Ray LaSoya

Willkie advised Monogram Capital Partners on its acquisition of a majority stake in Tru Fragrance & Beauty, the global beauty brand builder whose portfolio includes owned, licensed, and exclusive fragrance and beauty brands sold to national beauty and apparel retailers and direct to consumers. In addition to a branded portfolio that includes Le Monde Gourmand, Lake & Skye, Yellowstone, and Wrangler, Tru develops fragrance brands exclusively for retail partners. Monogram’s investment will serve to accelerate Tru's growth and scale, including through expanded distribution in the U.S., Canada, U.K., Europe, and beyond, the launch of new brands and licensing relationships, and complementary acquisitions. Monogram Capital Partners is a Los Angeles-based private equity firm that invests in consumer brands and services companies. The Willkie team was led by partners Ray LaSoya and Joe Kaczorowski and included partner Jonathan Zane and associates Bobby Chipman, Justin Calabrese, Madeline Alagia and Daniel Chesler.

Apr 2

1 min

Willkie represented MyPower, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mitsui & Co. and provider of industrial solutions for global climate change, in its sale of Solstice Power Technologies LLC to Perch Energy, a community solar servicer. On February 18, the sale of Solstice, a leading service provider specializing in customer acquisition and management for community solar development, was announced. Founded in 2015, Solstice connects households and small and large businesses to community solar farms that reduce their electric bills with no upfront cost or installation. Solstice also offers Community Benefit RECs, which aggregate corporate renewable energy purchases to fund new clean energy projects, workforce development, and environmental justice initiatives. Solstice's solutions align the needs of subscribers, asset owners, and corporate buyers to drive strong participation, community impact, long-term performance, and scalable growth in community solar. Perch and Solstice will combine their platforms to serve over 86 solar project owners in both mature and emerging community solar markets across the nation. The Willkie team was led by partners Archie Fallon and Ray LaSoya, and counsel Noah G. Goodman, and included associates Amirali Agha-Khan and Rachel Hudson.

Feb 23

1 min

Willkie represented Platinum Equity in its acquisition of experiential marketing services firm Czarnowski Collective from Mark Nagle and the Nagle family. Founded in 1947 and headquartered in Chicago, Czarnowski is a collection of integrated agencies providing end-to-end solutions for trade shows, corporate events, meetings, conferences, and other live experiences. Its services include brand strategy and creative development, exhibit fabrication, onsite installation and support, asset rental, storage and logistics. Founded in 1995 by Tom Gores, Platinum Equity is a global investment firm with approximately $50 billion of assets under management and a portfolio of approximately 60 operating companies. The Willkie team was led by partners Ray LaSoya and Joe Kaczorowski and included counsel Noah Goodman and associates Charles (Chip) Winkler, Amirali Agha-Khan, Brandon Park-Lee and Sophia Bordofsky.

Jan 21

1 min

Willkie advised Shamrock Capital on its investment in DE-YAN, a leading global experiential consultancy known for its top-tier design, integrated creative strategy and digital innovation. Founded in 2014, DE-YAN has grown rapidly from a niche boutique studio to a global experiential consultancy providing in-house design, technology, motion, architecture, and production services for a marquee client base. Willkie previously advised Shamrock Capital on numerous transactions, including its recent investment in Nth Degree, a leading event management and experiential marketing company. Shamrock Capital is a Los Angeles-based investment firm with approximately $6.2 billion of assets under management. It invests exclusively in media, entertainment, communications, and related sectors through a multi-fund strategy centered on private equity investments, as well as ownership and financing of content and media rights. The Willkie team was led by partners Ray LaSoya and Thomas Sharkey and included associates Brian Kollatz and Amirali Agha-Khan, and law clerk Brandon Park-Lee.

Nov 19

1 min

Willkie advised Eden Capital in connection with its portfolio company Intelvio’s acquisition of Professional Crisis Management Association (PCMA). On July 23, Invelvio, a healthcare education company, announced its acquisition of PCMA, a crisis management training and certification company. The acquisition enhances Intelvio’s existing behavioral health offerings and expands the company's overall healthcare training platform. Willkie previously advised Eden Capital on numerous transactions, including its acquisition of Phlebotomy Training Specialists and the add-on acquisition of Positive Psychology to form Intelvio, as well as on Intelvio’s subsequent acquisition of Classward. Eden Capital is a New York-based private equity firm that partners with founders and leaders of companies with strong growth prospects in technology, business services, and education. The Willkie team was led by partner Ray LaSoya and included partner Jonathan Zane and associate Mark Vible.

Jul 24

1 min