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Title

Private Equity

Description
From fund formation and operation to mergers and acquisitions, and from financings to regulatory issues, we advise private equity clients on all aspects of their business.
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  • Kramer Levin’s Private Equity team has extensive experience advising and representing private equity funds, fund sponsors and their portfolio companies in all aspects of their business, from fund formation and operation to private placement, mergers and acquisitions, financings, and control and minority investments, including growth equity transactions. We also advise on regulatory issues that arise when forming a fund and provide guidance on compliance with Securities and Exchange Commission rules that apply to fund operations.

    Our Private Equity practice focuses on the middle market, maintaining a rich deal flow that keeps us current on market-leading terms, conditions, practices, customs and trends. Operating in small teams of experienced lawyers, we deliver sophisticated services in an efficient manner, enhancing the value proposition for our clients.

    Our main areas of focus include:

    • Fund formation and operations
    • Mergers and acquisitions
    • Control and minority investments
    • Financing transactions
    • Investments in debt securities
    • Derivatives and structured products
    • Strategic liquidity and exit transactions

    Defining Matters

    • Kramer Levin Represents Francisco Partners in Connection With Strategic Growth Investment in Acoustic, LP

      Kramer Levin represented Francisco Partners, a leading global investment firm, in a strategic growth investment in Acoustic, LP,  a global marketing and customer experience provider for B2C brands. The deal closed on Oct. 18, 2022.
    • Kramer Levin Advises Sentinel Capital Partners in Acquisition of Bandon Holdings

      On July 28, 2022, Kramer Levin client Sentinel Capital Partners announced that it has acquired Bandon Holdings, headquartered in Austin, Texas, the largest franchisee in the Anytime Fitness family. Anytime Fitness, headquartered in Woodbury, Minnesota, is the largest fitness company in the United States and the fastest growing gym franchise in the world. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

    • Kramer Levin Advises Sentinel Capital Partners in Sale of Captain D’s

      On May 23, 2022, Kramer Levin client Sentinel Capital Partners announced that it has sold portfolio company Captain D’s, a leading seafood quick service restaurant chain. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

    • Kramer Levin Advises Atlantic Street Capital in Sale of Advancing Eyecare

      On May 9, 2022, Kramer Levin client Atlantic Street Capital announced that it has entered into an agreement to sell Advancing Eyecare, a  leading provider of ophthalmic instruments, to Cornell Capital. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to close in the second quarter of 2022.

    • Kramer Levin Represents Sentinel in Connection With Acquisition of SPL

      On April 8, 2022, Kramer Levin client Sentinel Capital Partners announced that it has acquired SPL, a leader in testing, inspection, and certification services for energy and environmental markets.

    • Kramer Levin Advises BlackRock in $750 Million Investment with Warner Music in Diverse Artists

      On Feb. 24, 2022, Kramer Levin client BlackRock announced that funds managed by BlackRock Alternative Investors, along with Warner Music Group, have invested $750 million to purchase the music catalogs of “modern evergreen” artists, with a focus on female and diverse songwriters. The investment is part of a strategic alliance with Influence Media Partners.

    • Kramer Levin Advises Paine Schwartz Partners in Acquisition of Kynetec

      On March 19, 2021, Kramer Levin client Paine Schwartz Partners (Paine Schwartz) announced that it has acquired Kynetec, an agricultural and market research company. Kramer Levin and UK-based Simmons & Simmons both advised Paine Schwartz on the transaction.

    • Kramer Levin Advises Stone Point Capital in Sale of Finxera to Priority Technology

      On March 8, 2021, Kramer Levin client Stone Point Capital LLC announced the sale of its portfolio company Finxera Holdings Inc. to Priority Technology Holdings Inc., a leading payments technology company.
    • Kramer Levin Advises Stone Point Capital in Strategic Investment in Allied Benefit Systems

      On Feb. 18, 2021, Kramer Levin client Stone Point Capital LLC (Stone Point) announced that funds managed by Stone Point have made a strategic investment in Allied Benefit Systems LLC, a leading independent third-party administrator of group health benefits to self-insured employers.

    • Kramer Levin Advises Sentinel Capital Partners in Sale of Pet Supplies Plus to Franchise Group

      On Jan. 25, 2021, Kramer Levin client Sentinel Capital Partners announced that it has entered into an agreement to sell Pet Supplies Plus, a leading retail chain and franchisor of pet supplies and services, to Franchise Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: FRG) in an all cash transaction valued at approximately $700 million.

