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Geoff Cockrell

Geoffrey C. Cockrell Partner

Chicago T +1 312 849 8272 F fax +1 312 698 4572
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Geoff is the immediate past chair of the firm’s private equity group where he served for over a decade. He also formerly served on the firm’s Board of Partners. He has a wide scope of experience in mergers and acquisitions and financing transactions.

His mergers and acquisition experience, representing private equity sponsors, strategic purchasers and sellers extends across a diverse number of industries with a primary focus on healthcare provider services transactions. Geoff is a national contributor both at conferences and in publications on a wide array of issues unique to the private equity industry. He regularly contributes to Law360’s Healthcare and Private Equity sections, and is an author of The Healthcare Investor, a blog on healthcare finance topics.

Experience

Healthcare and Life Sciences Experience

  • Representation of Sheridan Capital Partners, a private equity firm, in the acquisition, disposition and portfolio work for a number of its portfolio companies including, Atlantic Vision Partners, Dermatologists of Central States and Synergy Physical Therapy Holdings.
  • Representation of Chicago Pacific Founders, a strategic healthcare investment fund, in the acquisition of Long Island Vision Management.
  • Representation of Ridgemont Equity Partners in the acquisition of Perimeter Healthcare, Speech Pathology Group, Sunvera and related portfolio work.
  • Representation of Audax Group, in acquisitions and dispositions for a number of its healthcare portfolio companies.
  • Representation of Linden Capital Partners, in the acquisition work for its orthodontic platform Smile Doctors.
  • Representation of LLR Equity Partners, a private equity fund, in several acquisitions and dispositions including its investment in NuMotion (a complex wheelchair distributor) and in Vivere, LLC, a Texas fertility clinic chain.
  • Representation of BelHealth Investment Partners and its portfolio company, NavaDerm, a leading dermatology services organization in the Northeast, in the add-on acquisition of Laser & Skin Surgery Center of New York, a world renowned leader in cosmetic dermatology.
  • Representation of Health Enterprise Partners, a healthcare and technology-focused private equity firm, in its acquisition of MD Alliance Solutions, a dermatology management and consulting solutions provider.
  • Representation of MoonSail Capital and Plenary Partners, two private investment firms, in its strategic partnership with Arbor Centers for EyeCare and Chicago Eye Institute, two of the leading ophthalmology practices serving the Chicago market, to form Ocular Partners, the premier physician-led eye care group in greater Chicago.
  • Representation of Shore Capital Partners, a healthcare-focused private equity firm, in its acquisition of Chicagoland Smile Group, a Midwest-based dental services organization.
  • Representation of Hero DVO, LLC, a leading dental, orthodontic and vision management company, and its private equity investor, Silver Oak Services Partners in the add-on acquisition of a California-based dental practice.
  • Representation of Silver Oak Service Partners, a private equity fund, in acquisition of a dental services organization.
  • Representation of Pharos Capital, a private equity fund, in acquisition of physical therapy management company.
  • Representation of HIG, a private equity fund, in acquisition of NovaMed.
  • Representation of Bostwick Laboratories in sale to MetalMark Capital.
  • Representation of I-Cyt Mission Technology, Inc. in sale to Sony Corporation of America.
  • Representation of an Indiana ambulatory surgery center in restructuring transaction with regional hospital system.

