• Subscribe
  • Log In
  • Sign up for email updates
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

The Texas Lawbook

Free Speech, Due Process and Trial by Jury

  • Appellate
  • Bankruptcy
  • Commercial Litigation
  • Corp. Deal Tracker/M&A
  • GCs/Corp. Legal Depts.
  • Firm Management
  • White-Collar/Regulatory
  • Pro Bono/Public Service/D&I

CDT Roundup: 12 Deals, 8 Law firms, 69 Texas Lawyers, $2.04B

February 25, 2019 Claire Poole

Private equity has dominated merger and acquisition activity over the last few years. But according to Preqin, that might change soon.

According to a report the data and analysis firm put out last week, the unprecedented activity that has characterized the private equity industry in recent years is likely to slow in the months ahead. 

While fundraising has exceeded $400 billion per year since 2014, the firm said high pricing is putting pressure on future returns and distributions have slowed, leading some managers to reduce their targeted returns. 

Fundraising and deals marketplaces are more crowded than ever before, Preqin added, with a record 3,749 private equity funds in market at the start of 2019 collectively seeking $972 billion, an all-time high. Almost half of fund managers saw increased competition for deals last year and 35 percent see competition for deals as a key concern in the months ahead.

“The flood of capital and participants that have entered the industry have put pressure on pricing and this has a knock-on effect on future returns that we may already be seeing emerge,” Christopher Elvin, Previn’s head of private equity, said as part of the report. 

Seventy-two percent of investors and 62 percent of fund managers cited high asset pricing as a key concern in 2019, the biggest issue cited by both groups, Preqin said. And while distributions have remained high, capital calls have accelerated.

Indeed, the net flow of capital to investors fell from $150 billion in 2016 to a negative $5 billion in 2017 – the first negative flow since 2010, the firm said.

Preqin noted, however, that investors still seem to be committed to the asset class. 

In the 10 years through June of 2018, the private equity industry has outperformed the S&P 500 index by six-tenths of a percentage point, the firm said. And 90 percent of investors report that their private equity investments have met or exceeded their expectations in the past 12 months, with almost half saying they planned to boost their allocation to the asset class.

“With concerns about a wider financial market correction remaining, the long-term performance and diversification offered by private equity are particularly appealing,” Preqin said.

A recent survey by EY found that private equity firms are readying their exits given economic jitters, with 78 percent of respondents saying they are ready to unload their portfolio companies quickly if a market correction occurs over the next 12 months. 74 percent saying they were willing to consider unsolicited offers.

Meanwhile, Dealreporter released some interesting statistics this past week on M&A: That deals involving target companies with equity valuations of between $1 billion and $5 billion represented the most populated group around the world last year. 

North America saw the most dramatic increase, with deals in that range representing 51 percent of transactions last year, versus 44 percent in 2017. That jibes with recent data that transactions are getting bigger and bigger – a worrisome sign that dealmaking may be reaching the bubble stage.

Among Texas lawyers this past week, dealmaking activity slowed way down, with 12 transactions valued at $2.04 billion versus 16 deals amounting to $9.97 billion the previous week. That performance was eight deals down and $4.5 billion less than this time last year.

Capital markets work reentered the scene after a two-week absence, however, with three transactions valued at $1.43 billion. There were nine M&A/private equity/VC transactions worth only a reported $614.6 million (four of the deals had confidential values).

Weekly Corporate Deal Tracker Roundup Stats

A compilation of weekly stats from The Lawbook's CDT Weekly Roundup
(Deal Values in Millions)

