Private Equity: Buyouts & Venture Capital Investment: Massachusetts

THE FIRM This team is respected in the investment community for its dedicated midmarket buyouts and growth equity practices. Notable recent highlights include advising Spectrum Equity on the $232 million sale of Mortgagebot. Other key clients include Capital Resource Partners, Pluribus Capital Partners and Sherbrooke Capital.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Stephen Cohen is "highly charismatic and has a subtle leadership style about him," according to sources. He recently represented Windjammer Capital Investors in the $240 million sale of portfolio company Rotex Global.

Brian Lenihan recently acted for Research In Motion on its acquisition of Cellmania. He is recommended by sources for his work in the buyouts space. Commentators say: "He is highly practical, talks the language of the entrepreneurs and understands how to get a deal done."

THE FIRM This team maintains a strong profile for its representation of emerging growth companies and venture capital funds in financings. Recent highlights include representing General Catalyst Partners in its $15 million investment in Big Commerce. Other notable clients include ABS Capital, Excel Venture Management and Sigma Partners.

Sources say: "They are our go-to firm and we enjoy working with them significantly."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Lester Fagen's recent highlights include advising SpringLeaf Therapeutics in a $20 million Series B financing. He focuses on representing private equity investors, venture capital investors, and emerging and growth businesses.  

Patrick Mitchell has a broad practice which includes advising private equity and venture capital firms on leveraged acquisitions, portfolio investments and matters relating to their portfolio companies. He recently represented social media company Vitrue in its $17 million Series C financing.

THE FIRM This team is recognized for its buyouts, portfolio company operations and strategic initiatives practice in the middle and smaller markets. It has particular strength in the life sciences, communications, and IT and software sectors. The group has recently represented Boston Ventures, Great Hill Partners and Nautic Partners.

Sources say: "The firm has a lot of depth and a huge practice in private equity. It has been very creative and responsive."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Stephen Meredith is "extremely knowledgeable on both the legal side and the market side." Sources praise him for the high quality of his negotiation skills and his engaging manner.

James Barrett is "highly attentive to detail and to service," according to clients. His recent work highlights include representing Ampersand Capital Partners in the $35 million sale of stock in Elmet Holdings.

THE FIRM This team is held in high esteem for its representation of companies and investors at all stages, from the seed stage through exits, from its bases in Boston and Waltham. Notable clients include Polaris Venture Partners, Advion BioSciences and SustainX. The firm has been particularly active on behalf of emerging companies in the life sciences and technology industries. 

Sources say: "The level of service provided is phenomenal."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Peter Rosenblum "is a highly savvy business adviser" and "has a powerful network," according to commentators. He has an impressive roster of domestic and overseas clients, including CommonAngels, Polar Capital and Skyline Ventures.

David Broadwin heads the firm's emerging enterprise center out of Waltham, Massachusetts. He has particular expertise in PIPE transactions.

THE FIRM This team is highly recommended for its work on a range of private equity asset classes, including venture financing, venture-backed IPOs, buyouts, recapitalizations and joint ventures. Recent venture capital highlights include advising Digital Sky Technologies on Twitter, Facebook, Airbnb and ZocDoc transactions raising in excess of $1.4 billion in total proceeds. Highlights on the buyouts side include representing Aprimo in its $525 million acquisition by Teradata. 

Sources say: "We have been extremely pleased with all representation we have received from Goodwin. It has given strong support and guidance before, during and after all transactions."

KEY INDIVIDUALS The "smart and practical" John Egan is cochair of the firm's technology companies group. His practice focuses on corporate securities, venture capital and growth equity.

John LeClaire is "phenomenal" and does "incredible legal work," according to commentators. He recently represented Gallus BioPharmaceuticals in its acquisition from Centocor Biologics.

William Schnoor focuses on venture capital matters and is praised as an "excellent lawyer who is highly smart and experienced" by sources. His recent work includes representing Gazelle in its $22 million Series D financing led by Craton Equity Partners.

James Curley has "strong negotiation skills and understanding of deal structures," and is "a good technical lawyer with a savvy business sense." He recently acted on Charlesbank's sale of Vision Source to Brazos.

Laura Hodges Taylor recently advised LLM Capital on its acquisition of Hybrid Design Associates. She is "easy to deal with, responsive and technically excellent," say clients.

Mark Macenka enjoys a healthy reputation as a "good strong practitioner" among sources. He recently represented Matrix Partners in its $138 million Series E financing of Gilt Groupe.

Michael Kendall recently advised TA Associates on its minority investment in MedSolutions Holdings. Sources say he is a "responsive and fine professional."

Mark Burnett is "highly technical yet highly practical" and a "hard-working guy," according to interviewees. His recent work includes representing JMI Equity and Arlington Capital in their acquisition of Compusearch Software Systems.

THE FIRM This team earns strong market endorsement for its expertise in advising funds and organizations in the emerging growth company marketplace. It recently represented Icera in its $327 million acquisition by NVIDIA. Notable clients include Harvest Power, Synchronoss Technologies and Vanda Pharmaceuticals.  