    I think they are great. They have become my go-to outside counsel for a lot of matters, including middle-market M&A transactions.
    — Client quote, Chambers USA

    Practice Contacts

      • Ernest S. Wechsler

        • Partner
        • Chair, Corporate
        • New York
        • ewechsler@kramerlevin.com
        • T 212.715.9211
        • F 212.715.8086
      • vcard
    • Christopher S. Auguste
    • David Benger
    • David S. Berg
    • Colin Bumby
    • Clayton A. Campos
    • Kenneth Chin
    • Thomas E. Constance
    • Darina F. Delappe
    • Ovo Efemini
    • Jason A. Fruchter
    • Jonathan D. Goodman
    • Adi Herman
    • Barry Herzog
    • Tiancheng (T.C.) Huang
    • Thomas T. Janover
    • Shari Kahn Krouner
    • John Lagrou
    • Yasho Lahiri
    • Todd E. Lenson
    • Michael McKay
    • Arlene J. Ortiz-Leytte
    • Michelle Park
    • Daniel A. Rabinowitz
    • Mark P. Ramsey
    • Abraham (Avi) Reshtick
    • Jordan M. Rosenbaum
    • Scott S. Rosenblum
    • Peter G. Smith
    • Howard T. Spilko
    • Eitan Tabak
    • Ernest S. Wechsler
    • Robert B. Weiss
    • Scott Welkis
    • Christian E. Witzke
    • Renee Yao
    • Eleni Zanias
    • Daniel F. Zimmerman
  • Perspectives

    Search More
    • Category
      Announcements
      Date
      Oct. 18, 2024
      Title
      Howard T. Spilko and Jamie Kocis Named to Lawdragon 500's Leading Dealmakers in America List for 2025
      Read More
    • Category
      Defining Matters
      Date
      Aug. 22, 2024
      Title
      Kramer Levin Advises All Star Auto Parts in Sale to BBB Industries
      Read More
    • Category
      Defining Matters
      Date
      Aug. 07, 2024
      Title
      Kramer Levin Advises Special Committee in Thoughtworks Going Private Transaction With Apax Funds
      Read More
    • Category
      Defining Matters
      Date
      July 23, 2024
      Title
      Kramer Levin Advises Verlinvest in Acquisition, Alongside Mistral Equity Partners, of Ownership Stake in Insomnia Cookies from Krispy Kreme
      Read More
    • Category
      Announcements
      Date
      June 06, 2024
      Title
      Chambers USA 2024 Recognizes Kramer Levin
      Read More
    • Category
      Speaking Engagement
      Date
      May 21, 2024
      Title
      Private Equity in Insurance – Opportunities and Challenges
      Read More
    • Category
      Speaking Engagement
      Date
      May 15, 2024
      Title
      Markets Group’s 12th Annual Private Equity New York Forum
      Read More
    • Category
      Defining Matters
      Date
      April 19, 2024
      Title
      Kramer Levin Advises Strategic Management Solutions in Sale to Bernhard Capital Partners
      Read More
    • Category
      Defining Matters
      Date
      April 09, 2024
      Title
      Kramer Levin Advises Stone Point Capital and Prima Capital Advisors in Acquisition by Blue Owl Capital
      Read More
    • Category
      Defining Matters
      Date
      April 02, 2024
      Title
      Kramer Levin Advises Stone Point Capital and SunFireMatrix on Acquisition by KKR
      Read More
    • Category
      Defining Matters
      Date
      March 08, 2024
      Title
      Kramer Levin Advises BlackRock in Acquisition of SpiderRock Advisors
      Read More
    • Category
      Defining Matters
      Date
      Jan. 16, 2024
      Title
      Kramer Levin Represents Sentinel Capital Partners in Acquisition of Market Performance Group
      Read More
    • Category
      Announcements
      Date
      Jan. 02, 2024
      Title
      Kramer Levin Expands Leading Private Equity and Mergers & Acquisitions Practice With Addition of Partner Arlene J. Ortiz-Leytte
      Read More
    • Category
      Announcements
      Date
      Dec. 04, 2023
      Title
      Kramer Levin Elevates Three Lawyers to Partner
      Read More
    • Category
      Defining Matters
      Date
      July 19, 2023
      Title
      Kramer Levin Advises Allied Benefit Systems, LLC in Acquisition of Medxoom, Inc.
      Read More
    • Category
      Defining Matters
      Date
      June 27, 2023
      Title
      Kramer Levin Advises on Onboard Acquisition of Payvus
      Read More
    • Category
      Client Alerts
      Date
      May 17, 2023
      Title
      IRS Denies Deductibility of Sell-Side Advisory Fees
      Read More
    • Category
      Speaking Engagement
      Date
      May 15, 2023
      Title
      Markets Group’s 11th Annual Private Equity New York Forum
      Read More
    • Category
      Defining Matters
      Date
      Feb. 02, 2023
      Title
      Kramer Levin Represents BlackRock in Connection With Strategic Growth Investment in Human Interest
      Read More
    • Category
      Client Alerts
      Date
      Jan. 31, 2023
      Title
      R&W Case Alert: Fraud-Based Claims Against Private Equity Firms
      Read More
    • Category
      Client Alerts
      Date
      Aug. 02, 2022
      Title
      Investors Beware: Private Equity Firms Continue to Face Potential Liability Under the False Claims Act for Their Portfolio Companies’ Conduct
      Read More
    • Category
      Defining Matters
      Date
      July 29, 2022
      Title
      Kramer Levin Advises Sentinel Capital Partners in Acquisition of Bandon Holdings
      Read More
    • Category
      Client Alerts
      Date
      July 07, 2022
      Title
      Updates From ACI’s Advanced Forum on False Claims and Qui Tam Enforcement, June 22-23 in New York
      Read More
    • Category
      Defining Matters
      Date
      May 24, 2022
      Title
      Kramer Levin Advises Sentinel Capital Partners in Sale of Captain D’s
      Read More
    • Category
      Defining Matters
      Date
      May 09, 2022
      Title
      Kramer Levin Advises Atlantic Street Capital in Sale of Advancing Eyecare
      Read More
    • Category
      Speaking Engagement
      Date
      May 04, 2022
      Title
      Markets Group’s 10th Annual Private Equity New York Forum
      Read More
    • Category
      Announcements
      Date
      May 02, 2022
      Title
      Daniel F. Zimmerman Joins Kramer Levin as Partner in Corporate Department
      Read More
    • Category
      Defining Matters
      Date
      April 11, 2022
      Title
      Kramer Levin Represents Sentinel in Connection With Acquisition of SPL
      Read More
    • Category
      Client Alerts
      Date
      April 11, 2022
      Title
      SEC Proposes New Rules for SPAC IPOs and SPAC Business Combinations
      Read More
    • Category
      Defining Matters
      Date
      Feb. 24, 2022
      Title
      Kramer Levin Advises BlackRock in $750 Million Investment with Warner Music in Diverse Artists
      Read More
    View More
  • Recognition

