Jones Day Bulks Up PE Practice

Jones Day has made two additions to its private equity team in Pittsburgh: Fran Muracca II as a partner and Samuel Goncz as counsel. Both men previously were with Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney.

PRESS RELEASE 

International law firm Jones Day today announced the expansion of its Private Equity Group in Pittsburgh through the additions of prominent Pittsburgh attorneys Fran A. Muracca II as partner and Samuel J. Goncz as counsel.

Jones Day is an international law firm with 30 locations in centers of business and finance throughout the world. With more than 2,300 lawyers, including more than 400 in Europe, and 200 in Asia, it ranks among the world's largest law firms. Jones Day acts as principal outside counsel to, or provides significant legal representation for, more than half of the Fortune Global 500 companies.

“Fran and Sam bring vast experience to the all-important deal and tax structuring aspects of private equity, venture capital and other transactions involving affluent families and private business owners,” said Laura Ellsworth, partner in charge of Jones Day's Pittsburgh office. “They will work closely with Rachel Allen and other members of our corporate group to become integral parts of one of the largest transactional practices in the world.” Since 2000, both Thomson Financial and Bloomberg have ranked Jones Day No. 1 for number of deals worldwide.

Mr. Muracca, who comes to Jones Day from Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PC, where he chaired the national tax practice and, most recently, served as an executive shareholder, has advised entrepreneurs, professional sports franchise owners, venture capitalists and privately-held business owners on a range of federal tax and business issues. He also advises affluent families and business owners on wealth transfer tax and succession planning alternatives, including maximizing wealth through liquidity and diversification initiatives. A graduate of Duquesne University School of Law (J.D., 1985; editor-in-chief, executive managing editor, Juris Journal; National Order of Barristers) and the University of Pittsburgh (B.A., cum laude, 1981), Mr. Muracca serves on the national board of advisors for Tax Management Inc., a subsidiary of the Bureau of National Affairs, Inc., and is a contributing author to Tax Management's Corporate and Business Planning Journal, the firm's Tax Advisory series. He speaks frequently on federal tax planning, controversy and business planning strategies.

Mr. Goncz, who was also with Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney, is a graduate of Washington and Lee University School of Law (J.D., magna cum laude, Order of the Coif, 1992) and Grove City College (B.A., summa cum laude, 1989). He has been published in Tax Management's Estates, Gifts and Trusts Journal and the Monthly Digest of Tax Articles and has authored chapters in the Tax Practice Series. Mr. Goncz lectures for the Pennsylvania Bar Institute and is a member of Probate Council of the Allegheny County Bar Association.