Week Ending
Deal CountAmountFirmsLawyersM&A CountM&A Value $MCapM Count
CapM Value $M
03-May-202511$4,249139011$2,226.52$2,022.5
26-Apr-202512$8,78791689$6,0113$2,776
19-Apr-202511$8,09771389$7,9852$112
12-Apr-202513$2,392815210$2,0653$327
05-Apr-202519$27,7621518816$25,4733$2,289
29-Mar-202521$8,1881025816$4,1255$4,064
22-Mar-202519$6,4851423115$4,1284$2,857
15-Mar-202513$13,7371315110$9,9324$3,805
8-Mar-20257$2,2345665$2242$2,100
1-Mar-202511$3,05087510$2,5501$500
24-Feb-2512$16,39771496$6,6356$9,862
17-Feb-2517$12,1361313410$9,4112$2,725
10-Feb-2514$7,15491799$4,9505$2,204
3-Feb-2516 $10,068720011$7,5535$2,515
25-Jan-2514$10,261101259$2,2075$8,054
18-Jan-2519$7,3821531612$2,3007$5,082
11-Jan-2521$33,5601618716$32,5215$1,039
4-Jan-259$6,8279809$6,82700
21-Dec-2411$2,79811928$2,2293$570
14-Dec-2415$5,3231218612$3,8123$1,511
07-Dec-2416$4,7661023111$2,32152,445
30-Nov-2410$10,29191034$8,2906$2.001
23-Nov-2415$4,5531515311$3,3794$1,174
16-Nov-2417$11,4881124513$10,1864$1,303
09-Nov-2414$2,1101213912$1,4102$700
02-Nov-2412 $52,788 1110711$52,7381$50
26-Oct-248$3,1608657$3,0651$75
19-Oct-2412$5,3041113611$4,5541$750
12-Oct-2417$8,4381215015$8,1162$322
05-Oct-2422$23,1811218915$19,9807$3,201
28-Sep-2411$2,35671447$534$2,303
21-Sep-2412$9,568101695$4,1017$5,467
14-Sep-2424$10,9881223516$7,1758$3,813
7-Sep-2412$20,4201616811$20,3071$112.9
31-Aug-2413$20,631913412$14,7751$5,856
24-Aug-2419$8,4522132516$7,1023$1,350
17-Aug-2425$49,1961630411$39,38614$9,810
10-Aug-2420$12,2641531216$9,7944$2,470
03-Aug-2426$16,4981633418$8,1378$8,361
27-Jul-2419$16,4422127115$13,8384$2,604
20-Jul-2415$16,0161418410$14,2325$1,784
13-Jul-2420$17,220 1426518$7,146 2$10,074
6-Jul-2411$3,941 11958$2,650 3$1,291
29-Jun-2414$6,296 152248$6,296 6$1,927
22-Jun-2412$5,679 81375$210 7$5,469
15-Jun-2413$9,895 1621410$5,280 3$4,615
8-Jun-2419$23,859 1323912$19,436 7$4,423
1-Jun-2412$34,510 111479$26,110 3$8,400
25-May-2413$9,684 1517110$4,434 3$5,250
18-May-2411$5,490 111738$3,129 3$2,361
11-May-2422$14,855 1422716$11,105 6$3,750
4-May-2413$3,139 98710$1,297 3$1,842
27-Apr-2410$6,684 62810$6,684 00
20-Apr-2419$15,989 111479$5,208 10$10,781
13-Apr-2413$8,952 97610$1,652 3$7,300
6-Apr-2423$26,616 1422214$13,501 8$13,116
30-Mar-2412$9,286 81368$4,299 4$4,987
23-Mar-2418$5,451 1726616$4,759 2$692
16-Mar-2421$11,437 1318614$9,316 6$2,070
9-Mar-2423$4,695 2121819$2,723 4$1,972
2-Mar-2420$9,108 1937214$4,558 6$4,550
24-Feb-2419$16,382 1224815$9,507 4$6,875
17-Feb-2416$29,932 1515712$29,216 4$716
10-Feb-2425$10,750 1719619$5,372 6$5,379
3-Feb-2412$8,416 181259$3,416 3$5,000
27-Jan-249$8,165 9878$7,815 1$800
20-Jan-2414$4,084 1210912$3,219 2$865
13-Jan-2417$33,588 1225612$26,765 5$6,823
6-Jan-248$7,915 8846$7,265 2$650
30-Dec-2317$14,599 129915$2,714 2$11,885
23-Dec-2323$4,182 1321916$1,813 7$2,370
16-Dec-2313$16,436 132807$15,150 5$1,286
9-Dec-2326$14,633.90 1724416$8,095 10$6,538.90
2-Dec-2313$6,720 95712$6,630 1$90
25-Nov-239$4,835 91316$1,785 3$3,050
18-Nov-2322$6,568.70 1718414$4,709.20 8$1,859.50
11-Nov-2315$9,825 1317912$6,581 3$3,244
4-Nov-2315$20,582.50 1419312$19,417.50 3$1,165
28-Oct-2318$68,419.10 1815215$66,646 3$1,773.10
21-Oct-2316$6,755.90 1616515$6,755.90 1$3
14-Oct-2314$67,851.20 131259$61,998.50 5$5,852.70
7-Oct-2317$6,595.50 1322816$5,995.50 1$600
30-Sep-2317$1,896.45 1318914$806.45 3$1,090
23-Sep-2323$6,432.70 1723016$1,402.80 7$5,029.90
16-Sep-2325$23,226.70 2335316$17,239 9$5,987.70
9-Sep-2312$6,369 81027$4,311 5$2,058
2-Sep-2314$2,522 69213$1,322 1$1,200
26-Aug-2317$12,160.25 1320215$6,573.25 2$5,587.00
19-Aug-2319$11,505 1321315$11,255 4$250
12-Aug-2319$9,698.80 131847$3,270 12$6,428.80
5-Aug-2313$5,201 1211812$5,051 1$150
29-Jul-2315$21,031.60 1319611$18,292.00 4$2,739.60
22-Jul-2318$3,992 1213013$2,808 5$1,184
15-Jul-2313$8,254.95 138113$8,254.95 00
8-Jul-2316$5,441.45 1217211$2,443 5$2,998.45
1-Jul-2316$6,872 1010512$5,474 4$1,398
24-Jun-2313$10,914 1620110$7,874 3$3,040
17-Jun-2317$5,880.70 1515115$4,705.70 2$1,175
10-Jun-2319$8,516.10 1311116$6,252.40 3$2,263.70
June 3 202312$6,104.42 121388$4,256.92 4$1,847.50
27-May-2317$12,200 106711$6,165 6$6,035
20-May-2311$22,458.10 81034$19,455 7$3,003
13-May-2312$7,034 101018$5,460 4$1,574
6-May-2320$3,297.60 1819617$2,985.60 3$312
29-Apr-2323$3,691.20 1813517$1,969.70 6$1,721.50
22-Apr-2316$5,570 1410414$4,750 2$1,000
15-Apr-2312$23,818.10 95910$21,618.10 2$2,200
8-Apr-2316$7,949 91739$5,472 7$3,477
1-Apr-2321$18,676.70 1217511$10,926.70 10$7,750
25-Mar-2315$8,779.50 101415$2,362 10$6,416.50
18-Mar-237$14,048.80 6695$13,345 2$703.80
11-Mar-2321$11,576 1616516$8,131 5$3,445
4-Mar-2320$9,668 1122816$8,209 4$1,459
25-Feb-2313$5,335 1313012$4,235 1$1,200
18-Feb-2314$5,743.70 131588$898.70 6$4,845
11-Feb-2316$12,088 1213712$9,965 4$2,123
4-Feb-2317$8,066 1514013$5,614 4$2,452
28-Jan-237$2,180 7755$1,692.75 2$488
21-Jan-2317$5,768 1617412$1,918 5$3,850
14-Jan-2311$2, 800101028$421 3$2,400
7-Jan-2318$8,296 1116714$6,461 3$1,835
31-Dec-2214$2,732 119912$2,092 2$640
17-Dec14$7,919 1311512$7,419 1$500
10-Dec-2214$10,093 128811$7,093 3$3,000
3-Dec-2226$12,800.90 1117220$4,141 6$8,659.90
26-Nov-228$2,266.70 853$76 5$2,190.70
19-Nov-2221$2,886 1521219$2,550 2$336
