Please join us for a comprehensive guide to preparing Private Equity sponsor-backed portfolio companies for an Initial Public Offering. We cover key considerations for IPO planning throughout the entire life cycle of a portfolio company, from the initial acquisition by the sponsor to the IPO process and life with a public portfolio company.~~This presentation is ideal for private equity sponsors, in-house lawyers and executives involved in preparing sponsor-backed portfolio companies for the IPO process. We provide practical guidance on navigating the legal and other complexities of going public and ensuring long-term compliance and success in the public markets.~~MCLE CREDIT INFORMATION:~~This program has been approved for credit in accordance with the requirements of the New York State Continuing Legal Education Board for a maximum of 1.0 credit hour, of which 1.0 credit hour may be applied toward the areas of professional practice requirement. This course is approved for transitional/non-transitional credit.~~Attorneys seeking New York credit must obtain an Affirmation Form prior to watching the archived version of this webcast. Please contact CLE@gibsondunn.com to request the MCLE form.~~Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP certifies that this activity has been approved for MCLE credit by the State Bar of California in the amount of 1.0 hour in the General Category.~~California attorneys may claim “self-study” credit for viewing the archived version of this webcast. No certificate of attendance is required for California “self-study” credit.~~PANELISTS:~~Michelle M. Gourley is a Partner in the Orange County office of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher and is a member of the firm’s Mergers and Acquisitions and Private Equity Practice Groups.~~Ms. Gourley is a corporate transactional lawyer whose experience includes advising both strategic companies and private equity clients (including their portfolio companies) in connection with public and private merger transactions, stock and asset sales, joint ventures, strategic partnerships, and other complex corporate transactions. Ms. Gourley works with clients across a wide range of industries, and has extensive experience working with life sciences companies (pharma and medical device) and media, technology and entertainment companies.~~Julia Lapitskaya is a partner in the New York office of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher. She is a member of the firm’s Securities Regulation and Corporate Governance and its ESG (Environmental, Social & Governance) practices. Ms. Lapitskaya’s practice focuses on SEC, NYSE/Nasdaq and Securities Exchange Act of 1934 compliance, securities and corporate governance disclosure issues, corporate governance best practices, state corporate laws, the Dodd-Frank Act of 2010, SEC regulations, shareholder activism matters, ESG and sustainability matters and executive compensation disclosure issues, including as part of initial public offerings and spin-off transactions.~~Peter W. Wardle is a partner in the Los Angeles office of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher. He is a member of the firm’s Corporate Transactions Department and co-chair of its Capital Markets Practice Group, and previously served as partner in charge of the Los Angeles office.~~Peter’s practice includes representation of issuers and underwriters in equity and debt offerings, including IPOs and secondary public offerings, and representation of both public and private companies in mergers and acquisitions, including private equity, cross border, leveraged buy-out and going private transactions. He has led the execution of IPOs across industries on both the issuer side and underwriter side, including some of the largest transactions in the year they were completed. He also advises clients on a wide variety of general corporate and securities law matters, including corporate governance and disclosure issues.~~Jonathan Whalen is a partner in the Dallas office of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP.  He is a member of the firm’s Mergers and Acquisitions, Capital Markets, Energy and Infrastructure, and Securities Regulation and Corporate Governance practice groups.  Mr. Whalen also serves on the Gibson Dunn Hiring Committee.~~Mr. Whalen’s practice focuses on a wide range of corporate and securities transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, private equity investments, and public and private capital markets transactions.  Chambers USA named Mr. Whalen an Up and Coming Corporate/M&A attorney in their 2022 publication.  In 2018, D CEO magazine and the Association of Corporate Growth named Mr. Whalen a finalist for the 2018 Dallas Dealmaker of the Year.~~© 2025 Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP.  All rights reserved.  For contact and other information, please visit us at www.gibsondunn.com.~~Attorney Advertising: These materials were prepared for general informational purposes only based on information available at the time of publication and are not intended as, do not constitute, and should not be relied upon as, legal advice or a legal opinion on any specific facts or circumstances. Gibson Dunn (and its affiliates, attorneys, and employees) shall not have any liability in connection with any use of these materials.  The sharing of these materials does not establish an attorney-client relationship with the recipient and should not be relied upon as an alternative for advice from qualified counsel.  Please note that facts and circumstances may vary, and prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.~~Download PDF~~