Kenton J. King

King remains part of an elite group of M&A lawyers regularly called upon to helm industry-shaping transactions in Silicon Valley.

He made his name in the 1990s doing massive semiconductor deals. Today, his name is at the top of some of the biggest and most interesting transactions involving technology companies.

Ever modest, King chalks up his success to his innovative clients. “I think we succeed as lawyers where we have interesting clients doing interesting things,” he said.

Success begets success, he said. Understand client priorities and structure solutions to help them achieve their goals, he counseled.

“Once you develop a track record ... clients appreciate the value you bring and tell other clients about it,” he said.

He also pointed to the vast resources of Skadden around the globe as integral to his success.

“Harnessing all of that and working as one firm together as a singularly focused team is important,” he said.

King advised Intel Corp. in its $1 billion sale of the majority of its smartphone modem business to Apple Inc. Through the deal, announced in late July, roughly 2,200 Intel employees will join Apple. The deal also gives Apple access to the intellectual property, equipment and leases associated with the business.

King also defended the board of Gannett, the nation’s largest newspaper chain, against a hostile takeover bid. MNG Enterprises, a hedge fund-owned media company doing business as Digital First Media, began the attempted takeover at the beginning of the year. Digital First Media nominated its own members to the Gannett board. Gannett was able to maintain control when its shareholders elected all eight of its nominees to its board in March.

He also represented Zayo Group Holdings Inc. in its $14.3 billion acquisition by two private equity funds.

— David Houston