On July 21, Willkie client Gainline Capital Partners LP announced that it reached $400 million for the final closing of its second private equity fund, Gainline Equity Fund II LP. The fund invests in the U.S. lower middle-market, with a particular focus on seeking to opportunistically make investments with the primary purpose of obtaining control or influence in its portfolio companies. Gainline has already completed two platform investments and is actively evaluating opportunities across the business services, niche consumer and niche manufacturing sectors. The firm targets high-quality, fundamentally sound businesses that have proven business models, stable and mature revenue bases, prospects for substantial returns and which stand to benefit from Gainline's hands-on management approach to creating value. Gainline specializes in first institutional capital opportunities and businesses where the quality of the financial sponsor partnership is the primary motivation for owners to transact. Willkie previously advised Gainline Capital Partners in the closing of its debut fund in 2019, and represents the firm in connection with its portfolio company acquisitions and other strategic matters. The Willkie team was led by partners John Knapke and Phillip Isom, and included partners Russell Pinilis, Alexander Ryan and Anne Choe, and associates Matthew Pei and Melissa Peach.