M&A: middle-market (sub-$500m) in United States

Akerman LLP is distinguished by the breadth of its middle-market work, handling buy-side and sell-side mergers and acquisitions, leveraged recapitalizations and buyouts, spin-offs and sales of divisions and distressed company transactions. Team leads Jonathan Awner and Carl Roston are highly active across the practice; Awner's specialisms include corporate governance issues and transactions in the automotive sector, while Roston is highly recommended for his advice to investors and companies in distressed corporate situations. Other strengths for the team lie in recapitalizations and restructuring work for trading companies, and in advice for investors and entrepreneurs. The department stands out particularly for its private investment advice, including in the private equity and venture capital spaces, where Kenneth Wiggins is noted. Named attorneys are based in Miami.

Arnold & Porter counts mid-market M&A as a core pillar of its corporate and finance group, which Kevin Lavin chairs from Washington DC. The DC office has strong offerings in the IT and government contracting sectors, and Matthew Owens brings notable expertise in private equity and consolidation work in the healthcare sector. Attesting to the group's strengths in the medical space, New York-based Derek Stoldt co-heads both the M&A and life sciences departments. Edward Deibert in San Francisco co-heads the M&A practice with him; Deibert has experience in the technology and particularly semiconductor industries, and the San Francisco office as a whole has a strong inbound and outbound China practice. The firm works closely with its regulatory practices, and corporate governance and board-level counselling is a key strength. New York-based Emanuel Cherney, who regularly advises on corporate governance, also represents private equity firms and other buyers and sellers of public and private companies.

Choate, Hall & Stewart is highly active in both public and private M&A, representing a broad roster of acquirers, targets and financers. Brian Goldstein, who co-chairs the business and technology practice group, bolsters the team's extensive experience in the life sciences and technology sectors in particular, representing a range of clients from start-ups to public companies. John Pitfield jointly leads the team and advises on public offerings, tender offers and debt and equity financings, assisting Canadian as well as US companies. The team is particularly well known for handling Canadian private equity transactions. Pitfield also regularly handles corporate governance matters, public company reporting and regulatory compliance, including SEC regulations. Counsel Daniel Riley is highly regarded for his securities expertise as well as his flexibility across a wide range of corporate law matters. All named lawyers are based in Boston.

Loeb & Loeb LLP‘s M&A team acts as a strategic advisor to public and private mid-market companies, and handles a full range of deals. The group has notable strengths across a range of sectors: LA-based co-chair Arash Khalili is particularly recommended for his media and entertainment expertise and is also active in related industries including fashion, wellness and fitness. Mitchell Nussbaum, who jointly heads the practice from New York, concentrates on acting for emerging growth companies and investment banks. Deputy chairs Lloyd Rothenberg and Steven Hurdle, based in New York and Los Angeles respectively, bolster the department’s strong offerings for venture capital and private equity funds, and for start-ups, particularly in the innovative technology space. The M&A and corporate teams are fully joined-up, and the department is noted for its cross-border expertise with particular strengths in Asia, Western Europe and Israel.

Nixon Peabody LLP is valued by clients for being able to 'balance legal risk assessment with strategic goals' and for the ability of the team to collaborate. It employs proprietary tools to provide its clients with transparency on budgeting and real-time monitoring of the progress of their cases. Alternative fee and project management programs are especially geared to mid-market clients. Lori Green in Rochester and Christopher Keefe in Boston head the group which has an impressive range of domestic and international clients from industries as diverse as consumer products (food and beverages in particular), technology and energy. Its expertise encompasses all aspects of corporate and M&A work and includes public-to-public and private-to-public mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, and compliance with securities law. Some of the highly rated attorneys in the group include Chicago-based Brian Krob who has a wealth of experience advising corporates, private equity and not-for-profit clients in the healthcare and tech sectors. David Martland (Boston) is known for handling complex international deals, and also in Boston, the 'exceptional' Gregory O’Shaughnessy acts for private equity, growth equity, and venture capital investors. Washington DC-based John Partigan chairs the firm’s nationwide securities practice and is noted in particular for his work in the media industry which includes capital markets advice. Andrew Share in Manchester is also noted, especially for technology-related deals.

Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman, LLP is notable for its ever-growing, national M&A practice which is integrated with its broad corporate and private equity offerings. David Ingles (New York) and Nicole Islinger (Washington DC) are just two of the M&A partners who joined the practice in 2020. Technology, media and financial services are some of the industries for which it is known, where it handles both domestic and cross-border M&A deals, joint ventures and complex divestitures for a range of public and private companies. Based in New York, Jeffrey Delaney is the global practice group leader. Jonathan Russo  and Justin Hovey, co-lead the M&A practice from New York and San Francisco respectively. In New York Stephen B. Amdur  focuses on work for private equity clients and Jarrod D. Murphy  handles some high-impact M&A work for corporates and private equity houses.

Seyfarth Shaw LLP's middle-market focused M&A practice regularly advises financial institutions, sovereign wealth funds and private equity investors. A key strength is in healthcare M&A, representing venture capital clients and also handling sales and affiliations across a range of providers. In addition, the group handles strategic investments in franchise systems and large multi-unit developers, particularly for private equity clients and franchisors. The team stands out for its cross-border coverage, with a presence in the UK, Western Europe and Asia, and for its commercial and post-M&A disputes practice. It employs a M&A Budget App in order to predict more accurately transactional costs. Chicago-based Suzanne Saxman, who recently led transactions in the chemicals and technology sectors,  jointly heads the team with Andrew Lucano in New York, who has extensive experience in securities transactions. 

Squire Patton Boggs' corporate M&A team represents public and private companies across a broad range of sectors, with a strong offering for heavy industrial and manufacturing clients. As part of a wide-ranging global network, the department is well-positioned to handle complex multi-jurisdictional acquisition and divestiture transactions. The group has extensive experience in private equity and venture capital transactions, and in representing issuers and investors in private placements of securities. Daniel Berick is the Americas chair within the firm's global corporate practice; he is particularly known for representing banking firms, venture capital and private equity firms and family offices. Up-and-coming partner Jaime Daddona, who is based in Phoenix, focuses on transactions including corporate governance matters, stockholder relations matters and securities issues. Phoenix-based Frank Placenti chairs the corporate governance and securities regulation practice, focusing on shareholder relations, internal investigations and SEC investigatory matters.

Venable LLP offers a wide range of corporate services,  and is particularly known for advising on public and private deals. The practice also handles related transactions including joint ventures, tender offers, divestitures, reorganizations and liquidations; continuity business planning is another strength. Charles Morton Jr is particularly recognised in the private equity space, focusing on technology and healthcare; he splits his time between Baltimore and Washington DC. Morton jointly chairs the group with Washington DC-based Robert Bolger Jr, who regularly represents start-up companies. The group also has a Los Angeles offices, which is noted for its expertise in media and entertainment, including digital media and branded merchandise businesses. In additional to transactional work, the practice also advises on corporate governance, securities compliance and regulations, and shareholder litigation.

Ballard Spahr LLP's practice focuses on middle- and lower middle-market transactions, advising both buyers and sellers ranging from small, privately held companies to multinational public companies. The group also has strong private equity capabilities, centred on the financial services, technology and healthcare industries. Gregory Seltzer chairs the emerging growth and venture capital group, which is particularly recommended for Philadelphia-based tech companies and start-ups. Brian Doerner, who also co-chairs the firm's life sciences and technology group, jointly heads the department with Maggie Tatton in Minneapolis. Tatton has extensive experience handling transactions in the speciality retail, food distribution and manufacturing sectors. Karen McConnell (Phoenix) acts for private equity clients and Gregory Seltzer co-heads the emerging growth and venture capital group. Named attorneys are based in Philadelphia unless otherwise stated.

Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP advises US and international buyers, sellers, financiers and investors on middle-market M&A and other strategic transactions, as well as M&A-related financing. John Schuster is a name to note for bank financing and securities work. Practice head Kimberly Petillo-Décossard advises on a wide range of corporate transactions, and is known within the market for her extensive M&A experience. Work for life sciences, pharmaceutical and biotech companies forms a keystone of her practice. Ross Sturman is noted for his experience in M&A financings, and regularly advises on corporate governance. Senior associate Joseph Rosati is noted for his work across the practice, counselling domestic and foreign companies. All named lawyers are based in New York.

