R. Ronald Hopkinson, the head of Cadwalader's Private Equity Group, concentrates his practice in private equity and complex corporate transactions. He has played a significant role in some of the largest leveraged buyouts and high profile private equity transactions consummated in the marketplace on behalf of some of the world's largest private equity firms and private equity consortiums. He also has worked with leading corporations in major acquisitions, joint ventures, and corporate restructurings.

His representations include serving as counsel to:

• the U.S. Treasury in both the General Motors and Chrysler restructurings
• a consortium formed by The Carlyle Group and Welsh Carson in connection with their $7 billion acquisition of QwestDex
• a consortium formed by The Blackstone Group, The Carlyle Group, Hellman & Friedman LLC, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. L.P. and Thomas H. Lee Partners, L.P. in their $12 billion acquisition of VNU, Inc.
• The Carlyle Group in its acquisition of Hawaiian Telecom, Inc.
• Welsh Carson in connection with its acquisition of Caribe Information Investment, Inc.
• Harrah's Entertainment, Inc. in connection with its $27 billion sale to Apollo Management and Texas Pacific Group
• Dex Media, Inc. in connection with its $9.8 billion sale to R.H. Donnelly Corporation
• The Carlyle Group in connection with its acquisition of the aerostructures business of Northrop Grumman Corporation
• Hubbell Incorporated in connection with its acquisition of Lighting Corporation of America Co.
• Capital Automotive REIT in its $3 billion sale to DRA Advisors.
• Park Place Entertainment Corporation in connection with its $3 billion acquisition of Caesars World, Inc.

Ron, who was selected as a "Dealmaker of the Year" by The American Lawyer in 2003, received his B.A., magna cum laude, from Harvard University in 1984 and his J.D., cum laude, from Harvard University in 1988. Prior to attending law school he was employed as an economic analyst with the Brookings Institution.