12-Nov-2213$15,093.70 9819$14,200 4$893.70
5-Nov-222519,337.201650922$8,267.20 3$11,070
29-Oct-2215$7,805.30 911614$7,180.30 1$625
22-Oct-2220$8,193.50 1325313$5,442 7$2,751.50
15-Oct-229$3,046.10 91397$2,588.30 2$457.80
8-Oct-2219$2,011.80 1211416$833.80 3$1,178
1-Oct-2223$5,532.90 1615618$4,952.30 5$580.60
24-Sep-2218$5,194 1421615$4,050 3$1,144
17-Sep-2221$8,352.30 1232015$4,759.60 6$3,592.70
10-Sep-2215$19,853.50 1012613$19,403.60 2$450
3-Sep-229$2,312 9629$2,312 00
27-Aug-2216$30,891.70 1013515$30,666.40 1227.7
20-Aug-2212$1,977 815299253$1,052
13-Aug-2218$8,004.70 1124211$2,844.70 7$5,160
6-Aug-2224$7,948.90 1224017$3,577 7$4,371.90
30-Jul-228$6,941 9787$6,839 1$102
23-Jul-2211$801 119210$801 10
16-Jul-2214$3,650 1012214$3,650 00
9-Jul-2210$3,557.70 7689$3,557.70 10
2-Jul-2218$8,609.40 1315215$2,754.40 3$5,855
25-Jun-2215$6,142 131469$2,017 6$4,125
18-Jun-2217$11,890.10 1422815$11,410 2479.7
11-Jun-2217$7,600 1212310$2,300 7$5,300
4-Jun-2212$2,937 101279$692 3$2,245
28-May-229$3,197.60 11869$3,197.60 00
21-May-2214$7,284.50 1218511$6,609 3$675.50
14-May-2211$306.60 98010$306.60 1$225
7-May-2216$10,451.75 1210812$1,827 4$8,624.75
30-Apr-2216$2,296.50 1615712$895.50 4$1,401
23-Apr-2210$2,241 11588$1,641 2$600
16-Apr-2211$6,643 71568$2,359 3$4,284
9-Apr-2217$4,429 1418411$1,690 6$2,739
2-Apr-2213$1,755 88410$1,145 3$610
26-Mar-2211$3,205 8656$200 5$3,005
19-Mar-2213$2,239.17 910613$2,239.17 00
12-Mar-2218$12,016 1123915$11,965 2$51.35
5-Mar-2217$6,786 1313713$5,161 4$1,625
26-Feb-2212$5,095 81499$4,437.50 3$658
19-Feb-2217$22,229 1717414$21,354 3$875
12-Feb-2212$2,344.70 10738$641.70 4$1,703
5-Feb-2211$2,503 89911$2,503 00
29-Jan-2211$3,872 1210112$3,872 00
22-Jan-2213$5,143.50 109912$4,842.50 1$301
15-Jan-2212$7,605 91559$6,480 3$1,025
8-Jan-2213$8,256.20 1110213$8,256.20 00
1-Jan-229$1,273.80 6509$1,273.80 00
25-Dec-2121$4,734.75 1117616$3,410 5$1,324.75
18-Dec-2126$7,325.20 1519318$3,640.20 8$3,685.20
11-Dec-2116$5,017 1010913$1,417 3$3,600
4-Dec-2114$2,310 8868$2,310 6$1,882.05
27-Nov-219$3.460.1101016$1,758 3$1,702.60
20-Nov-2120$22,792 1515712$18,864.50 8$3,928
13-Nov-2121$26,729 1217813$11,822 8$14,907
6-Nov-2112$8,303 1315710$6,682 3$1,621
30-Oct-2121$10,368 1521815$9,24.46$1,103.00
23-Oct-2121$18.783.11522211$12,314 10$6,468.60
16-Oct-2115$3,868 1111815$2,293 2$1,575
9-Oct-2120$8,610 1617516$7,795 4$815
2-Oct-2114$6,250 1113710$5,200 4$1,050
25-Sep-2111$11,460 9937$10,200 4$1,250
18-Sep-2111$16,603 8998$15,084 3$1,519
11-Sep-2117$10,653 1110313$8,503 4$2,150
4-Sep-2113$7,222 108911$6,715 2$507
28-Aug-2112$763 96311$663 1$100
21-Aug-2112$29,659 77911$29,579 1$80
14-Aug-2122$17,845 1119912$12,805 10$5,04
7-Aug-2117$13,670 1213915$11,766 2$1,904
31-Jul-2121$8,160 1113410$3,574 10$4,586
July 24,202121$6,367 1113915$3,712 6$2,655
17-Jul-2114$4,009 1112412$2,015 2$1,994
10-Jul-2116$3,997 1314311$1,597 4$2,4
3-Jul-2124$7,492 139416$3,769 8$3,722
26-Jun-2110$4,995 7858$3,847 2$1,148
19-Jun-2128$16,830 82289$1,861 19$14,968
12-Jun-2126$27,238 1520919$25,602 7$1,636
5-Jun-2115$15,539 1310013$14,709 2$600
29-May-2135$20,279 1114528$18,647$1,639
22-May-2124$53,208 1417417$51,047 7$2,161
15-May-2118$10,620 1322011$5,870 7$4,809
8-May-2117$10,400 1115615$8,386 2$2,500
1-May-2121$7,200 1611512$3,808 9$3,392
24-Apr-218$20,200 9318$20,200 00
17-Apr-2114$6,270 810211$40,180 3$2,260
10-Apr-2115$8,940 1312914$7,990 1$950
3-Apr-2118$19,513 1015112$16,923 6$2,590
27-Mar-2127$13,942 1524414$4,300 13$9,633.50
20-Mar-2111$2,046 41023$270 8$1,776
13-Mar-2115$3,270 91096$538 9$2,732
6-Mar-2124$13,617 1019613$10,395 11$3,222
27-Feb-2119$8,105 1213915$4,970 4$3,135
20-Feb-219$8,820 91538$8,520 1$300
13-Feb-2112$4,852.60 78172,7665$2,086.60
6-Feb-2118$9,752 1315314$5,222 4$4,530
30-Jan-2118$9,449 918215$8,753.80 3$695.30
23-Jan-2114$8,150 81186$4,000 8$4,150
16-Jan-2117$6,783 1313811$2,400 6$4,382.90
9-Jan-2122$6,829 1413518$3,139.30 4$3,690
2-Jan-217$1,466 7607$1,466 00
26-Dec-2018$15,900 1216316$5,300 1$600
19-Dec-2018$9,769 1411014$8,426 4$1,343
12-Dec-2010$7,200 91009$3,325 1$3,830
5-Dec-2015$4,261 91229$2,780 6$1,481
28-Nov-2019$7,758 1011013$4,003 6$3,755
14-Nov-2014$864.10 1415712$289.10 2$575
7-Nov-2013$6,332 91299$2,483.50 4$3,849
31-Oct-2010$3,995.80 81036$3,231.10 4$754.70
24-Oct-206$18,100 6585$17,709 1$350
17-Oct-208$351.90 5558$351.90 00
10-Oct-207$5,229 3504$735 3$4,494
3-Oct-2014$21,428 91739$17,535 5$3,893
26-Sep-2010$12,770 8935$10,300 5$2,470
19-Sep-2014$8,365 91016$1,020 8$7,345
12-Sep-206$4,406 8593$1,270 3$3,136
5-Sep-2011$5,191 81179$4,061 2$1,130
29-Aug-2011$2,531 9945$1,130 6$1,401
22-Aug-2018$6,574 121407$1,930 11$4,644
15-Aug-2013$4,991 10977$1,216 6$3,775
8-Aug-2012$32,092 111129$30,457 3$1,635
1-Aug-207$5,287 8765$3,687 2$1,600
25-Jul-209$18,751 6677$18,403 2$348
18-Jul-206$1,982.50 5504$1,407.50 2$575
11-Jul-2011$565.10 127510$65.10 1$500
4-Jul-2010$8,889 8989$8,788 1$100.30
27-Jun-208$6,874 10505$4,972.50 3$2,081.50
20-Jun-2012$4,444 91157$2,829 5$1,615
13-Jun-206$3,582 4372$350 4$3,232
6-Jun-2011$3,213.70 8657$470 4$2,743.70
30-May-208$7,335 7486$4,639 2$2,697
23-May-204$432.40 4343$432.40 10
16-May-206$310 6345$310 10
9-May-2018$5,630 1612414$3,180 4$2,450
