The Legal 500 > United States > United States > M&A: middle-market (sub-$500m)

Akerman LLP is noted for the breadth of its middle-market M&A practice, where it handles a huge variety of buy- and sell-side M&A, leveraged recapitalizations and buyouts, distressed company transactions, cross-border acquisitions and investment deals, and joint ventures. Other areas of focus include foreign and domestic IPOs, secondary offerings and matters involving the use of SPACs. Among the team's clients are private equity firms, family offices, and other strategic investors, private and public companies, management teams, emerging companies and entrepreneurs. Jointly headed by Jonathan Awner and Carl Roston, the team is handling M&A and reorganizations, including pre- and post-merger restructuring work, for a number of well-known national and regional trading companies; however, the team has had particularly strong showings in the private investment space. Private equity and venture capital specialist Kenneth Wiggins is also recommended. Otavio Carneiro joined as partner in the Miami office from the Brazilian firm Veirano Advogados, strengthening the firm’s Brazilian inbound and outbound transactional expertise. Named attorneys are based in Miami.

Arnold & Porter's corporate and finance practice has M&A as its core focus. Chaired by Washington DC-based Kevin Lavin, the team advises strategic and financial buyers and sellers on stock, asset, and whole-business acquisitions, LBOs, and other corporate control transactions. The team also has the necessary skill sets to handle the financing for these transactions, and with a number of partners experienced in corporate governance, it is also well placed to handle the strategic management of public company clients. Moreover, the group is adept at handling transactions in regulated industries such as life sciences, financial services, government services, national security and cybersecurity. The M&A practice group is jointly led by San Francisco-based Edward Deibert and Derek Stoldt in New York. Another contact in the DC office is Matthew Owens, an experienced M&A practitioner who is rated for his work in the areas of healthcare and government contracting.

Ballard Spahr LLP advises domestic and international buyers and sellers, ranging from small private companies to publicly-listed multinationals, on middle- and lower-middle market transactions. Utilizing a multidisciplinary approach, the team is able to provide comprehensive service on transactions with demanding tax, securities, executive compensation and employee benefits, IP and environmental aspects. The team also has notable strengths in a huge variety of industry sectors. The M&A group is jointly led by Maggie Tatton in Minneapolis, and Brian Doerner, who also leads the firm's life sciences and technology group. Gregory Seltzer co-heads the emerging growth and venture capital group. Senior associate Amit Kakkar left the firm for an in-house role at Novartis. Named individuals are based in Philadelphia unless otherwise stated.

Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP acts for buyers, sellers and investors in mid-market M&A and other strategic transactions. Among the firm's clients are public and private companies, private equity firms and family offices. Head of team Kimberly Petillo-Décossard has vast experience in M&A, as well as financing transactions and governance, disclosure and compliance matters; she has also shown her strength in deals executed through SPACs. Recently promoted partner Ross Sturman has broad-base expertise in M&A and public and private financing transactions, acting both for companies and financial institutions. John Schuster is another name to note for M&A, as well as bank financing and securities work. Also recommended are firm chairman William Hartnett, noted for his experience of the media, pharmaceuticals, telecoms, technology and gaming industries; and Joseph Rosati an up-and-coming associate in the practice group. All named attorneys are based in New York.

Choate, Hall & Stewart has a strong reputation in public and private M&A, acting for acquirers, targets, and financing sources. To support its public company work, the group also boasts a number of partners with extensive experience of corporate governance matters, including public company reporting and SEC compliance. Life sciences and technology are among the group's sector strengths, and in these areas the group is engaged by clients ranging from promising start-ups to public companies. Co-chair of the business and technology group John Pitfield is experienced in public offerings, tender offers and debt and equity financings both for US and Canadian companies. Joint practice head Brian  Goldstein advises businesses in the healthcare sector on financings, strategic partnerships and licensing agreements, M&A, and various other corporate matters. Counsel Daniel Riley is also recommended for corporate and securities issues. Laurence Naughton left the firm for Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C.. All named attorneys based in Boston.

Loeb & Loeb LLP’s M&A team is active in cross-border and cross-industry transactions, leveraging the strengths of the firm's media and entertainment, technology, advertising, healthcare, energy, sports and financial services practices to provide full legal support to public and private company clients irrespective of industry sector. Mitchell Nussbaum in New York co-chairs the capital markets and corporate group, and specializes in advising growth companies and underwriting banks on IPOs, follow-on public offerings, PIPE deals and other securities transactions. Los Angeles-based Arash Khalili jointly leads the team alongside Nussbaum; Khalili is particularly standout in the media and entertainment sector, advising on brand monetization and disputes in addition to M&A, investment deals and financing transactions. Deputy chair Steven Hurdle (also in Los Angeles) is a key contact for digital media tech start-ups and their founders and investors. Also recommended is Lloyd Rothenberg in New York, who advises both early-stage growth companies and more mature companies in the technology, media, marketing and advertising sectors.

Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman, LLP is adept at handling M&A transactions, private equity and venture capital transactions and securities offerings in the technology, energy, financial services, infrastructure, communications and healthcare sectors. The core client base is composed of public and private companies, private equity firms, and investment banks. For public company work in particular, the practice group is also experienced in corporate governance matters, shareholder disputes and internal corporate investigations. New York-based practice co-head Jonathan Russo is noted for his expertise in corporate governance and reporting requirements, and is thus well placed to handle private and public company M&A. Justin Hovey jointly heads the team from the San Francisco office; he specializes in start-up formation, venture capital financings and M&A, and is also knowledgeable of corporate governance in this space. Chris Patay in Los Angeles is also recommended. The team in New York was further bolstered by the arrival of Jon Lyman from Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP, and Augusto Lima, who joined from an in-house role at Novartis.

‘Highly responsive, knowledgeable, thorough and nimble’, Seyfarth Shaw LLP has recognized expertise in middle-market M&A. The firm has a strong nationwide footprint, but is also well placed to handle cross-border transactions working in conjunction with its global network spread throughout the UK, Europe and Asia. A full-service firm by nature, the corporate lawyers are routinely acting alongside their colleagues in the healthcare, fintech, labor and employment, antitrust, privacy and security, and litigation departments. Areas of focus include strategic investment, post-merger integration and regulatory matters. Multinational corporates and private investors, including venture capital firms, make up the bulk of the client base. Key figures in the team include Suzanne Saxman in Chicago, who has been leading corporate matters for clients in the chemicals, consumer products and healthcare sectors; and New York-based Andrew Lucano, an experienced partner in the team who has broad-base expertise in corporate and securities transactions. Also of note, the team welcomed a number of new arrivals over the past year, including that of Paul Kruger in New York, who joined from Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP.

Squire Patton Boggs’ US corporate M&A team is supported by a global network of offices, enabling the firm to provided end-to-end service both in domestic and multi-jurisdictional M&A and securities transactions. The firm acts for public and private companies in a wide range of industry sectors, including automotive and aviation, diversified industrials, chemicals, financial services, food and beverage, and consumer products. Daniel Berick in Cleveland chairs the Americas group within the firm's global corporate practice and also co-heads the global family office team. Berick advises private equity and venture capital firms, and family offices on portfolio company transactions, fund formations, and various securities and corporate law issues. Cleveland office managing partner Michele Connell is another name to note; a member of the firm’s Latin America executive committee, she has particular experience of transactions involving the Brazilian market. Scott Rafshoon joined from Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP in Atlanta, and Phoenix-based Jaime Daddona is also recommended.

Vedder Price advises public and private companies on M&A and private equity transactions, both nationwide and internationally. The practice group has shown its ability to ably act for financial institutions and private investors, including private equity firms, hedge funds and family offices in the financial services and banking, healthcare, construction, gaming, aerospace and investment services industries. Practice co-head Michael Nemeroff is a name to note for hedge fund transactions and private equity deals including leveraged and management buyouts, and Shelby Parnes is a contact for governance issues, including SEC filings, cross-border investigations and crisis management. Also recommended are Venu Talanki and Joseph Kye, who specializes in mid-market transactions and financings, and associate Benjamin Williams, an up-and-comer in the team who has developed experience in the healthcare industry. John McEnroe has retired. Attorneys listed are based in Chicago.

Venable LLP is recognized for its broad corporate expertise, covering public and private company transactions and financing deals, company formation, joint ventures, tender offers and control deals, reorganizations and liquidations. The firm also has complementary strengths in restructuring, strategic governance and securities compliance, and tax structuring. Included in its varied client roster are Fortune 100 companies, emerging growth companies, international and regional entrepreneurs, REITS, venture capitalists, financing institutions and private investors. Washington DC-based practice co-head Robert Bolger Jr is adept at business planning and corporate entity formations, advising on issues including taxation, initial capitalization and other financing deals. with a particular focus on the hospitality, marketing, technology and entertainment sectors. Charles Morton Jr, who also co-heads the team, splits his time between the Washington DC and Baltimore office, and is a key advisor for private equity groups, banks, and entrepreneurs. Ronn Davids in Los Angeles is also recommended.

Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP stands out for its activity across the full lifecycle of businesses, from initial organization and funding, through to follow-on financing rounds, M&A, and any potential liquidity events. Areas of focus for the team include LBOs, equity financings, add-on acquisitions, leveraged dividends and divestitures. In addition, the team's transactional work is ably supported by experts from across the firm's tax, antitrust, insolvency and restructuring, and banking and finance teams. The team generates mandates from a variety of core industry sectors, though some of its most interesting work over the past year was in the developing cannabis sector, where global practice head Mark Grossmann acted for GR Companies, a vertically integrated multi-state cannabis operator, in its agreement to be acquired by Curaleaf Holdings. Also recommended are Kenneth Miller, who co-heads the private equity group, and New York-based Brian Hecht, who joined the firm from Kirkland & Ellis LLP. Named attorneys based in Chicago unless otherwise stated.

Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP focuses on mid-market M&A and private equity work, acting for a range of public and private companies, insurers, private equity investors and hedge funds, as well as for venture capitalists and individual investors. Headed by Ernest Wechsler and James Moriarty, the team is active across a variety of industry sectors, including education, technology, financial services, manufacturing, real estate, energy, and media, sports and entertainment. Moriarty in particular is recognized for his work in the private equity space. Also recommended are Howard Spilko, who was recently named co-managing partner, and Thomas Molner, a notable practitioner for securities and corporate finance work, as well as for business combination transactions. Scott Abramowitz left the firm for Ropes & Gray LLP. Attorneys listed are based in New York.

McGuireWoods LLP advises private and public companies on the buy and sell sides of stock purchases and M&A, divestitures and other global business combinations. Highlights over the past year have shown the team's strengths in the areas of healthcare, industrials, technology, financial services, real estate and energy, and indeed, in addition to its company M&A, the practice group also has notable expertise in private equity exits and financial advisory matters. Richmond-based Michael Woodard chairs the firm’s global M&A and corporate transactions department and also leads the renewable energy practice, having developed a reputation for advising large US energy companies and project developers. Chicago-based Geoffrey Cockrell chairs the private equity group. Also of note, the group was strengthened by the arrival of three partners from Winston & Strawn LLP; Deepak Reddy joined the New York office, while Thomas DeSplinter and Gregory Hawver joined in Chicago.

Nixon Peabody LLP is recognized for its broad-base expertise in M&A, private equity and venture capital financings and LBOs, large joint ventures, and other corporate transactions, both domestically and internationally. Active for a variety of investors, private and large public companies, entrepreneurs and C-level executives, the team has demonstrated strengths in the food and beverage, agribusiness, consumer products, life sciences, healthcare, manufacturing, technology and energy sectors. Newly appointed corporate practice group leader Christopher Keefe focuses on mid-market M&A transactions, while David Martland has developed a reputation for handling significant strategic transactions for investment funds, healthcare businesses and not-for-profits. Washington DC-based John Partigan chairs the firm’s nationwide securities practice and is noted in particular for his work in the media industry. Attorneys are based in Boston unless otherwise stated.

Seward & Kissel LLP has considerable expertise in M&A in the investment management and shipping industries, though the firm's strengths also extend to the media, real estate and business services sectors. The team regularly acts for private equity firms, international businesses and financial services companies in a huge variety of domestic and cross-border corporate and financing transactions. James Abbott co-heads the ‘incredibly strong team’, and has vast experience in international sell-side M&A, private equity deals and joint venture transactions. Joint practice head Craig Sklar is a name to note for venture capital transactions, and Nick Katsanos has niche experience of corporate matters in the veterinary sector. Senior associate Danielle Lemberg is also recommended. All named attorneys are in New York.

Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP handles a broad range of transactional and general corporate matters for public and private companies both domestically and internationally. It provides full legal support on M&A and LBOs, financing transactions, recapitalizations, public offerings, real estate capital markets transactions and joint ventures. The firm's highlights also illustrate the team's ability to work across industry sectors, with recent work covering the IT, healthcare, consumer goods, aerospace and defense, financial services, and food and beverage industries. The corporate and securities practice group is jointly led by Century City-based Jeryl Bowers and Linda Michaelson, alongside Ariel Yehezkel in New York. Will Chuchawat leads the M&A team in Los Angeles, where he represents public and private companies, private equity clients, and venture capital investors.

Blank Rome LLP's core corporate groups are based in New York and Philadelphia, though the team also has strong on-the-ground presence in Pittsburgh, Washington DC and Los Angeles. True to the wider-firm's sector strengths, the corporate group is especially active in the areas of insurance, government contracting, professional service and maritime and transportation. It is also recognized for its ability to advise on IP-heavy transactions in the areas of fashion and brand management. A key figure in the team is New York-based Peter Schnur, who has extensive experience advising on domestic and cross-border corporate and private equity transactions, as well as on related regulatory issues such as antitrust and securities compliance. Schnur jointly heads the national corporate, M&A, and securities practice alongside Louis Rappaport in Philadelphia, who focuses on M&A for emerging companies and middle-market businesses. Jeffrey Cohen joined the team in New York from Baker McKenzie LLP.

