Grant R. Darwin

Competent on complex M&A, but communication could improve

Our mid-sized tech firm engaged Grant Darwin and his team at Proskauer Rose to handle the acquisition of a smaller competitor. We selected him based on his firm's reputation and his specific recognition in Mergers and Acquisitions Law, which was clearly relevant. On the substantive legal work, particularly around the leveraged buyout financing structure, Grant was undeniably sharp. His analysis of the debt covenants and equity rollover provisions was thorough, reflecting the expertise you'd expect from an attorney recognized in private equity. However, the experience felt somewhat transactional. While he was always prepared in meetings, proactive communication between them was inconsistent. We sometimes experienced longer-than-expected wait times for responses to non-urgent emails, which created minor delays in our internal decision-making. For a matter of this complexity, we anticipated a slightly more engaged partnership. He capably navigated the corporate law intricacies and delivered a solid closing, but the client service aspect felt more adequate than exceptional. He is clearly a knowledgeable attorney, especially for the technical aspects of a deal, but managing client expectations and day-to-day accessibility seem to be areas for growth as he builds his practice beyond his two years of experience.