2-May-201510,40010908$1,900 7$,8,500
25-Apr-208$3,400 9365$1,000 3$2,450
18-Apr-2019$9,500 14928$185.70 11$9,360
11-Apr-2012$6,000 9405$190 7$5,800
4-Apr-2014$8,200 116810$2,200 4$6,000
28-Mar-2016$6,500 139610$3,700 6$2,800
21-Mar-2011$11,910 7337$2,250 4$9,960
14-Mar-207809.86346684.81125
7-Mar-2016$2,500 157013$669 3$1,400
29-Feb-2013$15,260 1312811$11,760 2$3,500
22-Feb-2012$3,700 109210$2,560 2$1,130
15-Feb-2016$1,250 108412$35 4$1,222
8-Feb-2018$6,080 1412314$2,595 4$3,485
1-Feb-2021$20,900 1210114$17,860 7$3,060
25-Jan-2013$7,430 136212$6,430 1$1,000
18-Jan-2023$9,580 1512019$6,580 4$3,000
11-Jan-2021$14,200 1819916$1,020 5$13,200
4-Jan-2022$6,400 1111916$3,204 6$3,245
28-Dec-1922$7,150 1917518$6,800 4$327.40
14-Dec-1924$36,300 2316719$9,500 5$26,800
7-Dec-1911$10,400 11557$1,082 4$9,370
November 30. 201914$2,450 1212612$1,760 2$692.50
23-Nov-1916$1,995 104111$615 5$1,380
16-Nov-1915$3,820 1313511$2,500 4$1,271
9-Nov-1925$12,900 1718223$12,200 2$575
2-Nov-1910$2,470 126192,4503$22
26-Oct-1912$5,560 147011$3,860 1$1,700
19-Oct-198$6,600 81388$6,600 00
12-Oct-1919$4,300 145516$3,800 3$500
5-Oct-1918$14,500 1916615$11,100 3$3,400
28-Sep-1919$8,100 1813218$7,560 1$550
21-Sep-1914$6,300 166611$2,160 3$4,170
14-Sep-1915$23,800 125611$21,250 4$2,570
7-Sep-1917$3,500 159814$1,900 3$1,600
31-Aug-195$8,700 6505$8,700 00
24-Aug-1916$10,000 148215$4,250 1$5,750
16-Aug-1910$1,680 5527$650 3$950
9-Aug-1917$17,700 156814$3,900 3$13,800
2-Aug-1913$5,760 1210813$5,760 NANA
27-Jul-1911$7,300 13768$6,570 3$730
20-Jul-1913$11,800 1312511$5,300 2$6,500
13-Jul-1910$775 7468$542.50 2$233
6-Jul-197$2,500 9857$2,500 00
29-Jun-1923$8,290 1515417$2,300 6$5,970
22-Jun-1917$10,700 1013914$7,700 3$3,000
15-Jun-1911$13,500 1416011$13,500 NANA
8-Jun-1913$2,870 175511$1,570 2$1,300
1-Jun-1910$4,460 11608$4,140 2$315
25-May-1917$4,360 147914$3,700 3$612
18-May-1922$9,000 1715016$3,400 6$5,600
11-May-1918$19,800 1717715$18,300 3$1,500
4-May-1910$7,075 6328$6,900 2$175
27-Apr-1915$3,200 1411714$3,160 1$40
20-Apr-1913$13,500 10909$12,200 4$1,300
13-Apr-1916$38,900 149114$37,800 2$1,100
6-Apr-1912$6,870 119410$6,730 2$50
30-Mar-1915$6,470 128410$7,91.55$5,677
23-Mar-1918$6,450 149114$5,042 4$1,408
16-Mar-1914$10,180 1211511$8,800 3$1,300
9-Mar-199$1,800 6498$1,300 1$500
2-Mar-1920$3,033 1610714$1,817 6$1,262
23-Feb-1912$2,040 8699$614.60 3$1,430
16-Feb-1916$9,970 187716$9,970 00
9-Feb-1914$6,400 1011014$6,400 00
2-Feb-1918$6,740 159916$5,720 2$950
26-Jan-1913$2,770 116711$918.95 2$1,850
19-Jan-1915$3,819 167612$2,594 3$1,225
12-Jan-1918$7,283 149215$1,683 3$5,600
5-Jan-1910$529 125010$529 00
22-Dec-1817$2,570 138714$941 3$1,629
15-Dec-1810$2,860 8268$264 2$2,600
8-Dec-1815$1,819 166512$552 3$1,267
1-Dec-1812$7,500 10909$1,200 3$6,200
28-Nov-1815$4,500 1110714$4,000 1$500
19-Nov-1818$6,137 139813$2,142 5$3,995
14-Nov-1818$9,200 1315215$8,500 3$694
6-Nov-1816$17,300 1618314$16,361 2$950
29-Oct-1814$14,400 1812717$13,800 1$600
24-Oct-1813$6,140 1312611$5,122 2$1,018
17-Oct-1818$18,390 1512514$12,292 4$6,098
10-Oct-1829$3,149 1810420$1,647 9$819
2-Oct-1818$9,300 116714$7,300 4$2,000
25-Sep-1813$7,000 117510$6,000 3$995
18-Sep-189$3,570 7449$3,570 00
11-Sep-1813$5,900 1013213$5,900 00
7-Sep-1814$5,000 158611$4,000 3$1,000
29-Aug-1815$20,700 147913$4,700 2$16,000
20-Aug-1810$12,400 11538$11,380 3$1,057
14-Aug-1812$19,900 121329$18,889 3$1,011
7-Aug-1816$68,600 1110613$67,259 3$1,340
31-Jul-1815$15,100 159511$13,060 4$2,060
23-Jul-1813$2,130 156010$1,804 3$1,100
17-Jul-1814$5,370 17989$4,310 5$1,100
9-Jul-1816$11,200 157410$11,080 6$862
3-Jul-1813$7,000 78112$6,330 1$750
25-Jun-1815$8,800 13979$4,970 6$3,930
18-Jun-1813$14,200 14807$221 6$14,290
11-Jun-1812$6,300 8968$5,910 4$803
6-Jun-1813$14,500 10888$14,154 5$579
31-May-1811$4,890 10638$3,240 3$1,790
22-May-1815$20,400 11639$19,808 6$885
15-May-1815$4,700 1510610$3,900 5$643
9-May-1811$1,400 13889$1,300 2$560
1-May-188$14,250 7887$13,400 1$450
24-Apr-1812$5,300 66111$4,470 1$800
17-Apr-189$1,800 10447$2,330 2$1,434
11-Apr-1811$2,500 8326$1,690 5$809
3-Apr-1815$13,400 111219$12,020 6$1,090
28-Mar-1810$4,000 10927$3,870 3$215
19-Mar-1817$5,800 135110$590 7$5,165
12-Mar-1815$3,130 114311$2,360 4$788
6-Mar-1819$5,400 1311610$1,530 9$4,860
27-Feb-1820$6,600 136914$5,530 6$1,030
19-Feb-1815$5,500 1411110$3,990 6$1,980
12-Feb-1823$10,900 1715712$7,110 11$3,840
5-Feb-1816$8,600 131007$1,330 9$7,800
30-Jan-1811$12,600 11685$7,300 6$4,982
24-Jan-1819$9,400 151295$2,010 14$7,337
18-Jan-1810$6,280 8492$2,100 8$4,188
9-Jan-1812$16,500 12929$15,890 3$475
3-Jan-1810$2,500 9478$2,350 2$150
27-Dec-1715$9,000 151139$7,568 6$1,784
18-Dec-1715$13,800 161649$13,010 7$1,118
11-Dec-1714$9,700 1012612$2,940 4$8,500
4-Dec-176$1,800 6315$1,510 1$300
28-Nov-177$3,850 8764$3,260 3$285
16-Nov-1710$2,700 10486$1,840 4$856
8-Nov-1715$2,380 179110$1,860 5$516
1-Nov-1712$4,700 17949$3,400 4$1,300
23-Oct-1715$10,500 106710$9,780 4$1,530
18-Oct-176$2,000 373$225 3$1,820
10-Oct-1712$6,570 1009$3,880 3$3,360
2-Oct-178$3,100 11193$1,630 5$1,750
25-Sep-178$4,880 8795$2,660 5$2,070
18-Sep-179$4,770 3$300 6$4,470
12-Sep-1711$4,430 8$2,030 3$2,400
1-Sep-174$1,310 3$317 1$1,000
23-Aug-1711$13,640 98$11,840 3$1,800