Acting for public and private companies, boards of directors and special committees, investors and financial advisors, Thompson Hine LLP stands out in part for its work in the areas of investment management and strategic corporate governance. That said, the team is also recognized for its broad transactional M&A and securities practice. The team's recent work for PharMerica is a strong example of its hand-in-hand client service and comprehensive corporate work; here, Frank Chaiken in Chicago and Cleveland-based William Henry handled several strategic business acquisitions and asset deals, both for PharMerica and its subsidiary Pharmacy Corporation of America. The team in New York is noted for its shareholder activism and private investment work; Corby Baumann is a name to note in this space.

Curtis, Mallet-Prevost, Colt & Mosle LLP is very well placed to handle cross-border deals and transactions with an international bent. Indeed, in addition to its focus on mid-market M&A, the team is also recognized for its work on inbound investments into the US, where it benefits from the expertise of the firm's CFIUS practitioners. The corporate team also has broad experience of securities transactions and private equity matters. Lawrence Goodman heads the M&A group and co-chairs the corporate practice; he is particularly experienced in acting as counsel for New York investment banks. The group has seen some personnel changes over the past year: John Nielsen joined as partner from an general counsel position at Hunt Financial Securities; Raymond Hum left for an in-house role at Verisign, and Jeffrey Ostrager left for Venable LLP. Named attorneys are based in New York.

Dickinson Wright PLLC handles a broad range of foreign and domestic M&A. In addition to its core strength is M&A, the team is experienced in asset deals and divestitures, divisional spinoffs, recapitalizations, reorganizations, and LBOs. The practice group is active in a number of key industries, including financial services, media, sports, real estate, automotive, manufacturing and consumer products, acting both for trading companies and private equity investors engaged in those sectors. The corporate team also benefits from its working relationships with the firm's environmental, labor and employment, IP and tax teams. Columbus-based Scot Crow heads the corporate, M&A and private equity practice group.

Haynes and Boone, L.L.P. has a track record in corporate transactions and private equity work. The firm is also able to handle all related issues pertaining to tax planning, employee benefits and executive compensation, antitrust, IP, and real estate. Tom Harris and Janice Sharry are contacts in Dallas.

Husch Blackwell LLP has a strong presence throughout the Midwest, but is fully capable of handling national and international transactions for public and private companies in the middle market. Indeed, the firm has extensive experience of inbound and outbound transactions, and in addition to its transactional work, it also advises on matters such as antitrust and general operational issues. Kansas City-based Kirstin Salzman heads the M&A, securities and corporate governance practice group; she has been recognized throughout the market for her transactional and advisory work, and has recently led work for clients including AMC Entertainment. Eric Lenzen leads the financial services and capital markets industry unit in Milwaukee. The team also has an on-the-ground presence in St. Louis.

Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP advises public and private companies and private equity firms, as well as domestic arms of international companies, on a range of corporate and banking transactions. The team is also recognized for its private equity and corporate finance work. Moreover, it is well positioned to provide comprehensive corporate law service to public company clients, thanks in part to the corporate governance experience of partners like Gus Dixon in Columbia. Dixon co-chairs the M&A group alongside Atlanta-based Rhys Wilson and Michael Hollingsworth II.

Jones Walker LLP advises clients on M&A, finance, joint ventures, supply-chain contracting, offerings of equity and debt securities, venture capital financing and corporate governance matters. It advises public and private companies, start-ups, emerging enterprises and Fortune 500 corporations. Client sectors include energy, healthcare, transport, manufacturing sectors, telecoms, technology, media, food, financial services and construction. New Orleans-based Curtis Hearn and Marshall Page co-lead the corporate practice group.

Polsinelli PC has wide-ranging expertise in M&A and LBOs, large-scale commercial agreements, corporate restructuring, and supplementary areas such as corporate governance and trade compliance. Among its industry focuses, the team has been especially active in the areas of construction, healthcare, digital media, e-commerce, telecoms and software. Kansas City-based Frank Ross Jr heads the business department and focuses on corporate transactional work. Jonathan Henderson chairs the corporate and transactional practice, and also acts as office managing partner in Dallas; he focuses primarily on advising buyers and sellers of mid-market healthcare services companies. Also in Kansas City, William Mahood III chairs the national mergers, acquisitions and divestitures practice.

Wiggin and Dana LLP handles M&A, securities and capital market transactions, and corporate governance matters, and also advises on related issues such as antitrust, tax, labor, environment, data privacy and trade regulation. The team acts for private equity funds and portfolio companies, family offices and public companies, particularly in the areas of biopharma, chemicals, IT, financial services, healthcare, manufacturing, media and telecoms. Stamford-based William Perrone and Mark Kaduboski jointly head the team.