Start-to-finish business law guidance for privately held companies, PE, VC
Peter Spier provides a wide range of business law counsel to privately held companies, private equity funds and venture capital investors. He helps them structure and negotiate mergers and acquisitions (M&A), debt and equity financing, and complex contractual transactions. In addition, Peter advises clients on a wide range of day-to-day operational, compliance and strategic issues, including serving as outside general counsel.
Peter is sought ought by clients for his acumen as a highly responsive advisor, his deep and broad knowledge of the law and how it affects his clients’ businesses, and his ability to guide clients during every phase of a business’ life span.
Experience in Action
- Represents clients in negotiating and structuring mergers and acquisitions, debt and equity capital raises, distribution agreements and myriad other contractual arrangements.
- Advises owners who are considering exiting their multi-generational family businesses. Peter has extensive experience guiding such owners through a sale process that can seem intimidating and overwhelming at times, helping them achieve their business and financial objectives.
- Counsels private equity firms and venture capital investors in fund formation, debt and equity investments and private offerings, as well as in the day-to-day business and legal issues that arise in operating their portfolio companies and in their eventual divestitures thereof.
- Serves as outside general counsel for middle-market and emerging growth companies, helping them on everything from addressing formation issues and preparing governing documents to structuring and negotiating joint ventures, strategic acquisitions and exits.
Successes
Mergers & Acquisitions
- Represented registered investment advisor in $73 million asset sale to strategic buyer.
- Represented large family office in $87 million stock acquisition of leading manufacturer of open deck and material hauling trailers.
- Represented leading provider of data to sports betting industry in $26.5 million stock sale to one of world's largest gaming companies.
- Represented leading global manufacturer of industrial food processing equipment in stock acquisitions of French manufacturer and supplier of mechanical separation equipment and Dutch food processing equipment manufacturer.
- Represented privately held manufacturer of air accessories and equipment for both the professional and do-it-yourself markets in $44 million stock sale to international private equity fund.
Private Equity/Venture Capital
- Represented venture capital fund in sale of large minority interest in hospitality startup to Fortune 500 hospitality company through reverse triangular merger, generating a 5X return for the fund's limited partners.
- Represented German private equity firm in acquisition of world leader in digital textile printing.
Capabilities
Professional Recognitions
- Named an "Illinois Leading Lawyer" by Law Bulletin Media in the practice areas of Mergers & Acquisitions, Closely & Privately Held Business Law, Gaming & Casino Law and Securities & Venture Finance Law, 2017–2022
- "Excellence in Private Equity Legal Services" by Corporate LiveWire, 2018
- Illinois Super Lawyers, "Rising Star, " Gaming Law, Corporate Law and Mergers & Acquisitions, 2012, 2013
Professional & Civic Activities
- Association for Corporate Growth - Chicago Chapter (ACG)
- Executive Committee serving as Vice-Chairman in Charge of Membership, 2020-present
- Board of Directors, 2015-present
- Private Equity Committee, 2012-present
- Capital Connections Committee, 2017-present
- American Bar Association
- Mergers & Acquisitions Committee, 2009-present
- Market Trends Subcommittee, 2009-present
- International Association of Gaming Advisors, 2010-present
- Chicago Bar Association
- Chair of the Business Transactions Committee, 2020-present
- Member, 2002-present
- Jewish Council for Youth Services (JCYS) - Board of Directors and Executive Committee, 2003-2006
News & Insights
Education
- Northwestern University Law School (J.D.)
- Dean's List
- University of Pennsylvania (B.A., cum laude)
- Major: Economics
Bar Admissions
- Illinois