Michael A. Katz

Willkie advised Acronis AG, a leading cybersecurity and data protection platform for managed service providers, in connection with a sale of a majority stake to the EQT X fund. On August 7, Acronis announced that EQT is acquiring a majority stake in the company, with founders, management and certain existing investors remaining as significant minority shareholders. Acronis is a global cyber protection company that provides natively integrated cybersecurity, data protection, and endpoint management for managed service providers, small and medium businesses, and enterprise IT departments. The Willkie team was led by partners Howard Block, Gavin Gordon and Jeffrey Korn and included partners Michael Katz, Andrew Gray and Rahul Saha and associates Alaric Green, Ethan Douglas, Ben Pearlman, Nayanika Ruia and Harry Buchanan.

Aug 9

1 min

Willkie advised Oak Nation, a subsidiary of the Charlois Group, in the acquisition of Kelvin Cooperage, a Kentucky-based company specializing in the production of high-end bourbon barrels and in the selection and international trade of used barrels for distilleries worldwide. On July 25, France-based Charlois Group announced that its subsidiary Oak Nation signed a binding agreement for the acquisition of 100% of Kelvin Cooperage. The acquisition represents a significant milestone for Charlois Group in the United States and strengthens its position in the premium spirits market. Oak Nation is a key player in the world of cooperages, specializing in all phases of barrel production for wineries and distilleries, including forestry, stave production and cask making. The Willkie team was led by partners Christophe Garaud and Ryan Giggs and included partners Robert Jacobson and Michael Katz and associates Paul Dumas, Amelia Trefz and Rishika Nallapareddy.

Jul 25

1 min

Willkie advised Orange Insurance Exchange, a reciprocal insurer, on its formation and launch in the Florida property insurance market. Orange, led by insurance industry veteran Don Matz, announced on November 1 that it received its Certificate of Authority from the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation, entering the Florida insurance market with the mission of providing a new alternative for property insurance policyholders. Orange and its affiliates were founded by majority investor Griffin Highline Capital, a Dallas-based specialty insurance holding company that actively manages insurance operating businesses, in collaboration with strategic partner Cabrillo Coastal General Agency and its CEO Michael McNitt. The Willkie team was led by Sean Ewen and Michael Groll and included Thomas Spencer, Vadim Mahmoudov, Michael Katz, Nayanika Ruia and Deanna Clugston.

Nov 14

1 min

Willkie represented Hamilton Insurance Group, Ltd. (HG) in connection with its initial public offering on the New York Stock Exchange. HG is a global specialty insurance and reinsurance company founded in Bermuda in 2013 which operations in Lloyd’s of London, Ireland, Bermuda and the United States. The initial public offering consisted of both a primary issuance of 6,250,000 Class B common shares by HG and a secondary sale of 8,750,000 Class B common shares by HG’s existing shareholders, at a price of $15.00 per share. The net proceeds from the offering were $225 million, of which the proceeds to HG were approximately $80.6 million. HG intends to use the proceeds to make capital contributions to its insurance and reinsurance operating. The Class B common shares began trading on the New York Stock Exchange on November 10, 2023, under the ticker symbol “HG”. The Willkie team was led by Michael Groll and Matthew Stern and included Michael Katz and Arthur Lynch.

Nov 14

1 min

Willkie represented Fidelis Insurance Holdings Limited (FIHL) in connection with its initial public offering on the New York Stock Exchange. Fidelis Insurance Holdings Limited is a global insurance holding company with insurance and reinsurance operations in Bermuda, Ireland and the United Kingdom. The FIHL IPO followed the creation of a new managing general underwriter (Fidelis MGU), which was separated from the balance sheet insurance companies in a spin off transaction closed in January of this year. The initial public offering involved both a primary issuance of 7,142,857 shares by FIHL and secondary sale of 7,857,143 shares by a large majority of FIHL’s existing shareholders, including large private equity funds and high-net-worth individuals, at a price of $14.00 per share. The underwriters have been granted a 30-day option to buy up to an additional 2,250,000 common shares from the selling shareholders at the initial public offering price. The IPO proceeds will be $210 million, and up to $241.5 million if the underwriters’ option is exercised. The common shares are expected to begin trading on June 29, 2023, on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "FIHL" and the offering is expected to close on July 3, 2023, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions. The Willkie team was led by Corporate & Financial Services partners Joseph Ferraro and Jennifer Tait with associate Ida Nizankowska-Polus in London. Executive Compensation and Employee Benefits advice was provided by partner Michael Katz and associate Deanna Clugston in New York.

Jun 29

1 min