Matthew T. Simpson
(he/him/his)
Member / Co-chair, Private Equity Practice
+1.202.434.7436
Matt, a member of the firm’s global Executive Committee and Co-Chair of the Private Equity Practice, is a trusted advisor to companies, executives, and boards on transformative transactions and complex strategy and high-risk decision making.
Leveraging his broad skill set and unique background as an international negotiator, Matt leads teams that structure, negotiate, and execute various transactional arrangements, including mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, growth equity, venture capital and other minority investments, and restructurings in the U.S. and abroad, with a particular focus on private equity mergers and acquisitions involving founder-run businesses.
Matt’s clients turn to him for their most significant matters and difficult challenges, and span a broad range of corporate organizations, including well-known private equity sponsors (committed funds, independent sponsors, and family offices), large multi-national corporations, and both early-stage and late-stage growth companies, across a variety of industries including technology, life sciences, healthcare, telecommunications, financial services, consumer products, entertainment, energy, and manufacturing, among others.
Matt is a sought after commentator on the Private Equity industry, routinely speaking to trends and developments affecting sponsors, limited partners, and others participating in direct and indirect private equity investments.
Prior to joining Mintz, Matt worked for Torys LLP and Weil Gotshal & Manges LLP.
In addition to his corporate transactional practice, Matt is a recognized international negotiator and legal advisor. Since 2006, Matt has been affiliated with the Public International Law & Policy Group (PILPG) in Washington, DC where he has worked on over a dozen post-conflict legal and policy initiatives including as the United Nations and African Union appointed Principal Legal Advisor to the Darfur Delegation in the 2011 Darfur Peace Negotiations, leading the first-ever surrenders to the International Criminal Court, amending the Iraqi Constitution, designing war crimes witness protection programs in Uganda, and advising on the establishment of the Republic of South Sudan. Matt currently serves in a pro bono capacity as a Senior Peace Fellow for PILPG advising on the implementation of the 2020 Sudan Peace Agreement, efforts towards a ceasefire in Ukraine, and the establishment of a Kenyan Mediation Support Unit.
During law school, Matt was an executive editor of the American University International Law Review and was the Co-Founder and President of the International Trade and Investment Law Society at American University Washington College of Law.
Experience
Mergers & Acquisitions
- Charlesbank Capital Partners in its acquisition of ImageQuix Holdings, LLC, a portfolio company of ASG Group which is owned by Alpine Investors.
- Joink LLC, a DIF CIF II portfolio company owned by DIF Capital Partners, in its purchase of Illinois-based fiber optics business Computer Techniques Inc (CTI).
- Third Wave Recovery Systems (TWRX) in its acquisition of SRX, a leader in pharmaceutical rebate management services for the skilled nursing and long-term care industry.
- ProKidney LP, a leading clinical-stage cellular therapeutics company focused on chronic kidney disease, in its combination with Social Capital Suvretta Holdings Corp. III, a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC), resulting in approximately $597 million in gross cash proceeds and its subsequent listing on the Nasdaq (PROK).
- Charlesbank Capital Partners in a leveraged buyout of Solve Advisors, and the subsequent acquisition by Solve Advisors of Advantage Data Inc.
- Berenson Capital Partners in its leveraged buyout of Interactive Digital Solutions and MedSitter.
- Charlesbank Capital Partners in a leveraged buyout of Healthcare Fraud Shield, a SaaS-based software developer.
- The family office of a leading Wall Street figure in the acquisition of:
- A national youth sports platform;
- A regional paving company based in the mid-West;
- A financial services business; and
- A controlling minority position in a regional fitness platform.
- XCM Solutions, a cloud-based workflow solutions provider for professional tax and accounting firms, in its $160 million sale to Wolters Kluwer Tax & Accounting North America.
- GCM Grosvenor as a co-investor in several significant leveraged buyouts.
- Legacy.com, a Pamplona Capital-backed technology company in multiple bolt-on acquisitions.
- Motus, Inc. in an innovative leveraged buyout by Thoma Bravo, which combined Motus with Runzheimer Inc. to establish the leading vehicle management and reimbursement platform.
- Laddawn, Inc., a leading manufacturer of plastic bags and films for packing applications with over $145 million in annual net sales, to Berry Global Group, Inc. (NYSE: BERY).
- Kimberly-Clark Corporation in selling its transdermal, micro-needle drug delivery division (Sofusa) to Sorrento Therapeutics for a total of $310 million (including contingent consideration).
