John LeClaire
GoodwinGoodwin fields a large team of private equity specialists across the country who handle a prolific volume of growth investments, take-private acquisitions, and carve-outs for middle-market private equity sponsors, though the team is also capable of guiding blue-chip clients through the full investment lifecycle. The team places a particular focus on venture capital investments and buyouts in the tech space and maintains close relationships with a number of tech-focused sponsor clients, including TA Associates and JMI Equity. Life sciences form another area of emphasis for the practice, which is co-led by Boston-based healthcare transactions expert John LeClaire alongside San Francisco-based tech M&A specialist Brian McPeake and New York lawyer Chris Nugent, who handles transactional and governance matters for a wide range of sponsor clients. Washington DC lawyer Joshua Klatzkin, who advises both funds and target companies on leveraged buyouts, recapitalizations, and growth investments, and Santa Monica-based Katherine Baudistel , whose expertise spans public and private M&A as well as VC-backed financings, are further key contacts.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Goodwin's PE practice is a great partner for us - they know our business well, understand how to think through key risks while also being commercially minded to making sure we get the deals done. They have advised us through a lot of tough situations and I trust the Goodwin team to give us great, thoughtful counsel.’
‘They are commercial and great technical lawyers.’
‘Depth and versatility. No matter what volume and variety of transactions and special projects we are taking on, they are able to help and provide sophisticated legal advice. ’
‘Brian McPeake has reached an unparalleled level of excellence at speaking to business teams. Amy Keller is a great negotiator, adept at running a deal.’
‘A+ lawyers providing A+ client service. Lawyers are super smart, experienced, and thoughtful. They are practical and able to evaluate complex legal issues from a business perspective. They represent the client well during negotiations and are able to navigate and understand relationships without creating unnecessary friction during a deal process. They work hard and are always available to meet tight timelines. ’
Key clients
- TA Associates Management, L.P.
- Webster Equity Partners
- Primus Capital
- Bregal Sagemount
- Behrman Capital
- Ampersand Capital Partners
- JMI Equity
- Frazier Healthcare
- InTandem Capital
- Charlesbank
Work highlights
- Advised TA Associates Management on its acquisition of wildfire science and tech company Technosylva.
- Advised JMI Equity on its strategic investment in Apptegy, a provider of a software-as-a-service platform and K – 12 services to educational institutions.
- Advised United Digestive, a portfolio company of Frazier Healthcare Partners, on its sale to Kohlberg & Company.
Lawyers
Leading partners
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Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
John LeClaire, Chris Nugent, Brian McPeake