Private Equity
About
Transactions are increasingly complex and competition is intense among private equity firms and other investors. Experience, speed and the ability to innovate have become more important than ever.
The amount of time it takes to structure a private equity transaction can make or break a deal. When the stakes are high and time is short, private equity leaders turn to us to develop creative strategies to help them win auctions, mitigate risks and close deals quickly. From groundbreaking, monumental acquisitions to smaller strategic add-on deals, our private equity teams have implemented transactions with precision and care for established institutions, entrepreneurs and emerging visionaries alike.
Adding value to your deal from start to finish
When structuring a transaction, we begin by thoroughly evaluating the investment under consideration and acquisition proposals with value-add in mind. Our lawyers advise you on structuring and presenting bids, negotiating and drafting acquisition agreements and financing documents, offering guidance and insight right through to the end of the transaction. Our team supports clients through all stages of a deal, including:
- Initial fundraising, formation and building the private equity investment fund
- Investment decisions
- Day-to-day management of portfolio companies, including restructurings, existing debt refinancing, add-on acquisitions and management incentive schemes
- Exit from investments, whether by sales or recapitalizations of portfolio companies or by taking them public
Everything you need from one team
Our clients rely on us to provide them with sound solutions and first-rate representation in every major area of law, industry and global jurisdiction.
Our teams support private equity clients everywhere in the world – in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Africa. We have offices in all major financial centers and virtually every significant emerging market.
We know the private equity world. We are experienced at all levels of the capital structure, and offer clients dedicated "sponsor focused teams", regardless of where in the capital structure you are investing or exiting. We offer access to all US and European forms of debt financing and will shape our team to meet our clients' needs.
Dedicated team beyond the deal
We are the original innovators of the dedicated portfolio company team concept. We have a team of private equity lawyers who help support the relationship between sponsor and portfolio company by advising portfolio companies on all aspects affecting their capital structures, management incentive structures, strategic issues and other advisory work. This team, which is staffed with corporate and finance lawyers, is responsible for delivering our full service capability to portfolio companies on a one-stop-shop basis.
A one-stop-shop for private equity
Our private equity team is a highly integrated, multi-disciplinary group with lawyers who know how to get deals done. We are collaborating from across our network of offices to provide clients with seamless service and deep industry experience, even on the most complex of mandates involving multiple specialties and jurisdictions. Our private equity practice works closely with professionals across the Firm including:
- Leveraged finance, including traditional acquisition finance and high yield bonds
- Tax structuring
- Employment, compensation & benefits
- Financial restructuring & insolvency
- Funds
- Antitrust/Competition
- Equity capital markets
- Dispute
- Real estate
- Intellectual property
- Regulatory & compliance
View all lawyers in Private Equity
View our Investment Funds capabilities
AWARDS & RECOGNITION
#1 for Cross-Border Global M&A Deals
Bloomberg M&A League Tables Q3 2020
#3 for Global Private Equity by value
Bloomberg M&A League Tables Q3 2020
#1 for European Private Equity by value
Bloomberg M&A League Tables Q3 2020
#1 for US Private Equity by value
Mergermarket M&A League Tables H1 2020
Ranked Tier 1 for Private Equity in the US and New York
Best Lawyers 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020
Private Equity Deal of the Year
Brookfield Infrastructure and GIC US$8.4 billion acquisition of Genesee & Wyoming Inc. (NYSE:GWR)
IFLR Americas Awards 2020
Private Equity Team of the Year
M&A Advisor 2018
Ranked Top 5 Globally for Private Equity Buyouts by Deal Value
Mergermarket 2016, 2017, 2018
#1 Law Firm for Asia PE by deal value
Mergermarket M&A League Tables 2018
Experience
To find out more about our work with European fast growth companies please view Our work with market leaders: Fast growth companies
ADVENT INTERNATIONAL
Sale of stake in a leading premium sleep solution provider in China, 2021
We represented Advent International in the sale of its controlling interest in AI Dream, a leading premium sleep solution provider that operates global brands Serta and King Koil in China.
ANTIN INFRASTRUCTURE
Sale of Roadchef, 2021
We represented Antin Infrastructure Partners on its sale of Roadchef, the UK's third largest motorway service area operator, to a fund managed by Macquarie Asset Management.
US$1.25 billion acquisition of Veolia's US district energy assets, 2019
We represented Antin Infrastructure Partners on its acquisition for US$1.25 billion from Veolia Environment SA of its district energy assets in the United States.
Sale of Euroports, 2019
We represented Antin Infrastructure Partners, Brookfield Asset Management and Arcus Infrastructure Partners on the sale of Euroports.