Events

Podcasts

  • Host, "Tracking the Fast-Growing Payor Services Market, With Patrick Keavy," The Corner Series, October 29, 2025
  • Host, "Private Equity Partnerships and Market Trends, With Geoff Cockrell," The Corner Series, October 15, 2025
  • Host, "From Transactions to True Impact, With Marc Cabrera," The Corner Series, October 3, 2025
  • Host, "Proving Private Equity’s Value in Healthcare, With Lauren Makhoul," The Corner Series, September 16, 2025
  • Host, "State Regulatory Interventions in Healthcare, With Tim Fry," The Corner Series, September 2, 2025
  • Host, "Episode 110: Rooting Out Bad Actors in Private Equity, With Lauren Makhoul," The Corner Series, August 19, 2025
  • Host, "Equipping PE Partners With Services for Success, With Tim Schulte," The Corner Series, August 13, 2025
  • Host, "Site-of-Care Optimization, With Lauren Makhoul," The Corner Series, August 4, 2025
  • Host, " Integration Over Aggregation in Oral Surgery, With Trevor Maurer," The Corner Series, July 28, 2025
  • Host, "Patent Investment Strategies, With Amanda Wieker," The Corner Series, July 21, 2025
  • Host, "Orthopedic Expansion Through Hub-and-Spoke, With Chris Day ," The Corner Series, July 7, 2025
  • Host, "Hot Sectors in Health Tech Today, With Bill Watts," The Corner Series, June 30, 2025
  • Host, "Converting Prospects Faster — The Marketing Funnel Blueprint, With Laurel Mintz," The Corner Series, June 25, 2025
  • Host, "The Physician-First Culture Driving Ophthalmology Success, With Mary Lou Parisi," The Corner Series, June 23, 2025
  • Host, "The Business Development Mindset, With Scott Becker," The Corner Series, June 16, 2025
  • Host, "20 Years of Evolving Healthcare PE, With Amber Walsh," The Corner Series, June 10, 2025
  • Host, "The Floor vs. Ceiling Shift in Healthcare M&A, With TUSK Practice Sales," The Corner Series, June 5, 2025
  • Host, "How One Orthopedic Platform Defies Market Headwinds, With Grady Wilson," The Corner Series, June 3, 2025
  • Host, "The Joint Venture Model Revolutionizing DSOs, With Justin Puckett," The Corner Series, May 29, 2025
  • Host, "The Real Truth About PE in Healthcare, With Lauren Makhoul," The Corner Series, May 27, 2025
  • Host, "What Are Healthcare Investment Packs Pursuing? With Matt Searles and Bart Walker," The Corner Series, May 21, 2025
  • Host, "The Compensation Mistake PPM Investors Regret, With John Tiedmann," The Corner Series, May 12, 2025
  • Host, "Winning the Insurance Game in Healthcare Transactions, With Hannah Ellithorpe," The Corner Series, May 8, 2025
  • Host, "Can AI Level the Playing Field in Dental Marketing? With Ryan Torresan," The Corner Series, May 1, 2025
  • Host, "Investment Opportunities in Behavioral Health, With Adam Abramowitz," The Corner Series, April 25, 2025
  • Host, "Preparing a Compliance Plan, With Garen Marshall," The Corner Series, April 23, 2025
  • Host, "Has the Reset Really Hurt Healthcare M&A? With Diwakar Sinha," The Corner Series, April 22, 2025
  • Host, "Despite Complexities, Healthcare PE Opportunities Abound, With Max Reiboldt," The Corner Series, April 3, 2025
  • Host, The Corner Series, Ongoing Series
  • Host, "How Matt Stekier Drives Value Creation in Private Equity Healthcare Investments," The Corner Series, March 28, 2025
  • Host, "What Optometry Needs to Know to Remain Competitive, With Ben Chudner," The Corner Series, March 18, 2025
  • Host, "Investment Outlook for Three Healthcare Sectors, With Jeremy Johnson," The Corner Series, March 12, 2025
  • Host, "Five Things to Watch in Healthcare This Year, With Gyasi Chisley," The Corner Series, February 25, 2025
  • Host, "Healthcare Compliance Tools: What Investors Need to Know, With Rebecca Springer," The Corner Series, February 18, 2025
  • Host, "Seizing the Future in Ophthalmology Surgery Centers, With Randall Shaw," The Corner Series, February 11, 2025
  • Host, "Start With Fundamentals to Help Healthcare Investors Succeed, With Mike Murphy," The Corner Series, January 30, 2025