Katten focuses on middle-market M&A and transactions, assisting buyers, sellers, and family offices. The team advises businesses across their full life-cycle, from initial organization and funding, through to follow-on financing rounds and any potential liquidity events. The group has a particularly strong private equity offering, representing private equity funds, portfolio companies and mezzanine funds across a broad range of industries. Healthcare and software are key sector strengths, while Chicago-based global practice head Mark Grossmann led work on behalf of GR Companies in the emerging cannabis sector. Also in Chicago, Kimberly Smith, who is a co-chair of the M&A and private equity practices, has vast experience in structuring complex transactions. The practice recently opened an office in Dallas, headed by Mark Solomon; other offices are in Chicago, New York, Los Angeles and Washington DC.

McGuireWoods LLP represents private and public companies on both the buy and sell sides of stock purchases, mergers and other forms of acquisitions, divestitures and combinations. The department is particularly strong in the healthcare industry, and also has significant expertise in the financial services, real estate, industrials and technology sectors. Richmond-based group chair Michael Woodard stands out for his experience in energy sector transactions, regularly negotiating complex transactions on behalf of utilities and developers to acquire and develop large portfolios of solar and wind projects. Chicago-based Geoffrey Cockrell, assisted by David McLean in Dallas, chairs the firm's private equity group, and the department has notable strength in private equity exits.

Seward & Kissel LLP has a great deal of experience across a broad range of domestic and cross-border corporate and financing transactions. James Abbott co-chairs the group, and has extensive experience with international sell-side M&A and with the investment management, media and shipping industries; Nick Katsanos is recommended for international sell-side M&A and other transactions in those sectors. Craig Sklar, who jointly leads the team with Abbott, focuses on M&A, private equity and venture capital deals, including joint venture and seed investment transactions. Senior associate Danielle Lemberg is also noted for her work in the private equity space, in particular for venture capital transactions and equity financings. All named attorneys are based in New York.

Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP‘s corporate and securities department covers a broad range of transactional and general corporate matters, and has the capacity to handle complicated multinational and multi-state transactions. Jeryl Bowers, who focuses on M&A and general commercial transactions, is particularly noted for his expertise in the automotive industry. San Diego-based Jeralin Cardoso, Linda Michaelson in Century City and Ariel Yehezkel in New York jointly head the corporate and securities practice.

Chicago-based Vedder Price is notable for its work in private equity, especially acquisitions, and for its skills in relation to complex regulated industries such as financial services, health care, gaming,  and investment services (mutual funds and broker-dealers). The group's chair, Michael A. Nemeroff is notable for the breadth of his expertise; advising private equity firms and hedge funds, and advising on leveraged and management buyouts, and advising on structures for executive compensation. With equally broad skills, vice chair, Joseph H. Kye advises on debt and equity offerings in addition to M&A and private equity matters.  Adam S. Lewis advises on the full range of corporate transactions, and PE fund formations. In addition to acquisitions work, Shelby E. Parnes and Benjamin O. Williams assist public and private companies on partnership formations, governance and securities rules and regulations, including SEC filings. 

Blank Rome LLP is particularly active in the insurance, government contracting, professional services and maritime and transportation industries, drawing on the firm's wider strengths. New York-based practice chair Peter Schnur is recommended for M&A in the manufacturing, heavy industry, shipping and aerospace sectors; he co-chairs the corporate, M&A, and securities practices with Louis Rappaport in Philadelphia. Also in Philadelphia, Gary Goldenberg provides M&A, private equity and general corporate advice. The firm's core groups are based in New York and Philadelphia, but it also has corporate teams in Pittsburgh, Washington DC, and Los Angeles. The practice primarily advises privately-held companies on M&A and on related matters including capital raisings, securities offerings and corporate governance. The department also has a growing private equity and venture capital practice.

Neal, Gerber & Eisenberg LLP acts for both buyers and sellers in connection with negotiated public and private mergers, acquisitions, divestitures and dispositions. In addition to transactional assistance, the team provides strategic advice on general corporate matters, restructurings and securities issues. Chicago-based group chair Robert Gerber concentrates his practice on advising private companies. Michael Gray leads the firm's private equity, venture capital and growth group, as well as its fund formation and investment management practice. Asset management firms, portfolio companies and hedge funds are key clients, and the department has a strong offering for entrepreneurs.

