Manuel A. Miranda

Willkie advised Cerity Partners, a leading independent wealth management firm in the U.S., in its combination with Agility, a provider of outsourced chief investment officer (OCIO) solutions for endowments, foundations, family offices, corporations, healthcare organizations, and other clientele. On April 8, Cerity Partners announced that it is combining with Denver-based Agility to form Cerity Partners OCIO. The addition of Agility will expand Cerity Partners' capabilities through outsourced chief investment officer services to non-profit organizations, ultra-high-net-worth individuals, and family offices. Cerity Partners will manage approximately $100 billion in client assets. Founded in 2009, Cerity Partners is a nationally recognized financial and wealth advisory firm serving high-net-worth individuals and their families, businesses and their leadership teams, and nonprofit organizations. The Willkie team was led by partners Jeffrey Poss and Manuel Miranda and associate Augustine Donati, and included partners Jordan Messinger, Elliot Gluck and Bissie Bonner.

Apr 9

1 min

Willkie is advising WMS Partners, a $6.4 billion multi-family office and registered investment adviser based in Towson, Maryland, in connection with its acquisition by Homrich Berg Wealth Management, a leading Atlanta-based fee-only wealth advisor with offices across the Southeast. On December 11, Homrich Berg Wealth Management announced that it entered into a definitive agreement to acquire WMS Partners. The acquisition will bring Homrich Berg’s total assets under management to over $24 billion and expand its footprint to include 10 offices across five states. Since 1993, WMS Partners has provided a suite of wealth management and family office solutions for high- and ultra-high-net-worth individuals and families, including robust trust and estate planning capabilities and a sophisticated private investments platform. The Willkie team is led by partner Manuel Miranda and includes partners Bissie Bonner and Elliot Gluck and associate Erin Kaufman.

Dec 11

1 min

On August 16, Willkie client Southeastern Grocers Inc., parent company of Fresco y Más, Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie grocery stores, announced it has entered into definitive agreements to sell its business lines to ALDI and Fresco Retail Group, LLC. Under the proposed merger agreement, ALDI will acquire all outstanding SEG capital stock in an all-cash transaction, which encompasses all SEG grocery operations under the Winn-Dixie and Harveys Supermarket banners. This includes approximately 400 stores in Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi and Florida where 75% of the stores are located. Following the completion of the sale, ALDI will serve the customers and communities of Winn-Dixie and Harveys Supermarkets through the continued operation of the banners’ existing stores. Concurrently, SEG also agreed to sell its Fresco y Más operations, including all 28 stores and four pharmacies, to Fresco Retail Group, LLC, an investment group strategically focused on food and grocery. Southeastern Grocers Inc. (SEG) is an omnichannel retailer and supermarket company in the U.S., serving customers throughout Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana and Mississippi. The Willkie team was led by partners Adam Turteltaub and Manuel Miranda and included partner Matthew Makover and associates Madison Wiles-Haffner and Michael Manopla.

Aug 16

1 min

Willkie is advising Cetera Financial Group and Genstar Capital on Cetera’s equity reinvestment from Genstar. Announced October 4, the transaction provides Cetera, the premier financial advisor Wealth Hub, with fresh equity from existing investor Genstar’s two newest funds. The reinvestment enables Cetera to continue serving advisors and their clients in new and innovative ways as part of its next chapter of growth. Genstar originally invested in Cetera in 2018. Under Genstar’s ownership, Cetera has transformed into an essential partner for its independent advisor and financial institution clients, offering critical solutions and support to enable growth. Genstar’s reinvestment is led by its newest fund, Fund XI, with additional capital from Fund X, and positions Cetera for continued growth and success. Genstar will remain Cetera’s majority investor and lead partner. The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2023, subject to the receipt of regulatory approvals and the satisfaction of other closing conditions. Willkie previously represented Genstar and Cetera in numerous transactions, including Genstar’s initial investment in Cetera in 2018. The firm also recently advised Cetera on its approximately $1.2 billion acquisition of Avantax, and on its acquisitions of The Retirement Planning Group, LLC and the retail wealth business of Securian Financial Group. Cetera is the premier financial advisor Wealth Hub where financial advisors and institutions optimize their control and value creation. Genstar Capital is a leading private equity firm that has been actively investing in high-quality companies for over 30 years. Based in San Francisco, Genstar currently has approximately $49 billion of assets under management and targets investments focused on targeted segments of the financial services, software, industrials, and healthcare industries. The Willkie team was led by partners Jeffrey Poss and Manuel Miranda and included associates Augustine Donati, Joseph Moran and Brenna O’Connor.

Oct 4

1 min

Willkie represented Numerix, a portfolio company of Genstar Capital, in its acquisition of Kynex, a leading convertible securities platform. On October 16, Numerix, a leading capital markets Front-to-Risk technology provider, announced that it acquired Kynex, a financial platform known for its expertise in convertible securities valuation, portfolio and risk management, and trade flow/order management. The strategic acquisition strengthens Numerix’s risk management solutions and fixed-income coverage. Willkie previously represented Genstar Capital in its acquisition of Numerix in 2022, and Numerix in its subsequent acquisitions of FINCAD and PolyPaths. With approximately $49 billion in assets under management, San Francisco-based Genstar Capital is a leading private equity firm focused on investments in targeted segments of the financial services, healthcare, industrials, and software industries. The Willkie team was led by partner Manuel Miranda and included associates Megan Goss, Sophia Gao and Alexandra Rios.

Oct 21

1 min