DLA Piper adds major top-tier middle market Private Equity practice in Chicago

DLA Piper continues to make substantial investments in its globally recognized Private Equity practice with the addition of lateral partners Harris Eisenberg, Alex Plakas, Nathan Wilda and Drew Rosenberry, along with several other partners and approximately 20 other lawyers in Chicago. The addition of this group will significantly enhance DLA Piper’s positioning in middle-market private equity. 

“The firm developed and is implementing a focused strategic plan, and private equity is a primary part of the plan. We strongly believe middle-market private equity represents a tremendous opportunity for the firm and our focus is to continue growing our PE practice in Chicago, other major markets in the US and around the world. This premier group, led by Harris and Alex, exemplifies what we’re looking for: top-notch practitioners who are difference makers in major markets,” said Joe Alexander, DLA Piper’s US vice chairman.

The group has a demonstrated track record of executing complex transactions with some of the most active and top emerging PE funds in the country.  The group expands DLA Piper’s Private Equity group, which represents clients in a broad range of middle-market transactions, ranging in size from low eight figure to more than US$1 billion transactions, and spanning sectors such as healthcare, technology, food & beverage, business services, consumer products and manufacturing, among others.

“We have added these top-tier practitioners well-known for their work in middle-market PE. The depth and breadth of their experience perfectly synergizes with our national and international platform, particularly in healthcare and technology,” said Joseph Silver, global co-chair of the firm’s Private Equity practice. “We look forward to the contributions they will make to our organization.”

Earlier this year, DLA Piper’s Private Equity practice was ranked by PitchBook's global league tables report as one of the top three most active law firms for global deal volume in the past year – with its most active sectors originating in healthcare, IT, energy, financial services, materials & resources, B2B and B2C.

“On behalf of our team, I want to say how excited we are to join DLA Piper’s highly-respected team of talented dealmakers. We have long admired DLA Piper’s private equity platform and look forward to bringing together our extensive private equity experience and ability to deliver innovative solutions for our clients,” said Harris Eisenberg.

With more than 100 US lawyers who provide strategic counsel to private equity funds and their industry-leading portfolio companies, DLA Piper’s Private Equity practice has the capacity, experience and relationships to help drive value across the investment life cycle by delivering responsive, efficient and integrated solutions around the world.

With more than 1,000 corporate lawyers globally, DLA Piper helps clients execute complex transactions seamlessly while supporting clients across all stages of development. The firm has been rated number one in global M&A volume for 12 consecutive years, according to Mergermarket.