Best Lawyers in America for Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law
State
Philip Dunlap represents clients in mergers and acquisitions transactions across all industries. He counsels private companies, private equity funds and their portfolio companies in connection with strategic investments, joint ventures, mergers, acquisitions and divestitures, as well as on general corporate matters. Philip also serves as outside general counsel in matters including finance transactions, employee compensation, commercial contracts and employment agreements. He has represented ...
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.
Practicing law for over 20 years, founding partner Ray Driver focuses on corporate law (including mergers and acquisitions), business, contracts, venture capital and securities law. He represents clients in business acquisitions, dispositions and mergers, as well as providing ongoing counseling regarding business formation, corporate governance, contract law and ancillary legal issues. He also counsels clients in obtaining capital through private placements, venture capital investments and ot...
Since joining Nixon Peabody almost 20 years ago, Phil has had the pleasure of advising investors, middle market private companies, large public companies, entrepreneurs and C-level executives in many different kinds of corporate transactions, all over North America, Europe, Asia and Africa. Phil was born in Southern Africa and finished his secondary education in the United States. His love of family, travel, outdoor adventure and community permeates everything he does. Phil has been described...
Matthew R. Nyberg is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law. Matthew R. practices law in Denver, Colorado Best Lawyers has recognized Matthew R. Nyberg since 2027. 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 R. Nyberg is held by other lawyers.
Peter A. Solimine is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Commercial Finance Law, Corporate Law, Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law and Venture Capital Law. Peter A. practices law in Cincinnati, Ohio Best Lawyers has recognized Peter A. Solimine 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 reflect...
Price C. Gardner is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Corporate Law, Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law, Litigation and Controversy - Tax, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Real Estate Law, Securities / Capital Markets Law and Tax Law. Price C. practices law in Little Rock, Arkansas Best Lawyers has recognized Price C. Gardner since 2001. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area....
Karen Chapman is a Member in Sherman & Howard’s Corporate and Business Department. She is a highly respected specialist in mergers and acquisitions and corporate financings, leading teams that close sophisticated transactions valued in the hundreds of millions and billions of dollars. Karen plays a preeminent role representing airlines in jet fuel storage and distribution system leasing, contract and financing matters at major airports throughout the United States. Karen’s pra...
Marc L. Druckman 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. Marc L. practices law in Miami, Florida Best Lawyers has recognized Marc L. Druckman since 2016. 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 Marc L. Druckman is held by other lawyers.
Martin Burkett serves as co-chair of Akerman’s M&A and Private Equity Practice. Martin represents public and private companies and private equity funds in a variety of corporate transactions, with a particular focus on mergers and acquisitions. Martin’s practice includes structuring and negotiating complex business transactions, mergers and acquisitions, leveraged buyouts, recapitalizations, going private transactions, venture and growth capital investments, debt and equity fi...
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.
Nate Ford is a partner in the firm's Private Equity group. His practice focuses on advising private equity sponsors, senior management and public and private companies in connection with domestic and cross-border mergers, acquisitions, dispositions, recapitalizations and other complex corporate transactions, including a high volume of leveraged acquisitions and recapitalizations in healthcare, technology, consumer products, energy, agriculture and a broad range of other industries. In additio...
Paul William Jezierny is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Corporate Law and Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law. Paul William practices law in Miami, Florida Best Lawyers has recognized Paul William Jezierny 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 Paul William Jezierny is held by other lawyers.
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.
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.
