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A&O Shearman expands Chicago office with new M&A and private equity partner

A&O Shearman expands Chicago office with new M&A and private equity partner
Published Date
Jan 27 2026
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Image of Valentine Bleicher
Valentine BleicherPartner, Chicago
Image of Adam Hakki
Adam HakkiPartner, Co-Chair Executive Committee/Board and U.S. Chair, New York
Image of Alain Dermarkar
Alain Dermarkar Partner, Dallas

A&O Shearman today announces the appointment of Valentine (Val) Bleicher as a mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and private equity (PE) partner in Chicago, Illinois.

Val’s arrival marks a significant step in the firm’s commitment to expanding its U.S. Corporate, M&A, and Private Equity practices. Following the opening of A&O Shearman’s Chicago office last year, her presence provides a strategic advantage in the Midwest, offering an additional key point partner in a region that is critical to the firm’s clients and market growth.

Val brings extensive experience and a strong sponsor-side M&A track record across the public and private markets, including leveraged buyouts, divestitures, complex carve-outs, refinancings, and recapitalizations. Her profile directly supports one of A&O Shearman’s top strategic priorities of deepening its private capital offering, which is one of the firm’s fastest-growing sectors. In addition, Val will enhance the firm’s ability to build cross-border relationships and capture greater market share as deal activity accelerates. Fluent in French and admitted to the Paris, Illinois, and New York bars, Val regularly advises French sponsors and corporates on U.S. transactions.

“Val is an important addition to our elite and growing private equity and M&A team in the U.S. Val is a rising star and her skills in private equity and cross-border work align with our goals and client needs exceptionally well.”

Alain Dermarkar, U.S. head of Private Equity and U.S. co-head of M&A, said: “Val’s expertise in complex transactions and her proven track record in sponsor-side M&A make her an outstanding addition to our team. Her arrival enhances our ability to provide seamless, high-quality advice across the U.S. and globally.”

“I am thrilled to join A&O Shearman and contribute to the firm’s ambitious growth strategy in private equity and M&A and to the development of the Chicago office,” said Val Bleicher. “The opportunity to work with such a talented team to support clients on their most strategic domestic and cross-border transactions is incredibly exciting.”

Val joins A&O Shearman from Kirkland & Ellis.

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