James Kelly
DLA Piper LLP (US)DLA Piper LLP (US)‘s ’robust team of subject matter experts‘ serves a diverse roster of private equity sponsors that ranges from middle-market funds, including Stellex and 5th Century, to blue-chip funds such as Accel-KKR and Carlyle. A deep bench of experts across the country enables the practice to handle a large caseload of transactions, ranging from platform deals, strategic partnerships and high-profile exits to advice on mergers and add-ons for growth and portfolio companies concentrated especially in the tech, healthcare, and industrial sectors. The team is also increasingly active in advising investors on buyouts in the energy space, owing particularly to the sector expertise of New York-based lawyer Ilya Bubel. Atlanta lawyer Joseph Silver leads the firm and has extensive experience handling a wide range of transactions for venture capital and private equity funds as well as for target and portfolio companies. Further key contacts include New York-based leveraged buyout expert James Kelly, Chicago lawyer Harris Eisenberg, who handles acquisitions and exits as well as recapitalizations, and broad transactional expert Gerry Williams, who practices from Atlanta. In Chicago, Benjamin Galea joined the team from Winston & Strawn LLP in September 2023.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘High-quality legal advice.’
'Ilya Bubel and Clayton Culler have been key contributors to our efforts with sharp insight and excellent responsiveness. They have consistently kept an open mind on seller sticking points and identifying fair, low-risk concessions when applicable.'
'DLA features a robust team of subject matter experts with a strong background in both formal education and industry experience. Responsiveness across the firm has been consistent and top-notch. We have leveraged the firm from complex transactional M&A needs to employment agreements and general counsel.'
Key clients
- 5th Century Partners
- ABRY Partners LLC
- Accel-KKR
- Baird Capital
- Bregal Investments, Inc.
- Centroid Investment Partners LC
- Columbia Capital, LLC
- Exaltare Capital Partners, LLC
- Excolere Equity Partners
- Frontenac Company, LLC
- Grove Mountain Partners
- ICV Partners, LLC
- Keystone Capital
- LLR Partners, Inc.
- Morgan Stanley Capital Partners
- MSouth Equity Partners LP
- Renovus Capital Partners
- RLJ Equity Partners, LLC
- Shore Capital Partners, LLC
- Stellex Capital Management
- The Carlyle Group
- Wicks Group of Companies
Work highlights
- Represented Grove Mountain Partners and portfolio company Unique Indoor Comfort Holdings in the sale of Unique Indoor Comfort Holdings to Ace Hardware.
- Advised Shore Capital Partner on several private equity deals.
- Advised Stellex Capital Management on its acquisition of G2 Web Services, Lundquist Consulting, and Fintellix India Private Limited from TransUnion.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Joseph Silver
DLA Piper LLP (US)Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Joseph Silver