M&A

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OVERVIEW MEDIA IN THIS SECTION Merger and acquisition transactions involving asset Mergers and Acquisitions managers are generally heavily negotiated and involve Corporate – M&A significant industry‐specific considerations, including Antitrust and Trade Regulation – M&A complex regulatory elements. As a preeminent advisor National Security Regulatory Practice across the asset management sector, we offer a Asset Management M&A dedicated team of attorneys who are well‐versed with the intricacies, industry‐specific considerations, and CONTACT U.S. and international regulatory elements of these transactions.

“They are among an elite group of firms capable of handling complex transactions in the Elizabeth A. Cooper industry.” Partner -Chambers USA (quoting a client) +1-212-455-3407 [email protected]

With deep experience across this industry, we provide practical solutions to both purchasers and sellers, as well as to principals across the spectrum of asset management M&A transactions. We have advised on some of the most noteworthy transactions in this sector, including acquisitions and dispositions, as well as “alternative” transactions such as strategic events, sales of minority stakes, restructurings and other GP/fund related transactions, Gary I. Horowitz including “structured secondaries.” Our representations have Partner included advising: +1-212-455-7113 [email protected] Blackstone in its corporate conversion, acquisitions of DCI, Clarus, Harvest Fund Advisors and GSO Capital Partners and the spin-off of its financial advisory and Park Hill fund placement businesses, which were combined with PJT

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Silver Lake Partners in the establishment of a new long-term investment strategy, supported by an investment from Mubadala Investment Company; Mubadala also acquired a Rajib Chanda minority equity interest in Silver Lake from Dyal Capital Partner Partners through a secondary transaction +1-202-636-5543 [email protected] Carlyle in its corporate conversion and acquisitions of The TCW Group, Highland Capital Management and Churchill Financial Advisors

KKR in its acquisitions of Avoca Capital and Prisma Capital Partners, as well as investments in Sterlite Investment Managers Limited, Avendus Capital and Focus Financial

Oaktree Capital Group in its sale of approximately 62% of the Oaktree business to Brookfield Asset Management

Bridgepoint in its acquisition of EQT’s credit platform

Clearlake Capital Group in its acquisition of a majority stake in WhiteStar Asset Management

Almanac Realty Investors in its sale to Neuberger Berman

Advisor Group and Lightyear Capital in the sale of Advisor Group to Reverence Capital Partners

HNA Group in its investment in OM Asset Management plc

Hellman & Friedman and Edelman Financial Services in the acquisition of Financial Engines

“The creativity and willingness to engage in new areas, or promote new strategic avenues, is a very good skill set that they have, which sets them apart from some of the other firms.” -Chambers USA (quoting a client)

We are a pioneer and market leader in sales and acquisitions of minority interests in private equity firms having advised on the earliest of these transactions. We have continued to develop unique insights by advising the sponsors on many of the most significant of these transactions, including:

CrossHarbor Capital Partners in its sale of a minority interest to Dyal Capital Partners

Quantum Energy Partners in its sale of a minority interest to Dyal Capital Partners

www.simpsonthacher.com 2 BC Partners in its sale of a minority interest to Blackstone Alternative Asset Management

New Mountain Capital in its sale of a minority stake to Blackstone Strategic Capital Holdings

Round Hill Capital in a strategic minority investment by Dyal Capital Partners

Bridgepoint in a strategic minority investment by Dyal Partners

Platinum Equity in a strategic minority investment by Dyal Capital

Rockpoint Group in the sale of a minority interest to Blackstone Strategic Capital Holdings

Riverstone in the sale of a minority interest to Goldman Sachs Asset Management’s Petershill fund

Clearlake Capital in a strategic minority investment by Dyal Capital Partners, Goldman Sachs Asset Management’s Petershill fund and existing partner Landmark Partners

Blackstone in its acquisitions of minority interests in Marlin Equity Partners, GI Partners, Francisco Partners, Kohlberg & Co., PAG and Leonard Green & Partners

In addition, we have advised on minority stakes deals for Corsair Capital, H.I.G. Capital, EIG, Lexington Partners, TSG Consumer Partners and TSSP. Our leading registered funds and private funds attorneys work closely with our M&A attorneys on the often complex regulatory issues that arise in transactions in the asset management industry. In addition to having advised the principals on some of the most complex and high-profile asset management transactions in recent years, we have been retained as regulatory specialists in numerous matters.

The Firm takes a proactive approach to best position clients for regulatory scrutiny, and we regularly assist clients across a comprehensive range of regulatory matters—advising on the consolidation of compliance programs, the maintenance of investment adviser registration exemptions, client consent processes (including mutual fund proxy solicitations), SEC examinations and inspections, Dodd-Frank Act and Volcker Rule issues, and matters implicating the Investment Company Act, the Investment Advisers Act and/or the Directive on Fund Managers.

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