The Week at Ropes & Gray

In The News
February 7, 2020

This week, Ropes & Gray attorneys guided clients on private equity deals and a fund closing, and contributed commentary on key developments in health care and asset management. The firm also welcomed a new health care partner and earned recognition for excellence in the Asia-Pacific region. Here’s a summary of the week’s highlights:

  • Private equity clients completed five major transactions:
    • Global private equity investor Advent International acquired cybersecurity company Forescout Technologies in an all-cash transaction valued at $1.9 billion. Ropes & Gray advised Advent on the transaction.
    • Alternative investment manager Audax Private Equity acquired Kofile, a provider of information management and access systems solutions to U.S. government agencies. Ropes & Gray advised Audax on the acquisition.
    • Private equity firm Freeman Spogli acquired Galco Industrial Electronics from AEA Investors. Ropes & Gray advised Freeman Spogli on the transaction.
    • Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe portfolio company Simeio Solutions was acquired by private equity firm ZMC. Ropes & Gray represented Simeio Solutions in the acquisition. The firm also represented Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe in the formation of an innovative joint venture with Humana’s Partners in Primary Care.
  • ArcLight Capital Partners announced the final closing of its latest fund, ArcLight Energy Partners Fund VII. The fund closed with approximately $3.4 billion in commitments. Ropes & Gray advised ArcLight on the closing.
  • Leading health care lawyer and appellate litigator Stephanie Webster joined Ropes & Gray’s Washington, D.C., office as a partner in the firm’s health care group. Stephanie’s career accomplishments include leading a team in a landmark win before the U.S. Supreme Court in Allina Health Services. She has twice been named a National Law Journal Trailblazer—for health care in 2019 and for litigation in 2014—and is a three-time Law360 MVP.
  • The latest issue of Boston College Law School Magazine features an article about litigation & enforcement partner Jim Dowden. The article showcases Jim’s knowledge and experience on complex litigation and investigations, including his co-leading role in Ropes & Gray’s independent investigation into decades of sexual abuse by USA Gymnastics national team doctor Larry Nassar. The magazine also includes an article about the legacy of Ropes & Gray partner Mark Nuccio, who passed away in July 2019.
  • The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services recently issued a request for applications for the direct contracting program, which introduces true population-based payment structures, incorporates private-sector and Medicare Advantage approaches to risk sharing, and focuses uniquely on primary care providers. Health care partner Michael Lampert and associate John Saran authored a Law360 article analyzing the program. 
  • U.S. universities and academic medical centers face increased pressure to address risks from foreign governments that are using international research collaborations to gain scientific and economic advantage at the expense of U.S. national security and technology interests. Health care partner Mark Barnes co-authored an article, published in the National Law Journal and Law.com, that examines the issue.
  • Westlaw Journal Bank & Lender Liability republished “Key Person Terms Among Credit Managers,” an article that analyzes trends in credit fund “key person” provisions based on the results of an in-depth Ropes & Gray survey of 100 credit managers. The article was authored by asset management partner and credit funds leader Jessica O’Mary, asset management counsel Lacy Villanueva, and asset management associates Lisa Goodman, Kyung Paik and Shudan Shen.
  • The Legal 500 Asia Pacific recognized Ropes & Gray as a standout firm in the Asia-Pacific region in its 2020 edition. The firm was ranked in 22 practice areas, and 32 Ropes & Gray attorneys were mentioned in editorial sections—with several earning the distinction of “Leading Individual” and “Next Generation Lawyer.” 21 attorneys received new individual recognition.
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