Experienced Corporate and Financial Services Lawyers Charles Bethill and Mark Sokolow Join Arnold & Porter LLP

New York, New York, July 23, 2014 -- Arnold & Porter LLP announced today that Charles Bethill and Mark Sokolow have joined the firm as partner and senior counsel, respectively, in its New York office.  Mr. Bethill is a veteran advisor with extensive experience handling corporate transactions, complex financing, and corporate governance matters for companies in the financial services industry.  Mr. Sokolow advises financial services clients on regulatory, corporate and securities issues including general securities law compliance.  Both Mr. Bethill and Mr. Sokolow have worked closely together for many years.

Mr. Bethill represents clients in corporate transactions including mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures, strategic alliances, with a focus on those that involve financial services companies and financial market utilities.  He is involved in complex financing transactions, including revolving credit facilities, term loans, private placements, equipment leases, sale-leasebacks and more, and counsels clients on matters related to corporate governance, business ethics and corporate best practices. 

"Chuck's sophisticated transactional practice includes a deep and practical understanding of corporate issues facing financial institutions, making him a perfect complement to our firm's strong presence in the financial services industry," said Kevin Lavin, head of Arnold & Porter's Corporate & Securities group. 

Mr. Sokolow represents banks and thrifts and their holding companies on regulatory, corporate, and securities matters and before banking regulators.  In addition, he advises financial services companies on issues related to corporate governance and general securities law compliance, and represents clients in connection with mergers, acquisitions and dispositions.

"Chuck and Mark are highly regarded corporate attorneys in the financial services industry.  Their addition allows us to build upon the comprehensive range of services we provide our clients," said Stewart Aaron, head of Arnold & Porter's New York office.  "Their combined experience adds further depth to our national practice, as well as to our team in New York."

Arnold & Porter's Corporate and Securities group executes both routine corporate matters and high-stakes transactions that require innovative thinking and novel structures, representing issuers, underwriters, acquirers, targets, financial institutions, borrowers, governments, governmental entities, private equity and venture capital firms, and investment funds, among others.  The practice provides services to a wide variety of corporate clients, handling matters from complex, high-profile mergers and acquisitions for multinational FORTUNE 500 companies to vital business transactions for rising mid-market companies, start-ups, and entrepreneurs.

"Arnold & Porter's sophisticated corporate and securities practice and deep experience in the financial services industry, present an ideal platform that will allow us to provide unparalleled offerings to our clients on the range of issues affecting their businesses," said Mr. Bethill.  "I look forward to being part of the esteemed group, collaborating with my new partners, and continuing to practice with Mark, who brings significant talent to the organization."

Mr. Bethill earned his J.D. from Columbia Law School.  He obtained an M.A. and M. Phil. from Columbia Graduate School, after graduating from Columbia College as a Phi Beta Kappa and magna cum laude.  Mr. Sokolow received his J.D. cum laude, from the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, and his B.A. from Yeshiva University.

Arnold & Porter LLP is an international law firm of nearly 800 lawyers with offices in Brussels, Denver, Houston London, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Silicon Valley, and Washington, D. C.  The firm, founded in 1946, maintains more than 25 practice areas spanning a broad spectrum of the law, with a primary focus on litigation, transactional matters, and regulatory issues.