Eight law firms and 69 Texas lawyers were involved in the activity, versus 18 law firms and 77 lawyers the previous week. 

Foley worked on three deals, with partner Glenn Singleton handling two of them, and Shearman & Sterling partner Matt Lyons worked on two transactions.

M&A, PRIVATE EQUITY AND VENTURE CAPITAL

V&E aids Direct Energy on $300M Clockwork sale to Authority

Vinson & Elkins said Feb. 21 that it advised Centrica unit Direct Energy on its sale of Clockwork Inc. to Apax Partners-backed Authority Brands for $300 million.

Partner Trina Chandler co-led the deal team with assistance from senior associate Jeannie Poland and associates Nettie Downs, Mariam Boxwala and Kelly King.

Specialists included partner Stephen Jacobson and senior associate Kristy Fields on executive compensation/benefits issues; partner Sean Becker and senior associate Christie Alcalá on labor/employment; and senior associate Matt Dobbins on environmental.

Others were senior counsel Sarah Mitchell (litigation); partner Devika Kornbacher and senior associate Sean Hill (intellectual property); counsel Scot Dixon and associate Tyler Hokanson (real estate); and partner Jason McIntosh and associates Brian Russell and Lauren Meyers (tax).

The sale has to clear U.S. competition authorities under the Hart Scott Rodino Act but is expected to close in the first half of this year.