- A syndicate of investors in the simultaneous acquisition of three leading pharmaceutical industry firms.
- Princeton Lightwave, a developer of LiDAR technology, in its sale to Argo AI, an investment vehicle of Ford Motor Company.
- A fundless sponsor in the acquisition of an industry-leading SaaS technology company with global operations.
- KeraNetics, a Winston-Salem-based regenerative medicine business in its merger with Microchips Biotech.
- JN Phillips Auto Glass in a leveraged buyout by CenterOak Partners LLC and subsequent combination with Techna Glass, Inc. to form TruRoad Holdings, Inc., the second largest autoglass repair company in the U.S.
- A founder-run insurance data analytics firm in its acquisition by a Stone Point Capital-backed platform company.
- A leading investment advisory/broker dealer firm in the strategic acquisition of a rival’s advisors and other assets.
- A middle-market private equity fund in the acquisition of a consumer products platform company.
- A national wholesale grocery company on the acquisition of a grocery distribution company’s assets.
- AT Cross Company, a portfolio company of Clarion Capital Partners, in its acquisition of Sheaffer, BIC’s fine writing instrument business.
- A venture-backed technology company on the sale of all of its assets to a strategic investor.
- An early-stage technology company on the merger of its assets and management team with a foreign rival.
- Unizin in the spinout of its Internet 2 assets.
- A Fortune 50 global financial services firm in the acquisition of the assets of a financial services provider.
Financings
- Third Wave Recovery Systems in a growth equity investment from WindRose Health Investors, LLC.
- PleoPharma, an early stage drug development company focused on addiction treatment, in a preferred financing from multiple investors.
- Synnovation Therapeutics, an early stage drug development company, in a preferred financing.
- ArriVent Biopharma in its $150 million Series A financing.
- NexImmune, Inc., a Maryland-based immunotherapy company, in six private financing transactions as well as its February 2021 IPO, which was reported as the first upsized IPO at the top of its price range without a crossover.
- Viela Bio in its spin-out from AstraZeneca’s MedImmune division to establish a stand-alone company for early-stage inflammation and autoimmunity biologics, as well as its $250 million Series A financing, crossover financing round, and IPO.
- A small molecule drug development company in its $100 million Series A financing.
- The family office of a leading Wall Street figure in multiple investments in:
- Multiple SPAC PIPE financings; and
- A Major League Baseball team syndicate.
- The family office of a leading Wall Street figure in multiple investments in:
- A medical device marketing business;
- A craft liquor producer;
- A technology-backed restaurant platform;
- A fast casual concept restaurant platform.
- An early stage biotech venture fund in its formation, incubation of several start up companies, and ultimate fundraising.
- The family office of a leading figure in the biotech industry in over a dozen minority investments in various early-stage biotechnology issuers.
- A medical device company in its $250 million Series D private placement.
- A biotechnology issuer in a $60 million Series C private placement.
- A biotechnology issuer in a $60 million Series D private placement.
- A drug development issuer in a $25 million Series A private placement.
- A drug development issuer in a $15 million Series A private placement.
- A wastewater treatment company on an innovative project financing structure.
viewpoints
2025 Private Equity Trends Outlook
November 19, 2024 | Blog | By Gregory Fine, Kari Harris, Kurt Steinkrauss, Matthew T. Simpson
Learn more about important trends in 2025 for the private equity landscape, including the expansion of continuation vehicles as a vital liquidity tool, heightened regulatory scrutiny and antitrust pressures introducing both challenges and opportunities, and interest rate cuts and evolving buyer-seller risk tolerance creating a more complex deal environment.
2024 Pre-Election Analysis: US-Canada Cross-Border Issues
August 12, 2024 | Advisory | By R. Neal Martin, Myria S. Garcia, Matthew T. Simpson
Read about some of the most pressing cross-border issues that will be tackled by the next administration and 119th Congress in the second edition of our 2024 Pre-Election Analysis series on how the November 2024 election will impact the legislative and regulatory landscape in a variety of areas.
US-Canada Critical Mineral, EV Battery, and Semiconductor Cross-Border Supply Chain Issues
November 6, 2023 | Article | By John Lushetsky, Matthew T. Simpson, Paul Dickerson, Raj Gambhir
Senior VP of ML Strategies John Lushetsky, Private Equity Practice Co-chair Matthew T. Simpson, Member Paul H. Dickerson, and Project Analyst Raj Gambhir delve into the transformative landscape of cross-border supply chains for critical minerals, EV batteries, and semiconductors. Navigating the intricacies of the Inflation Reduction Act, Defense Production Act, and tax credits, the authors highlight how Canadian companies, considered ‘domestic’ under certain legislations, can harness funding and benefits.
