Private Equity

Private equity folks are a savvy, hard-working, and driven bunch. Your transactions are time sensitive and complex, requiring intense speed and skill of execution. You possess a sophisticated grounding in legal issues and need attorneys who can work with you efficiently to get the deal done. Robinson+Cole's Deal Team has just those attorneys.

Our Services 

We advise middle and lower middle-market buyout funds, growth equity funds, co-investment funds, hedge funds, mezzanine funds, real estate funds, and venture capital funds, and their respective portfolio companies, principals, sponsors, and investors, in connection with the development and execution of investment and exit strategies, and the creation of value through acquisitions, divestitures, and innovative financing techniques. Our practical experience covers a broad array of transactions, including the following:

  • Domestic and cross-border asset and stock purchases
  • Mergers
  • Management and leveraged buyouts
  • Restructurings
  • Distressed Companies and Special Situations
  • Public-to-private transactions
  • Seed and venture capital investments
  • Follow-on acquisitions
  • All forms of exit transactions, including initial public offerings, recapitalizations, and sales and  other dispositions to both strategic and financial buyers.

Small Business Investment Companies

Our lawyers represent Small Business Investment Companies (SBICs) in their efforts to provide key financing to both emerging and long-established small businesses. We provide assistance in connection with mezzanine lending transactions. We guide clients through the inter-creditor matters inherent in any mezzanine financing, and ensure they are in compliance with all regulatory restrictions on structure, pricing, and other terms applicable to SBICs.

Our Team 

Our transaction team partners with the firm's finance, regulatory, tax, and benefits lawyers as needed to provide a seamless service. We often act as "general counsel" to portfolio companies by advising with respect to ongoing tax, employment, benefits, intellectual property, environmental, real estate, and other matters. You further benefit from being able to leverage our broad network of financing sources and third-party advisers - including regional, national, and international investment banks, consultants, and lobbyists - to help solve unique problems, source financing or investment opportunities, and create new relationships.
 

    • Experience
      • A sample of our work includes the following transactions

      Alta Equity Private Equity Q2 2013Alta Equity Private Equity Q3 2012Annex Capital Private EquityBalance Point Private Equity Q3 2012Brookside Mezzanine Partners Private EquityCatterton Partners Private EquityGraycliff Private Equity Q3 2013145Graycliff Private Equity Q1 2012
    • News
      • May 24, 2021

        Deal Team Represents Metacomet Group Holdings in its Acquisition of Fluid Mechanisms of Hauppauge

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      • November 29, 2016

        Robinson+Cole Recognized for Work on “Deals of the Year”

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      • November 29, 2016

        Les Levinson Presents at Privcap Healthcare Conference

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      • September 13, 2016

        Les Levinson Interviewed for Privcap Healthcare Insider Article

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      • February 12, 2016

        Matthew Guanci Appointed to the ACG Connecticut Board of Directors

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      • July 2, 2014

        Robinson+Cole Wins ACG New York Champion’s Award

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      • June 5, 2014

        Robinson+Cole Finalist for the 4th Annual ACG New York Champion’s Award

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      • January 22, 2014

        Eric Dale Elected President of Crossroads Venture Group Board of Directors

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      • October 21, 2013

        Super Lawyers® Names 61 Robinson & Cole Attorneys to 2013 List

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      • September 21, 2012

        Eric Dale Speaks at CVG 2nd Thursday "Marketing at the Speed of Light"

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      • December 19, 2011

        Boston Attorney Michael Wirvin Joins DCF Kids Fund

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      • October 12, 2011

        “What You Wish You Knew Before Selling Your Business” Prepares Business Owners for the Big Exit Event

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      • July 22, 2011

        Q2 Deal Report

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      • June 7, 2011

        “Competition for Capital in the Private Markets – What LP Investors Want in 2011” – A Signature Series Event at Robinson & Cole

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      • May 13, 2011

        Robinson & Cole Welcomes Partner Joseph B. White

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      • January 12, 2011

        Venture Capital is the Engine of Innovation in the Tech Sector

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      • January 5, 2011

        Robinson & Cole’s Deal Team Dominates Venture Deals in Q3

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      • November 8, 2010

        Program Examines Impact of the Dodd Frank Act on Non-financial Businesses

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      • August 6, 2010

        Private Equity Group Chair Sees Thaw of Venture Credit Capital Markets

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      • May 14, 2010

        Robinson & Cole Partner Says Venture Capital Data Portend Better Deal Flow

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      • March 10, 2010

        Robinson & Cole's Deal Team featured in Financial Sense Column on Trends in M&A Activity

