and strong organizational skills. Deals require teamwork and collaboration, and I enjoy that we and our clients are all in it together, working toward achieving the same goal of getting a deal done. When stakes are high and pressure is on, having an incredibly strong and trustworthy team around you is what enables success. The sense of camaraderie and shared purpose makes even the most challenging deals rewarding (and even fun!).