  • Host, "Advocating for Healthcare Providers, With Eleanor Kasper," The Corner Series, January 23, 2025
  • Host, "Shedding Light on Healthcare Compliance, With Mindy Sauter and Mike Elliott," The Corner Series, January 13, 2025
  • Host, "Life Sciences Investors: Developments to Watch, With Kevin Madagan," The Corner Series, January 6, 2025
  • Co-host, "Optimizing Med Spa for Private Equity Growth, With Amanda Roenius and Jessica Nunn," The Corner Series, December 17, 2024
  • Host, "Growing a Pure-Play Med Spa, With Alyssa Rapp and Logan Pitts," The Corner Series, December 3, 2024
  • Host, "What Pharma Services Investors Should Know About Government Regulations, With Clint Narver," The Corner Series, November 25, 2024
  • Host, "Capitalizing on the GI M&A Market, With Sap Sinha," The Corner Series, November 19, 2024
  • Host, "Growing a Dental Service Organization, With Steve DeLong," The Corner Series, November 12, 2024
  • Host, "Slow Mergers and Sales, But Companies Perform Well, With Reed Van Gorden of Deerpath Capital," The Corner Series, October 29, 2024
  • Host, "Enforcement Risks for Private Equity Investors in Healthcare, With Michael J. Podberesky, Former DOJ Prosecutor," The Corner Series, October 22, 2024
  • Host, "Improving Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Practice through Private Equity, With Daniel Hosler and Dr. David Kostohryz," The Corner Series, October 1, 2024
  • Host, "The Med Spa Difference: Experiential, Clinical, Recession-Resistant, with Nicole Chiaramonte​," The Corner Series, September 24, 2024
  • Co-host, "FTC’s Non-Compete Ban Overturned + Evolution of Non-Competes in M&A Deals," The Corner Series, September 12, 2024
  • Host, "Tapping the Pediatric and Orthodontic Dentistry Market, With Ananya Shah and Will MacInnis," The Corner Series, September 2, 2024
  • Host, "'Phenomenal Opportunity' in the Dental Consolidation Arena, With Naimish Patel," The Corner Series, August 26, 2024
  • Host, "Trends in Middle Market M&A, With James Heidbreder of Fifth Third Bank," The Corner Series, August 15, 2024
  • Host, "Investing in Dermatology with Michael Pennington of Platinum Dermatology Partners," The Corner Series, August 1, 2024
  • Host, "HR, Accounting, Finance and AI in Medical Practices, With Erik Miller of MedHQ," The Corner Series, June 25, 2024
  • Host, "Using Tax Insurance and RWI in Middle Market M&A Deals, With Jordan Tamchin of CAC Specialty," The Corner Series, June 14, 2024
  • Host, "Private Equity in Pediatric Practices, With Tucker Moore and Chris O’Dekirk of Concierge Capital Advisory," The Corner Series, May 30, 2024
  • Host, "Opportunities and Challenges in the Dental Practice Market, With Kevin Cumbus of TUSK Practice Sales," The Corner Series, May 22, 2024
  • Host, "Challenges Facing Family Offices, With R. Adam Smith of Salomon Brothers," The Corner Series, May 15, 2024
  • Host, "Capital Trends in Medical Technology, With Brian Scullion of William Blair," The Corner Series, May 8, 2024
  • Host, "Prepping for a Sale: Strategies for Provider Groups, With Marc Anderson," The Corner Series, April 30, 2024
  • Host, "Investment Considerations for Dermatology and Aesthetics Practices, With Clint Bundy and Stewart Carlin," The Corner Series, April 23, 2024
  • Host, "Choosing the Right CEO to Meet the Moment, With Leon Brujis," The Corner Series, April 10, 2024
  • Host, "Physician Compensation in the PPM Context, With Justin Chamblee and Holly Buckley," The Corner Series, April 3, 2024
  • Host, "The Power of Digital Marketing for P.E. Firms, With Laurel Mintz," The Corner Series, March 27, 2024
  • Host, "Macroeconomic Market Trends Affecting the Healthcare Industry, With Tim Fry and Alex Chausovsky," The Corner Series, March 11, 2024
  • Host, "The Partnership Approach to Private Equity Investing in Healthcare, With Gordon Maner," The Corner Series, March 4, 2024
  • Host, "Healthcare Investing: What to Expect in 2024, With Bart Walker and Matt Searles," The Corner Series, February 26, 2024
