Corey D. Fox, P.C.
Overview
Corey Fox is recognized for his work in private equity buyouts as a ‘super star’ whose ‘personal skills set him apart.' - The Legal 500 U.S., 2018
Corey Fox is a partner in Kirkland's corporate transactional group. His practice is primarily focused on counseling private equity sponsors and their portfolio companies in structuring, negotiating and executing complex business transactions, including domestic and cross-border mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, leveraged buyouts, going-private transactions, purchases and sales through bankruptcy, carve-out transactions, corporate restructurings, recapitalizations, dividends and equity financings as well as general corporate matters.
Corey has led representative matters ranging in size from several million dollars to approximately $12 billion in a variety of industries, including financial services, computer software and hardware, healthcare, manufacturing, education, retail, apparel, food, agriculture, restaurant, consumer services and automotive. Corey has handled such matters on behalf of, among other distinguished private equity clients, Sun Capital Partners, Thoma Bravo, Centerbridge Partners, New Water Capital, Paine Schwartz Partners and SK Capital Partners.
Corey was recognized in the 2018, 2020, 2021 and 2022 editions of The Legal 500 U.S. for his work in private equity buyouts where he was described as a “a ‘super star’ whose ‘personal skills set him apart.'" The 2020 edition of The Legal 500 U.S. is also quoted saying, "He works around the clock and is very approachable. The other side quickly trusts him, which helps get deals done more quickly… He’s like a member of our deal team, but he knows how to write a contract." Corey was selected by Super Lawyers magazine as an Illinois Rising Star in each of 2012, 2013 and 2014.
Corey is Co-Chair of Kirkland’s Chicago Associate Review Committee and a member of Kirkland’s Firmwide Finance Committee, Non-Share Partner Review Committee, Associate Review Committee, and Operations Committee.
Experience
Representative Matters
The following are selected examples of Corey's representations:
Representative Acquisitions
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Private equity sponsor in $6.9 billion take-private acquisition of a cybersecurity company.
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Private equity sponsor in $2.4 billion acquisition of a provider of data integration and data integrity solutions.
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Private equity sponsor in acquisition of a provider of enterprise cloud solutions.
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Private equity sponsor in $12.3 billion acquisition of a leading cybersecurity and compliance company.
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Private equity sponsor in $10 billion acquisition of a provider of property management software.
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Private equity sponsor in acquisition of a leading dermatology provider.
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Private equity sponsor in $4.5 billion going-private acquisition of a leading developer of enterprise information technology infrastructure management software.
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Private equity sponsor in acquisition of a provider of SSL certificates and SSL management tools.
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Private equity sponsor in $3.6 billion going-private acquisition of a leading application performance infrastructure provider.
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Private equity sponsor in acquisition of a designer and manufacturer of foam products for the bedding and furniture industries and subsequent add-on acquisition.
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Private equity sponsor in acquisition of a national network of providers of same-day dental implant services.
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Private equity sponsor in going-private acquisition and subsequent add-on acquisitions of a collection of premier fashion brands.
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Private equity sponsor in $3.0 billion going-private acquisition of a leading visual analytics software provider.
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Private equity sponsor in acquisition of a leading provider of special and alternative education programming and subsequent add-on acquisitions.
- Private equity sponsor in acquisition of a chain of 480 leading fast-casual restaurants.
- Private equity sponsor in $2.1 billion going-private acquisition of a global provider of cybersecurity solutions.
- Private equity sponsor in acquisition of a leading packaging provider.
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Private equity sponsor in acquisition of a leading provider of quick-oil-change services.
- Private equity sponsor in acquisition of a majority ownership interest in a leading grower, packager and distributor of branded and private-label fresh produce.
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Private equity sponsor in acquisition of a leading chain of fast-casual seafood restaurants.
- Private equity sponsor in a carveout acquisition of industrial valve business from a publicly listed company.
Representative Dispositions
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Private equity sponsor in sale of a leading provider of cloud-first security solutions.
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Private equity sponsor in a restructuring and subsequent initial public offering of a luxury apparel business valued at approximately $725 million.
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Private equity sponsor in sale of a network security and data protection business valued at approximately $1.25 billion.
- Private equity sponsor in sale of a leading provider of postsecondary health care education.
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Private equity sponsor in sale of multiple apparel brands.
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Private equity sponsor in $710 million sale of a provider of cybersecurity threat and compliance solutions to a publicly listed company.
- Private equity sponsor in sale of body armor and ballistics protection businesses.
Representative Bankruptcy & Distressed Transactions
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Sale of assets of a global leader in manufacturing of structural metal components for the automotive industry pursuant to Section 363 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code for approximately $1 billion.
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Private equity sponsor in acquisition of aluminum and glass business pursuant to Section 363 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code and subsequent add-on acquisitions.
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Private equity sponsor in acquisition of body armor and ballistics protection business pursuant to Section 363 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code and subsequent add-on acquisitions.
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Sale of assets of a large restaurant chain pursuant to Section 363 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code.
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Sale of assets of a leading retail music chain pursuant to Section 363 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code.
More
Recognition
Selected by Chambers USA for Corporate/M&A: Private Equity (Illinois) in 2021–2023.
Selected by Chambers USA as Up and Coming for Corporate/M&A: Private Equity (Illinois) in 2021–2022.
Selected by The Legal 500 U.S. for Private Equity Buyouts in 2018, 2020, 2021 and 2022.
Selected by Super Lawyers magazine as an Illinois Rising Star in each of 2012, 2013, and 2014.
Credentials
Admissions & Qualifications
- 2004Illinois
Education
- Northwestern Pritzker School of LawJ.D.cum laude2004
- University of MichiganB.A., American Culturewith Distinction1999