Independent Sponsor | Lippes Mathias LLP

The independent sponsor model has continued to grow in prominence in the M&A market. Our attorneys have extensive experience advising and supporting independent sponsors through all phases of a project, from their formation and structuring to capital raising, acquisitions, dispositions, and corporate governance.

Significant Experience: Our law firm is a leading New York-based full-service law firm with extensive transaction experience. Out of our nearly 200 attorneys, half practice transactional law (private equity, M&A, venture capital, investment funds, etc.). We routinely assist clients throughout the country in structuring, negotiating and successfully closing their middle market deals ranging from $1 million to $100+ million.

Specialties: The attorneys on our Independent Sponsor Team have specific experience with the complexities that independent sponsors face in structuring and effecting transactions as an independent sponsor, and the unique priorities of independent sponsors compared to a standard middle market private equity fund. Leveraging this experience allows independent sponsor clients to maximize the benefits of the independent sponsor model to accomplish economic goals while controlling for risk.

Value: The tremendous transactional expertise of our attorneys does not come burdened by the overhead of a larger firm, and we are able to offer a much stronger value proposition as a result. In fact, a number of our laterals have joined from larger regional or Am Law 100 firms to provide higher value and cost-effective counsel.

Trusted Advisor: Our firm has an exceptional 50+ year legacy helping thousands of clients successfully close transactions. Our clients appreciate the practical and proactive approach we take as legal counsel on all aspects of their business endeavors. A number of our team members have been ranked for excellence by Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business; The Best Lawyers in America©; Super Lawyers®; Leading M&A Lawyers; Leading Closely Held Business Lawyers; and Dealmaker of the Year.

Relationships/Connections: The ability to connect networks and produce mutually beneficial partnerships among sponsors and investors can be an invaluable resource. Due to our lengthy history of providing transaction services, we have developed strong and long-lasting relationships with a number of leaders in the deal community and we often assist with putting those connections together.

Full Service: As a full-service law firm, we are able to engage attorneys from any of our more than 26 practice areas when appropriate to advise on finance, tax, labor/employee benefits, executive compensation, real estate, environmental, intellectual property, antitrust, health care, commercial litigation, regulatory and securities matters. Our Independent Sponsors Team’s experience working with attorneys in our various practice areas allows us to provide exceptional advice and support to our clients efficiently and effectively.

For any questions on how we can assist, please contact John Koeppel, Leader of the Private equity and Independent Sponsor Teams at 716-262-9330 or jkoeppel@lippes.com, or your Lippes Mathias relationship contact.

Acquisitions and Investments

Represent clients on their acquisitions of companies, many of which are leveraged acquisitions ranging from $1 million to $100+ million of enterprise value. Our team has wide transactional experience in multiple industries, including manufacturing, technology, health care, education, consumer products, business services, food and beverage, and energy.
Represent sponsors and portfolio companies in connection with their roll-up acquisitions.
Extensive representations of companies conducting a sale or divestiture of their business (whether stock, asset, merger or other, in both proprietary processes and auction sales).
Represent venture capital firms and/or companies on venture capital financings and private offerings.
Advised sponsors and companies on growth equity investments.
Counsel on equity and debt financings/ restructurings of portfolio companies, including dividend recapitalizations.
Represent individuals or groups in management-led buy-outs of companies.
Extensive experience representing various clients in their co-investment transactions.
Skilled with M&A representation and warranty insurance.

Formation and Launches

Advise numerous sponsors on fund formations and launches (including independent sponsors) involving buy-outs, venture capital, technology, real estate, energy, oil and gas, and other investment strategies (ranging in size from $5 million to $250+ million).
Advise independent sponsors on the structuring and closing of their deals.
Extensive experience with qualified opportunity zone (QOZ) investments.
Represent various emerging managers on the successful launch of their first-time funds.
Represent new sponsors spinning out from an existing institution or group.
Acted as U.S. counsel to non-U.S. fund sponsors raising capital from U.S. investors and/or making U.S. investments.
Extensive experience assisting clients with cross-border transaction, and structure.