  • Host, "Investment Trends in Plastic Surgery and Med Spa Sectors, With Mitch Stern of Dresner Partners," The Corner Series, February 5, 2024
  • Host, "Prognosis on the PPM Environment and Areas of Opportunity, With Andy Colbert of Ziegler," The Corner Series, January 22, 2024
  • Host, "Government Investigations of Private Equity Funds: Insights From Former Prosecutors," The Corner Series, January 18, 2024
  • Host, "Private Equity Interest in Cardiology, With Tim Attebery of Cardiovascular Associates of America," The Corner Series, January 15, 2024
  • Host, "Private Equity and Healthcare Consolidation: The Revolution in Antitrust Enforcement," The Corner Series, January 8, 2024
  • Host, "Drivers and Forecast for Private Equity Investing in the Dental Arena, With Karan Garg of Solomon Partners," The Corner Series, December 18, 2023
  • Host, "Growth of Private Equity Investment in Orthopedics, With Scott Davis of Provident Healthcare Partners," The Corner Series, December 11, 2023
  • Speaker, Across the Table, A Healthcare Private Equity Podcast, Podcast Series, Ongoing Series
  • Host, "Growing Businesses: A Commitment to Mission and Margin with Edward Crawford of Coltala," The Corner Series, November 28, 2023
  • Host, "Value-Based Care: Opportunities, Evolution and Disruptors, With Leavitt Equity Partners’ Andrew Clark," The Corner Series, November 20, 2023
  • Host, "Navigating Healthcare Consolidation Post-Pandemic, With Physician Growth Partners’ Robert Aprill," The Corner Series, November 13, 2023
  • Host, "Private Equity's Role in Modern Medical Practices, With Albaron Partners’ Alessio Baraldi," The Corner Series, November 7, 2023
  • Host, "Assessing the Headwinds in the Healthcare Provider Consolidation Process, With Mark Francis of Houlihan Lokey," The Corner Series, November 1, 2023
  • Host, "Prospering in the Healthcare Market: Investment Outlook, With Diwakar Sinha," The Professor’s Corner, October 23, 2023
  • Host, "Capitalizing on Primary Care: Trends and Opportunities, With Craig Sager," The Banker’s Corner, October 16, 2023
  • Host, "Headwinds and Tailwinds: Challenges and Upward Trends in Healthcare," The Capital Corner, October 5, 2023
  • Host, "Hospital M&A and Private Equity, With Rex Burgdorfer," The Capital Corner, August 8, 2023
  • Host, "SBIC Fund Trends, Deal Structures and Challenges With Parkway Capital's Andy Silverman," The Capital Corner, July 27, 2023
  • Host, "Why the Investor Community Should be Watching Medspas," The Capital Corner, July 19, 2023
  • Host, "Navigating the Credit Crunch: Insight on Private Equity Trends in 2023 with Bob Bartell," The Capital Corner, July 7, 2023
  • Host, "Redefining Healthcare: Transitioning From Fee-for-Service to Value-Based Models," The Capital Corner, June 27, 2023
  • Host, "Deciphering the Pharma Services Market: Challenges and Opportunities with Daniel Brinkenhoff," The Capital Corner, June 8, 2023
  • Host, "Healthcare Investment Models, With Dan Hosler of DuneGlass Capital," The Capital Corner, May 23, 2023
  • Host, "Navigating the Cardiology Boom: Insights from Industry Experts on Market Trends and Opportunities," The Banker’s Corner, May 3, 2023
  • Host, "Healthcare Provider Services: Trends and Opportunities in 2023," The Banker’s Corner, April 6, 2023
  • Host, "What to Expect in Healthcare Investing in 2023, With Raj Kothari," The Banker’s Corner, April 3, 2023
  • Host, "What to Expect from the Healthcare Deal Market in 2023 with David Baker," The Banker’s Corner, March 20, 2023
  • Host, "Opportunities in Medtech for 2023," The Banker’s Corner, March 14, 2023
  • Host, "The Broad Impact of the FTC Noncompete Proposed Rule," The Professor’s Corner, March 1, 2023
  • Host, "Terry Wang on the Demand Driving Growth in Behavioral Health," The Capital Corner, January 26, 2023
  • Host, "PPM Investing with Geoff Smith and Charles Busch of Harris Williams," The Banker’s Corner, December 20, 2022
  • Host, "How Sponsors Can Avoid Liability with Mark Freedlander," The Professor’s Corner, November 21, 2022
