Howard Sobel advises both US and international private equity firms in leveraged acquisitions of privately held and public companies.
A nationally renowned private equity practitioner, Mr. Sobel handles a diverse range of matters, including auctions, going-private transactions, co-investment opportunities, and acquisitions and reorganizations in bankruptcy proceedings. He has represented many of the world’s leading private equity firms, such as Leonard Green & Partners, Odyssey Investment Partners, Cinven Partners, CVC Capital Partners, Centerbridge Partners, Irving Place Capital, Vestar Capital Partners, and Aquiline Capital Partners. Mr. Sobel offers particular experience in transactions involving the healthcare, business services, and retail and consumer sectors.
Mr. Sobel previously served as Global Co-Chair of Latham & Watkins’ Private Equity Practice.
Prior to entering private practice, Mr. Sobel was a law clerk to Judge Edwin D. Steel, Jr., of the US District Court of Delaware from 1978-1979.
Accolades
Mr. Sobel has received broad industry recognition for his distinctive transactional work. His honors include being:
- Ranked Band 2 in US Nationwide Private Equity Buyouts by Chambers USA
- Named a Private Equity MVP by Law360
- Named a Leading Lawyer in Private Equity Buyouts by The Legal 500 US
- Named to The Legal 500 US 2018-2019 Hall of Fame
Numerous legal publications have highlighted Mr. Sobel’s unique approach to client service. The Legal 500 US describes him as “extremely smart as well as very business oriented and practical.” According to Chambers USA, the “incredibly responsive” Mr. Sobel is “thought-provoking” and a “great listener” who “is a great human being as well as a great lawyer.” Chambers USA added that sources also describe him as “incredibly experienced and knowledgeable,” and commend him for “caring deeply about his clients and their projects.”
Mr. Sobel’s experience includes representing:
- Leonard Green & Partners in dozens of transactions, including the acquisitions of:
- CPA Global
- Life Time Fitness
- BJ’s Wholesale Club
- J. Crew Group
- Tourneau
- The Container Store
- Varsity Brands
- FTD
- US Renal Care
- RestorixHealth
- A minority interest in Whole Foods Market
- Odyssey Investment Partners in numerous transactions, including the acquisitions of:
- Safway Services
- Ranpak
- Gulf Tanks Acquisition
- Big Dumpster Holdings
- Vestar Capital Partners in the US$2.3 billion sale of Press Ganey to EQT Partners
- Aquiline Capital Partners in the acquisitions of:
- Worley Claims Services
- Engs Commercial Finance
- Cinven in its majority investment in Medpace, a leading contract research organization
- Irving Place Capital in the acquisitions of:
- Cardinal Logistics Management
- Greatwide Logistics Services
- Kenan Advantage Holdings
- Penn National Gaming