Paul Shim was named a “Dealmaker of the Year” by The American Lawyer for his role advising Dollar Thrifty in its $2.3 billion acquisition by Hertz, described by the magazine as a “hotly contested sale” that was “one of the longest-running takeover sagas of the modern corporate age.” Paul is featured on the cover of the magazine and the article describes his dedication to the deal over seven years.
Paul commented that this complex and protracted transaction was “the most rewarding, interesting, and certainly the longest” of his 25-year career. He ran three separate solicitation processes, analyzed the multiple proposals received throughout the seven-year period, developed the various deal structures, and helped the company’s board and management navigate an unprecedented antitrust process, which former Dollar Thrifty CEO Scott Thompson claims was the longest in FTC history.
Thompson commented that “without Paul’s considerable skill and determination, [the deal] might not have [happened].” Dollar Thrifty’s former General Counsel Vicki Vaniman said that Paul is, “creative, responsible and so business-minded—he’s always thinking 10 steps ahead. If I ever get back into lawyering with another company, then I wouldn’t even consider using anyone else.”
“Dealmakers of the Year” is an annual feature published by The American Lawyer that spotlights a handful of lawyers who played pivotal roles in some of the most notable transactions of the previous year. Paul was previously named a “Dealmaker of the Year” in 2004.
The American Lawyer is a monthly magazine covering the business of law and lawyers, with an emphasis on the top 100 grossing law firms in the United States.