  • Host, "The Liability Implications of Financial Challenges in Portfolio Companies with Mark Freedlander," The Professor’s Corner, October 28, 2022
  • Host, "When Claims Arise: Tackling the Internal and External Elements, With Tony Tatum," The Professor’s Corner, August 24, 2022
  • Host, "OB-GYN and Fertility Care Investing with Jason Porter of Baird," The Professor’s Corner, August 10, 2022
  • Host, "How Increased Demand Is Driving Interest in Women’s Health Investing," The Professor’s Corner, July 21, 2022
  • Host, "Trending Valuations in Healthcare IT With Mikel Parker of AMB," The Banker’s Corner, July 7, 2022
  • Host, "Strong Margins and Recession Resistant: The Allure of Pharma Services," The Capital Corner, June 14, 2022
  • Host, "Thesis-Driven Investing With Pete Tedesco of Health Enterprise Partners," The Capital Corner, May 31, 2022
  • Host, "Indemnity or Self-Disclosure? How to Deal With Policy Compliance Issues," The Professor’s Corner, May 16, 2022
  • Host, "Understanding Antitrust Law in the Healthcare Space," The Professor’s Corner, May 2, 2022
  • Host, "Mitigating Risk With Healthcare Investing," The Professor’s Corner, April 20, 2022
  • Host, "Representation and Warranty Policies for Private Equity-Backed Healthcare Deals," The Professor’s Corner, March 24, 2022
  • Host, "Investor Interest: What’s Happening in Home Healthcare?," The Banker’s Corner, March 4, 2022
  • Host, "Investing Beyond Capital - Finding the Right Partnership Fit," The Capital Corner, February 28, 2022
  • Host, "The Prognosis for Healthcare M&A Heading Into 2022," The Banker’s Corner, January 28, 2022
  • Host, "The Legal Implications of Board-Driven Decision Making (Part 2)," The Professor’s Corner, December 28, 2021
  • Host, "The Legal Implications of Board-Driven Decision Making," The Professor’s Corner, December 2, 2021
  • Host, "Navigating the Competitive Deal Sourcing Market," Across the Table, A Healthcare Private Equity Podcast, September 14, 2021
  • Host, "The Consolidation of Healthcare — What Does it Mean for Investors?," Across the Table, A Healthcare Private Equity Podcast, July 30, 2021
  • Host, "Emerging Models of Home Healthcare," Across the Table, A Healthcare Private Equity Podcast, January 28, 2021
  • Host, "Pharmacy Services and Pharmacy Benefit Management," Across the Table, A Healthcare Private Equity Podcast, December 21, 2020
  • Host, "Diligence and Structuring Healthcare Trends," Across the Table, A Healthcare Private Equity Podcast, June 30, 2020
  • Co-host, "Dealing with Distressed Healthcare Transactions - Part II," Across the Table, A Healthcare Private Equity Podcast, June 14, 2020
  • Co-host, "Healthcare Subsector Headwinds and Tailwinds," Across the Table, A Healthcare Private Equity Podcast, May 21, 2020
  • Co-host, "Executing Tuck-in Transactions After the COVID-19 Pandemic," Across the Table, A Healthcare Private Equity Podcast, April 20, 2020
  • Co-host, "Dealing with Distressed Healthcare Transactions and Acquisitions," Across the Table, A Healthcare Private Equity Podcast, March 23, 2020
  • Speaker, "Geoff Cockrell: Private Equity Presence in Mergers and Acquisitions," M&A Unplugged Podcast, September 2019

Insights

  • Selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America, Health Care Law, 2026
  • Selected for inclusion in Leading Lawyers, Private Equity: Buyouts, Illinois, Chambers USA, 2025
  • Selected for inclusion in “Legal 500 United States,” M&A: Middle-Market; Private Equity Buyouts, 2021, 2022; M&A/Corporate Commercial – Private Equity Buyouts, 2023, 2024, 2025
  • Recognized in “Readers’ Choice Awards,” Top Author in Healthcare, M&A, and Life Sciences, 2019; Top Author in M&A, JD Supra, 2020, 2023, 2024
  • Named a Client Service “All Star,” BTI Consulting, 2009, 2015, 2019, 2020
  • Selected for inclusion as a “Leading Lawyer,” Private Equity Buyouts (2018); , M&A: Middle Market (2017, 2018), Illinois, Legal 500 US
  • Named to “Illinois Rising Stars,” Mergers & Acquisitions, Super Lawyers, Thomson Reuters, 2009, 2010

Spotlight

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