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Emerging Views
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| Martin LLP is a trusted advisor to local and national clients on corporate, litigation, and real estate matters. As a sophisticated law practice, we are particularly valued for our relationships with growth companies and their private equity investors in those businesses. With a proactive approach, we partner with our clients, anticipating their needs and providing practical advice focused on maximizing the value of their business opportunities. |
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Martin LLP News
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2018 marked another year of tremendous growth and client service for Martin LLP. In our 23rd year, we added several new attorneys and numerous clients to the firm, and continued to advance our clients' interests in several exciting and important areas. We wanted to highlight some of the representations and transactions on which we have been fortunate to assist our clients during 2018 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.
Firm Hires
Ken Zinghini joined us as a partner in our Business Group. Ken was previously Vice President and Deputy General Counsel at Loews Corporation, a NYSE-traded conglomerate holding company. Ken's practice concentrates on advising businesses, owners, and investors on mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance, joint ventures, securities, and other corporate and commercial matters.
Christopher Geotes joined the Business Group as an associate. Chris' practice concentrates on
corporate transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, debt and equity financings, private equity and corporate finance.
Joel Buchanan joined the Business group as an associate. Joel's practice concentrates on corporate transactions, including mergers and acquisitions and corporate finance.
Highlights From Our Corporate Group
Our Business and Corporate Group remained active during 2018, assisting existing and new clients in numerous transactions, corporate governance matters and financings. Set forth below are some examples of matters on which we assisted clients.
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Portfolio Company Add-on Acquisitions.
We represented an international specialty chemical portfolio company of a large private equity fund in several proposed and ongoing acquisition and joint venture transactions, including:
- The purchase of a specialty chemicals company;
- The purchase of a Pennsylvania and UK based supplier of specialty monomers, surfactants and other performance chemicals.
- A proposed joint venture with a Japanese chemical distributor.
Highlights From Our Finance Group
During 2018 our Finance Group represented banks, other lender clients, and various middle-market companies as borrowers in connection with a variety of secured loans, acquisition financings, unitranche facilities and credit support transactions. In particular, we assisted clients on the following matters:
- Infrastructure Construction Management Company Refinancing. We represented a provider of heavy infrastructure construction management services, in connection with a refinancing of its main credit facility to provide for, among other things, an increase in the amount of the revolving line of credit from $15 million to $20 million and an additional term loan in the amount of $5 million.
- Bank Counsel on Numerous Financings. We represented a boutique national bank as (i) first out lender in the $11.5 million secured unitranche financing of the acquisition of a Florida-based computer equipment supply business, (ii) first lien lender in the $24.0 million secured first and second lien financing of the acquisition of a company in the business of operating automatic teller machines, and (iii) first out lender in the $19.5 million secured unitranche financing of a company in the business of conducting clinical trials.
- Refinancing of Radio Stations. We represented a New York-based media company and its affiliates in connection with an $85 million secured financing the proceeds of which were used to refinance existing indebtedness. Security included fee and leasehold mortgages on 13 properties in four states.
- Defense Contractor Refinancing. We represented a Connecticut-based manufacturing company in the amendment and extension of the maturity of its existing $25 million secured term loan and revolving credit facility.
- Credit Support Arrangements. We represented a master limited partnership in connection with drafting and negotiation of multiple credit support agreements from customers utilizing its facilities aggregating more than $60 million.
- Mezzanine Financing for eCommerce Company. We represented a Connecticut-focused investment fund in connection with (i) the purchase from a Connecticut-based foreign car parts supply business of $7,000,000 principal amount of senior secured notes and warrants and (ii) the purchase from a Connecticut-based business of $1.5 million principal amount of additional subordinated secured notes and warrants.
Highlights From Our Real Estate Group
Martin LLP's Real Estate Group served as counsel on various multi-state transactions during 2018, representing a range of commercial clients in connection with closings, financings and leasing. Some of our transactions included the following:
- Commercial Construction Loan. We represented a major New York-based construction company in connection with a construction/permanent mortgage loan for the construction of its new corporate headquarters.
- Mortgaging of Properties to Secure Financing. We represented a New York-based media company in the provision of fee and leasehold mortgages in connection with an $85 million refinancing.
- Local Counsel for Healthcare Facilities. We represented a New Jersey-based owner and operator of senior health care facilities as special local counsel in connection with the refinance of its mortgage loan on two of its Connecticut properties.
- Commercial & Industrial Leasing. We represented various landlords and tenants in connection with the leasing of commercial office and industrial properties.
Highlights From Our Litigation Group
Our Litigation Department remained very active throughout 2018 and delivered successful results to numerous clients in matters involving issues in 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 a some of our representative engagements that are public knowledge.
- Reinstatement of Joint Venture. We assisted our client, Custopharm, Inc., a leading medical device company, in securing its reinstatement of ownership rights in a joint venture and successful rejection of $294 million in damages claims. Click Here for More Detail
- FINRA Representation. We represented a group of financial advisors affiliated with a national brokerage in successfully obtaining expungements of adverse negative public reports filed with FINRA. Click Here for More Detail
- Copyright Infringement by PepsiCo. We continue to represent our client, Betty, Inc., a Connecticut-based advertising agency, in its copyright infringement and breach of contract litigation against PepsiCo related to Pepsi's 2016 Super Bowl commercial, which is continuing to advance. With our assistance, Betty has successfully resisted numerous motions to dismiss. Click Here for More Detail
- Opposition to Local Zoning Laws Override. We represented a homeowner in its successful opposition to a developer group seeking to use the Connecticut Affordable Housing Statute to override local zoning limitations and regulations. Click Here for More Detail
Pro Bono and Charitable Efforts
Martin LLP attorneys and staff were proud to dedicate their time and energy in 2018 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.
- Facing Addiction with NCADD, a national non-profit organization dedicated to finding solutions to the addiction crisis by unifying the voices of the over 45 million Americans and their families directly impacted by addiction.
- 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. Founded in honor of Keith Segovia who, according to his family, was gifted "a few wonderful things from some caring individuals that helped make the end of his life a bit more enjoyable," the organization also raises funds to help individuals battling cancer enjoy similar gifts.
- 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 hundreds of 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.
Below are some scenes from our charitable events!
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