Thompson Hine LLP has a broad M&A and securities practice, with notable strengths in compliance and corporate governance. In addition, the practice regularly advises on dispositions, take-private transactions, joint ventures, private equity and venture capital investments. William Henry in Cleveland principally handles M&A and private equity transactions. The team handles a large proportion of international transactions, and Chicago-based group chair Frank Chaiken represents numerous European as well as American clients.  The New York team is recommended for shareholder activism and private investment work, but the firm as a whole has a strong presence in the Midwest, with offices in Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Dayton and Chicago.

Dickinson Wright PLLC has a wealth of experience in international M&A, acting for organizations with a presence across Mexico, Japan and Western Europe. Clients include both trading companies and private equity investors, with sector strengths in financial services, media, manufacturing and consumer goods. In addition to transactional work, the department has extensive expertise in M&A-related issues encompassing regulatory matters and federal securities law. Scot Crow in Columbus heads the corporate, M&A and private equity group, leading high value investments, acquisitions, divestitures, and mergers, and advising on corporate management issues.

Haynes and Boone, L.L.P. handles a wide variety of M&A and related transactions, including spin-offs, divestitures, strategic alliance and distressed transactions, representing both buyers and sellers. Tom Harris heads the M&A practice group from Dallas.

With offices in Kansas City, St. Louis and Milwaukee, Husch Blackwell LLP has a notably strong presence in the Midwest, acting on a national scale for clients based in the region and for international clients seeking to buy or sell businesses in the Midwest. Kirstin Salzman heads the M&A, securities and corporate governance team from Kansas City; she handles joint ventures, governance issues, private equity and venture capital investments, regularly advising private equity and mezzanine funds in portfolio investments. Phoenix-based Chris Erblich leads the financial services and capital markets industry unit.

Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP represents both buyers and sellers in middle-market M&A, and has strong private equity and venture capital capabilities. The firm has a strong presence in the Southeast, with offices in Atlanta, Baltimore, South Carolina and Florida, but is fully capable of handling work nationally. Gus Dixon in Columbia is noted for his securities and corporate governance experience; he co-chairs the practice with Rhys Wilson, who focuses on M&A in the retail sector, and Michael E. Hollingsworth II, who advises trading companies and private equity firms. All named attorneys are based in Atlanta unless otherwise stated.

Brown Rudnick LLP's corporate team advises on M&A, securities law compliance, corporate governance, restructurings and recapitalizations. It also has expertise in private equity and venture capital transactions. James Bedar heads the firm's US corporate practice.

Curtis, Mallet-Prevost, Colt & Mosle LLP is particularly noted for representing clients in cross-border investments into the United States, benefiting from the team's CFIUS experience, and is well placed to handles transactions with multi-jurisdictional components. Lawrence Goodman in New York, who heads the firm's M&A practice group, has extensive experience advising clients in complex M&A and private equity matters, and regularly acts as counsel to New York investment banks. The wider corporate team also has significant experience with securities matters.

Jones Walker LLP provides corporate services, including M&A and securities, to publicly traded and privately held companies throughout the Gulf Coast. Curtis Hearn represents private equity and venture capital firms, and is particularly active in the energy, healthcare, transportation, logistics and manufacturing sectors. He jointly leads the team with J. Marshall Page III, who regularly advises heavy industry clients in the petrochemical and mid-stream energy industries. Both are based in New Orleans.

Polsinelli PC's corporate and transactional group handles a broad range of M&A-related work, including spin-offs, joint ventures and venture capital transactions. Kansas City-based William Mahood III  chairs the M&A and divestitures practice. Also based in Kansas City, Frank Ross Jr heads the firm's wider business department and led on several large transactions in the healthcare sector in 2020. He also advised on deals in the manufacturing, and technology sectors. Jonathan Henderson chairs the corporate and transactional practice, and also acts as office managing partner in Dallas. He has significant experience advising healthcare services companies.

Wiggin and Dana LLP is highlighted for being 'great on global cooperation' when serving its domestic and international clients. It handles the full range of M&A and corporate work combined with cross-practice support which includes areas as diverse as antitrust, data privacy and tax. It also has a focus on private equity in sectors including biopharma, IT, financial services, and telecoms. Stamford-based William Perrone and Mark Kaduboski head the team; managing partner, Paul Hughes also co-chairs the emerging companies/venture capital group.