Columbia, Maryland-based Authority Brands is Apax’s home services franchise platform with brands such as Cleaning Authority, Homewatch CareGivers, America’s Swimming Pool Co. and Mosquito Squad.

Direct Energy said it acquired Clockwork in 2010 for $183 million but is now focusing on developing ongoing customer relationships through home protection plans and home warranty offers. It’s also developing its own home services brands, according to Direct Energy Home North American president Bruce Stewart.

Clockwork consists of 725 franchise territories and 10 company-owned stores. Its brands include One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, Mister Sparky electric, BuyMax, Success Academy and SuccessWare 21.

Authority Brands CEO Rob Weddle said adding the Clockwork brands will double its system revenue to more than $1 billion.

Ashish Karandikar led the deal from Apax Partners, a 40-year-old British private equity firm that has raised and advised funds with $50 billion worth of commitments.

Rockwell, Schlumberger enter Sensia JV in $250M deal

Rockwell Automation and Schlumberger agreed to create a new joint venture called Sensia to provide digital automation solutions to the oil and gas sector. 

A Schlumberger spokesman wouldn’t reveal the company’s outside legal advisors, but its deputy general counsel for M&A is Wiliam Batzer and its general counsel is Alex Juden.

Sensia will operate as an independent entity with Rockwell owning 53 percent and Schlumberger holding 47 percent. As part of the transaction, Rockwell will pay Schlumberger $250 million funded by cash on hand.

The transaction has to clear regulators but is expected to close this summer, when the two plan to begin serving customers.

Following the investment, Milwaukee-based Rockwell said it will maintain its strong financial flexibility and continue to support its capital allocation priorities, including organic growth and acquisitions, dividends and share repurchases (it has a $1 billion stock repurchase target for this year).

The JV will be led by CEO Allan Rentcome, who is currently director of the global technology systems and solutions business at Rockwell. It’s expected to generate annual sales of $400 million and employ 1,000 in more than 80 countries with its headquarters in Houston.

The parties claim that Sensia will be the first fully integrated provider of measurement solutions, domain expertise and automation to the oil and gas industry. 

The JV said it will offer scalable, cloud and edge-enabled process automation, including information and process safety solutions to help customers drive efficiency gains through measurement and data-driven intelligent automation.

Rockwell chairman and CEO Blake Moret said in a statement that no single provider exists that offers oilfield operators solutions to reduce time from drilling to production, optimize output of conventional and unconventional wells and extend well life.

“Sensia will be uniquely positioned to connect disparate assets and reduce manual processes with secure, scalable solutions that are integrated into one technology platform,” he said.

Schlumberger chairman and CEO Paal Kibsgaard said in a statement that Sensia is part of the company’s vision to offer customers connected devices with diagnostic capabilities along with measurement, automation and analytics that improve oilfield operations, facilitate business decisions and reduce cost of ownership through the life of a field.

Kirkland advises Harvest on San Juan asset sale for $42.8M

Harvest Oil & Gas Corp. said Feb. 14 that it sold all of its interests in the San Juan Basin of New Mexico and Colorado to an unnamed buyer for $42.8 million.

Kirkland & Ellis partner Rahul Vashi in Houston counseled Harvest. UBS provided it with financial advice led by Houston managing director Miles Redfield.

Locke Lord represented the buyer with a team led by Jason Schumacher in Dallas. Assisting were Will Becker, Kim Williams, Henry Benton and Joe Carmical, also of Dallas, and Laura L. Ferguson in Houston.

Harvest’s general counsel is Andy West, who held the same title at the company’s predecessor, EnerVest. Before joining EnerVest in 2014, the Duke-trained lawyer was senior counsel at HighMount Exploration & Production and practiced at Baker Botts and Simpson Thacher & Bartlett in Houston.

Houston-based Harvest also announced that it had sold all of its 4.2 million shares of Magnolia Oil & Gas Corp. for $51.7 million, which is being used to reduce its revolver. Its credit facility had $55 million outstanding as of Feb. 14.

Harvest picked up the Magnolia shares as part of its compensation last year when it sold it oil and gas properties in central and south Texas. Kirkland’s Vashi worked on that deal for Harvest while Vinson & Elkins partner John Grand represented Magnolia.

The San Juan transaction is expected to close in April. Harvest plans to use the proceeds to reduce borrowings under its revolver.

The San Juan properties produced 23.7 million cubic feet per day in the first nine months of 2018. They have estimated proved reserves of 163.2 billion cubic feet equivalent, 65 percent of which is natural gas, 30 percent of which is natural gas liquids and 5 percent crude oil.

Harvest emerged from the bankruptcy of EV Energy Partners last year. It owns oil and gas properties across the U.S. and is led by CEO Michael Mercer.

Magnolia is led by chairman and CEO Steve Chazen, who previously was CEO of Occidental Petroleum.

Foley aids ParkHub on $13M funding from Arrowroot, Jerry Jones

Dallas-based parking products and services provider ParkHub announced Feb. 19 that it raised $13 million in Series B funding by investors led by Arrowroot Capital and including Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones.

Foley partner Glenn Singleton counseled ParkHub while Cooley represented Santa Monica-based Arrowroot. 

Arrowroot partner Kareem El Sawy will be joining ParkHub’s board.

ParkHub said the investment will help it continue to develop its software solutions for event-based facilities. 

The funding is the first institutional capital for the company. Jones, Bruce Williams and Van Taylor are among ParkHub’s angel investors. 

ParkHub founder and CEO George Baker Sr. said his team has worked to attract major accounts, form strategic partnerships and refine its product offering while maturing as a service provider and company. “This partnership will undoubtedly accelerate our growth,” he said.

ParkHub said its subscription-based solutions help parking professionals improve customer experience and drive revenue with streamlined operations and real-time insight. 

Its customers, which have doubled in the past year, include professional sports teams and entertainment clients. It executed a multi-year agreement with Live Nation, expanded its list of venue and university partners and began adding state and national parks.

The technology integrates with major parking and ticketing providers such as SpotHero, Parkmobile, ParkWhiz, Ticketmaster and tickets.com.

