Robert Blaustein, P.C.

Kirkland & Ellis advised Grafine Partners, an investment management firm that identifies differentiated sources of alpha by investing in new firms led by experienced private equity investors, in connection with an investment in its business by CAZ Investments, a Houston-based investment manager. Grafine was formed in 2019 to meet the needs of sophisticated investors seeking new and innovative approaches to invest private capital across sectors, geographies and capital structures. Read the transaction press release The Kirkland team was led by investment funds partners Jonathan Lipnick, John Berger, Robert Blaustein, Peter Vaglio and Charles Chen and associate Erica Sims; tax partners Stanley Ramsay and Philip Cooke and associate Ruth Thomson; corporate associate Brayton Deprey; and investments funds regulatory partner Noah Qiao and associate Tiffany Kwok.

Oct 9

1 min

Kirkland & Ellis advised P10, a leading private markets solutions provider, on its definitive agreement to acquire Stellus Capital Management, LLC, a U.S. direct lender specializing in senior secured loans in the lower-middle market. Read P10’s press release The Kirkland team included corporate lawyers Rami Totari, James Mayne and William Mabry; tax lawyer Joseph Tootle; and investment funds lawyers Robert Blaustein, Amanda Katlowitz Strickler and Jason Monfort.

Feb 5

1 min

Kirkland & Ellis advised Blue Owl Credit Advisors LLC, the investment adviser of Blue Owl Capital Corporation (NYSE: OBDC), and Blue Owl Diversified Credit Advisors LLC, the investment adviser of Blue Owl Capital Corporation III (NYSE: OBDE), on a definitive merger agreement between two business development companies, Blue Owl Capital Corporation and Blue Owl Capital Corporation III. Blue Owl Capital Corporation will be the surviving company. The combined BDC will be externally managed by Blue Owl Credit Advisors LLC. Following the recommendation of each of their special committees, the boards of directors of both companies have unanimously approved the transaction, which is subject to certain shareholder approvals and other customary closing conditions. The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2025. Read the Blue Owl press release The Kirkland team was led by corporate partners Monica Shilling and Dov Kogen; investment funds partners Nicole Runyan and Robert Blaustein and associate Nick Tarnowski; tax partners Meredith Levy and Woong Jae Jung; and capital markets partners Philippa Bond and Thomas Felix.

Aug 7

1 min

Kirkland & Ellis advised MSD Partners, L.P. (MSD), a leading investment firm focused on maximizing long-term capital appreciation, on its entry into a definitive business combination agreement with BDT & Company Holdings, L.P. (BDT), a merchant bank that provides advice and long-term capital through its affiliated funds. Under the terms of the agreement, the firms will combine to create the preeminent advisory and investment firm serving the distinct needs of family- and founder-led business owners and strategic, long-term investors. The combination will unite BDT, founded in 2009 by Byron Trott, and MSD, a premier, long-term-oriented investment firm that invests on behalf of like-minded investors, including Dell Technologies Founder Michael Dell and his family. Upon completion of the combination, Byron Trott and Gregg Lemkau will serve the combined firm as co-Chief Executive Officers, and Michael Dell will be appointed as chairman of the combined firm’s advisory board. The transaction is expected to be completed in early 2023. Financial terms were not disclosed. Read the joint press release The Kirkland team was led by corporate partners Christopher Gandia, Florence Zhang, Jai Agrawal and Robert Blaustein and associate Max Reibman, and tax partners David Grenker and Philip Cooke.

Oct 20

1 min

Kirkland & Ellis advised funds managed by Greenbriar Equity Group, L.P. and Whitcraft Group, a manufacturer of precision formed, machined and fabricated flight-critical aerospace components and a Greenbriar portfolio company, on Greenbriar’s investment with Clayton, Dubilier & Rice to combine Whitcraft with Paradigm Precision, currently majority owned by funds managed by Carlyle (Nasdaq: CG). The combination of Paradigm and Whitcraft will create a scaled and diversified manufacturer of complex, high-tolerance components used in commercial and military aviation engines. Terms of the transactions were not disclosed. The transactions are expected to close in early 2023, subject to satisfaction of customary closing conditions. Read the press release The Kirkland team was led by corporate partners Shawn OHargan and Jaye Kasper and associates Monica Ruiz and Alex Rodriguez Perez, tax partners Sara Zablotney and Timothy Campany and associate Ashley Flor, debt finance partner Kathryn Leonard and associate Raghav Gupta, and investment funds partner Robert Blaustein and associate Michael Ramsey.

Dec 6

1 min