Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP‘s practice remains prolific in private equity transactions, supervising a large volume of upper middle-market and bulge-bracket deals from its offices across the United States and abroad. Wide geographic breadth and sector expertise enables the team to advise on a diverse array of platform deals, add-on acquisitions, take-private transactions, and portfolio company mergers, including a growing number of transactions in sectors such as energy and healthcare as well as investments in the industrials and tech sectors. Jeffrey Poss is a key contact for the latter and recently advised Cetera on a $1.2bn take-private acquisition of fintech company Avantax. Poss co-leads the practice from New York with Neil Townsend, who is an expert on structuring, negotiating and implementing leveraged buyouts. Key contacts in Houston include energy transactions experts Sarah McLean, who joined from A&O Shearman in January 2024, and Archie Fallon. New York lawyer Matthew Rizzo is a specialist for private equity buyouts in the healthcare sector.
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘They know us incredibly well and have depth across everything we need.’
‘Jeffrey Poss is a long-time partner. Trust him implicitly. Terrific in the trenches but also really sees the big picture.’
‘Organizational capabilities are top-tier. Recent innovations include an online legal database for our portfolio companies to improve efficiency and collaboration. Overall team's breadth of expertise, efficiency, and ability to be commercial is very strong. The team is able to address the heart of an issue succinctly and efficiently. The team is also incredibly responsive and transparent.’
‘Rosalind Kruse - exceptionally seasoned attorney who manages her teams effectively and gives surgical advice and guidance. Highly trust her commercial acumen and negotiating skills. Aaron Savella is a recently promoted partner who has distinguished himself with responsiveness, transparency, and an evolving business judgement/commercial acumen that we appreciate.’
‘Their business-minded and partnership approach is what stand out. They have a strong ability to find solutions to business problems while also being flexible to come to a compromise when needed. They are great at protecting us from liabilities and risks. They are extremely timely while also being thoughtful in their responses. The Willkie Farr corporate and M&A lawyers work hand-in-hand with great functional experts.’
‘They are smart, hardworking, and experienced. Rosalind Kruse and Aaron Savella are great partners. They roll up their sleeves on complex and sophisticated matters to find the right solution to the problem.’
Key clients
- 3i Group plc
- Aquiline Capital Partners
- Aquiline Technology Growth
- Atlas Holdings
- Avista Capital Partners
- Blue Wolf Capital Partners
- Calvert Street Capital Partners
- The Capstreet Group
- CapVest
- CIP Capital
Work highlights
- Represented Franchise Group, Inc.'s CEO in connection with the $2.6bn acquisition of Franchise Group by a senior management team in partnership with an investor consortium.
- Advised Cetera Financial Group on its approximately $1.2bn take-private acquisition of Avantax, Inc.
- Advised Blue Wolf Capital Partners LLC on its proposed $1.2bn take-private acquisition of LOGISTEC Corporation, a North American marine terminal operator.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Practice head
Jeffrey Poss; Neil Townsend
Other key lawyers
Matthew Rizzo; Archie Fallon; Morgan Elwyn; Rosalind Kruse; Aaron Savella; Ray LaSoya