David Ostermann

Willkie represented InProduction, a leading special event service company and portfolio company of Dubin Clark, in its sale to affiliates of private equity firm ZMC. InProduction provides temporary seating, staging, structures, and scenic production for the U.S. live events industry. Dubin Clark launched the InProduction platform in 2015 and subsequently made four add-on acquisitions. Dubin Clark and ZMC announced the completion of the transaction on September 7. Dubin Clark is a private equity firm focused on lead or control investments in branded niche manufacturing and specialty services companies. The Willkie team was led by partner Neil Townsend and associate Andrew Marmer and included associates David Ostermann and Michael Louis-Jean.

Sep 8

1 min

Willkie represented SageSure in its proposed acquisition of GeoVera Advantage Insurance Services, Inc., the managing general agent of GeoVera Insurance Holdings, Ltd., and represented a related client in its proposed acquisition of GeoVera Insurance Company, GeoVera Specialty Insurance Company, and Coastal Select Insurance Company. On April 9, GeoVera Insurance Holdings, a leading provider of specialty property insurance, announced that it entered into a definitive agreement to sell its managing general agent business and insurance carriers. Upon completion of the transactions, the managing general agent operations of GeoVera will be acquired by SageSure, one of the largest independent MGAs focused on catastrophe-exposed markets, and a newly formed entity, GeoVera Nova Holdings, Inc., will control four insurance operating subsidiaries and become a carrier partner of SageSure. The Willkie team was led by Michael Groll, Sean Ewen and Thomas Spencer and included Stephanie Duchene, Donald Henderson, Jr., David Ostermann, Joshua Gopaul and Brendan Smith.

Apr 12

1 min

Willkie advised Xerox Holdings Corporation on the donation of its Palo Alto Research Center (PARC) to SRI International, a nonprofit research institute behind some of the world’s most impactful deep tech advancements. The move, announced April 24, 2023, enables Xerox to focus entirely on delivering new innovations around its own print, digital and IT service offerings, while allowing the PARC team to join a leading research institution to usher in its next evolution of growth. Xerox PARC was founded in 1970 and established as an independent company in 2002. The organization has pioneered numerous technological advancements, including Ethernet, laser printing, the graphical user interface and ubiquitous computing. As part of the donation, Xerox will enter into a preferred research agreement, called the Technology Exploration and Innovation Program, in which SRI will provide contracted research and development services to Xerox and its clients. Through the collaborative program, Xerox and SRI will identify topic areas relevant to Xerox’s core print, digital and IT Services business, with the final goal of creating proofs-of-concept and roadmaps to implementation. Xerox will also retain a branded Innovation Hub at PARC to host meetings, demonstrations and annual conferences for its clients. The Willkie team was led by partners Russell Leaf and Thomas Sharkey and included associates Nidhi Modani and David Ostermann.

May 1

1 min

Willkie advised XBP Europe, Inc., the European business of longtime client Exela Technologies, in its merger with CF Acquisition Corp. VIII. XBP Europe, a pan-European integrator of bills and payments, announced on November 29 that it completed its business combination with CF Acquisition Corp. VIII, a special purpose acquisition company sponsored by Cantor Fitzgerald. The combined company operates as XBP Europe and its shares trade on the Nasdaq Stock Market under the ticker symbol “XBP.” Exela Technologies is a business process automation leader serving more than 4,000 customers throughout 50 countries. The Willkie team was led by partner Maurice Lefkort and associate Andrew Marmer and included associate David Ostermann and law clerks Melissa Abi Jaoude and Bridget Boyd.

Dec 8

1 min

Willkie represented ESH Acquisition Corp., a special purpose acquisition company, in connection with its $115 million initial public offering. ESH Acquisition Corp. is a newly organized blank check company focused on transactions in the music and entertainment, sports and hospitality industries. On June 13, the company announced the pricing of its initial public offering of 11,500,000 units, at a price to the public of $10.00 per unit. Listed on The Nasdaq Stock Market, the offering commenced on June 14 and closed on or around June 16, 2023. I-Bankers Securities, Inc. and IB Capital LLC acted joint book-running managers for the offering and Dawson James Securities, Inc. acted co-manager of the offering. The Willkie team was led by partner Sean Ewen and included associates Andrew Marmer, David Ostermann and Candace Mashel.

Jun 20

1 min