WHAT IS PRIVATE EQUITY?

Private equity firms are entities formed by investment professionals who deploy capital on behalf of individual and institutional investors. These types of investors can typically commit sizable financial sums for substantial periods of time and often on short notice. In addition to forming investment vehicles, private equity law encompasses a wide range of legal matters for companies owned by private equity firms, known as “portfolio companies.”

Private equity legal services also include representing investment groups in acquisition transactions funded by debt, which are known as “leveraged buyouts.” TThe issues presented to private equity and leveraged buyout lawyers are many, and typically arise during the course of fast-moving, highly complex transactions involving numerous counterparties. These transactions need a familiarity with corporate law, partnership law, tax, benefits and employment law, environmental, intellectual property and real estate issues in a transactional context, executive compensation and incentive issues, securities law and complex debt financing issues.