Sources say: "The firm does a good job of representing both investors and companies."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Jay Hachigian recently represented ITA Software in its sale to Google. Clients say he "is terrific and knows the business side of things as well as the legal side."  

Sources describe Marc Dupré as "a really good lawyer" who is "easy to get along with." His recent highlights include representing Lyric Semiconductor in its acquisition by Analog Devices.

THE FIRM This recent entrant into the Boston market has grown thanks to a number of lateral hires. It has distinguished itself by its expertise in venture capital transactions with a notable focus on the technology and life sciences sectors. The team has recently been involved in a series of financings on behalf of clients including Chiasma, Care.com and Digital Reef.   

Sources say: "Latham & Watkins has a good focus on smaller companies who want to grow into world-class companies or be acquired by one."

KEY INDIVIDUALS John Chory is "one of the most well-respected venture capital partners in town," according to clients. He frequently represents technology and life sciences companies, including recently acting for Vlingo on a Series D financing.

Commentators describe Alexander Temel as a "creative and smart lawyer." His clients include Arch Venture Partners, Great Hill Partners and the Wellcome Trust.

Susan Mazur earns praise among interviewees for her "good client relations, good tenacity and good standing." Her areas of expertise include formation and governance issues, equity and compensation, and early and late-stage venture capital financings.

Boston managing partner Philip Rossetti focuses on emerging companies, venture capital financings and M&A.

THE FIRM This Waltham practice is recognized for structuring and negotiating equity investments in emerging companies on behalf of companies and investors. It is particularly noted for its competitive rates.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Key practice contacts at the firm are Mary Beth Kerrigan and Jonathan Gworek.

THE FIRM This leading staple of the Massachusetts legal market and beyond is best known for its representation of heavyweight private equity funds on substantial deals. Recent highlights include representing The Blackstone Group in its $3 billion acquisition of Emdeon. The firm's expertise extends to acting in an array of venture capital investment transactions for clients including Bain Capital Ventures, Brookside Capital and North Bridge Venture Partners.

Sources say: "Ropes is an exceptional firm that is remarkable for the consistent quality of execution in all facets of transaction work and specialty practice areas."

KEY INDIVIDUALS "Strong and clever lawyer" Newcomb Stillwell recently represented TPG Capital in a $1.9 billion acquisition of Immucor. His practice focuses on representing large private equity firms in M&A transactions.

The "really excellent" David Chapin receives plaudits from sources for his work representing private equity funds, including Thomas H Lee Partners and Weston Presidio. Recent highlights include advising Berkshire Partners on the sale of Masterplan.

Private equity transactions practice group head Alfred Rose focuses on LBOs, M&A, going-private transactions and structured financial products. His recent work includes advising TPG Capital on the $955 million acquisition of Taylor Morrison.

Craig Marcus receives particular praise for his positive manner with clients. He recently represented Kohlberg in the sale of Scott's Cove Capital Management.  

Senior practitioner Bradford Malt has a reputation among sources as an "excellent practitioner" with "an exceptional following." He is highly respected for his extensive knowledge and experience of the private equity sector.

William Shields has emerged as a true client favorite, with sources praising him as "awesome" and "brilliant." One client calls this PE expert "an outstanding lawyer who combines excellent technical skills with breadth of experience and the ability to negotiate effectively and productively with opposing counsel."

THE FIRM This team is frequently chosen by large private equity funds and portfolio companies to advise on significant transactions. Recent highlights include representing Thomas H Lee Partners in its purchase of $180 million of common stock in First BanCorp. Other notable clients include Highland Consumer Fund, North Bridge Growth Equity and PSP Investments. Clients particularly praise the firm for its service and dedication to maintaining relationships. 

Sources say: "Professionalism, responsiveness and team depth are the qualities that come to mind."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Steven Peck recently advised GM on its sale of membership interests in Delphi Automotive for $3.8 billion. His private equity fund clients include Summit Partners.

Joseph Basile "is highly knowledgeable, shows great responsiveness and availability, and is well respected by his peers," say clients. He recently represented Harbinger Capital Partners in a series of investments in Dutch company Augere.

Marilyn French recently represented Advent International in its acquisition of Bojangles' Restaurants. She frequently acts for private equity sponsors investing in or acquiring private and public companies.

Kevin Sullivan is particularly lauded by clients for his responsiveness and efficiency. He recently advised Providence Equity Partners on its $173 million acquisition of George Little Management.

THE FIRM This team excels at advising companies in the technology, clean technology and life sciences sectors on venture financings. Recent highlights include representing Casa Systems in its $95 million private equity financing by Summit Capital. Other clients include Laser Light Engines, Alnara Pharmaceuticals and TetraPhase. Clients praise the firm for its ability to provide deep expertise while delivering value for money. 

KEY INDIVIDUALS Mark Borden "has the experience and knowledge that gives us confidence when we receive advice from him," say commentators. He counts North Bridge Venture Partners and Airvana Network Solutions among his clients.

Venture group head Michael Bain is praised by clients for his dedication to their needs. "He invests his own time and does his homework, and we always appreciate that," they say.