BRITE ENERGY PARTNERS
BlackRock's investment in Brite Energy Partners, 2021
We represented Brite Energy Partners on its equity financing from BlackRock Global Renewable Power Fund III, a unit of the world's largest asset manager BlackRock Inc.
BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT
US$10.8 billion acquisition of Inter Pipeline, 2021
We represented Brookfield Infrastructure Partners in its US$10.8 billion unsolicited bid to acquire Inter Pipeline Ltd., a Canadian company publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange.
50:50 joint venture with Digital Realty, 2021
We represented Brookfield Infrastructure Partners L.P. in the negotiation and execution of transaction documents to establish a 50:50 joint venture with Digital Realty focused on the development, ownership and operation of institutional quality data centers in India.
US$8.4 billion acquisition of Genesee & Wyoming Inc. (NYSE: GWR), 2020
We represented a consortium comprised of Brookfield Infrastructure and Singapore's sovereign wealth fund GIC in the US$8.4 billion acquisition of Genesee & Wyoming Inc. (NYSE: GWR), a freight railroad owner and operator in the United States. This novel transaction went on to be named, "Private Equity Deal of the Year."
BROOKFIELD INFRASTRUCTURE
£4.08 billion recommended offer for HomeServe PLC, 2022
We represented Brookfield Infrastructure in connection with its £4.08 billion recommended offer for HomeServe PLC, a home repairs and emergency services group with businesses across the UK, US, Europe and Asia.
CENTERBRIDGE PARTNERS
Acquisition of largest insurance group in Israel, 2019
We represented Centerbridge Partners and Gallatin Point Capital in the acquisition of 32.5 percent stake in Phoenix Holdings Ltd. from Delek Group Ltd.
CERTARES
Investment in Avoya Travel, 2021
We represented Certares LP in its preferred equity investment in Avoya Travel, a leading travel marketing and technology company.
Investment in MysticInvest, 2019
We represented Certares in its 40 percent investment in MysticInvest Holding, S.A.
COBEPA
Investment in Reaction Biology Corporation, 2022
We represented Cobepa in its Reaction Biology Corporation, an industry-leading provider of drug discovery services, as well as the financing of the transaction.
€1.5 billion sale of J.F. Hillebrand Group AG, 2021
We represented Cobepa in its €1.5 billion sale of J.F. Hillebrand Group AG, an international logistics company specializing in beer, wine and spirits.
Acquisition of Corsearch, 2021
We represented Cobepa in its acquisition of Corsearch, a global leader in intellectual property and brand protection, from US Audax Private Equity.
CVC CAPITAL PARTNERS
Investment in Authentic Brands Group, 2021
We represented CVC Capital Partners in a consortium of investors in the investment of a 22.55 percent stake in Authentic Brands Group LLC, a brand management company and owner of a portfolio of brand name companies, including Forever 21, Brooks Brothers, Barneys New York, Lucky Brand and Juicy Couture, valuing the company at US$12.7 billion in enterprise value.
Acquisition of MedRisk, 2021
We represented CVC Capital Partners in its acquisition of a majority stake in MedRisk, a leading provider of managed physical medicine services for the workers' compensation industry in the US.
Acquisition of a majority stake in a leading Chinese marketing services conglomerate, 2021
We represented CVC Capital Partners in its acquisition, with minority co-investor Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec, of a majority stake in the international agencies of BlueFocus Intelligent Communications Group Co., Ltd.
Acquisition of a majority interest in ExamWorks, 2021
We represented CVC in its acquisition of a majority interest in ExamWorks, a global leader in independent medical examinations, peer reviews, document management and related services.
Acquisition of Mediaocean, 2021
We represented CVC in its acquisition of mediaocean, the leading global omnichannel advertising platform.
US$1.8 billion acquisition of ConvergeOne Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: CVON), 2019
We represented CVC its US$1.8 billion acquisition of ConvergeOne Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: CVON).
DIGITALBRIDGE
US$750 million carve-out acquisition of data center assets, 2021
We represented DigitalBridge on its US$750 million carve-out acquisition of data center assets in Hong Kong and Malaysia from PCCW.
EQT
US$1 billion acquisition of shares in Beijer Ref AB, 2020
We represented EQT in its US$1 billion acquisition of 29.6 percent of the shares in Beijer Ref, a world-leading wholesaler of cooling technology and air conditioning and listed at Nasdaq Stockholm, from Carrier Global Corporation.
