Search Funds
- Holland & Knight represents domestic and international search funds through their full life cycle, including the raising of search capital, acquisition of a target company, operating issues and exit.
- Our lawyers' experience working with private equity groups and other search fund investors helps clients pursuing entrepreneurship through acquisition to build relationships and trust with sources of capital.
- As a full-service, international law firm, we seamlessly augment our representation when necessary with attorneys in tax, employee benefits, executive compensation, real estate and other practices.
Overview
Holland & Knight's Search Fund Team is one of a handful of law practices staffed by attorneys who are known and trusted in this niche area of investment. The practice comprises attorneys with numerous search fund transactions to their credit and extensive experience in financing matters, acquisition and disposition transactions, and general corporate advisory work across a wide variety of industry sectors. Our clients also benefit from HK Deal Flow℠, our proprietary deal generation service that helps facilitate introductions to potential acquisition targets.
Our lawyers represent search fund entrepreneurs in all phases, including fund formation and capital raising, tax structuring, due diligence, acquiring the target business, operating and management issues of acquired companies, and shaping exit strategies. We also have substantial experience with international search funds and cross-border acquisitions. Aided by our offices in Mexico City and Bogotá, we can represent Latin American clients with cross-border components from beginning to end. Holland & Knight also represents nontraditional search funds, such as family office backed funds and those that are self-funded.
The differentiator for our practice is the depth of our experience, knowledge of the players in this specialized investment space and understanding of the market. Our approach to these transactions is to stay involved with clients as they operate their newly acquired businesses and partner with them as they proceed through each stage of advancing the business, including recapitalizations, add-on transactions and dispositions.
A Partner for the Entire Business Cycle
After participating in dozens of search fund transactions over the years, we can offer advice that addresses risks and ensures that entrepreneurs are armed with the knowledge they need to be successful. We understand that search fund entrepreneurs often do not have direct experience in the businesses they acquire. Relying on our own extensive experience with search funds as well as the experience of colleagues in Holland & Knight's various industry groups, our lawyers can offer timely advice to these entrepreneurs as they make operating decisions and grow their businesses.
Holland & Knight is one of just a few law firms that has the trust of the investment community in the search fund space. We can provide timely advice every step of the way for entrepreneurs pursuing their dreams of owning a business through the search fund model.
