McGuireWoods LLP announced today that Geoffrey Cockrell, a partner in the firm’s Chicago office, has been named co-chair of the firm’s private equity industry team. Cockrell, who succeeds Clifford Cutchins as co-chair, will join Christopher Nesbit and Robert Rakison in leading the group.
With a practice spanning mergers and acquisitions, senior and mezzanine lending, venture capital investments and private equity fund formation, Cockrell focuses much of his time representing private equity and venture and mezzanine funds in their formation and advising small business investment companies (SBICs) in regulatory and licensing matters.
The firm’s private equity industry team includes cross-disciplinary lawyers who focus on technology, IT, health care, life sciences, media and publishing, energy, business services, manufacturing, distribution and other areas. The team advises clients in all aspects of corporate finance, venture capital, mezzanine financing, buyout transactions, fund formation, SBICs and hedge funds.
“We are thrilled that Geoff has agreed to lead the private equity team,” said Tom Cabaniss, managing partner of McGuireWoods. “His diverse experience makes him a clear choice to help lead the team by integrating multi-disciplinary lawyers to serve our clients’ private equity needs.”
“This continues to be a growing area for our clients and we are grateful to Geoff for taking on this important role in our team,” said Melissa Glassman, deputy managing partner with McGuireWoods. “Cliff’s contributions to this group have been invaluable and we look forward to his continued involvement in the group as he continues to work with his clients.”