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
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
ANTIN INFRASTRUCTURE
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.
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.
BRIDGEPOINT
Takeover of Cherry AB, 2018
We represented Bridgepoint and European Entertainment Intressenter BidCo AB, on the SEK 9.2 billion (US$1 billion) cash public takeover offer to the shareholders in Cherry AB to acquire all shares in Cherry AB (Nasdaq Stockholm: CHER-B).
Disposal of Nordic Cinema Group, 2017
We represented Bridgepoint in the SEK8.5 billion (US$930 million) sale of Nordic Cinema Group, to AMC Entertainment (NYSE: AMC).
BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT
US$1.8 billion acquisition of Digital Realty Trust (NYSE: DLR), 2019
We represented Brookfield Asset Management in its US$1.8 billion acquisition, along with Digital Realty Trust (NYSE: DLR) as co-investor, of Ascenty.
CAD$4.3 billion acquisition of EnerCare, 2018
We represented Brookfield Infrastructure Partners in its CAD$4.3 billion (US$3.2 billion) acquisition of EnerCare Inc.
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 MysticInvest, 2019
We represented Certares in its 40 percent investment in MysticInvest Holding, S.A.
Acquisition of Guardian Alarm and Guardian Medical, 2017
We represented Certares in the acquisition of Guardian Alarm and Guardian Medical Monitoring.
COBEPA
€1.3 billion sale of Exclusive Networks, 2018
We represented Cobepa and the other shareholders of Exclusive France Holding SAS in the €1.3 billion sale of Exclusive Group to Permira.
CVC CAPITAL PARTNERS
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).
US$3.5 billion acquisition of Recordati, 2018
We represented an investment consortium led by CVC Capital Partners in the US$3.5 billion acquisition from the Recordati family of the holding company that owns a 51.8 percent stake in the Italian pharmaceutical group Recordati.
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.
EQT
€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.
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 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.
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.
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
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
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.
Acquisition of IWG Holdings, 2016
We advised 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, 2017
We represented Mid Europa Partners in 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.
NORDIC CAPITAL
Acquisition of Prospitalia, 2018
We represented Nordic Capital on the acquisition of Prospitalia GmbH, a leading healthcare-spend management and technology-enabled clinical solutions company for acute, post-acute and other healthcare service providers and vendors, from Five Arrows Principal Investments.
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.
€2.8 billion acquisition of Telenor’s CEE assets, 2018
We represented PPF Group in its acquisition of Telenor’s telecommunications assets in Central & Eastern Europe for €2.8 billion on an enterprise value basis. It is the largest M&A transaction in the CEE telecoms sector, and the largest loan syndication in the region, since 2011.
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.
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.
US$2.3 billion acquisition of Sonic, 2018
We represented Roark Capital Group and Inspire Brands, Inc., in Inspire Brands’ US$2.3 billion acquisition of Sonic. Corp. (NASDAQ: SONC).
US$450 million repurchase of Wendy’s remaining ownership interest in Inspire Brands, 2018
We represented Roark Capital Group and Inspire Brands, Inc., in Inspire Brands’ US$450 million repurchase of The Wendy’s Company's (NASDAQ: WEN) remaining 12 percent ownership interest in Inspire Brands.
US$2.9 billion acquisition of Buffalo Wild Wings, 2017
We represented Roark Capital Group and its portfolio company Arby’s Restaurant Group, in Arby’s US$2.9 billion acquisition of Buffalo Wild Wings, Inc. (NASDAQ: BWLD).
RRJ CAPITAL
Buyout acquisition of gategroup, 2019
Representation of Hong Kong-based RRJ Capital in the buyout acquisition of gategroup Holding AG from HNA Group.
WARBURG PINCUS
Chinese Joint Venture with Hande Group, 2019
Representation of Warburg Pincus in a in a joint venture with Hande Group, a Chinese conglomerate, to invest in certain real estate assets in the PRC.
