Dorsey & Whitney Adds Cross-Border M&A Veteran Marcello Hallake in New York

Event summary

  • Marcello Hallake joins Dorsey & Whitney as a Partner in the Mergers & Acquisitions group in New York, effective January 29, 2026.
  • Hallake brings over 30 years of experience in high-profile global M&A transactions, particularly in regulated and politically sensitive environments.
  • He previously served as a Partner at DLA Piper and holds advanced degrees from Université Catholique de Louvain and Georgetown University Law School.
  • Hallake's expertise spans energy, natural resources, infrastructure, telecommunications, media, healthcare, and technology sectors.

The big picture

Dorsey & Whitney's hire of Marcello Hallake underscores the growing importance of cross-border M&A expertise in an increasingly globalized legal market. The move comes as firms compete to advise on complex transactions in politically sensitive sectors, particularly in energy and infrastructure. Hallake's multilingual capabilities and deep regional knowledge position Dorsey to better serve clients navigating regulatory challenges across multiple jurisdictions.

What we're watching

Cross-Border Deal Flow
How Hallake's addition will impact Dorsey's ability to compete for high-stakes international transactions.
Sector Specialization
Whether Dorsey can leverage Hallake's expertise to expand its presence in regulated industries like energy and healthcare.
New York Office Growth
The pace at which Dorsey's New York office can attract additional high-profile lateral hires in the M&A space.