GPA Global's bolt-on acquisition of Hub Folding Box, 2020
We represented EQT and its portfolio company GPA Global on GPA Global's bolt-on acquisition of Hub Folding Box.
€1.71 billion sale of IP-Only, 2019
We represented EQT Mid Market on the SEK 18.25 billion (€1.71 billion) sale of IP-Only to EQT Infrastructure.
Takeover of Karo Pharma, 2019
We represented EQT in the SEK 5.973 billion (US$654 million) public cash offer to the shareholders of Karo Pharma AB (Karo Pharma) to acquire all shares in Karo Pharma.
HARVEST PARTNERS, LP
Sale of Neighborly, 2021
We represented Harvest Partners in its sales of Neighborly, a holding company of 21 service brands focused on repairing, maintaining and enhancing consumers' homes and businesses via various online platforms, to KKR.
Sale of PRO Unlimited Global Solutions Inc., 2021
We represented Harvest Partners in its sale of PRO Unlimited Global Solutions Inc., a leader in contingent workforce management solutions and jointly held portfolio company of Harvest Partners, LP and Investcorp International, Inc. to EQT.
Acquisition of PeopleTicker, 2020
We represented Harvest Partners in its acquisition of PeopleTicker, a leading independent compensation software company, by PRO Unlimited, a Harvest Partners portfolio company.
HG CAPITAL
Investment in Intelerad Medical Systems, 2020
We represented Hg in its investment in Intelerad Medical Systems, a leading global provider of medical imaging software and enterprise workflow solutions.
HIGHPOST CAPITAL
Acquisition of Centr, 2022
We represented HighPost Capital, a leading private investment firm focused on the global consumer and consumer technology sectors, on its acquisition of Centr, a personalized digital health and fitness platform founded by actor Chris Hemsworth. In a parallel transaction, HighPost also acquired Inspire Fitness, a leader in state-of-the-art fitness equipment, and combined the two businesses to create a best-in-class personal fitness, nutrition and wellness platform.
I SQUARED CAPITAL
Merger with FlexiVan Leasing, 2020
We represented I Squared Capital and its portfolio company American Intermodal Management (AIM), a U.S.-based marine chassis lessor, in its agreement to merge with FlexiVan Leasing, the third largest marine chassis provider in the U.S., owned by Castle & Cooke.
Acquisition of a minority stake in Kallpa SA and Samay SA, 2019
We represented I Squared Capital in its acquisition of a minority stake in Kallpa SA and Samay SA, two power generation companies based in Peru.
Sale of interests in Kendall Green Energy, 2019
We represented I Squared Capital in the sale of its interests in Kendall Green Energy to Veolia Energy North America.
IFM INVESTORS
US$10.3 billion take-private of Buckeye Partners, 2019
We represented IFM Investors in its US$10.3 billion acquisition of Buckeye Partners, L.P.
INVESTCORP
Strategic investment made by CDPQ into ICR, 2021
We represented Investcorp and its portfolio company ICR, a leading strategic communications and advisory company, in the strategic investment made by CDPQ into ICR.
Acquisition of Multivision, LLC, 2019
We represented Investcorp International Inc. in its acquisition of Multivision, LLC.
INVESTINDUSTRIAL
Acquisition of Jacuzzi Brands®, 2019
We represented Investindustrial in the acquisition of Jacuzzi Brands® from Apollo Global Management, LLC, Ares Management Corporation and Clearlake Capital Group, L.P.
MACQUARIE INFRASTRUCTURE PARTNERS
US$957 million acquisition of Lakeshore Recycling Systems, 2021
We represented Macquarie Infrastructure Partners in its US$957 million acquisition of Lakeshore Recycling Systems, the largest private waste company in Illinois, specializing in recycling and waste diversion programs, roll-off container services, portable restroom rentals, mulch distribution, street sweeping, on-site storage options and comprehensive waste removal.
Acquisition of Netrality Data Centers, 2019
We represented Macquarie Infrastructure Partners Inc., in its partnership with Netrality's management team in their acquisition of Netrality Data Centers from funds managed by Abrams Capital Management.
NEWQUEST CAPITAL PARTNERS
NewQuest's dual-track sale process, 2021
We represented NewQuest Capital Partners in its dual-track sale process of its portfolio company, Integreon, Inc. to EagleTree Capital; and parallel sale of Grail Insights, a subsidiary of Integreon, to Escalent.
NORDIC CAPITAL Sale of Veonet, 2021
We represented Nordic Capital in its sale of Veonet GmbH, a leading pan-European network of ophthalmological clinics, headquartered in Munich, Germany and operates more than 190 ophthalmological clinics across Germany, the UK, the Netherlands and Switzerland.