Its products includes Prime, a mobile point-of-sale solution; Portal, a business intelligence system; Pulse, a multi-directional occupancy sensor; and ParkHub.io, a parking inventory and data distribution system.

In January ParkHub acquired the mobile point-of-sale division of SpotHero and formed a long-term partnership designed to improve the overall consumer parking experience.

ParkHub manages more than 1 million parking spots and has parked and digitally transcribed more than 18 million vehicles to date.

Arrowroot focuses on minority, majority and buyout investments in B2B software companies. It typically targets initial equity investments of between $5 million and $25 million and looks for add-on acquisitions for its portfolio companies.

Foley advises Neighborhood Goods on $8.8M in funding

Dallas-based department store alternative Neighborhood Goods announced Feb. 21 that it raised $8.8 million in seed funding, doubling its post-money valuation.

Global Founders Capital led the round. Prior investors also participated, including Forerunner Ventures, Maveron, NextGen Venture Partners, Revolution’s Rise of the Rest Seed Fund, Ground Up Ventures, Capital Factory and Dollar Shave Club CEO Michael Dubin.

Global Founders investor Don Stalter has joined Neighborhood Goods’ board.

Foley counseled Neighborhood Goods, including partner Glenn Singleton and associate Austin Poynter.

Neighborhood Goods said it’s so far raised $14.5 million and is opening a second location in New York later this year. Late last year it opened its first location in Plano, where tennis player Serena Williams launched her new clothing line.

Its other partners include Walmart’s direct-to-consumer mattress brand Allswell, actress Reese Witherspoon’s clothing line Draper James, wellness brands hims and hers and sneaker marketplace Stadium Goods. Forerunner also has invested in Draper James, Stadium Goods and hims.

Retail entrepreneur Matt Alexander and real estate consultant and developer Mark Masinter of Open Realty Advisors co-founded the chain in 2017. Their aim: to take over large spaces where more than a dozen brands — many of them born on the internet — can sell merchandise on a rotating basis. 

The Neighborhood Goods store in Plano is 14,000 square feet. It has its own bar and restaurant, Prim & Proper, and a communal space where it holds events. 

Shearman counsels SchoolAdmin on sale to Quad Partners 

Quad Partners agreed to acquire a majority stake in SchoolAdmin, an Austin-based provider of K-12 admissions and enrollment software. Terms weren’t disclosed.

Shearman & Sterling advised SchoolAdmin, including partners Matt Lyons and Brian Dillavou and associates Matt Wade and Montana Ware. Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel counseled Quad.

The GulfStar Group’s Roshan Gummattira was SchoolAdmin’s financial advisor.

SchoolAdmin has worked with 400 customers to understand the needs of parents and school administrators. Its mission is to improve a school’s ability to recruit, admit, enroll and retain students through its solutions.

SchoolAdmin CEO Nate Little said the company will use Quad’s resources to help enhance its product offerings and further support its organizational development.

Connor O’Keefe and Daniel Neuwirth led the investment from Quad, which is investing in the company through Quad Partners V, an education-focused private equity fund with $229 million in capital commitments raised last year.

Shearman represents Praetorian on sale to Riverside’s Lexipol

Shearman & Sterling represented Praetorian Digital on its sale to Riverside-backed Lexipol for undisclosed terms.

The team included partner Matt Lyons as well as partner Mack Healy in Austin. They had help from attorneys in the firm’s New York and Menlo Park offices.

Praetorian, which has offices in San Francisco and Dallas, is a SaaS-based provider of digital media and training software used in public safety and local governments. It’s the first add-on to Lexipol, which Riverside bought in 2014 and provides state-specific policies and public safety training.

Some of Praetorian’s brands include PoliceOne.com, FireRescue1.com and EfficientGov.com. Lexipol claims to reach more than 7,000 police departments, fire departments and municipalities.

Riverside said the combined company will have a library of 200,000 articles and reports, 16,000 policies and procedures and almost 4,000 training courses, which Riverside partner Joe Lee said would be difficult to replicate.

The combined company will be led by CEO Alex Ford, who founded Praetorian in 1999. Praetorian has 51 to 100 employees and annual sales of about $17.2 million, according to Crunchbase.

Cleveland-based Riverside invests in growing businesses with values of up to $400 million.

V&E aids Kibo Software on its Certona acquisition

Vinson & Elkins said Feb. 20 that it advised cloud commerce provider Kibo Software Inc. on its purchase of Certona. Terms weren’t disclsoed.

The team included partner Milam Newby with assistance from senior associate Michael Gibson and associates Luke Thomas, Ann Stehling and Vaughn Miller. 

Specialists were partner Shane Tucker and counsel Dario Mendoza on executive compensation/benefits; partner Sean Becker and counsel Martin Luff on labor/employment; and partner Devika Kornbacher and associate Ben Cukerbaum on IP/technology transactions.

Others were partner Jason McIntosh and associate Allyson Seger on tax and counsel Sarah Mitchell and senior associate George Padis on insurance.

The companies said the combination brings together Kibo’s cloud commerce platform, including eCommerce and order management solutions, and Certona’s personalization platform, which will help retailers build loyalty, drive sales and streamline their business.

Kibo is led by CEO David Post and has 400 customeors in retail and branded manufacturing. Certona is led by co-founder and CEO Meyar Sheik and is used by 500 brands and retailers in 70 countries.

Foley advises Walker on sale to Comfort Systems

Foley said Feb. 22 that it advised Walker TX Holding Co. on its sale to Houston-based Comfort Systems USA for undisclosed terms.

The team was led by partners Michael Newman, Robert Sarfatis and Mike Donohue with support from Walker Engineering’s general counsel and Gardere alum Eric Lugger.

Robinson Bradshaw represented Comfort Systems, whose in-house counsel was Bill George and Laura Howell.

DA Davidson provided financial advice to Walker with investment bankers out of Denver and Los Angeles.

The parties expect to close the deal in the second quarter.

Family-owned, Irving-based Walker provides commercial electric, network, end-user and industrial services in North Texas, Houston, San Antonio and Austin. It’s expected to add about $325 million to $375 million in annual sales and $20 million to $25 million to EBITDA.

