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  1. Professionals

Peter Clarke

Partner

Chicago

+1 312-558-6461

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  • Overview
  • Experience
  • Credentials
  • Insights & News

Peter represents both public and private company clients in a variety of complex business transactions. By developing strong client relationships and tailoring his approach, he delivers value through each phase of the transaction. 

Peter concentrates his practice on mergers and acquisitions in a variety of industries.

Key Matters

Representative Experience

  • Represented KeHE Distributors, an Illinois-based premier distributor of fresh, natural & organic, and specialty products in North America, in the acquisition of DPI Specialty Foods, a California-based national leader in the procurement and wholesale distribution of specialty food products acquired locally, nationally, and worldwide.
  • Represented CFS Brands, a portfolio company of The Jordan Company, in its acquisition of Jofel Industrial, S.A, a multi-national company based in Spain, dedicated to the production, selling, and distribution of systems and equipment for professional hygiene and cleaning.  
  • Represented CFS Brands, an Oklahoma City-based manufacturer of products for the foodservice, healthcare, and janitorial markets, in its acquisition of AyrKing, a food preparation equipment manufacturer. CFS Brands is a portfolio company of The Jordan Company.
  • Represented Edmentum, a portfolio company of The Vistria Group and a global pioneer in education technology, in connection with its definitive agreement to acquire Apex Learning, a Seattle-based industry leader in digital curriculum and virtual learning with over 20 years of deep expertise providing high-quality, rigorous, and teacher-centered programs.
  • Represented The Vistria Group, a Chicago-based private investment firm focused on companies in the healthcare, education, and financial services sectors, in its strategic growth investment in Edmentum. Based in Minnesota, Edmentum is a global leader in education and innovative solutions for teaching and learning.  
  • Represented The Vistria Group, a Chicago-based private investment firm focused on companies in the healthcare, education, and financial services sectors, in its acquisition of Academic Partnerships, which supports degree programs that primarily serve working adults.
  • Represented The Vistria Group, a Chicago-based private investment firm focused on companies in the healthcare, education, and financial services sectors, in its acquisition of MGT Intermediate, a provider of consulting and technology services to school districts and local government agencies.
  • Represented The Vistria Group, a Chicago-based private investment firm focused on companies in the healthcare, education, and financial services sectors, in its acquisition of Really Great Reading Company, which specializes in helping educators teach the foundational skills that lead to strong decoding and fluent reading.
  • Represented American Access Casualty Company and its related captive insurance agency, Newins Insurance Agency Holdings, LLC, and its subsidiaries (collectively “AAC”) in its sale to, Chicago, Illinois-based, Kemper Corporation (NYSE: KMPR), in a cash transaction valued at US$370M.
  • Represented KAR Auction Services, Inc., d/b/a/ KAR Global (NYSE: KAR) in its US$425M acquisition of BacklotCars Inc. BacklotCars is a Missouri-based app and web-based dealer-to-dealer wholesale platform featuring a 24/7 "bid-ask" marketplace and comprehensive vehicle inspections performed by automobile mechanics.
  • Represented KAR Auction Services, Inc., d/b/a/ KAR Global (NYSE: KAR), a leading operator of digital marketplaces for wholesale used vehicles, in the acquisition of CARWAVE Holdings for US$450M in cash. The acquisition builds on KAR's fast growth in the dealer-to-dealer segment, accelerates profitability, positions the company to achieve its long-term goals and enhances the company's differentiated combination of digital marketplaces and physical network.
  • Represented Reyes Holdings in its US$2B disposition of its Reinhart Foodservices business to Performance Food Group Company (NYSE: PFGC).
  • Represented Reyes Holdings, a global leader in the production and distribution of food and beverage products, in its acquisition of The Coca-Cola Company’s bottling and distribution business in California and Nevada, which includes the major metropolitan markets of Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego and Las Vegas.
  • Represented Wind Point Partners, a Chicago-based private equity firm, in its acquisition of Tropicale Foods, Inc., based in Ontario, California. Tropicale is a leading manufacturer and distributor of Mexican ice cream products across the United States.  
  • Represented Wind Point Partners, a Chicago-based private equity firm, in its acquisition of Palmex Alimentos, S. de R.L. de C.V., based in Monterrey, Mexico. Palmex produces a broad portfolio of wheat, corn and potato-based snack pellets that are sold to large consumer packaged goods companies, regional manufacturers, distributors and retailers across Latin America and the United States.
  • Represented Wind Point Partners, a Chicago-based private equity firm,  in its acquisition of FreshEdge, a leading distributor of fresh produce and specialty foods.
  • Represented Motorola Solutions, Inc. (NYSE: MSI) in its acquisition of WatchGuard, Inc., a U.S. leader in mobile video solutions.
  • Represented Motorola Solutions (NYSE: MSI) in its acquisition of Envysion Intermediate Corp., a leading provider of enterprise video security and business analytics solutions for the quick-service restaurant and retail industries.
  • Represented Motorola Solutions (NYSE: MSI)  in its acquisition of Rave Mobile Safety and its subsidiaries. Rave Mobile Safety and its subsidiaries provide critical communication services, incident collaboration and 911 response services to state and local governments and educational customers.
  • Represented Motorola Solutions (NYSE: MSI) in its acquisition of VaaS International Holdings, a leading global provider of data and image analytics for vehicle location for both law enforcement customers through its Vigilant Solutions affiliate and commercial customers through its Digital Recognition Network affiliate.
  • Represented Norwest Equity Partners in connection with a significant investment in Avtex, a customer experience (CX) focused consulting and technology company that provides design, implementation, and ongoing support of solutions in the CX ecosystem, including contact center and CRM solutions.
  • Represented grain and milling firm Bartlett and Company in its completed merger with supply chain provider Savage Companies, which formed a new combined entity, Savage Enterprises.
  • Represented The Jordan Company, a New York-based private equity firm, in its purchase of all of the stock of Carlisle FoodService Products, a manufacturer of permanent ware supplies, table coverings, cookware, display ware, storage containers, catering and transport equipment, and meal delivery systems.
  • Represented Galen Healthcare Solutions, the market leader in implementation, optimization, data migration and archival solutions for HIT systems, in their sale to RLDatix, the international leader in governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) solutions for healthcare.
Recent Experience
Winston Represents KeHE Distributors, LLC in a $750.0 Million Senior Secured Notes Offering
Academic Partnerships, LLC acquisition of Wiley University Services from John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
CFS Brands acquisition of Foodware
KeHE Distributors' Acquisition of DPI Specialty Foods
Edmentum's Definitive Agreement to Acquire Apex Learning
Norwest Equity Partners Completes Sale of Avtex Solutions
CFS Brands, LLC's Acquisition of AyrKing Corp.
The Vistria Group Strategic Growth Investment in Edmentum
American Access Casualty Co. Sale to Kemper Corp.
KAR Auction Services, Inc.'s Acquisition of BacklotCars Inc.
View All Related Matters

