Best Lawyers in America for Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law
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Vice-chair of the firm’s Private Equity team and co-chair of the Entrepreneurial and Emerging Companies team, Josh Hollingsworth advises on M&A and corporate finance matters. Josh is an engaged partner with his clients — resolving problems in a practical, balanced manner with a view toward maximizing the long-term value proposition for his clients. Josh’s clients and experience are national and international in scope. An active listener and dedicated team player, Josh&rs...
Shayla Harlev is a transactional partner in the Boston office of Kirkland & Ellis LLP. Shayla has a diverse transactional and corporate counseling practice with an emphasis on representing private equity sponsors in connection with acquisitions and dispositions and other complex transactions. She has extensive experience with leveraged buyouts and dispositions of public and private companies, as well as going-private transactions, minority investments and joint ventures. Shayla also couns...
S. Joel Cartee is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Communications Law, Corporate Governance Law, Corporate Law, Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law and Mergers and Acquisitions Law. S. Joel practices law in Atlanta, Georgia Best Lawyers has recognized S. Joel Cartee since 2013. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area....
Christopher A. Deabler is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law. Christopher A. practices law in Covington, Kentucky Best Lawyers has recognized Christopher A. Deabler since 2026. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Christopher A. Deabler is held by other lawyers.
Brian M. Gordon is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Corporate Law, Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law and Mergers and Acquisitions Law. Brian M. practices law in Atlanta, Georgia Best Lawyers has recognized Brian M. Gordon since 2024. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Brian M. Gordon is held by other lawyers.
David A. Barkus focuses his practice on mergers and acquisitions and private equity. David's industry experience includes aviation and aerospace, computer software and information technology, construction, consumer products, education, energy, food and beverage, franchising, gaming, health care, and restaurants.
Michael A. Hacker is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law. Michael A. practices law in Miami, Florida Best Lawyers has recognized Michael A. Hacker since 2026. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Michael A. Hacker is held by other lawyers.
Eric Wechselblatt is a Partner in the firm's Business Law Group and Co-Chair of the firm's Venture Capital and Emerging Growth Companies Team. He represents clients in a variety of corporate and securities activities, with an emphasis on venture capital transactions and other private placements, mergers and acquisitions, debt transactions, and general corporate matters. His clients are engaged in multiple industry sectors including software, telecommunications, services, information technolog...
Brian D. Bergstrom is a corporate attorney with Shuttleworth & Ingersoll, president of the firm, and chair of the firm’s mergers and acquisitions practice group. Brian is listed in the Best Lawyers in America for Corporate Law, Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law, Mergers & Acquisitions Law and Venture Capital Law and is listed as a Great Plains Super Lawyer in 2009 and 2011 for Securities & Corporate Finance and Mergers & Acquisitions. Brian serves as a member of t...
Matthew J. Richards is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law. Matthew J. practices law in Chicago, Illinois Best Lawyers has recognized Matthew J. Richards since 2015. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Matthew J. Richards is held by other lawyers.
Billie focuses his real estate and corporate practice on a broad spectrum of private equity, financial, commercial, and real estate transactions that includes the acquisitions, financing, development and sale of all types of properties and companies. Please read more here: https://www.winston.com/en/who-we-are/professionals/ellis-billie-j.html
Brian S. Galison is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Corporate Law, Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law and Mergers and Acquisitions Law. Brian S. practices law in Atlanta, Georgia Best Lawyers has recognized Brian S. Galison since 2021. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Brian S. Galison is held by other lawyers.
Jonathan Awner serves as Co-Chair of Akerman’s Corporate Practice Group. Ranked by Best Lawyers in America , Chambers USA , and The Legal 500 as a preeminent corporate lawyer, Jonathan Awner advises clients in automotive retail, aviation, distribution, hospitality, logistics, manufacturing, services, technology, waste management and other industries. Described by a client quoted in Chambers USA as a “top-notch” lawyer who is “smart, hard-working and practical,” J...
Our Methodology
Recognition by Best Lawyers is based entirely on peer review. Our methodology is designed to capture, as accurately as possible, the consensus opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities of their colleagues within the same geographical area and legal practice area.
The Process
Best Lawyers employs a sophisticated, conscientious, rational, and transparent survey process designed to elicit meaningful and substantive evaluations of the quality of legal services. Our belief has always been that the quality of a peer review survey is directly related to the quality of the voters.
