Michael W. Kaplan

Michael Kaplan is a Corporate Partner in the Firm’s Los Angeles office. He focuses on advising private equity firms and their portfolio companies on mergers and acquisitions, securities offerings and general corporate matters. Mike also represents founders, venture investors, startups and early-stage companies on debt and equity financings as well as in connection with commercial agreements and other corporate matters.

Mike assists clients with creative solutions to complex legal issues. He has in depth experience representing funds and targets in connection with stock and asset deals, mergers, tender offers, leveraged buyouts and other acquisitions. He also advises clients on exit events, such as auctions, private dispositions and initial public offerings.

Mike has represented private equity funds, venture funds, hedge funds and other institutional managers, such as Genstar Capital Partners, Apollo Global Management, Angeles Equity Partners, Beach Point Capital Management and Rusheen Capital Management, together with their portfolio companies. 

Mike’s recent experience includes the representation of:

• Avnos in strategic and investment partnerships with ConocoPhillips, JetBlue and Shell
• Genstar Capital in its investment in JSSI
• Beach Point Capital in its concurrent acquisition of two thrift store operators
• Kenlach Carbon in direct air capture joint ventures with several O&G companies
• The Fresh Market in its sale of a 67% stake to Cencosud
• Apollo Global Management in its acquisition of The Michaels Companies
• Genstar Capital in its acquisition of Procure Analytics
• Enverus in its sale to Hellman & Friedman
• Angeles Equity Partners in its acquisition of Primus Aerospace
• Beach Point Capital Management in its investment in a consumer retail business
• Prometheus Group in its acquisitions of RiskPoynt, Utopia Global, Ventureforth, VIZIYA, WorkTech, S&V and Atonix Digital
• Enverus in its acquisitions of Integrity Title, Q Engineering, RS Energy Group, RatedPower and CRCL Solutions
• Secure Natural Resources in its sale, with MP Mine Operations, to a Fortress-sponsored SPAC
• 21st Century Oncology in its sale to GenesisCare
• Moleaer in its Series B equity financing, convertible note financing and Series C financing
• A pest control business in a senior secured debt financing and equity kicker
• A Qatari family office in a back-levered investment in an apparel company

Mike is dedicated to serving his community in addition to his clients. He has provided pro bono legal services to Bright Star Schools, a nonprofit organization that operates charter schools serving underprivileged communities in Los Angeles. He also has advised the Etta Israel Center, a charity for youth and adults with special needs.

Mike received his J.D., cum laude, from University of Pennsylvania Law School in 2002 and a B.A., cum laude, from Yale University in 1999. He is admitted to practice in California.