Debevoise & Plimpton LLP offers clients ‘significant experience in the full range of PE transactions’, including domestic and cross-border leveraged buyouts as well as PIPE deals, continuation fund transactions, and take-private acquisitions. Integrated cross-practice expertise in antitrust, tax, finance, and IP matters furthermore enables the team to guide clients through all stages of complexly structured acquisition, including joint governance matters as well as antitrust reviews. The New York-based team, which is particularly active across transactions in the healthcare and industrials sectors, is led by Kevin Schmidt, who stands out for his advice on cross-border acquisitions, joint ventures, and strategic investments. Experienced partner Paul Bird is noted for his M&A experience as well as his ability to handle spin-offs and takeover defense matters, and Kevin Rinker is a key contact for private equity deals in the healthcare and life sciences space. Further key contacts include Uri Herzberg and Jennifer Chu, who are sought out by leading funds such as Clayton, Dubilier & Rice in connection with high-value acquisitions, as well as Christopher Anthony, who handles a wide range of public and private M&A.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
- Profile
Accolades
Client satisfaction
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Very strong practice. Collaborative. Experienced and knowledgeable. Represent our firm’s culture well.’
‘Paul Bird - stature and communication ability. Spencer Gilbert - poise under pressure. Chris Anthony - knowledge of market. Kevin Schmidt - communication ability. Jennifer Chu - ability to take on complexity. ’
‘The Debevoise team has significant experience in the full range of PE transactions. We have worked with them successfully on some of our most important situations and they have helped us on a number of very complex transactions. They bring a broad set of skills and judgment to each of these situations.’
Key clients
- The Blackstone Group
- Brookfield
- Canada Pension Plan Investment Board
- The Carlyle Group
- Cerberus Capital Management
- Clayton, Dubilier & Rice
- Elliott Investment Management
- Kelso & Company
- Morgan Stanley Capital Partners
- Providence Equity Partners
Work highlights
- Advised Clayton Dubilier & Rice and TPG Capital on the acquisition of all outstanding shares of Covetrus at an enterprise value of approximately $4bn.
- Advised TPG Capital on the acquisition, alongside Cencora, of OneOncology from General Atlantic in a transaction valued at $2.1bn.
- Advised Prosperity Life Group, controlled by Elliott Management, in the take-private by Prosperity affiliate S.USA Life Insurance Company, Inc. of National Western Life Group, Inc. in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $1.9bn.
Lawyers
Hall of fame
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Leading partners
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Next generation partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Practice head
Kevin Schmidt
Other key lawyers
Paul Bird; Kevin Rinker; Jennifer Chu; Uri Herzberg; Christopher Anthony; Spencer Gilbert