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.
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:
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.
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.
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:
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AWARDS & RECOGNITION
Private Equity Team of the Year
M&A Advisor 2017
#1 Law Firm for M&A by deal value globally
Mergermarket and Bloomberg M&A League Tables 2016
Ranked in the top 10 for private equity buyouts by deal volume globally
Mergermarket 2016
Ranked Tier 1 in Private Equity in the US and New York
Best Lawyers 2016
White & Case's Private Equity Portfolio Team was "commended" for its Client Service
Financial Times Innovative Lawyers Report 2014 and 2015
European Private Equity Legal Advisor of the Year
Mergermarket European M&A Awards 2014
Cross-Border Life Sciences Deal of the Year (CVC/Alvogen)
M&A Advisor 2016
Named "Cross-Border Law Firm of the Year"
The M&A Advisor 2016
Named "US M&A and Buyout Team of the Year"
The Legal 500 2014
"White & Case's unique global platform, which incorporates particular strength in London and Europe, has helped the US practice enormously in growing and diversifying its client base…In addition, the firm's global standing in finance makes the private equity team an even more compelling proposition to clients."
Legal 500 2015
ALLIANZ CAPITAL PARTNERS
Acquisition of Autobahn Tank & Rast Holding GmbH, 2015
We represented Allianz Capital Partners, Borealis Infrastructure Management, ADIA and Munich Re in the acquisition of Autobahn Tank & Rast Holding GmbH from Terra Firma Capital Partners and a fund managed by Deutsche Asset and Wealth Management. This is the largest private equity deal in Germany since 2007.
BARING PRIVATE EQUITY ASIA
Acquisition of Lafarge Halla Cement Corp. and a stake in PT Nitrasanata Dharma, 2016
We represented Baring Private Equity in a variety of investments in Asia, including the US$455 million acquisition of Lafarge Halla Cement Corp. and the acquisition of a stake in PT Nitrasanata Dharma.
BLACKROCK AND FIRST RESERVE
Historic Investment in The Los Ramones Phase II Project, 2015
We advised BlackRock and First Reserve in their acquisition of a 45 percent interest in two natural gas pipelines in Mexico from PMI. This is the first major PEMEX-sponsored midstream asset to be built in partnership with foreign capital since the approval of Mexico's historic Constitutional Energy Reform in 2013.
BRIDGEPOINT
Disposal of Nordic Cinema Group, 2017
We represented Bridgepoint, the leading European private equity house, in the SEK8.5 billion (US$930 million) sale of Nordic Cinema Group, to AMC Entertainment (NYSE: AMC), the world's largest cinema operator.
Acquisition of Zenith, 2017
We represented international private equity group Bridgepoint in its £750 million acquisition of Zenith, the UK's largest independent vehicle leasing business, from private equity firm HgCapital.
CVC CAPITAL PARTNERS
Acquisition of a Controlling Stake in Alvogen, 2015
We advised CVC Capital Partners in leading a consortium including Temasek Holdings and Vatera Healthcare Partners in their acquisition of a controlling stake in Alvogen, a leading generic pharmaceuticals company. The transaction was named "Cross-Border Healthcare and Life Sciences Deal of the Year" by the M&A Advisor.
EURAZEO
Negotiations to Acquire Mondelez European Chocolate and Confectionery Brands, 2016
We represented Eurazeo, one of the leading listed investment companies in Europe, on its entry into exclusive negotiations to acquire from Mondelez International more than ten iconic European chocolate and confectionery brands including Poulain, Carambar, Krema, La Pie Qui Chante and Terry’s as well as the licences of Pastilles Vichy, Rochers Suchard and Malabar.
GLOBAL INFRASTRUCTURE PARTNERS
Joint Venture with Hess Corporation, 2016
We represented GIP in its strategic joint venture with Hess Corporation through the US$2.675 billion acquisition of a 50 percent interest in the owner of Hess’s midstream crude oil and natural gas infrastructure assets located primarily in the Bakken Shale. We also represented GIP in the acquisition of the principal holdings of Competitive Power Ventures.
HARBOUR ENERGY LIMITED
Acquisition of oil and natural gas assets, 2017
We represented Harbour Energy Limited, the energy investment vehicle managed by EIG Global Energy Partners, in its agreement to lead the US$3 billion acquisition by Chrysaor Holdings Limited of a diversified portfolio of oil and natural gas assets in the North Sea from Shell UK and its affiliates.
HARVEST PARTNERS
Take private of Epiq Systems, 2016
We represented Harvest Partners in numerous transactions, including most recently in its investment in DTI, a portfolio company of OMERS Private Equity, to fund the US$1 billion acquisition of Epiq Systems (NASDAQ: EPIQ).
