private equity

private equity 

"Choate has cemented its position as a highly respected mid-market player; great for mid-market buyouts."  Chambers USA

Transaction Depth 

Represented clients in over $30 billion in middle market M&A and investment transactions in the past five years.  Formed one of first private equity funds in 1983 and have been a leader in private equity ever since.

Bench Strength 

Over 50 lawyers in dedicated client teams.  Lawyers throughout practice area consistently receive national recognition for excellence in Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business, The Legal 500, a guide to the preeminent law firms in the US and Best Lawyers in America.

Middle Market Focused 

Focus on private equity funds in middle market transactions ranging from less than $20 million to nearly $1 billion.

Deal Coverage 

In-depth deal coverage including acquisitions and sales, minority investments and recapitalizations, and all aspects of fund formation and capital raising.

National Recognition 

  • “Green/Environmental Deal of the Year” for 2009: represented private equity sponsor (M&A Advisor) 
  • “Buyout Deal of the Year” award for 2005: Choate represented private equity seller (Buyouts Magazine)
  • Ranked in top 30 “Most Active Law Firms” worldwide based on number of private equity and venture capital deals negotiated and closed in 2009 (Private Equity Analyst)
  • Ranked among the top “Most Active Law Firms” worldwide based on number of private equity and venture capital funds worked on for general partners and limited partners that closed in 2009 (Private Equity Analyst)
  • Named "Go-to Firm" in M&A in 2008 (Corporate Counsel)

National/International Reach 

Handled private equity acquisitions and investments in 45 states and 27 countries.

blue chip clients

Represented more than 40 private equity funds, including:

3i

Avista Capital Partners

Boston Ventures

Capital Resource Partners

Grove Street Advisors

Heritage Partners

Highland Capital Partners

JMH Capital 

Mainsail Partners

New England Capital

Parthenon Capital

Polaris Ventures

RFE Investment Partners

Riverside Partners

Summit Partners

Spectrum Equity

Windjammer Capital

industry reach

Business services
Consumer products
Distribution
Family businesses
Financial services
Healthcare Manufacturing
Media
Publishing
Retail
Technology
Telecommunications

Buyout Deal of the Year 2005

Choate represented Heritage Partners in the $640 million sale of Skilled Healthcare Group to Onex Corp. The deal, which closed in December 2005, was named Buyout Magazine’s “Buyout Deal of the Year.” Heritage Partners is the leading private equity firm for family owned businesses. Skilled Healthcare is a major provider of long-term care facilities in the Western US.

Choate represents Boston ventures in $340 million deal

Choate represented Boston Ventures in the sale of Marshall & Swift to MDA Corporation. The sale included a base purchase price of $250 million and an unusual earnout feature under which $90 million - the maximum possible payment - was earned. Boston Ventures is a leading private equity firm for media, information and publishing, entertainment, and communications.  Marshall & Swift is the industry leader in underwriter and insurance information solutions for the US property and casualty insurance industry.

Choate represented Health Watch in $130 million sale

Choate represented Health Watch Holdings in its $130 million sale to Philips Electronics in April 2007.  We represented private equity firms in their original purchase of Health Watch’s base business, and in the company’s subsequent follow-on acquisitions.  In addition to merger & acquisition, tax and antitrust attorneys, and our deal team included members of our healthcare regulatory group.  Health Watch is a leading provider of personal energy response services.  Philips is a leading global provider of healthcare, lifestyle and technology products and services.