Business Journal makes its case for L.A.’s top lawyers who shepherd the biggest M&A deals.

S. ELIZABETH FOSTER

FIRM: SNR Denton US LLP

LAW SCHOOL: UCLA

SELECTED CLIENTS: Nefsis Corp., RDH Chemical Co., Shilo Design, Socius Capital Group, WiredRed Corp.

YEARS IN PRACTICE: 15

Biggest Deal: Represented a private-equity investor in $1 billion divestment of one portfolio company. Also represented Chase Manhattan Bank in a global private placement of $1 billion in euro-denominated notes.

Most Difficult Deal: The $1 billion divestment deal. It took nearly a year to complete, was structured as three separate sale transactions with three different buyers, involved public as well as private selling shareholders, and finally closed Dec. 30, 1999. By then, everyone on the deal team was really ready to leave work and celebrate the new millennium.

Best Career Moment: Closing a $100 million IPO on the Swiss stock exchange for my client Leica Geosystems, at that time the largest ever IPO for Switzerland.

Worst: Any time my client and I work really hard to push a deal to closing and it doesn’t go through despite our best intentions and hard work.

The Secret to Closing a Deal: Stay focused on your client’s business and economic objectives.

If I Weren’t an Attorney: I would probably be an investment banker because I love doing deals.

My Colleagues Don’t Know: I have traveled to over 40 countries. My favorites are Thailand and France.