Ropes & Gray advises private equity sponsors, portfolio companies, and institutional investors on the full spectrum of private equity transactions, from leveraged buyouts, growth investments, and acquisition financings to fund formation, portfolio company transactions, and exits. With integrated teams spanning M&A, finance, asset management, tax, antitrust, regulatory, executive compensation, and litigation—all purpose-built for private equity—we deliver seamless counsel across strategies, sectors, and borders. Clients build long-term relationships with us because we treat their business as our own, anticipate their greatest opportunities and risks, and move decisively when it matters most.
Since the inception of the private equity industry, we have helped define it, advising 60+ of the top 100 global PE firms alongside an extensive roster of middle-market sponsors and growth equity investors on their most complex and consequential deals. With more than 270 dedicated private equity lawyers across 16 offices in the United States, United Kingdom, France, Italy, and Asia, we bring local market intelligence and seamless cross-border execution to every engagement. Our teams navigate complex regulatory and geopolitical landscapes daily, coordinating multi-country acquisitions, cross-border financings, and international carve-outs with the 24/7 reach and deep local relationships that only a truly integrated global platform can deliver.
“We see the Ropes & Gray team as an extension of our own team and they provide fantastic support. They are available around the clock.”Private Equity Client, Chambers Global
At a Glance
|
40+
Years at the forefront of the private equity industry
|
1,500+
Private Equity transactions in the past five years
|
270+
Dedicated global private equity lawyers
|
|
Tier 1
The Legal 500 2026 Private equity: Worldwide
|
Band 1
Chambers USA 2026 - Nationwide in Private Equity Buyouts: Mid-Market, Fund Formation & Secondaries
|
Private Capital Team of the Year
British Legal Awards
|
How We Help
From the first fund raise to the final exit, Ropes & Gray delivers integrated, end-to-end counsel across every stage of the private equity investment lifecycle.
Capital raises & fund formation. With a 50-year track record, $182B+ raised since 2022, and 500+ funds organized in five years, we advise on fund formation, co-investments, LP advisory, and retail fund solutions.
Investments & acquisitions. We execute control transactions of every size and complexity—leveraged buyouts, growth equity, M&A, take-privates, acquisition & sponsor finance, and cross-border transactions—backed by 100+ finance lawyers and teams across 16 global offices.
Portfolio growth & value creation. We stay with our clients long after closing—supporting add-on acquisitions, buy-and-build strategies, recapitalizations, portfolio company operations, and restructuring & special situations to drive value from entry to exit.
Liquidity & exit solutions. When it's time to realize value, we advise on sell-side M&A, capital markets deals & IPOs, continuation funds & secondaries, and GP-led liquidity solutions—helping sponsors deliver returns on their terms and timeline.
“They’re always two steps ahead of where we need to be. They help us plan how transactions are going to go. They seem to have the right experts at the ready. ...They have the best market information about the industry of any firm we work with.”Private Equity Client, Chambers USA
Industries We Serve
We understand the industries where our clients invest, with dedicated sector teams that bring regulatory knowledge, deal flow insights, and commercial judgment built on hundreds of transactions.
- Healthcare & Life Sciences: 300+ lawyers, 50+ years of experience, and Band 1 Chambers rankings across pharma, biotech, medical devices, digital health, and healthcare services.
- Technology: Software, fintech, AI, digital infrastructure, semiconductors, and media—from early-stage growth investments through large-scale buyouts.
- Infrastructure, Energy & Renewables: Data centers, fiber, transportation, wind, solar, battery storage, and energy transition—advising sponsors, sovereign wealth funds, and developers at every stage.
- Financial Services, Insurance & Professional Services: 200+ deals and $100B+ in deal value across insurance, wealth management, staffing, consulting, and business services in five years.
- Manufacturing & Industrial Services: Platform acquisitions, buy-and-build strategies, and complex carve-outs for sponsors investing in manufacturing, distribution, and industrial services.
- Consumer & Retail Brands: Luxury goods, food & beverage, apparel, restaurants, e-commerce, and leisure — global teams covering acquisitions, financings, and brand protection.
- Sports, Media & Entertainment: A 25-year track record and dominant market position in PE investments across professional sports, live entertainment, media rights, and digital content.
- Education: $20B+ in aggregate education-sector deal value spanning K-12, higher education, edtech, and professional training platforms.
- Real Estate: Direct investments, joint ventures, co-investments, and programmatic ventures across real property, real estate loans, and natural resources.
Global Private Equity Trends and Outlook
World-Renowned Private Equity Practice
We are consistently ranked at the highest level by every major legal publication—earning Band 1 from Chambers, Tier 1 from IFLR1000 and Legal 500, and repeated Practice Group and Deal of the Year honors. Here are select recognitions.
