Charles W. Mulaney, Jr.

Charles W. Mulaney, Jr. is a distinguished corporate attorney recognized for his leadership in mergers and acquisitions, including both friendly and contested transactions, as well as in corporate governance and securities law. He counsels clients on complex disclosure obligations, fiduciary duties, and shareholder activism. His practice spans major sectors including healthcare, capital markets, and life sciences.

Mr. Mulaney earned his Juris Doctor from Yale Law School in 1974, where he served as an editor of the Yale Law Journal. He received his A.B. degree summa cum laude from Georgetown University in 1971. Following law school, he clerked for the Honorable Edward Weinfeld of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.

Throughout his career, Charles W. Mulaney, Jr., has been instrumental in negotiating and executing high-value transactions, including Rockwell Collins’ $30 billion sale to United Technologies and Hospira’s $17 billion acquisition by Pfizer. He has represented companies and special committees in strategic transactions, internal investigations, and proxy contests, earning national recognition for his deal-making expertise.

Mr. Mulaney advises leading investment banks and Fortune 500 companies on complex financing transactions, corporate governance, and securities law compliance. He has played a key role in landmark deals, including the $60 billion Ameritech–SBC Communications merger and the $13 billion leveraged buyout of Tribune Company. His track record highlights deep expertise at the intersection of corporate law, regulatory strategy, and high‑stakes business negotiations.

Mr. Mulaney’s achievements have earned him accolades, including Midwest Trailblazer by The American Lawyer, multiple Best Lawyers honors, and induction into Lawdragon’s Hall of Fame. He is frequently invited to speak at leading universities and director institutes, including Northwestern, the University of Chicago, and Duke, on topics related to mergers, acquisitions, and corporate governance.

Charles W. Mulaney, Jr.’s combination of deep legal knowledge, practical business insight, and unwavering client advocacy makes him one of the most respected figures in corporate law today.

Law Office Affiliations

• Of Counsel, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
• Member, Corporate and Securities Law Institute

Licensed State

• Illinois

Education

• Yale Law School
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• Georgetown University
  AB with Summa Cum Laude

Awards & Badges