Best Lawyers in America for Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law

Michael J. "Mick" Cochran serves as Dentons' US Corporate practice group leader. Mick is highly experienced in the areas of private equity, mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance and distress transactions. His core practice involves representing buyers, sellers and financiers in their investing activities and financing needs. He also acts as a strategic advisor to clients with respect to a variety of financial, business and legal issues. Mick's transactional experience includes represent...

Yousuf Dhamee is a partner in the Investment Funds & Private Capital practice at Paul Hastings and based in the firm’s Los Angeles office. Mr. Dhamee focuses his practice on investment management matters. He represents investment advisers in connection with the structuring and distribution of investment funds, including hedge funds, registered funds, private equity funds and customized investment products. He has experience representing sovereign wealth funds, institutional advisers...

With 28 years of professional experience, Fishman Haygood partner Scott Chenevert practices primarily in the areas of mergers and acquisitions, equity and debt investments, joint ventures, energy-as-a-service, and corporate governance. Scott has represented private and public companies in technology and professional services, energy and oilfield services, and real estate development industries. He also has extensive experience serving as outside general counsel for privately held and family c...

Mike Sartor is a corporate partner in the Boston office of Kirkland & Ellis LLP. Mike focuses on representing private equity sponsors as well as public and private companies in connection with mergers and acquisitions. Mike also has substantial experience representing private equity firms in their fund formation activities and strategic transactions and representing public and private companies in general corporate law matters. Representative clients include 3i Group plc, Cerberus Capital...

Michael Piazza is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Law, Energy Law, Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law and Oil and Gas Law. Michael, who practices law in Houston, Texas, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Michael is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

John D. Pitts is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law. John D., who practices law in Houston, Texas, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which John D. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Benjamin Clinger is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law. Benjamin, who practices law in San Francisco, California, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Benjamin is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Stuart L. Rosenthal is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law. Stuart L., who practices law in New York, New York, has been recognized since 2020. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Stuart L. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Othon A. Prounis is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law. Othon A., who practices law in New York, New York, has been recognized since 2006. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Othon A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Allan Kirk is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law. Allan, who practices law in Houston, Texas, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Allan is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

William J. Ching is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law and Venture Capital Law. William J., who practices law in Atlanta, Georgia, has been recognized since 2019. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which William J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Jai Agrawal is a partner in the New York office who focuses on representing private equity sponsors on all aspects of their business and operations. He counsels sponsors on complex domestic and cross-border transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, buy and build platforms and equity financings. Jai has represented sponsors on the formation of tens of billions of dollars of private equity funds and single-purpose investment vehicles, the formation and governance of privat...

William Kenneth Marlow is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Governance Law, Health Care Law, Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law and Mergers and Acquisitions Law. William Kenneth, who practices law in Nashville, Tennessee, has been recognized since 2019. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which William Kenneth is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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...

B. Scott Pullara is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law and Mergers and Acquisitions Law. B. Scott, who practices law in Denver, Colorado, has been recognized since 2006. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which B. Scott is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Chris has been recognized as a “Leader in the Field” for corporate and M&A law in Texas by Chambers USA. His clients span a wide range of industries including oil and gas exploration, oil field service, private equity, outpatient physical therapy, investment banking, manufacturing and distributing, commercial engineering and architecture, waste management and recycling, apparel, biotech, internet content, internet trading exchanges and computer software, hardware and consultin...