Best Lawyers in America for Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law

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.

Christina Tate is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law. Christina, who practices law in Dallas, Texas, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Christina 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.

Adam Larson is a partner in the Houston and Austin offices of Kirkland & Ellis LLP. Adam’s primary practice areas include mergers and acquisitions, private equity, and capital markets. He has counseled private equity investors, their portfolio companies, and other public and private companies in connection with mergers, acquisitions, dispositions, joint ventures and offerings of equity and debt securities. Adam also advises clients in connection with the negotiation of partnership a...

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.

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

Eric Gilbert focuses his practice on mergers and acquisitions, private equity transactions, joint ventures and general corporate matters. He routinely represents private equity clients in all aspects of their investments from acquisition through portfolio management/growth until their exit. Read full biography: https://www.mwe.com/people/gilbert-eric/

Louis Barbieri III is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Law, Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law and Venture Capital Law. Louis, who practices law in Atlanta, Georgia, has been recognized since 2017. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Louis is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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...

Enrique J. Martin is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Law, Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law and Securities / Capital Markets Law. Enrique J., who practices law in Miami, Florida, has been recognized since 2008. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Enrique J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

B. Ronan Johnson is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Corporate Law, Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law and Mergers and Acquisitions Law. B. Ronan, who practices law in Indianapolis, Indiana, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which B. Ronan is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal prac...

Brooks B. Gruemmer is a corporate partner with a wide-ranging practice representing private equity and other investment funds and private and public companies, with an emphasis on mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, recapitalizations, joint ventures, and the related financing required to fund such transactions. Read full biography: https://www.mwe.com/people/gruemmer-brooks-b/

Anne Cox-Johnson advises public and private companies in a variety of complex transactions, including acquisitions and divestitures, joint ventures, strategic investments, carve-outs, recapitalizations, going-private transactions and special committee representations. She represents clients in various industries, including food and beverage, technology, pharmaceuticals, restaurants, telecommunications, consumer products, healthcare, manufacturing, real estate and retail. Anne also represents ...

Douglas E. Bacon P.C. is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law. Douglas E., who practices law in Houston, Texas, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Douglas E. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Stephen Opler concentrates his practice on the distinctive characteristics of liquidity transactions by and with entrepreneurs. Stephen helps private equity funds, strategic acquirers and entrepreneurial buyers and sellers achieve their goals by leveraging his three decades as an M&A lawyer, entrepreneur, business founder, investment banker, in-house lawyer and CPA. Buying or selling entrepreneur-owned businesses requires a unique focus on the many ways these transactions and the post-clo...

Gina Jacobs is a partner in the Corporate Practice Group. She focuses on business planning and commercial transactions, commercial finance, and mergers and acquisitions. Over the course of a law career that spans more than 30 years, Gina has advised privately held businesses with their business planning, contracting, finance, and acquisition and divestiture needs. Her knowledge of contract and commercial law and finance makes her an asset to her clients as they grow and expand their businesse...