Mehdi Khodadad

Sidley is representing DigiCert, a leading provider of digital trust backed by Clearlake Capital Group, L.P., Crosspoint Capital Partners L.P., and TA Associates Management L.P., in its acquisition of Vercara from Golden Gate Capital and GIC. Vercara is a provider of cloud-based cybersecurity solutions, including domain name system (DNS) services, distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) mitigation, and website performance management. The acquisition adds to DigiCert’s capabilities in protecting organizations of all sizes from a growing number of cyberattacks and complements its core encryption and certificate management business. The Sidley team is being led by Mehdi Khodadad and Mark Castiglia (M&A and Private Equity), and includes Avni Mehta, Daniel Gessner, and Jihyun (Jamie) Yoon (M&A and Private Equity); Nicholas Schwartz, Alena Thomas, and Scott Dawson (Global Finance); Stacy Crosnicker and Sarah Recktenwald (Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation); Eric Kauffman, Peter McCorkell, Emily Wajert, and Alex Down (Employment); Rachel Kleinberg, Jonathan Westreich, and Alvin Wang (Tax); Vadim Brusser, Ken Daly, Jamie Sadler, Edward Sharon, Iva Todorova, and law clerk Chloe Larsen (Antitrust and Competition); Sven De Knop, James Mendenhall, Alessandra Moroni, and Kayla Scott (International Trade); Eric Schwartz and Anna Tutundjian (Litigation); Sheri Porath Rockwell, Denise Kara, and Sasha Hondagneu-Messner (Privacy and Cybersecurity); Kyle Barnett, Dusan Clark, and Natalie Crawford (Technology Transactions); and Scott Goldstein (Insurance).~~Sidley is representing DigiCert, a leading provider of digital trust backed by Clearlake Capital Group, L.P., Crosspoint Capital Partners L.P., and TA Associates Management L.P., in its acquisition of Vercara from Golden Gate Capital and GIC. Vercara is a provider of cloud-based cybersecurity solutions, including domain name system (DNS) services, distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) mitigation, and website performance management. The acquisition adds to DigiCert’s capabilities in protecting organizations of all sizes from a growing number of cyberattacks and complements its core encryption and certificate management business. The Sidley team is being led by Mehdi Khodadad and Mark Castiglia (M&A and Private Equity), and includes Avni Mehta, Daniel Gessner, and Jihyun (Jamie) Yoon (M&A and Private Equity); Nicholas Schwartz, Alena Thomas, and Scott Dawson (Global Finance); Stacy Crosnicker and Sarah Recktenwald (Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation); Eric Kauffman, Peter McCorkell, Emily Wajert, and Alex Down (Employment); Rachel Kleinberg, Jonathan Westreich, and Alvin Wang (Tax); Vadim Brusser, Ken Daly, Jamie Sadler, Edward Sharon, Iva Todorova, and law clerk Chloe Larsen (Antitrust and Competition); Sven De Knop, James Mendenhall, Alessandra Moroni, and Kayla Scott (International Trade); Eric Schwartz and Anna Tutundjian (Litigation); Sheri Porath Rockwell, Denise Kara, and Sasha Hondagneu-Messner (Privacy and Cybersecurity); Kyle Barnett, Dusan Clark, and Natalie Crawford (Technology Transactions); and Scott Goldstein (Insurance).

Aug 15

2 min

Sidley represented Victory Live in its acquisition of Logitix from private equity firm ZMC. Logitix provides comprehensive ticket inventory management solutions to help sports properties, performing arts operators, venues, promoters, other rightsholders, and resellers optimize ticket sales and revenue through dynamic pricing and distribution services. Victory Live is a technology platform focused on sports and entertainment, event management, data, and ticketing software. The Sidley team was led by Mehdi Khodadad and Aaron Rigby (M&A and Private Equity), and included Avni Mehta, Jonathan Litsey, Anthony Friedman, Staci Alexander, and Kelli McQuillan (M&A and Private Equity); Nicholas Schwartz, Kristen Smith, Alena Thomas, Kendra Smith, and Shea Corrigan (Global Finance); Eric Kauffman and Emily Wajert (Employment); Stacy Crosnicker and Sarah Recktenwald (Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation); Rachel Kleinberg and Jonathan Westreich (Tax); Vadim Brusser, Jamie Sadler, and Edward Sharon (Antitrust and Competition); Kyle Barnett and Dusan Clark (Technology Transactions); Scott Goldstein (Insurance); and Stephen McInerney and Ben Cross (Privacy and Cybersecurity).~~Sidley represented Victory Live in its acquisition of Logitix from private equity firm ZMC. Logitix provides comprehensive ticket inventory management solutions to help sports properties, performing arts operators, venues, promoters, other rightsholders, and resellers optimize ticket sales and revenue through dynamic pricing and distribution services. Victory Live is a technology platform focused on sports and entertainment, event management, data, and ticketing software. The Sidley team was led by Mehdi Khodadad and Aaron Rigby (M&A and Private Equity), and included Avni Mehta, Jonathan Litsey, Anthony Friedman, Staci Alexander, and Kelli McQuillan (M&A and Private Equity); Nicholas Schwartz, Kristen Smith, Alena Thomas, Kendra Smith, and Shea Corrigan (Global Finance); Eric Kauffman and Emily Wajert (Employment); Stacy Crosnicker and Sarah Recktenwald (Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation); Rachel Kleinberg and Jonathan Westreich (Tax); Vadim Brusser, Jamie Sadler, and Edward Sharon (Antitrust and Competition); Kyle Barnett and Dusan Clark (Technology Transactions); Scott Goldstein (Insurance); and Stephen McInerney and Ben Cross (Privacy and Cybersecurity).

