HSF Kramer has made its first lateral partner hire in the US since the merger that created the firm went live at the start of June.
Burr Eckstut has joined the firm in New York as head of its US technology transactions practice and a partner in its corporate group. He advises clients on IP and tech-driven deals, including licensing and development agreements, IP acquisitions, joint ventures and the IP aspects of M&A.
Justin D’Agostino, global CEO of HSF Kramer, commented: “We have an ambitious growth plan in the US, and the expansion of our transactional capabilities is a key strategic priority and an important extension of our global platform. Burr’s skills enhance our ability to advise on complex transactions across borders and industries. His experience also complements HSF Kramer’s practices in the energy and TMT sectors.”
Eckstut’s work at White & Case included advising NRG Energy in its $2.8bn acquisition of smart home platform business Vivint Smart Home and Occidental Petroleum on a number of matters including its joint venture with Berkshire Hathaway subsidiary BHE Renewables. He also advised the government of El Salvador in its seven-year strategic partnership with Google Cloud as the country moved to become a tech hub in Central America.
Eckstut joined White & Case in 2022 after four years at Covington & Burling, where he was counsel and co-chaired its fintech inititative. Before that he held in-house roles at Bloomberg and brings particular expertise in fintech, energy and infrastructure and AI to his new firm.
“Burr will be a strong resource for our clients and a catalyst for our continued growth in tech-driven transactions,” said Howard Spilko and Ernest Wechsler, co-chairs of HSF Kramer’s US corporate practice. “Many clients are navigating increasingly complex deals where IP rights, data and technology are central to the value thesis. Burr understands these dynamics and adds a valuable dimension to our practice.”
A White & Case spokesperson commented: “We can confirm that Burr Eckstut has departed White & Case. We wish him well in his future endeavours.”
Eckstut is one of the first laterals to join HSF Kramer since the merger between HSF and Kramer Levin went live 1 June, creating a firm with 2,700 lawyers globally and revenue of more than $2bn. The merged firm said it would focus on growing in private equity, bankruptcy and restructuring, disputes, real estate and securitisation as well as its broader transactional offering. It also aims to build its New York presence, where it has around 330 lawyers according its website, and its regulatory and technology practices centred on its Washington DC and Silicon Valley offices.
In June the firm hired partner Alison Hardy from Ashurst in London to head its real estate dispute resolution practice and earlier this month added antitrust partner Laurence Bary in Paris from Dechert. Also this month the former secretary general of Interpol, Jürgen Stock, joined the firm in Germany as a legal adviser.
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