August 18, 2025
Willkie partners Edward Best and Esther Chang have been recognized among the “Notable M&A Dealmakers of 2025” by Crain’s Chicago Business.
They were honored for their leadership and achievements in complex, high-profile transactions as well as for their contributions to the Chicago business community.
Eddie Best, a partner in the Corporate & Financial Services Department and Co-Chair of Willkie’s Capital Markets practice, is widely recognized as both a leading capital markets lawyer and a top M&A attorney. Crain’s highlighted his experience advising Chubb on its acquisition of Healthy Paws, Tirago on its sale to Houlihan Lokey, and Assured Guaranty on the combination of its asset management business with Sound Point Capital Management, among other major matters.
Esther Chang, a partner in the Corporate & Financial Services Department and member of the Mergers & Acquisitions practice, was recognized for her record of success in domestic and cross-border deals, and for advising private equity sponsors on investments and corporate governance. Crain’s noted her work advising commercial property insurer FM on its acquisition of Velocity Specialty Insurance, Aviditi Advisors in its sale to Piper Sandler, and Proficient Auto Logistics in numerous acquisitions as well as its IPO.
View Crain’s Chicago Business’s “Notable M&A Dealmakers 2025” here (subscription required).
They were honored for their leadership and achievements in complex, high-profile transactions as well as for their contributions to the Chicago business community.
Eddie Best, a partner in the Corporate & Financial Services Department and Co-Chair of Willkie’s Capital Markets practice, is widely recognized as both a leading capital markets lawyer and a top M&A attorney. Crain’s highlighted his experience advising Chubb on its acquisition of Healthy Paws, Tirago on its sale to Houlihan Lokey, and Assured Guaranty on the combination of its asset management business with Sound Point Capital Management, among other major matters.
Esther Chang, a partner in the Corporate & Financial Services Department and member of the Mergers & Acquisitions practice, was recognized for her record of success in domestic and cross-border deals, and for advising private equity sponsors on investments and corporate governance. Crain’s noted her work advising commercial property insurer FM on its acquisition of Velocity Specialty Insurance, Aviditi Advisors in its sale to Piper Sandler, and Proficient Auto Logistics in numerous acquisitions as well as its IPO.
View Crain’s Chicago Business’s “Notable M&A Dealmakers 2025” here (subscription required).
