Perkins Coie names Nate Ford chair of private equity practice

Nate Ford has been named chair of the Perkins Coie private equity practice. Ford replaces Jim Cruger, a partner in the firm’s Chicago office. Ted Wern, also a partner in Chicago, will work as vice chair. Ford’s practice focuses on advising private equity sponsors, senior management and public and private companies in connection with domestic and cross-border mergers, acquisitions, dispositions, growth equity financings and other corporate transactions. He also provides representation to private equity portfolio companies.

Press Release

Perkins Coie is pleased to announce that Nate Ford has been named chair of the firm’s Private Equity practice. Ford succeeds Jim Cruger, a partner in the firm’s Chicago office. Ted Wern, also partner in the firm’s Chicago office, will serve as vice chair.

Ford’s practice focuses on advising private equity sponsors, senior management and public and private companies in connection with domestic and cross-border mergers, acquisitions, dispositions, growth equity financings and other complex corporate transactions, including a high volume of leveraged buyouts and recapitalizations in healthcare, technology, consumer products, energy, agriculture and a broad range of other industries. In addition, he frequently provides representation to the portfolio companies of his private equity fund clients and represents them in connection with strategic add-on acquisitions and operational execution.

Ford’s professional recognition includes The Best Lawyers in America: Mergers & Acquisition Law (2013 – present), Chambers USA, Corporate/M&A (2008 – 2014) and “Forty Under 40” by the Denver Business Journal (2004).

The attorneys in Perkins Coie Private Equity group are experienced in all types of private equity transactions, from industry consolidations to leveraged buyouts of private and public companies. Their practice emphasizes middle-market transactions, typically involving companies with enterprise values up to $1 billion. In addition, they have a substantial practice dedicated to structuring and forming private equity funds, hedge funds, venture capital funds and real estate funds, and advising fund sponsors in connection with formations. The practice handles matters of significance in investment and exit transactions, portfolio company representation and search funds.

About Perkins Coie: Founded in 1912, Perkins Coie has more than 900 lawyers in 19 offices across the United States and Asia. We provide a full array of corporate, commercial litigation and intellectual property legal services to a broad range of clients, from FORTUNE 50 corporations to small, independent start-ups, as well as public and not-for-profit organizations. For more information, please go to www.perkinscoie.com.