Skillful Negotiations Put Peace Within Reach
February 7, 2022 | Article
Webinar Recording: Representations & Warranties Insurance for Family Offices: How to Increase Your Odds of Winning the Bid and Decrease the Risk of the Deal
April 27, 2021 | Webinar | By Matthew T. Simpson
M&A in the COVID Era – Part III – A Dealmaker’s Guide to Post–COVID-19 Purchase and Sale Agreements
April 7, 2020 | Advisory | By Matthew T. Simpson
M&A in the COVID Era – Part I – Dealing with Distress: Strategies for Buyers of Distressed Targets in the Post–COVID-19 Era
April 2, 2020 | Advisory | By William Kannel, Matthew T. Simpson
News & Press
Corporate Buyers Make Preemptive Bids to Snag PE Assets
July 26, 2024
GPs are cooking up a PE exit recovery
July 5, 2024
Side Letter: CalPERS' Co-invest Conviction
March 12, 2024
Private Equity Co-Chair Matthew T. Simpson spoke with Private Equity International on trends in private equity and the potential implications for mid-market private equity sponsors.
Mintz Advises ArriVent BioPharma on $175M Nasdaq IPO
February 01, 2024
Mintz Members John Rudy and Matthew T. Simpson led the team that advised ArriVent Biopharma, Inc. on its initial public offering (IPO) on the Nasdaq Global Market. This was the second biotech IPO of 2024. ArriVent is a clinical-stage company dedicated to accelerating the global development of innovative biopharmaceutical therapeutics.
Carveouts, Add-ons Key As PE Firms Strategize For 2024
December 19, 2023
Private Equity managers are facing challenges such as a downturn in private market valuations and difficulties in securing affordable debt for new deals. Private Equity Co-chair Matthew T. Simpson provided insights on the market to PitchBook, discussing strategies PE sponsors are expected to adopt in 2024 to optimize results.
What US-Canada Critical Minerals Collab Means For Cos.
December 6, 2023
Senior VP of ML Strategies John Lushetsky, Private Equity Co-chair Matthew T. Simpson, Member Paul H. Dickerson, and Raj Gambhir co-authored an article in Law360 discussing the collaborative efforts between the US and Canada in the development of critical mineral and semiconductor supply chains.
Market Participants Expect Pickup in High-Yield Issuance in 2024; 2023 Volumes Up 50% on 2022
December 5, 2023
Reorg recently discussed the impact of higher interest rates on the deal making environment and market sentiment for the upcoming year with Private Equity Co-chair Matthew T. Simpson.
Smaller GPs Offer LPs Co-investments to Build Trust
November 17, 2023
GPs, particularly those in the lower middle market, leverage co-investments to forge and strengthen relationships with LPs — an otherwise challenging feat given the current slow-paced fundraising climate. In a PitchBook article, Private Equity Practice Co-chair Matthew T. Simpson explores the strategic utilization of co-investments by smaller private equity firms.
Mintz Advises Invited, Inc. in its Sale of Certain Assets Related to its BigShots Golf Business to Topgolf Callaway Brands Corp.
November 03, 2023
WASHINGTON, DC – Mintz served as legal counsel to Invited, Inc. in its sale of certain assets related to its BigShots Golf business to Topgolf Callaway Brands Corp.
PE Firms Get Creative With Add-on Deal Structures
June 13, 2023
Private equity firms are buying strong businesses while using less or deferred debt, and expanding existing portfolio companies through bolt-on and add-on acquisitions. Mintz’s Private Equity Co-chair Matthew T. Simpson outlined the benefits of lower-leverage transactions and other dealmaking trends to Mergers & Acquisitions.
PE Turns To Add-Ons With Large LBOs Out Of Reach
May 16, 2023
Co-chair of Mintz's Private Equity Practice, Matthew T. Simpson spoke to PitchBook and discussed the rise of add-on/bolt-on acquisitions for private equity sponsors.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Mintz’s Private Equity Co-Chair, Matthew T. Simpson is one of a group of experts arranged by the Public International Law & Policy Group (PILPG) to develop a series of tools and resources to assist with potential future ceasefire negotiations between Ukraine and Russia.
Mintz Advises ArriVent Biopharma in $155M Series B Financing
March 30, 2023
Mintz represented ArriVent Biopharma in a $155 Million Series B financing led by Sofinnova Investments and General Catalyst to fund studies of the company's EGFR kinase inhibitor furmonertinib. Members Ed Pease and Private Equity Practice Co-Chair Matthew Simpson led the Mintz team's work on the transaction.
