Howard T. Spilko

Howard was named Dealmaker of the Year at The Deal’s 2020 Middle Market NYC Awards. He was also named one of America’s leading dealmakers by Lawdragon 500 every year since 2021. Both Chambers USA and Legal 500 US have repeatedly recognized Howard as a highly regarded practitioner in mergers and acquisitions and other transactional work, citing clients who describe him as “my go-to lawyer when I need practical, thoughtful advice from someone who knows the marketplace. He is a terrific negotiator and he excels at explaining complicated concepts.” Clients also say he is “a counselor in the truest sense. I feel lucky to have him as a partner on our team.” Other clients and industry sources say that Howard is “not only commercially very smart and capable, but he also has a very agreeable demeanor in negotiations.” Howard “does a good job of knowing what matters and what does not,” and “combines his precision with practical, commercial advice.” Clients laud Howard for his client service, saying that he is “incredibly responsive” and “very easy to work with,” as well as “a true partner who is able to really drive value through his guidance” and able “to digest and advise on complicated topics in a creative, measured and commercial manner.” Clients also look to Howard as “a shrewd negotiator with an ability to make complicated problems straightforward,” whose “combination of knowing the legal skills, demeanor, style and tone is fantastic”; they describe him as “excellent” and “a consistent, steady hand in negotiations.” Clients consider Howard a “strategic ally to clients; his willingness to go the extra mile is well known, and his low-key style belies his shrewdness as a negotiator.” He has been commended over the years for his ability to “unlock hidden value in a deal, and steer transactions to successful closings with grace” and “bring both sides together in a difficult transactional environment,” and he has been described as an “entrepreneurial” and “accomplished” lawyer who has “great skills and is highly practical” as well as a “great draftsman and a great problem-solver” who “produces fair-priced, impeccable legal work.” Legal 500 US also noted his “particular knowledge of the strategic use of representations and warranties insurance during acquisitions,” and Global M&A Network named him to its Top 50 Americas M&A Dealmakers and M&A Star Dealmakers lists in 2014.

Among his most notable work, Howard has represented Stone Point Capital and its Trident funds in numerous acquisitions, dispositions and joint ventures.

In addition to his work on behalf of clients, Howard is a member of the board of directors of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, New York City chapter. He also serves as a member of the firm's Executive Committee.