Acquisitions and Dispositions, 2015 and 2016
We represented Harvest Partners in the acquisitions of Advanced Dermatology and Cosmetics surgery; Ames Group Holdings LLC; Bartlett Holdings Inc.; DCA Investment and its add-on acquisition of North East Dental Management; FCX Holdings Corp.; Garretson Resolution Group; IG Staffing Holdings, Inc.; Valet Waste; VetCor; and WeldTech Services Corp. We represented Harvest Partners in the dispositions of Aquilex Holdings LLC; Associated Materials, LLC for US$1.3 billion; AxelaCare Health Solutions; Athletico Physical Therapy; Document Technologies Holdings, LLC; and US Silica Company.
HGCAPITAL
Acquisitions of Visma AS, the Baldwins group and Blick Rothenberg to form a new group, CogitalGroup
We represented HgCapital LLP, a sector expert private equity investor, supporting management teams to grow industry champions in relation to its investment in (i) the business process outsourcing division of Visma AS (ii) the Baldwins group and (iii) the Blick Rothenberg group, and the combination of such investments to launch a new group, CogitalGroup.
Acquisition of a majority interest in Sovos Compliance, 2016
We represented HgCapital, a European-based private equity firm, in its acquisition of a majority interest in Sovos Compliance, a leading provider of regulatory tax compliance software. We also advised Hg Capital in relation to a co-investment by Vista Equity Partners (the current majority interest holder in the Sovos Compliance Group) and the refinancing of the Sovos Compliance Group's existing debt package.
Acquisition of The Foundry, 2015
We represented HgCapital on the £200 million acquisition of The Foundry, the leading imaging technology company.
IK INVESTMENT PARTNERS
Acquisition of ZytoService, 2016
We represented IK Investment Partners in the acquisition of the Germany-based ZytoService Group, a leading compounder of pharmaceuticals for patient-individualised infusions, from the founders and Capiton.
KETER GROUP
Sale of majority stake to BC Partners, 2016
We represented Keter Group, the world’s largest producer of quality resin consumer products, in the sale of the Sagol family' majority stake to BC Partners, in the largest LBO ever in Israel.
MACQUARIE INFRASTRUCTURE PARTNERS
Acquisition of IWG Holdings, 2016
Representation of Macquarie Infrastructure Partners in its US$280 million acquisition of 42% of the equity interest in IWG Holdings, LLC, the holding company of InSite Wireless Group, LLC and its affiliates.
MID EUROPA PARTNERS
Sale of Zabka Polska to CVC
We represented Mid Europa Partners, the leading private equity investor in Central and South Eastern Europe, on the sale of Zabka Polska to funds advised by CVC Capital Partners. The sale is the largest transaction in the Polish food retail sector to date and the largest private equity exit in Poland.
Acquisition of Clates Holding BV and Danube Food Groups, 2015
We represented Mid Europa Partners in the acquisition of the entire issued share capital of Clates Holding BV and Danube Food Groups BV by Adriatic Bidco BV from Diandra Corporation NV which included a London financing on a billion dollar buyout in Serbia and was the biggest buyout in CET in 2015.
QATAR INVESTMENT AUTHORITY
US$2.9 Billion Sale of Luxury Hotel Group to AccorHotels, 2015
We represented Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) and Kingdom Holding Company of Saudi Arabia in the US$2.9 billion stock-and-cash sale of FRHI, the parent company of luxury hotel brands Fairmont, Raffles and Swissôtel, to AccorHotels.
Purchase of stake in Empire State Realty Trust, Inc., 2016
We represented Qatar Investment Authority in the purchase of shares in Empire State Realty Trust, Inc., a REIT with office and retail properties in Manhattan and the greater New York metropolitan area, including the iconic Empire State Building, through a private offering worth approximately US$622 million.
QUAD-C MANAGEMENT
Acquisitions and dispositions, 2015 and 2016
We represented Quad-C Management in its investments in A. Stucki Holding Corp.; Augusta Sportswear Holding Company; Engineered Fastener Company; IGH Investment Holdings; InterWrap Group; Joerns Healthcare LLC; New Holding LLC; Network Hardware Resale; Rainbow Early Education; Vaco Holdings LLC; VMG Health; Worldwide Express;and several companies in the pool and spa industries. We represented Quad-C Management in the dispositions of Balboa Water Group; Curvature; Durcon Incorporated; Generation Brands Holdings, Inc.; NuSil Technology LLC; Royal Holdings, Inc.; Technimark LLC; Worldwide Express and the US$450 million sale of Interwrap Holdings to a wholly owned subsidiary of Owens Corning.