    Year
    2006 – 2024
    Name
    Chambers USA
    Description
    Recognized for Corporate M&A; Highly Regarded (2023-2024)
    Year
    2009 – 2024
    Name
    Legal 500 US
    Description
    Recognized for M&A: Middle-Market and Private Equity Buyouts
    Year
    2010 – 2022
    Name
    U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers’ Best Law Firms
    Description
    New York (Tier 1 – 2019 – 2021), National
    Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law (2022)
    Year
    2021
    Name
    Décideurs
    Description
    Recognized for Private Equity
    Year
    2021
    Name
    BTI 2021 M&A Standout
    Year
    2019
    Name
    The Deal
    Description

    2nd Annual Top 50 Private Equity Lawyers

    Year
    2018
    Name
    Global M&A Network’s M&A Atlas Awards
    Description
    Received Americas Fintech M&A Deal for Stone Point Capital acquisition of Mitchell International from KKR and Elliott Management
    Year
    2017
    Name
    M&A Advisor Awards
    Description
    Private Equity Deal of the Year (over $1 billion)
    Year
    2016
    Name
    Global M&A Network’s M&A Atlas Awards
    Description
    Received U.S.A. Private Equity Deal of the Year Award for Representation of Stone Point Capital in Its Acquisition of NFP Advisor Services (Kestra Financial)
    Year
    2016
    Name
    Global M&A Network’s M&A Atlas Awards
    Description
    Received Private Equity Deal of the Year Award for Representation of BlackRock in Its Acquisition of FutureAdvisor
    Year
    2015
    Name
    Global M&A Network’s M&A Atlas Awards
    Description
    Received the North America Private Equity Deal of the Year Award (Middle Markets) for the Representation of Stone Point Capital in Its Acquisition of Oasis Outsourcing

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