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Private Equity

Our market-leading practice has a strong track record in advising private equity funds, their portfolio companies, founders and management teams on a wide range of transactions.  We have unrivalled expertise advising private equity funds across the entire capital life cycle, from fund formation, to debt and equity investment, portfolio management and through to exit. 

Our dedicated Private Equity team has adopted a cross-sectoral approach, working closely with specialist lawyers and business professionals from across the firm including, in asset management, tax, anti-trust, intellectual property, information technology and finance groups.  Our sponsor experience includes acting for private equity houses, multi-asset managers and infrastructure funds.

Regardless of which sector the business is operating in, we have sector-specialist lawyers who can advise with a detailed understanding of the industry. 

Our Private Equity Legal Advisory Services:

  • Advice on Private Equity Transactions and Structures
  • Auction Deals
  • Growth Equity Fundraising
  • Management Advice and Incentives
  • Governance Advice
  • Platform Add-Ons for Private Equity-Backed Portfolio Companies
  • Finance and Capital Markets Advice
  • Energy and Infrastructure M&A

Our Experience

Experience Highlights

We have taken part in some of the largest deals in the Irish private equity market, advising both sellers and buyers in order to ensure our clients receive the best possible service. By way of example, we have recently advised:

  • Advent International, a leading global private equity investor, on the buy-out of public relations firm Financial Dynamics by specialist global infrastructure and real assets manager Cordiant Communications Group.
  • Asterion Industrial Partners, a specialist European infrastructure investor, on its acquisition of an 80% stake in National Broadband Ireland.
  • BC Partners on the Irish aspects of the €600 million acquisition of the Spotless Group.
  • Bain Capital LP, a US private equity firm, on its acquisition of the Pan European food business, Valeo Foods Group Limited from CapVest Partners LLP.
  • Bregal Milestone, a leading technology growth capital firm, on its investments in technology solutions providers Arkphire and Teamwork.
  • Carlyle Cardinal Ireland, a leading Irish provider of alternative investment capital, and the founders of the Sports Surgery Clinic, a centre of excellence for joint replacement and surgery for sports soft tissue injuries, on its sale to international healthcare provider UPMC.
  • CVC Capital Partners, a European private equity and investment advisory firm, on the acquisition of motoring group The AA.
  • EQT and its portfolio company Sitecore, the global leader in digital experience management software and on its acquisition of Boxever Limited, the Dublin-based data analytics company.
  • Felicis Ventures, a US-based venture capital firm, on its investments into security automation company Tines.
  • Graham Partners, a US-based specialist investor in advanced manufacturing solutions, on the acquisition of Taoglas, the Irish-based distributor of antennas, filters, cables, and connectors.
  • Insight Venture Partners, a global software investor, on a range of acquisitions, bolt-on transactions and exits including Fenergo, AMCS, Statistical Solutions Limited and BrowserStack.
  • Irish Strategic Investment Fund, Ireland's sovereign development fund, on a range of investments in both listed and private companies across various industry sectors.
  • IQ-EQ, an Astorg portfolio company, on its acquisition of Green Bay Acquisitions Limited, which incorporates the trading group for Davy's Fund Management business.
  • JP Morgan, a global leader in financial services, on its investment in Paulus Holdings, the owner of medical tech company LetsGetChecked.
  • Lead Edge Capital, a growth-stage fund based in New York and California, on the sale of Immedis Limited, an Irish global payroll software developer to UKG, one of the US' largest privately owned software groups.
  • Macquarie European Infrastructure Fund 6 on its acquisition of Ireland’s largest waste company, Beauparc Utilities Holdings Limited, from founder Eamon Waters and Blackstone Tactical Opportunities Fund.
  • Macquarie European Infrastructure Fund 7 on its agreement to acquire the Beacon Hospital Group, one of Ireland's most technologically advanced private hospitals.
  • Macquarie Capital Principal Finance on its investment in digital technology and cyber security company, Viatel Technology Group Limited.
  • Riverside Partners, a Boston-based technology and healthcare specialist private equity firm, on its acquisition of Netwatch, a leading private security company with operations in Ireland, the UK and the US.
  • Towerbrook Capital Partners, a transatlantic investment fund manager, on their €100m controlling equity investment in CarTrawler, the leading B2B provider of car rental and mobility solutions to the travel industry. 
  • Waterland Private Equity, an alternative investment fund manager, in relation to its investment in MTM Engineering, a Irish data centre cable specialist, and in relation to MTM Engineering's subsequent acquisitions of CET Connect and ATSS Ventures.
  • Waystone on the completion of an investment by Montagu Private Equity and Hg Capital.
  • Winthrop Technologies, Europe’s leading dedicated turnkey data centre delivery provider, and its shareholders, on its strategic partnership with funds managed by Blackstone Tactical Opportunities and affiliated funds.
Accolades
  • "The corporate team in Matheson is excellent. Very responsive, thorough, excellent negotiators and deliver advice on complex topics in a pragmatic and workable way" – Commercial, Corporate and M&A: The Legal 500 2023
  • "The lawyers are always very practical in their advice and understand what we need to do as a business." Corporate M&A: Chambers Global 2024
  • Ireland’s Top Law Firm – Sunday Independent Best Law Firms 2023 Survey
  • "They are very responsive across the board" – Chambers Europe 2021
  • Matheson "edged out competitors for Ireland Firm of the Year" – Ireland Firm of the Year IFLR Europe 2023 Awards
  • Ireland’s Leading Funds Practice by Assets Under Management (AUM) – Monteray Insight Ireland Fund Report 2024
  • Ireland Law Firm of the Year - Chambers Europe Awards 2021
  • "Excellent at the mechanics of the transaction and providing information and support to the board" – IFLR1000 2022
  • Ireland Tax Firm of the Year – International Tax Review European Tax Awards 2022
  • Ireland Transfer Pricing Firm of the Year – International Tax Review European Tax Awards 2023
  • Winner, 11 Deals of the Year across M&A, Equity Capital Markets, Debt Capital Markets, Loans and Financing, Financial Services and Aviation Finance – Finance Dublin Deals of the Year Awards 2023
  • "Matheson has once again demonstrated that they have leaders who support the D&I agenda in practical ways, including providing the appropriate resources and leading by example.  The business has also shown that team members feel they are treated fairly, with respect and are valued for their differences" – First organisation in Ireland to be awarded and retain the Gold Accreditation - Irish Centre for Diversity 2022

Deal Highlights

Meet the Private Equity Team

Brian McCloskey
Brian McCloskey Partner
Sandra Lord
Sandra Lord Partner
Rory Mullarkey
Rory Mullarkey Partner
Rob Barrett
Rob Barrett Partner
George Brady
George Brady Partner
Enda Garvey
Enda Garvey Partner
Patrick Spicer
Patrick Spicer Partner, Chair