Oct 11

1 min

Sidley represented Clearlake Capital Group, L.P. in its strategic investment in Aptean, a global provider of customer relationship management solutions, enterprise resource planning software for manufacturing companies, and supply chain applications. Clearlake joins existing investors TA Associates, Insight Partners, and Charlesbank Capital Partners to enable Aptean’s management team to continue delivering differentiated solutions to the market and accelerate the company’s growth. The Sidley team was led by Mehdi Khodadad and Mark Castiglia (M&A and Private Equity) and included Anthony James Friedman (M&A and Private Equity); Vadim Brusser and Ken Daly (Antitrust and Competition); Eric Kauffman (Labor, Employment and Immigration); Stacy Crosnicker (Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation); Sven De Knop and Alessandra Moroni (International Trade); and Rachel Kleinberg and Jonathan Westreich (Tax).~~Sidley represented Clearlake Capital Group, L.P. in its strategic investment in Aptean, a global provider of customer relationship management solutions, enterprise resource planning software for manufacturing companies, and supply chain applications. Clearlake joins existing investors TA Associates, Insight Partners, and Charlesbank Capital Partners to enable Aptean’s management team to continue delivering differentiated solutions to the market and accelerate the company’s growth. The Sidley team was led by Mehdi Khodadad and Mark Castiglia (M&A and Private Equity) and included Anthony James Friedman (M&A and Private Equity); Vadim Brusser and Ken Daly (Antitrust and Competition); Eric Kauffman (Labor, Employment and Immigration); Stacy Crosnicker (Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation); Sven De Knop and Alessandra Moroni (International Trade); and Rachel Kleinberg and Jonathan Westreich (Tax).

Jul 23

1 min

Forbes has named Mehdi Khodadad to its 2025 “America’s Top M&A Lawyers” list, one of only 50 lawyers in the U.S. to receive this recognition. This inaugural list celebrates the top lawyers in mergers and acquisitions, recognizing outstanding practitioners with exceptional track records and proven leadership in the field. Mehdi is the global co-leader of Sidley’s M&A and Private Equity group and a member of the firm’s Executive Committee. A trusted advisor to leading companies, investors, and entrepreneurs, he is recognized for his skill in guiding complex, high-stakes transactions—including mergers and acquisitions, private equity deals, financings, and restructurings—across global markets. Mehdi is also a valued counselor to boards and management teams on governance and strategic matters. During the past year alone, he has led more than 30 deals with an aggregate value exceeding US$26 billion.~~Forbes has named Mehdi Khodadad to its 2025 “America’s Top M&A Lawyers” list, one of only 50 lawyers in the U.S. to receive this recognition. This inaugural list celebrates the top lawyers in mergers and acquisitions, recognizing outstanding practitioners with exceptional track records and proven leadership in the field. Mehdi is the global co-leader of Sidley’s M&A and Private Equity group and a member of the firm’s Executive Committee. A trusted advisor to leading companies, investors, and entrepreneurs, he is recognized for his skill in guiding complex, high-stakes transactions—including mergers and acquisitions, private equity deals, financings, and restructurings—across global markets. Mehdi is also a valued counselor to boards and management teams on governance and strategic matters. During the past year alone, he has led more than 30 deals with an aggregate value exceeding US$26 billion.

Nov 4

1 min

Mehdi Khodadad, global co-leader of the firm’s M&A and Private Equity group and a member of Sidley’s Executive Committee, has been named to the Los Angeles Business Journal’s “Leaders of Influence: Private Equity, Investors & Advisors” list. This annual feature celebrates the outstanding professionals making up the Los Angeles private equity landscape. Mehdi’s practice focuses on representing leading technology and life sciences companies and their private equity and other investment sponsors. He counsels corporate clients, entrepreneurs, and investors on a wide variety of transactions, including private and public financings, corporate restructurings, mergers and acquisitions, leveraged buy-outs and related private equity transactions, cross-border, and other structured corporate transactions. Mehdi also regularly advises the boards of directors, management, and special committees of corporate clients and their investors on a wide variety of securities law and corporate governance matters.~~Mehdi Khodadad, global co-leader of the firm’s M&A and Private Equity group and a member of Sidley’s Executive Committee, has been named to the Los Angeles Business Journal’s “Leaders of Influence: Private Equity, Investors & Advisors” list. This annual feature celebrates the outstanding professionals making up the Los Angeles private equity landscape. Mehdi’s practice focuses on representing leading technology and life sciences companies and their private equity and other investment sponsors. He counsels corporate clients, entrepreneurs, and investors on a wide variety of transactions, including private and public financings, corporate restructurings, mergers and acquisitions, leveraged buy-outs and related private equity transactions, cross-border, and other structured corporate transactions. Mehdi also regularly advises the boards of directors, management, and special committees of corporate clients and their investors on a wide variety of securities law and corporate governance matters.

Jul 1

1 min