Mintz Leads For Lido Advisors In Its Partnership With Colorado Financial Management
January 17, 2023
BOSTON – Mintz has served as legal counsel to wealth-management firm Lido Advisors LLC, a Charlesbank Capital Partners portfolio company, in its partnership with Colorado Financial Management (CFM).
Outlook for M&A and Private Equity Deals in 2023
December 7, 2022
Mintz Private Equity Practice Co-chair Matthew Simpson spoke to Middle Market Growth for a special report on the 2023 outlook for M&A deal activity and private equity transactions. He commented on the decline of so-called “walkaway deals,” where sellers are subject to long-term exit conditions.
Outlook for M&A and Private Equity Deals in 2023
December 7, 2022
Mintz Private Equity Practice Co-chair Matthew Simpson spoke to Middle Market Growth for a special report on the 2023 outlook for M&A deal activity and private equity transactions. He commented on the decline of so-called “walkaway deals,” where sellers are subject to long-term exit conditions.
Mintz Names New Leaders In Private Equity
November 17, 2022
Members Gregory Fine, Matthew T. Simpson and Kurt Steinkrauss were featured in an article published by The Deal highlighting their appointment to co-lead the Firm's Private Equity practice.
Mintz’s Private Equity Practice Appoints New Leadership
November 17, 2022
Mintz has appointed Members Gregory Fine and Matthew T. Simpson to co-lead the Private Equity practice alongside current chair, Kurt Steinkrauss. The change is effective immediately.
Mintz Leads On A Quartet of Back-To-Back Private Equity Closings
October 25, 2022
Mintz attorneys in Boston, New York, and Washington, DC, closed four Private Equity transactions in the past month. Along with acquisitions for Charlesbank Capital Partners, DIF Capital Partners portfolio company Joink LLC, and Artemis Capital Partners, the firm represented the CEO and some managers of Salary.com in the sale of most of the company’s equity interests to Accel-KKR.
The FTC And DOJ Have Vowed To Scrutinize Private Equity Deals. Here's What It Means For Healthcare
October 21, 2022
Mintz Private Equity Member Matthew Simpson spoke to Fierce Healthcare about the heightened antitrust scrutiny of private equity deals in the health sector by both the FTC and DOJ. He also discussed how sponsors can adapt to this shift in enforcement priorities and what it means for the health sector.
Alumni In Excellence: Matthew Simpson
October 4, 2022
Mintz's interdisciplinary team continues its leadership role in life sciences, serving as legal counsel to ProKidney LP in its $2.6 billion SPAC merger, and its subsequent listing on the Nasdaq under the ticker symbol "PROK". ProKidney is a leading clinical-stage cellular therapeutics company focused on chronic kidney disease. ProKidney's lead product candidate is in Phase 3 clinical development and has the potential to slow, stabilize and reverse decline in kidney function
The deal will take public ProKidney, a leading clinical-stage cellular therapeutics company focused on chronic kidney disease, and is expected to provide up to $825 million in gross cash proceeds.
Drinks with the Deal: Mintz’s Matthew Simpson
October 1, 2021
Deal with Me: Transaction Insurance Leaders Chat with Matt and Dan
February 23, 2021
Mintz Advises NexImmune in its Upsized $126.5 Million IPO
February 17, 2021
Mintz Advises XCM Solutions in its Sale to Wolters Kluwer
September 22, 2020
DC Rising Stars: Matthew Simpson, 39
August 7, 2020
Mintz Promotes Eleven Attorneys to Member
May 10, 2019
Events & Speaking
Leveraging Transactional Insurance to Win the Bid in Mergers & Acquisitions
ACC National Capital Region Summer Series
Online Event
Recognition & Awards
Washington D.C. Super Lawyers: Rising Star (2015 - 2021)
The National Law Journal’s D.C. Rising Stars (2020)
Involvement
- Mintz Recommendations Committee
- Mintz Diversity Committee - Past Member
- Senior Peace Fellow (Pro Bono) – Public International Law & Policy Group
- Hobart College Alumni Association – Executive Committee Member at Large
- Former Competitive Sailor: North American, Canadian, and Provincial Champion (1993-2000)
- Former Co-Chair, Hobart and William Smith Colleges Alumni Association, Washington, DC
- Former Vice-Chairman, American Bar Association- International Trade Committee