Michael Helmer has left DLA Piper, where he served as co-managing partner in the Short Hills, New Jersey, office, to join Squire Patton Boggs' New Jersey corporate practice.

"We all have to get better, more focused, and more efficient to succeed in a very challenging marketplace," Helmer said.

Helmer focuses his practice on mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance, corporate governance and other commercial transactions, with a concentration of clients in the energy and power, technology, life sciences, and transportation sectors. He also acts as outside general counsel for clients.

"Squire presented a unique opportunity to launch an international corporate practice at a top law firm, with a great international reach," Helmer said.

"I have had a long-term relationship with my close friend and former colleague, Mark Sheridan, and a long standing friendship with global managing partner Steve Mahon," he said.

Helmer decided to make the move after just a few weeks of discussions with Squire.

"I'm confident that all my clients and relationships will work with me at my new firm," said Helmer, including Subaru of America, Ports America, Phibro Animal Health Corp., Transmission Developers, Champlain Hudson Power Express, Lightening Energy, and GTherm Energy.

Helmer said he was drawn to Squire due to its strong practice capabilities, such as its energy, transportation, and automotive practice areas.

"Squire has one of the leading automotive practices in the country. I know that expertise will be important to significant clients, like Subaru," he said.

Helmer has particular experience in intermodal transportation and marine port terminal transactions. His recent transactions include representing Seaspan Corp., the world's largest container ship owner, in its $750 million acquisition of APR Energy earlier this year.

"Ports America is a good example. Over the last few years, I've closed multiple transactions for them up to and over the $100 million-plus [in] size, relating to their acquisitions of equity interests in marine port terminals around the world," Helmer said.

"The ports themselves, working together with terminal operators and union officials, have done a very good job at addressing the COVID-19 challenges, and keep goods flowing into our commerce," Helmer said.

"The biggest challenge is the economic uncertainty and trade policies, which have caused shippers and their customers to have to predict consumer trends in the future," he said.

Until medical solutions are clearer, that uncertainty will persist, he explained.

In terms of how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected his practice, Helmer says that most lawyers and staff are doing a great job of adjusting to the remote work model, although, "You do miss something by not having in-person contact with your colleagues, and while video calls help, at some point you do want to be in the work environment to collaborate and share knowledge," he said.

After 30 years of living and practicing law in New Jersey, Helmer is eager to help Squire grow its New Jersey and New York metro corporate practice.

"Mike is a highly regarded corporate M&A and finance lawyer with deep connections in New Jersey and across the New York Metro business community," said New Jersey managing partner Mark Sheridan.

"He is a great fit for our firm, and will establish our corporate practice in New Jersey, as well as expand our transactional offering across the region and nationally," he said.