An integrated team of highly experienced, senior lawyers with large law firm
and in-house corporate backgrounds practicing in a small-firm setting.

We deliver sophisticated, innovative and effective legal counsel and business
advice that we combine with an extraordinary level of client service.
Corporate
We provide corporate legal advice that is practical, tax advantageous and consistent with the objectives of the client.


Litigation
Successful dispute resolution requires more than just a desire to win. To achieve the best outcome, your attorneys need to know when to use force versus finesse.
Real Estate
It takes some savvy, creativity and innovation to become successful in the highly competitive, sometimes volatile, commercial real estate industry.

2019 Highlights At A Glance
2019 marked another year of strong growth and client service for Martin LLP. In our 24th year, we have continued to advance our clients' interests in several exciting and important areas. We want to highlight some of the representations and transactions on which we have been fortunate to assist our clients during 2019 and to update our clients and friends on some of the charitable and civic endeavors and other firm developments that have taken place during the last year.

We are pleased to announce the launch of our new website www.martinllp.net along with our Blog which better serves our clients and friends with the most up-to-date news and developments.
Highlights From Our Corporate Group
Our Corporate Group remained active during 2019, assisting current and new clients in numerous transactions, corporate governance matters and financings. Set forth below are some examples of matters on which we assisted clients.

Mergers & Acquisitions

  • Portfolio Company Add-on Acquisition.  We represented an international specialty chemical portfolio company of a large private equity fund in its acquisition of a leading developer and marketer of specialty chemicals.
  • Sale of Company to Strategic Acquirer. We represented a commercial telecommunications service provider in its sale to a national telephony and wireless company.
  • Purchase of Remaining Equity Interest. We represented a member of the ownership group of a natural gas trading and LNG development business in connection with her buyout of the company’s other owners and lenders and her negotiations with potential new third-party equity and debt investors.
  • Sale of Company to Strategic Acquirer. We represented a company that operates a patented rewards platform to encourage individuals to recycle through incentive programs in its sale to a leading recycling technology company. 
  • Competitive Auction Processes.  We represented private equity sponsors and their portfolio companies in domestic and international competitive auction processes, from preliminary stages including due diligence and preparation of letters of intent through definitive purchase agreements.

Equity Financings
 
  • Series A Equity Financings. 
  • We represented a life sciences company in its Series A round investment in a pharmaceutical company.  
  • We represented an emerging media company in preparing for and closing a Series A equity raise with a prominent high net worth investor.
  • Seed Stage Equity Financing. We represented a healthcare company in preparing for and closing a Series Seed equity raise with a venture capital firm.

Debt Financings

  • Unsecured Credit Facility. We represented a leading global branded footwear company, as borrower, in connection with a new $500 million senior unsecured syndicated revolving credit facility.
  • Bank Counsel on Numerous Financings. We represented national banks as:
  • Administrative agent and first out lender in the $10 million senior secured unitranche financing of a private equity-backed acquisition of a New York-based wholesale laundry business.
  • Administrative agent and first lien lender in the $26.5 million first lien/second lien financing of a private equity-backed acquisition of midwestern eye care centers.
  • Revolving paying agent, LC issuer and first out lender in the $27 million senior secured unitranche financing of a private equity-backed acquisition of a Pennsylvania-based healthcare technology services company. 
  • Administrative agent and first out lender in the $11 million senior secured unitranche financing of a private equity-backed acquisition of a Vermont-based bio-tech company.
  • First out lender in the $19 million senior secured unitranche financing of a private equity-backed acquisition of a New York-based commercial real estate consulting business.
  • Administrative agent and lender in the $6.5 million senior secured financing of a private equity-backed acquisition of a Texas-based event center business.
  • Lender in the $3.5 million adjustable term note refinancing secured by a mortgage on a light industrial commercial building located in Stamford.  
  • Lender in connection with the cross-border corporate restructuring of a borrower in the for-profit higher education field and the related amendments to the borrower’s $5 million credit facility.

General Corporate

  • General Corporate and Finance Advice. We represented a health-focused prepared meals company with corporate matters, including capital raises.
  • Convertible Note Debt Financing. We represented a CBD-focused health and wellness consumer products company with respect to a $500,000 convertible note offering.
  • General Corporate and Commercial Advice to Established Brand. We represented a globally recognized manufacturer of knives, cutlery, watches, travel gear and fragrances, in numerous corporate matters, including negotiations of vendor and partner relationships.
  • General Corporate Advice. We represented an electronic component manufacturer in various corporate matters, including negotiating and drafting of commercial agreements.
  • Opportunity Zone Investments. We advised numerous individuals and investment managers in connection with the formation and funding of Qualified Opportunity Funds, Qualified Opportunity Zone Businesses, and related Opportunity Zone investments, including real estate and infrastructure development projects and operating businesses in a variety of industries. Such representations included:

