Walter S. Holzer, P.C.

Partner Mergers & Acquisitions Private Equity

Chicago +1 312 862 2636

Walter S. Holzer, P.C.

Overview

Walt Holzer focuses on complex business transactions, including mergers, acquisitions, buyouts, recapitalizations, divestitures, venture capital and growth equity investing, and executive compensation. He has handled numerous transactions in a wide variety of industries for private equity, family office and strategic clients.

Praised by clients for his "pragmatic approach, business acumen and sector knowledge" and his "expertise…and commerciality" and "valuable understanding of the most important areas of a deal," Walt has been recognized in multiple publications for his extensive experience in transactional work, including by The Best Lawyers in America® for work in Corporate Law in 2024, IFLR1000 as a “Notable Practitioner” in Private Equity every year from 2019–2024, The Legal 500 U.S. for Private Equity Buyouts every year from 2008–2013, 2015–2016 and 2018–2019, by Chambers USA as one of America's Leading Lawyers for Business in Corporate/M&A: Private Equity every year from 2009–2020, and by Lawdragon as one of the 500 Leading Dealmakers in America every year from 2021–2023. Walt has also been listed in PLC Which Lawyer? and Super Lawyers.

Represented a private equity firm in its sale of a legal services company to a private equity firm

Advised a global infrastructure services company in its acquisition of an environmental consulting firm

Represented a private equity firm in its sale of an environmental consulting firm to a strategic buyer

Advised management of a maker of consumer products in its sale to the private equity arm of an international financial institution

Represented a private equity firm in its acquisition of a construction products supplier in a bankruptcy proceeding

Counseled a private equity firm with the recapitalization of its portfolio company, a retailer of outdoor equipment and apparel

Represented a private equity firm in connection with the sale of a manufacturer of packaging machinery and equipment to a strategic buyer

Advised a private equity firm in sale of a manufacturer of pultruded products to a strategic buyer

Advised a private equity firm in the sale of a designer and manufacturer of railroad maintenance-of-way equipment to a private equity firm

Counseled a portfolio company of a private equity firm in its sale of a division of its satellite equipment business to a portfolio company of another private equity firm

Advised a private equity firm in its investment in private jet aircraft company

Advised a portfolio company of a private equity firm in its acquisition of a contract research organization focused on drug disposition and toxicology services

Represented a private equity firm in its acquisition of an audio/visual equipment manufacturing company

Advised a private equity firm in connection with the merger and related financing of its portfolio company, a manufacturer of automotive equipment, with the portfolio company of another private equity firm

Advised a private equity firm in connection with its acquisition of a religious products manufacturer

Advised a publicly held health care company in the sale of two facilities to certain of its customers

Counseled a private equity firm in its acquisition of the global satellite communications division of a global electronics manufacturing company

Assisted a private equity firm in connection with the recapitalization of its portfolio company, a provider of remote power generated systems

Counseled a private equity firm in connection with its sale of a provider of tensioned fabric products to another private equity firm

Advised client in its sale of a contract manufacturer of health and beauty products to a private equity firm

More

Thought Leadership

Seminars

Speaker, State of the M&A Market: An Update from the Front Lines, New York, NY (June 28, 2016)

Recognition

Walt has been recognized as a leader in his field by: 

  • The Best Lawyers in America® (2024) for work in Corporate Law;

  • IFLR1000 (2019–2024) as a “Notable Practitioner” in Private Equity; 

  • Chambers USA (2009–2020) in the area of Corporate/M&A: Private Equity;

  • The Legal 500 U.S. (2008–2013, 2015–2016, 2018–2019) as highly recommended for Corporate/M&A: Private Equity buyouts/middle market;

  • Lawdragon “500 Leading Dealmakers in America,” (2021 and 2022); 

  • PLC Which Lawyer? (2010); and by

  • Super Lawyers as an "Ohio Rising Star" (2005 and 2006).

Credentials

Admissions & Qualifications

  • 2009, Illinois
  • 1995, Ohio (inactive)

Education

  • Capital UniversityJ.D.magna cum laude1995

    Order of the Barristers

    Order of the Curia

    Associate Editor, Law Review

    National Moot Court Team

  • The Ohio State UniversityB.S.1991