Comfort Systems CEO Brian Lane said in a statement that Walker will provide a strong base for continued growth and investment in the electrical contracting business.

Publicly traded Comfort Systems provides mechanical services related to heating, ventilation and air conditioning in 114 U.S. cities.

CAPITAL MARKETS

Latham represents Total on $1.25B notes offering

Latham & Watkins said Feb. 21 it represented Total on its $1.25 billion registered public notes offering by unit Total Capital International.

The issue is the first 10-year benchmark note that the French energy giant has issued in the U.S. public market.

The team came from Latham’s Paris, Houston and London offices. The Houston members included partner Ryan Maierson and associates Ryan Lynch and Bryan Ryan and partners Tim Fenn and Bryant Lee and associate Jared Grimley on U.S. tax matters.

Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton counseled the underwriters.

The issue involves 3.455 percent senior guaranteed notes due 2029.

Total plans to use the net proceeds from the offering for general corporate purposes, including debt repayment.

Winston advises NexPoint on $100M potential stock sale

Winston said it counseled Dallas-based NexPoint Residential Trust Inc. on its agreement with Jefferies, Raymond James and SunTrust Robinson Humphrey to sell $100 million worth of common stock from time to time at prevailing market prices on a best-effort basis.

The team included partners Charlie Haag and Justin Reinus and associates Steve Franklin and Melissa Kalka, all of Dallas.

The publicly traded real estate investment trust said it won’t initially receive any proceeds from the sale of shares of its stock by the forward purchasers or their affiliates.

The trust plans to use any proceeds to repay amounts outstanding on its revolver and for general corporate purposes, which may include funding investments and repaying amounts outstanding under its debt obligations.

NexPoint is focused on acquiring, owning and operating well-located middle-income multifamily properties with “value-add” potential in large cities and suburban submarkets of large cities, primarily in the southeastern and southwestern U.S.

The trust is externally advised by NexPoint Real Estate Advisors, an affiliate of global alternative asset manager Highland Capital Management.

In January NexPoint CEO Jim Dondero said in a statement that the trust continued to experience robust demand for its communities in the fourth quarter. 

The trust said it completed its first equity raise since listing in April 2015 to pay down debt, which helped capitalize its purchases of two properties with upside potential in its core markets. In January it bought three more properties, all in Arizona.

Bracewell aids Macquarie on $80M revolver to Ceres, Riverland

Bracewell said Feb. 18 it advised Macquaire Bank on a $80 million revolver for agricultural commodities trading companies Ceres Global Ag Corp. and Riverland Ag Corp.

The Texas lawyers on the team included partners Kate H. Day and Scott C. Sanders and associate Kenni E. Callahan.

Macquarie was administrative agent for the facility on behalf of a syndicate of lenders, which includes Bank of Montreal and Coöperatieve Rabobank. 

The amended and restated credit agreement increases the amount of the revolving facility available to Ceres from $67.5 million to $80 million with the potential to access an accordion feature that would provide an additional $20 million. The revolver matures on Feb. 13, 2020.

UPDATE:

The Texas Lawbook reported on Feb. 7 that Irving-based Vistra Energy agreed to buy Toronto-traded Crius Energy Trust for $436 million, a move that would make it the top residential electricity provider in the U.S. Last week it revised the offer in light of a higher bid from an unsolicited third party.

On Feb. 20 Vistra said it agreed to increase its price to C$8.80 per trust unit, up C$1.23 over the parties’ previous agreement and higher than the third party bidder’s offer. The other bidder wasn’t named.

Vistra CEO and president Curt Morgan said in a statement that at a 4 times multiple, the transaction is still projected to add to EBITDA and free cash flow and exceed Vistra’s investment threshold of 500 to 600 basis points above its cost of capital while not interfering with its capital allocation and deleveraging plans.

Baker Botts advised Crius and Latham represented Vistra but no one in their Texas offices. Vistra’s general counsel is Stephanie Zapata Moore, who previously was general counsel of Luminant, a unit of Vistra and its predecessor Energy Future Holdings.

***

Last week also saw Devon Energy Corp. announce plans to shed its Canadian oil sands assets and Barnett Shale properties in North Texas, either through a sale or spin-off. 

It’s hired JP Morgan Securities and Goldman Sachs to advise on the Canadian business and Jefferies to assist with the Barnett assets. 

No word yet on who is providing Oklahoma City-based company with outside legal advice. Devon’s general counsel Lyndon C. Taylor, who previously was managing partner of Skadden’s Houston office, didn’t respond to requests for comment.

©2025 The Texas Lawbook.

Content of The Texas Lawbook is controlled and protected by specific licensing agreements with our subscribers and under federal copyright laws. Any distribution of this content without the consent of The Texas Lawbook is prohibited.

If you see any inaccuracy in any article in The Texas Lawbook, please contact us. Our goal is content that is 100% true and accurate. Thank you.

Primary Sidebar

Recent Stories

  • Texas Reaches $1.375B Settlement with Google in Data Privacy Suits
  • KBR Gets Complete Defense Win in Houston Trial Over $18B Mexican Refinery Job
  • P.S. — Hispanic Law Foundation’s ‘Thank You’ is ‘Deeper Than It’s Ever Been,’ President Says at Scholarship Luncheon 
  • Jackson Walker Hires Former Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice Nathan Hecht
  • First CEO of San Antonio Legal Services Association Steps Down from Non-profit, Board Initiates Search  

Footer

Who We Are

  • About Us
  • Our Team
  • Contact Us
  • Submit a News Tip

Stay Connected

  • Sign up for email updates
  • Article Submission Guidelines
  • Premium Subscriber Editorial Calendar

Our Partners

  • The Dallas Morning News
The Texas Lawbook logo

1409 Botham Jean Blvd.
Unit 811
Dallas, TX 75215

214.232.6783

© Copyright 2025 The Texas Lawbook
The content on this website is protected under federal Copyright laws. Any use without the consent of The Texas Lawbook is prohibited.