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Michael W. Kaplan
 

Michael W. Kaplan

Partner
 
1999 Avenue of the Stars – 29th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90067 

As a Corporate Partner in the Firm’s Los Angeles office, Michael Kaplan 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.

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Work Highlights
  • Genstar Capital in sale of a partial stake in Prometheus Group to Advent and Leonard Green & Partners; investment in JSSI and subsequent Blackstone-led leveraged recapitalization; acquisition of Procure Analytics; and sale of a majority stake in Enverus to Hellman & Friedman
  • Apollo Global Management in investment in PetSmart; sale of a 67% stake in The Fresh Market to Cencosud; and acquisition of The Michaels Companies
  • Gooding & Company in sale to Christie’s
  • Aptive Environmental in sale to Citation Capital
  • Angeles Equity Partners in acquisition of Primus Aerospace
  • Beach Point Capital in concurrent acquisition of two thrift store operators and investment in consumer retail business
  • Kenlach Carbon in direct air capture joint ventures with several O&G companies
  • Prometheus Group in acquisitions of RiskPoynt, Utopia Global, Ventureforth, VIZIYA, WorkTech, S&V, Atonix Digital and MobilOps
  • Enverus in acquisitions of Integrity Title, Q Engineering, RS Energy Group, RatedPower, CRCL Solutions and BidOut
  • Secure Natural Resources in sale, with MP Mine Operations, to a Fortress-sponsored SPAC
  • Avnos in strategic and investment partnerships with ConocoPhillips, JetBlue and Shell and NextEra Energy-led Series A financing
  • Moleaer in its Series B equity financing, convertible note financing, Series C financing and Series D financing
  • TensorWave in SAFE financings
Education
  • University of Pennsylvania Law School, 2002 J.D.
    cum laude
  • Yale University, 1999 B.A.
    cum laude
Admissions
  • California 2002

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:

  • Genstar Capital in sale of a partial stake in Prometheus Group to Advent and Leonard Green & Partners; investment in JSSI and subsequent Blackstone-led leveraged recapitalization; acquisition of Procure Analytics; and sale of a majority stake in Enverus to Hellman & Friedman
  • Apollo Global Management in investment in PetSmart; sale of a 67% stake in The Fresh Market to Cencosud; and acquisition of The Michaels Companies
  • Gooding & Company in sale to Christie’s
  • Aptive Environmental in sale to Citation Capital
  • Angeles Equity Partners in acquisition of Primus Aerospace
  • Beach Point Capital in concurrent acquisition of two thrift store operators and investment in consumer retail business
  • Kenlach Carbon in direct air capture joint ventures with several O&G companies
  • Prometheus Group in acquisitions of RiskPoynt, Utopia Global, Ventureforth, VIZIYA, WorkTech, S&V, Atonix Digital and MobilOps
  • Enverus in acquisitions of Integrity Title, Q Engineering, RS Energy Group, RatedPower, CRCL Solutions and BidOut
  • Secure Natural Resources in sale, with MP Mine Operations, to a Fortress-sponsored SPAC
  • Avnos in strategic and investment partnerships with ConocoPhillips, JetBlue and Shell and NextEra Energy-led Series A financing
  • Moleaer in its Series B equity financing, convertible note financing, Series C financing and Series D financing
  • TensorWave in SAFE financings

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.

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