O’Melveny M&A Leader Jumps to Baker McKenzie in New York

Baker McKenzie is picking up the head of O’Melveny & Myers’ US mergers and acquisitions and private equity practice in move that further expands its deal roster.

Tobias “Toby” Knapp is joining Baker McKenzie’s North America transactional practice, the firm announced Tuesday. He will serve as the co-head of its New York transactional group,

The Chicago-founded law firm that has been looking to expand its M&A and private equity practice across the country.

Baker McKenzie last month brought on a 17-lawyer corporate group from Munger Tolles & Olson, including 11 partners, in Los Angeles. It also welcomed Latham & Watkins dealmaker Eric Schwartzman in San Francisco as head of its private equity practice in California.

Knapp, who specializes in cross-border transactions, said in an interview that he has been seeing the increasing importance of having a broad international presence as a law firm. Baker McKenzie’s widespread global network provided the right opportunity for his clients, he said.

“I was looking for a place that was very successful and having that network together with a culture of partners instinctively jumping to work together to help clients meet their business objectives,” Knapp said.

Tobias Knapp

Photo: Baker McKenzie

Knapp joined O’Melveny in 2015 from Jenner & Block, where he was the co-chair of its private equity group and head of its New York corporate practice. He also was a member of Jenner’s firm-wide management committee.

Over his 25-year career, he has represented public and private companies as well as private equity sponsors and asset managers on strategic and investment transactions. He also works on corporate governance, shareholder activism, fiduciary and investment advisory relationships, and a broad range of capital raising transactions.

He has advised TTM Technologies on various transactions, including its $330 million acquisition of aerospace and defense company Telephonics Corp. in 2022. He also advised fuboTV in its acquisition of French live TV streaming service Molotov.

“Toby’s strength in M&A and private equity make him an ideal addition to our team and our transactional growth strategy,” Alan Zoccolillo, Baker McKenzie’s North America transactional practice chair said in a statement.