Gary R. Silverman

Partner, Chicago

Biography

“Gary is one of the best lawyers I have worked with. He’s very savvy and commercial and knows how to navigate complex situations.”
Chambers USA

Overview

Gary Silverman is a partner in White & Case's global M&A practice, based in Chicago. Gary's practice focuses on M&A, joint ventures and private equity investments.

His experience includes representing clients across numerous industries, including manufacturing, consumer products, business products and services, hotels and hospitality, life sciences, and media, entertainment and technology, among others.

Prior to joining the firm, Gary was a partner at another international law firm. Gary spent the first 18 years of his career at Kirkland & Ellis, LLP, where he helped build its private equity practice.

Bars and Courts
District of Columbia
Illinois
New York
Texas
US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
Education
MLA
University of Chicago
Graham School
MBA
University of Chicago

Booth Graduate School of Business

JD
Northwestern University
Pritzker School of Law
BA
Brandeis University
Languages
English

Experience

Recent representations include:

Good Springs Capital Fund I LP in its majority control investment in Kimbel Mechanical Systems, a national leader in residential and commercial mechanical contracting.

The Managing Entity of Invenergy Renewables, the largest private renewable energy company in North America, in connection with an approximately US$3 billion equity investment from Blackstone Inc. (NYSE: BX). Blackstone's investment was one of the largest renewable investments in North American history.

Fusion Acquisition Corp. (NYSE: FUSE), a special purpose acquisition company, in its US$2.2 billion business combination with MoneyLion Inc., America's leading digital financial platform.

Diamond S Shipping Inc., one of the largest publicly listed owners and operators of crude and product tankers, in its US$2 billion merger with International Seaways, Inc., one of the largest tanker companies worldwide providing energy transportation services for crude oil and petroleum products.

HighPost Capital, a private equity firm specializing in the global consumer and consumer technology sectors, in the acquisitions of Centr and Inspire Fitness; in its investment in Spotter, a leading YouTube content aggregator; and in its investment in the Series B funding round of Magic Spoon, a leading manufacturer of healthy cereal.

FG New America Acquisition Corp. (NYSE: FGNA), a special purpose acquisition company, in its US$800 million business combination with Opportunity Financial, LLC ("OppFi"), a leading financial technology platform providing consumer loans.

Drake Food Service International in the disposal of its portfolio of 91 franchised restaurants operating under the Papa John's brand in the United Kingdom to Papa John's International, Inc. (NASDAQ: PZZA), the world's third-largest pizza delivery company, with restaurants in approximately 50 countries.

Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) in its investments in the US$300 million equity financing round of Age of Learning; the US$160 million Series C financing of Century Therapeutics; and the US$116 million Series B financing of Entrada Therapeutics.

Falconhead Capital, a consumer products-focused private equity fund, in connection with the sale of its portfolio company, Kwik Tek Inc. d/b/a Airhead Sports Group, the #1 brand in the marine towable watersports and winter leisure activity product categories, to a subsidiary of Aqua-Leisure Recreation, a provider of outdoor-branded products for recreational water sports and winter sports markets.

Investindustrial VI L.P. in the acquisition of Jupiter Holding I Corp., a global manufacturer of premium spas, swim spas, whirlpool, soaker and walk-in bathtubs and related bathroom products and accessories, from investment funds affiliated with Apollo Global Management, LLC, Ares Management Corporation, and Clearlake Capital Group, L.P.

A leading private institutional investment group in connection with its preferred equity investment in support of a multibillion-dollar acquisition of Epicor Software Corporation, a global provider of industry-specific enterprise software to industrial-focused sectors, by Clayton, Dubilier & Rice.

Jam Theatricals, a leading live event production company, in the sale of its assets to Nederlander National Markets, LLC, a subsidiary of the Nederlander Organization, one of the largest operators of theatres and music venues in the United States.

Steel Partners Holdings (NYSE: SPLP), a diversified global holding company, in the sale of SL Power Electronics Corporation, to Advanced Energy Industries (NASDAQ: AEIS).

Galaxy Digital Capital Management LP, a global investment management company focused on digital assets, in numerous investments in emerging growth companies.

Starship Technologies, a leading provider of autonomous delivery services, in connection with a Series B funding round led by the Japanese-Nordic VC firm NordicNinja and Taavet+Sten from Estonia, as well as a subsequent Series C round.

Falconhead Capital, a consumer products-focused private equity fund, in connection with the sale of its portfolio company, Javo Beverage Company, a leading natural extractor of clean label coffee, tea, and botanicals, to Florida Food Products, one of the world's largest independent providers of natural ingredients.

Representative matters prior to joining White & Case include the representation of:

Jarden Corporation in its US$15.4 billion merger with Newell Rubbermaid, Inc. (NYSE: NWL); its approximately US$1.8 billion acquisition of Yankee Candle Company; and its approximately US$1.35 billion acquisition of Waddington Group.

Guggenheim Capital Partners in its US$40 million investment in Four Springs Investment Trust, a real estate investment trust specializing in investments in single-tenant net lease real estate.

Brentwood Associates in its acquisition, and subsequent sale, of Allen Edmonds Corporation; its partnership with Z Gallerie; and its acquisition of Sundance Holdings Group.

Starwood Capital Group in the US$10 billion acquisition of ITT Corporation, owner of the Sheraton Hotel chain, ITT Technical Schools, and ITT World Directories.

Atrium Holdings in the US$1.5 billion acquisition of John Q. Hammons Hotels, Inc., an owner of hotel properties.

Awards and Recognition

Chambers USA Guide, 2012-2024

The Best Lawyers in America, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, 2012-2024

Euromoney's Expert Guide, Leading Lawyer for M&A and Private Equity in the United States, 2018-2022