  • An ESG investment management and business intelligence/analytics company (organized as a Qualified Opportunity Fund) in connection with its Series A preferred equity financing and related corporate matters.
  • A real estate investment management firm in connection with the formation and funding of a new Qualified Opportunity Fund and equity investments by the fund in three real estate development projects located in Qualified Opportunity Zones San Antonio, Texas.
  • We also advised clients on the final IRS/Treasury regulations governing the new Opportunity Zones tax program, published in late December, as they seek to realize tax-advantaged returns while bringing new investment and business activity to low-income communities across the country.
Highlights From Our Litigation Group
Our Litigation Department remained very active throughout 2019 and delivered successful results to numerous clients in matters involving a variety of different areas of law. While confidentiality considerations prevent us from publishing many of the results we achieved, we are proud to highlight some of our representative engagements that are public knowledge:

  • We have represented a major international insurance company in coverage matters involving representation and warranty policies issued in conjunction with sophisticated corporate transactions.
  • We represented a Connecticut placement agent to secure payment of monies owing under contracts with money managers.
  • We obtained a Connecticut judgment against a co-guarantor of bank debt for contribution plus pre-judgment interest.
  • We obtained a settlement for a Connecticut manufacturer asserting a Connecticut Unfair Trade Practices Act claim of an amount representing actual damages plus treble damages and attorneys’ fees.
Highlights From Our Real Estate Group
Martin LLP's Real Estate Group served as counsel on various multi-state transactions during 2019, representing a range of commercial clients in connection with closings, financings and leasing. Some of our the clients we represented in transactions are: 
 
  • Various real estate holding companies as counsel or special counsel in connection with the acquisition and/or financing of commercial properties, including office buildings, shopping centers and industrial properties in Connecticut.
  • A Connecticut bank in connection with the modification of an existing financing facility on multi-tenanted commercial property in Connecticut.
  • A municipal golf authority in connection with its equipment leasing and leasing of the restaurant facilities of the golf course.
  • A real estate holding company in connection with the restructuring of its ownership of various commercial properties in New York.
  • A New York-based civil construction management firm with respect to building loan mortgage credit facility.
Pro Bono and Charitable Efforts
Martin LLP attorneys and staff were proud to dedicate their time and energy in 2019 in the service of nonprofit and charitable organizations that provide valuable services in our communities. Our involvement included service on boards and committees, pro bono legal service and other volunteer efforts.
Nonprofits and charities included:

  • Building One Community, a Stamford based non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the successful integration of immigrants and their families and ensuring that they become thriving and contributing members of their local communities.
  • Community Capital, a nonprofit lender providing affordable loans and small business training to low and moderate income business owners and traditionally underrepresented entrepreneurs in New York and Connecticut.
  • Family Re-Entry, is a 501(c)(3) organization that provides community-based reentry support services to recently released inmates to reduce the likelihood that its clients will re-offend, be re-arrested or be re-incarcerated.
  • Horizon, a nonprofit organization that offers high-quality, tuition-free, immersive, academic and enrichment programs for children from low-income families in Bridgeport.
  • Kick It for Keith, a Stamford-based charitable organization dedicated to providing financial assistance for youth soccer athletes whose families lack the funds needed to participate in sports programs.
  • Laurel House, a nonprofit organization that provides resources and opportunities for people living with mental illness to lead fulfilling and productive lives in their communities throughout Fairfield County.
  • Lifting Up Westchester, a nonprofit organization that works to restore hope to Westchester County's men, women and children in need by providing food, shelter and support - 'lifting' them to greater self-sufficiency with dignity and respect.
  • My Team Triumph, an athletic ride along program created for children, teens, adults and veterans with disabilities who would normally be unable to experience endurance events, such as 5Ks, half marathons and triathlons, making inclusion for people with disabilities possible.
  • 100 Black Men of Stamford, a non-profit community action organization committed to improving the educational and economic conditions for African Americans and others in need, with a particular focus on youth development.
  • The Pro Bono Partnership, a nonprofit organization that mobilizes attorneys from law firms and in-house corporate law departments to provide business and transactional legal services to nonprofit organizations that serve the disadvantaged or enhance the quality of life in neighborhoods in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut.
  • Paint the Town Pink Stamford.org, a nonprofit whose mission is to raise awareness for breast cancer, educate individuals on the importance of regular exams and help raise funds for the Bennett Cancer Center at Stamford Hospital.
  • Partnership to End Human Trafficking, a Connecticut not-for-profit organization, leveraging social enterprise to end human trafficking, specifically targeting the sex trade by providing survivors with a path toward healing and independence through long-term residential recovery and employment.
  • Women’s Mentoring Network, a nonprofit organization that provides career, educational and personal resources that lead to the economic empowerment of low-income women and their families.
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