DLA Piper has announced the continued expansion of its Corporate and M&A practices with the addition of Viktor Sapezhnikov as Partner. The move reinforces the firm’s ongoing commitment to growing its transactional capabilities across industries and geographies.
Sapezhnikov is widely recognized as a trusted advisor to public and private companies, boards of directors, special committees, and executive teams. His practice focuses on high-stakes mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance, and shareholder activism. He was named an American Lawyer Dealmaker of the Year in 2023, reflecting his reputation for handling transformative transactions with precision and insight.
Known for his extensive experience in both domestic and cross-border M&A, Sapezhnikov has advised on a wide range of transactions, including mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures, and spin-offs across various sectors, including technology, media, telecommunications, healthcare, life sciences, real estate, and logistics. His strategic counsel enables clients to navigate complex business combinations and governance matters, with a focus on achieving long-term success.
Throughout his career, he has advised a global semiconductor company on one of the decade’s most significant technology acquisitions, guided healthcare manufacturers on complex mergers and divestitures, and advised real estate investment trusts on strategic combinations. He also played a pivotal role in a landmark merger that transformed a primary US telecommunications provider into one of the largest broadband and media companies, and has provided ongoing counsel to a global logistics leader on acquisitions, divestitures, and capital markets transactions.
Sapezhnikov’s appointment is part of DLA Piper’s ongoing expansion of its Corporate, M&A, and Finance practices. In recent months, the firm has welcomed several high-profile partners, including Stephanie Yarbrough, Jeff Klein, Tom Levato, and Justin Michael, each contributing to DLA Piper’s growing reputation as a market leader in complex deal execution.
With more than 1,000 corporate lawyers worldwide, DLA Piper continues to support clients across every stage of their business lifecycle. The firm has held the #1 ranking in global M&A deal volume for 15 consecutive years, according to Mergermarket, and also ranks #1 globally across venture capital, private equity, and M&A deal volume, according to PitchBook.
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“Viktor’s experience and capabilities will further help our clients achieve their goals in M&A and other transactional matters, as well as with shareholder engagement. As our clients’ markets evolve and become more complex, we continue to enhance our ability to deliver the results our clients need.”
John Gilluly, US Vice Chair and Head of DLA Piper’s Transactional Practices
“Viktor’s work across transformative transactions and governance matters will help us provide clients with the strategic insights and execution needed to be successful in their competitive markets. He enhances our capabilities to deliver sophisticated and practical counsel to our clients globally and across industries.”
Andrew Gilbert, US Chair of DLA Piper’s Corporate Practice
