Women in Dealmaking

/Overview

Across corporate America, women are leading the conversations, negotiating the terms, and closing the deals for some of the biggest transactions in mergers and acquisitions and private equity. The days of being “the only woman in the room” are fading, replaced by a lively dealmaking environment that showcases the creative dynamism, close collaboration, and keen business insights of women leaders.

At Nixon Peabody, we understand that bringing like-minded, high-powered women together has a multiplying effect, and we know that corporate women play pivotal roles in supporting each other’s growth and success. In 2021, three of our women partners founded the firm’s Women in Dealmaking initiative to build on the momentum of this evolution and direct its benefits to our clients, industry peers, and colleagues.

Women in Dealmaking is a robust national network of trailblazing women leaders in M&A and private equity, created to establish strong cross-industry connections, capitalize on new business opportunities, and elevate the voices of women to increase equity and impact in a space long dominated by men. This network is now more than 1,000 women strong, and has led directly to significant deals, new streams of work, and lifelong professional connections.
By leveraging our community of women lawyers, we connect the broader network of women in dealmaking through a variety of platforms, including industry panels, podcasts, and professional development and networking events.

Diverse perspectives in the dealmaking community lead directly to better business outcomes and happier clients —benefiting women and men alike.

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/Representative experience

This is a sampling of recent deals led or co-led by the women leading this initiative.

Gemini Investors: Represented in the sale of one of its portfolio companies, ABCSP, LLC, a franchisor of non-medical home healthcare franchises throughout the United States, to NexPhase Capital, a New York-based private equity firm that invests primarily in the consumer, healthcare, and software industries. 

ZyMōt Fertility: Represented reproductive technology company DxNow Inc., the owner of ZyMōt Fertility Inc., in the sale of ZyMōt to CooperSurgical Inc. 

SAES Getters S.p.A.: Represented an Italian public company in the sale of its Nitinol business and, in particular, of the U.S. subsidiaries Memry Corporation and SAES Smart Materials, Inc., to Resonetics, LLC for $900 million.

High Purity New England., Inc.: Represented a premier provider of single-use solutions for bioprocessing applications in its sale to Datascope Corp., a U.S.-based subsidiary of the Swedish public company Getinge for $120 million (+ earn-out opportunity). 

Pet Food Express, LLC: Represented a premium pet food retailer in its sale to an affiliate of Rainier Capital Partners. 

Health Catalyst, Inc.: Represented a leading provider of data and analytics technology and services to health organizations in its acquisitions of Healthfinch, Inc.; VitalWare, LLC; Twistle, Inc.; KPI Ninja, Inc.; Armus Corporation; Electronic Registry Systems, LLC, Carevive, Inc., Lumeon Limited; Intraprise Health; and UpFront Healthcare Services. 

Sobriety Centers of New Hampshire: Represented a drug rehabilitation center in northern New Hampshire specializing in in-patient and out-patient drug rehabilitation programs and sober living facilities, in its sale to a private equity fund. 

Mid-States Bolt & Screw LLC: Represented a family-owned fastener-distribution and inventory-management company in its acquisition by a subsidiary of the private-equity firm Morgenthaler Private Equity.

/Events and Thought Leadership

• Hot Topics in the Middle Market: Annual roundtable discussion featuring a panel of leading women dealmakers discussing Private Equity and M&A trends and opportunities.
• Let’s Talk! Our women-focused conversation series showcasing dynamic women by inviting them to speak about their career journeys and paths to leadership.
• Women in Dealmaking Video Series: Video highlighting the impressive women in our network. 
• Supper Clubs: Intimate, curated dinner series bringing women together from various markets and every corner of the dealmaking landscape.

/Recognition

• Nixon Peabody’s Women in Dealmaking Initiative received “Gender Diversity Advocacy North America Firm of the Year” at 2026 Women in Business Law Americas Awards 
• Nixon Peabody named a Tier 1 National firm for Venture Capital Law in the 2026 edition of Best Law Firms®
• Ranked in Chambers USA for Corporate/M&A in Massachusetts and Upstate New York, and nationally for Startups & Emerging Companies
• Awarded the M&A Advisor’s “Healthcare & Life Sciences Deal of the Year (Under $100M)” for our role in the sale of Zymōt Fertility, Inc. to CooperSurgical
• Corporate partner Amy O’Keefe has been named:
  • Lawyers Weekly "Top Women of Law" 2025
  • Finalist for Corporate Counsel’s 2025 Women, Influence & Power in Law (WIPL) Award for Law Firm Collaborative Leadership
  • Women in Business Law—“Mergers and Acquisitions Lawyer of the Year” for 2024
  • Mergers & Acquisitions “Most Influential Women in Mid-Market M&A” from 2024-2026
  • The Legal500 US 2025 editorial recommendations for M&A/corporate and commercial “M&A: Middle-Market (sub-$500m)”
  • The Deal “Top Women in Dealmaking” for 2023
• Corporate partner Marissa Wiley has been named:
  • M&A Advisor’s 2025 “Emerging Leaders Award”
  • Mergers & Acquisitions “Most Influential Women in Mid-Market M&A” for 2025 and 2026
  • Albany Business Review, 40 Under 40 Alumni in 2024
  • Women in Business Law—Shortlist for “Energy Natural Resources & Mining Lawyer of the Year,” “Media & Entertainment Lawyer of the Year,” and “Private Equity Lawyer of the Year” for 2024
• Shaziah Singh selected for Women, Influence, and Power in Law Award, Next Generation of Leaders 
• Jena Grady selected for Crain’s New York Business Notable Women in Law 2026