Christian E. Witzke
Commercial, objective-driven and unflappable no matter the timeline, Christian works to get challenging and complex deals over the finish line. He guides clients through the inevitable and often unique complications arising at every stage of these transactions, from strategic structuring and negotiation of deal and corporate governance documents through due diligence and to closing. Some of his notable recent work has included syndicate acquisitions involving the structuring and negotiation of intricate multiparty investment relationships.
Handling both core business acquisitions and portfolio company transactions, Christian is often called upon to represent his private equity clients in multiple transactions throughout the full investment life cycle, from acquisition to exit, and across a variety of industries. He has advised Stone Point Capital LLC, Blackrock and Sentinel Capital Partners in numerous acquisitions, investments and sales, working as an essential member of the core client team in these transactions.
Experience & capabilities
Selected matters
Advised ORIX Capital Partners, the private equity arm of ORIX USA, in Olympus Partners' definitive agreement to acquire NTI Connect, LLC d/b/a Network Connex (Network Connex) from ORIX Capital Partners.
Represented Third Point Investors Limited (TPIL) on its all-share combination with Malibu Life Reinsurance SPC (Malibu Life) and re-IPO to create a unique London-listed reinsurance operating company.
Advised BlackRock in its strategic investment in, and strategic partnership with, AccessFintech (AFT), a leading data and workflow collaboration network for financial markets.
Represented BlackRock in its strategic investment in Dynasty Financial Partners, a provider of technology-enabled wealth management solutions and business services for financial advisory firms.
Advised BlackRock in its strategic investment in GeoWealth, a fintech offering a turnkey asset management platform (TAMP).
Represented Curriculum Associates in its acquisition of Stile Education, an Australia-based provider of interactive middle school science curriculum.
Advised AmTrust Financial Services as a joint venture partner in Kestrel Group LLC in connection with Kestrel’s business combination with Maiden Holdings, Ltd. for up to $167.5 million to form a new, publicly listed specialty program platform.
Represented General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, a global leader in unmanned aircraft systems and cutting-edge aerospace technologies, on the acquisition of key assets, including a portfolio of patents and other intellectual property, from Achates Power, Inc., a San Diego-based innovator in advanced engine technology.
Advised Invesco in the sale of intelliflo, a market-leading provider of cloud-based practice management software for independent financial advisors, to Carlyle for up to $200 million.
Represented BlackRock Impact Opportunities Fund as a co-lead investor in a syndicate acquisition of Acelero Learning, a leading provider of Head Start and early learning services.
Advised The NPD Group, a global market information provider, in its acquisition by private equity firm Hellman & Friedman.
Represented Sentinel Capital Partners in the sale of Pet Supplies Plus to Franchise Group Inc., in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $700 million.
Advised Alliant Insurance Services in its acquisition of Confie, a leading privately owned personal lines insurance distributor in the United States.
Represented BlackRock in its strategic partnership with Virtu, a global market maker, broker and leading provider of global financial services technology; MarketAxess, a leading fixed-income electronic trading platform for institutional investors and dealers; and certain other consortium members, to support the growth of RFQ-Hub, a bilateral multi-asset and multi-dealer request-for-quote platform.
Represented Capstar SPAC in its merger with Gelesis, a biotherapeutics weight management company using proprietary biomimetic superabsorbent hydrogel technology, in a $900 million transaction.
Advised Sentinel Capital Partners in its acquisition of Controlled Products, a manufacturer and distributor of premium synthetic turf products.
Represented BlackRock in its strategic investment in Acorns Grow, developer of the country’s fastest-growing micro-investing app.
Advised SitusAMC in the acquisition of LogicEase Solutions Inc., the parent company of leading residential regulatory compliance technology provider ComplianceEase.
Advised BlackRock on its strategic investment in MEMX, the country’s fastest-growing equity exchange.
Represented Stone Point Capital LLC and its Trident Funds in the acquisition of a majority interest in PrismHR, the leading human resources technology platform.
Advised Stone Point Capital LLC and its Trident Funds in the acquisition of Eliassen Group, a leading provider of IT staffing and consulting services.
Represented Kestra Financial, an industry-leading independent broker-dealer, in the sale of a majority stake to private equity firm Warburg Pincus.
Advised Stone Point Capital LLC and its Trident Funds in the acquisition of Grace Hill, a leading provider of online training courseware and administration for the property management industry.
Represented Stone Point Capital LLC and its Trident Funds in the acquisition of LegalShield, a subscription-based provider of legal plans and a provider of identity theft solutions, from funds controlled by MidOcean Partners.
Advised Alliant Insurance Services in the acquisition of Crystal & Co., a leading global provider of insurance and employee benefits consulting services.
Advised Atlantic Street Capital in its acquisitions of a number of portfolio companies and add-ons, including John C. Cassidy Air Conditioning, Zips Car Wash and Enhanced Medical Services.
Background
Education
- J.D., Georgetown University Law Center, 2015
- Member, The Tax Lawyer
- B.A., Psychology, Amherst College, 2009
Bar Admissions
