Tess Dennis

Competent on the deal, but communication was a challenge

I engaged Tess Dennis at Winston & Strawn to assist with the acquisition of a small manufacturing company in the Austin area. Her background in leveraged buyouts and private equity law, including the recognition from Best Lawyers, was a primary factor in our selection. On the substantive legal work, particularly the structuring of the debt financing, Tess was undeniably sharp. She clearly understood the complexities of the transaction and her analysis of the purchase agreement was thorough. However, the experience was somewhat mixed. While her final work product was solid, there were periods during the diligence phase where responses to our emails took several days, and updates weren't as proactive as we would have liked from a firm of this caliber. For a straightforward deal, her expertise is certainly adequate, and she knows the Dallas/Texas market. Yet, for clients who prioritize consistent, timely communication alongside legal acumen, there may be room for improvement. She delivered on the core legal requirements, but the overall client service aspect felt just satisfactory.