Independent Sponsor

Independent sponsor activity remains a force in the strong M&A environment. Recently named “Law Firm of the Year” in Mergers & Acquisitions magazine’s Mid-Market M&A Awards, and ranked No. 1 in Thomson Reuters’ league table for U.S. M&A transactions up to $50 million, McGuireWoods is frequently recognized for its innovations in the independent sponsor market.

We represent independent sponsors and their capital partners in majority and minority equity investments. The firm understands how the dynamics of independent sponsor transactions affect issues like tax structure and economic sharing, alignment of sponsor and investor interests, exit strategy and more. We also recognize the opportunity independent sponsors have in finding quality investments that interest capital providers, and our lawyers add value by sharing opportunities with our network.

In addition to hosting a leading national conference, we lead independent sponsor networking groups around the country that facilitate the sharing of best practices, connections, ideas, deal leads and experiences in a trusted environment. Our lawyers are consistently called on to speak at industry events and provide thought leadership articles in light of our pre-eminence in the independent sponsor market and role in shaping deal terms and trends.

The firm has been recognized nationally for private equity buyouts, with Legal 500 noting “McGuireWoods has further cemented its presence in middle-market private equity, particularly in the healthcare, food and beverage, and energy industries. In the independent sponsor sub-sector, the firm has an especially strong standing.”