Crowell & Moring's Corporate Group Expands on Both Coasts with Two New Partners

Washington, D.C. – May 16, 2011: In a response to new opportunities in the deal market, Crowell & Moring LLP has bolstered its Corporate Group with the addition of two partners to the firm's New York and San Francisco offices. Paul J. Pollock, who concentrates his practice on middle-market private equity, mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and corporate finance, joins the firm's New York office from Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP. Jeffrey C. Selman, who joins Crowell & Moring's San Francisco office from Nixon Peabody LLP, is a transactional lawyer who focuses his practice on advising emerging and middle-market public and private technology and life sciences companies and investors.

"Our growth is a reflection that the deal market is heating up, and Paul and Jeff will play an important role in helping our clients take advantage of new opportunities," said James R. Stuart, chair of Crowell & Moring's Corporate Group. "Paul and Jeff are seasoned partners with an impressive wealth of experience in the key markets of New York and San Francisco. Our group has grown significantly in recent years, and our new additions build on the incredible book of experience we've amassed leading middle-market deals for the most prestigious and most promising businesses."

Pollock's clients have primarily included private equity funds and sponsors, venture and venture-backed corporations, and senior and subordinated lenders, to which he provides corporate counseling on a wide variety of issues. Selman represents emerging and middle-market public and private technology and life sciences companies and investors on formation, equity and debt financing, mergers and acquisitions, licensing, restructurings, board and management issues, and general corporate and commercial transactional matters.

Pollock has represented a variety of buyers and sellers in M&A transactions, as well as non-U.S. companies seeking to enter the U.S. marketplace or engage in transactions with U.S. companies. In addition, his distressed debt experience includes work for lenders, buyers, and sellers in workouts and refinancing inside and outside of bankruptcy. These transactions include asset sales, 363 sales, and leveraged and non-leveraged recapitalizations.

Pollock has also represented underwriters in public offerings, placement agents in private placements, and foreign issuers in connection with securities offerings under SEC Regulation S. His clients are from a wide range of industries, including publishing, automotive, media and entertainment, high-tech, and health care technology.

Since joining the firm, Pollock has represented Italkithen International, Inc., a Miami-based provider of custom kitchens for hotel and apartment developers; Monomoy Capital Partners, L.P. in connection with the acquisition of Steel Parts Manufacturing, Inc., an Indiana based manufacturer of transmission clutch plates; and the owners of projectiondesign LLC, a New Jersey based distributor of high end projectors in connection with the sale of all of the equity of their company.

According to Pollock, "There's a real change in the deal universe. After a tough few years, companies, lenders, and non-traditional lenders are back in business. As the equity marketplace once again looks at venture opportunities, I am excited to join Crowell & Moring to better help clients navigate the M&A reemergence."

Selman has extensive experience facilitating transformative growth of small to mid-cap public and emerging private technology and life science companies through corporate finance and securities work, and middle-market M&A's and other strategic transactions. His representation of public companies includes public offerings, PIPE transactions, and general SEC and national exchange compliance. He also advises clients on corporate governance issues including board and management matters and investor relations.

Selman has managed strategic transactions for clients which include mergers, tender offers, and asset and stock sales on both the buy and sell side, cross-border transactions, joint ventures, and intellectual property licensing and collaborative agreements. Frequently serving as an outside general counsel for clients, he has represented companies in a wide range of industries such as information technology, software (enterprise and consumer), the Internet, social networking, mobile device applications, interactive gaming and entertainment, media, semiconductor, network equipment, life sciences, biotech, medical devices, cleantech, geothermal, solar, agbio, battery, and energy storage. 

"Crowell & Moring offers broad-based experience and an expansive network of potential finance and strategic partners to clients who are looking for a firm that can help them achieve their business goals. It is a dynamic and entrepreneurial place to practice, and I am particularly pleased to be a part of expanding the Corporate Group in California, where the firm has grown tremendously in recent years," said Selman.

Selman's representative clients have included CerRx Inc., an early-stage cancer therapeutic company, and Bossa Nova Robotics, a developer of advanced robotic technologies.

Pollock received his B.A., cum laude, from Colgate University, where he was a member of Omicron Delta Epsilon, and his J.D. from Fordham Law School. Selman received his B.A., with distinction and honors, from Stanford University and his J.D. from Columbia University School of Law.

Crowell & Moring LLP is an international law firm with nearly 500 lawyers representing clients in litigation and arbitration, regulatory, and transactional matters. The firm is internationally recognized for its representation of Fortune 500 companies in high-stakes litigation, as well as its ongoing commitment to pro bono service and diversity. The firm has offices in Washington, DC, New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Orange County, Anchorage, London, and Brussels.