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      • December 10, 2009

        Robinson & Cole Plays a Leading Role at Connecticut Digital Media Conference

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    • Publications + Presentations
    • "Department of Justice and State Attorneys General Pursue Private Equity Firms Under the False Claims Act" co-authored by Michael G. Lisitano and Leslie J. Levinson (12/20/2021)

      "What’s Driving Healthcare Private Equity Deal Flow?" co-presented by Leslie J. Levinson and John McKernan of The Riverside Company and Adam Dolder of Great Point Partners, at the Privcap Game Change: Healthcare 2016 conference in New York City (11/17/2016)
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      "Where Some See Healthcare Challenges, PE Sees Roll-Up Opportunity," published in Privcap Healthcare Insider, authored by Leslie J. Levinson, interviewed for the article (9/7/2016)
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      "Private Equity and Hedge Funds – What's Ahead for 2016?" authored by Shant H. Chalian (2/29/16)

      "Robinson+Cole Deal Report Q4 2015" (1/31/16)

      "2015 Q3 Business Transactions Deal Report" (11/3/2015)

      "2014 Q2 Business Transactions Deal Report" (9/15/2014)

      "2013 Q3 Business Transactions Deal Report" (12/04/2013)

      "2013 Q2 Business Transactions Deal Report" (10/04/2013)

      "Navigating Business, Investment, and Legal Challenges Facing Entrepreneurs: Laying the Foundation for a Successful Start-Up," presented by Eric J. Dale, participated in Fairfield County Bar Association program that discussed the challenges faced by entrepreneurs seeking to build successful technology start-ups, including investment issues, management strategies, and matters relating to intellectual property protection (6/13/2013)

      "2013 Q1 Business Transactions Deal Report" (06/12/2013)

      "2012 Q4 Business Transactions Deal Report" (02/27/2013)

      "2012 Q3 Business Transactions Deal Report" (11/08/2012)

      "2012 Q2 Business Transactions Deal Report" (08/21/2012)

      "2012 Q1 Business Transactions Deal Report" (06/15/2012)

      "New Federal Case Will Have Practical Impact on Patent Litigation" authored by Amanda Gordon Schreiber (5/24/2012)

      "How to Prepare for and Present Business Opportunities to U.S. Investors," presented by Kathleen M. Porter, presented to CleanTech North entrepreneurs (4/4/2012)

      "2011 Q4 Business Transactions Deal Report" (03/30/2012)

      "CT's U.S. Attorney Announces Initiative against Financial Crimes" (02/28/2012)

      "Supreme Court Upholds Congressional Right to Change Copyright Protection" authored by Nuala E. Droney (01/20/2012)

      "Is Your Mobile Device Communications Policy Up-to-Date?" (01/09/2012)

      "2011 Q2 Business Transactions Deal Report" (12/23/2011)

      "SEC's Proxy Access Rule Vacated; Shareholder Proposals Regarding Proxy Access Permitted" (12/8/2011)

      "2011 Q3 Business Transactions Deal Report" (11/22/2011)

      "Advertising Law: NAD issues guidance for Facebook “like-gated” campaigns" (11/15/2011)

      "Join the Club? Guidelines to Avoid Litigation in the LBO Bidding Process" (11/04/2011)

      "What You Wish You Knew before You Sold Your Business," at Selling Your Business – A Case Study from Multiple Perspectives, presented by Eric J. Dale (10/6/2011)

      "Patent Reform Becomes Law" (09/30/2011)

      "Supreme Court Upholds Rights to Inventions under Bayh-Doyle Act" (07/06/2011)

      "Higher Standard to Show Invalidity of Patent Approved" (06/27/2011)

      "Supreme Court Heightens the Standard for Class Certification in Wal-Mart v. Dukes" (06/24/2011)

      "Can Connecticut's Economic Nexus Rule Withstand Judicial Challenge?" (11/11/2010)

      "FTC and DOJ Issue Revised Horizontal Merger Guidelines" (10/18/2010)

      "SEC Issues New Pay-To-Play Regulations on Investment Advisers" (07/20/2010)

      "Preferred Stockholders v. Common Stockholders: Who's Really the Preferred Stockholder?" authored by Eric M. Kogan (07/07/2010)

      "Court Rejects Bilski Patent Application but Leaves Door Open to Business Method Patents" (06/29/2010)

      "Patent Marking Audits: Shield Yourself From the Next Wave of Patent Troll Suits" (03/26/2010)

      "Letters of Credit - How a Seller Can Ensure Payment Even in a Bad Economy" (04/01/2009)

Our Team

Members