€450 million investment in LEO Pharma, 2020
We represented Nordic Capital on its €450 million investment in LEO Pharma, a leader in medical dermatology.
SEK 3 billion acquisition of Consilium Marine & Safety, 2020
We represented Nordic Capital in the SEK 3 billion acquisition of the business unit Consilium Marine & Safety, one of the world's largest producers of safety and safety-related technologies, within fire and gas detection, for the marine, oil and gas, transport and building sectors, from Consilium AB (publ).
PPF Group
Acquisition of Central European Media Enterprises, 2019
We represented PPF Group in the acquisition of Central European Media Enterprises Ltd. (NASDAQ/PSE: CETV) and its subsidiaries.
QATAR INVESTMENT AUTHORITY
US$300 million equity financing for Age of Learning Inc., 2021
We represented QIA in Age of Learning, Inc.'s US$300 million equity financing round, which was led by TPG. The creator of ABCmouse Early Learning Academy, Adventure Academy, English language learning app ABCmouse English, and My Math Academy, Age of Learning, Inc. is a privately-held education company whose programs create engaging and effective educational experiences.
Investment in Universal Music Group, 2020
We represented QIA in its co-investment with a consortium led by Tencent Holdings Ltd. and its affiliate Tencent Music Entertainment Group (NYSE: TME) in the acquisition of a 10 percent stake in Universal Music Group, from Vivendi S.A.
QUAD-C MANAGEMENT INC.
Acquisition of Village Gourmet Holdco, 2021
We represented Quad-C Management in its acquisition of Village Gourmet Holdco, LLC and its subsidiaries, specialty producers of fine meat and snacking options.
US$1.2 billion acquisition of Panther Logistics, 2021
We represented Quad-C Management and its portfolio company AIT Worldwide Logistics in its US$1.2 billion acquisition of Panther Logistics, a leading delivery service company in the UK.
ROARK CAPITAL
Acquisition of Jimmy John's, 2019
We represented Roark Capital Group and Inspire Brands, Inc. in the acquisition of Jimmy John's LLC.
RRJ CAPITAL
Buyout acquisition of gategroup, 2019
We represented of Hong Kong-based RRJ Capital in the buyout acquisition of gategroup Holding AG from HNA Group.
SOLE SOURCE CAPITAL LLC
Acquisition of Peak-Ryzex, 2021
We represented Sole Source Capital in its acquisition of Peak-Ryzex from Keystone Capital and Optical Phusion from its founders, two leading providers of automatic identification, data capture and factory automation solutions and the subsequent acquisition by Sole Source Capital and Peak-Ryzek of Inovity, Inc., a value-added reseller of AIDC hardware equipment.
Acquisition of I.D. Images, 2021
We represented Sole Source Capital in its acquisition of I.D. Images, a manufacturer of high-quality durable and graphic intensive labels.
THE CARLYLE GROUP
US$490 million acquisition of Piramal Pharma, 2020
We represented The Carlyle Group in its US$490 million acquisition of a 20 percent stake in Piramal Pharma. This is one of the largest private equity deals in the Indian pharmaceutical sector to date, and was shortlisted for "Asia Private Equity Deal of the Year" in the Asia Legal Awards 2021.
US$240 million acquisition of SeQuent Scientific, 2020
We represented The Carlyle Group in its US$240 million acquisition of a majority stake in SeQuent Scientific
US$200 million strategic partnership with KB Financial Group, 2020
We represented EQT Partners AB and its portfolio company GPA Global on GPA Global's bolt-on acquisition of Hub Folding Box.
VICTORY PARK CAPITAL ADVISORS
US$2.1 billion business combination with Bakkt Holdings, LLC, 2021
We represented VPC Impact Acquisition Holdings (NASDAQ: VIH), a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC), sponsored by Victory Park Capital Advisors, LLC, a Chicago-based private equity firm, on its US$2.082 billion business combination with Bakkt Holdings, LLC, the transformative digital asset marketplace.
US$2.5 billion business combination with FinAccel, 2021
We represented VPC Impact Acquisition Holdings II (Nasdaq: VPCB), a SPAC sponsored by Victory Park Capital, in its US$2.5 billion business combination with FinAccel, the parent of artificial intelligence-enabled digital consumer credit platform Kredivo.
US$4.0 billion business combination with Dave Inc., 2021
We represented VPC Impact Acquisition Holdings III, Inc. (NYSE: VPCC), a SPAC sponsored by Victory Park Capital, in its US$4 billion business combination with Dave Inc., a financial platform.