Peter was recognized as a “Key Lawyer” in the 2024 edition of The Legal 500 US in the area of M&A/Corporate and Commercial: M&A Middle Market. 

Capabilities

Mergers & Acquisitions
Private Equity
Public Companies

Key Matters

Representative Experience

  • Represented KeHE Distributors, an Illinois-based premier distributor of fresh, natural & organic, and specialty products in North America, in the acquisition of DPI Specialty Foods, a California-based national leader in the procurement and wholesale distribution of specialty food products acquired locally, nationally, and worldwide.
  • Represented CFS Brands, a portfolio company of The Jordan Company, in its acquisition of Jofel Industrial, S.A, a multi-national company based in Spain, dedicated to the production, selling, and distribution of systems and equipment for professional hygiene and cleaning.  
  • Represented CFS Brands, an Oklahoma City-based manufacturer of products for the foodservice, healthcare, and janitorial markets, in its acquisition of AyrKing, a food preparation equipment manufacturer. CFS Brands is a portfolio company of The Jordan Company.
  • Represented Edmentum, a portfolio company of The Vistria Group and a global pioneer in education technology, in connection with its definitive agreement to acquire Apex Learning, a Seattle-based industry leader in digital curriculum and virtual learning with over 20 years of deep expertise providing high-quality, rigorous, and teacher-centered programs.
  • Represented The Vistria Group, a Chicago-based private investment firm focused on companies in the healthcare, education, and financial services sectors, in its strategic growth investment in Edmentum. Based in Minnesota, Edmentum is a global leader in education and innovative solutions for teaching and learning.  
  • Represented The Vistria Group, a Chicago-based private investment firm focused on companies in the healthcare, education, and financial services sectors, in its acquisition of Academic Partnerships, which supports degree programs that primarily serve working adults.
  • Represented The Vistria Group, a Chicago-based private investment firm focused on companies in the healthcare, education, and financial services sectors, in its acquisition of MGT Intermediate, a provider of consulting and technology services to school districts and local government agencies.
  • Represented The Vistria Group, a Chicago-based private investment firm focused on companies in the healthcare, education, and financial services sectors, in its acquisition of Really Great Reading Company, which specializes in helping educators teach the foundational skills that lead to strong decoding and fluent reading.
  • Represented American Access Casualty Company and its related captive insurance agency, Newins Insurance Agency Holdings, LLC, and its subsidiaries (collectively “AAC”) in its sale to, Chicago, Illinois-based, Kemper Corporation (NYSE: KMPR), in a cash transaction valued at US$370M.
  • Represented KAR Auction Services, Inc., d/b/a/ KAR Global (NYSE: KAR) in its US$425M acquisition of BacklotCars Inc. BacklotCars is a Missouri-based app and web-based dealer-to-dealer wholesale platform featuring a 24/7 "bid-ask" marketplace and comprehensive vehicle inspections performed by automobile mechanics.
  • Represented KAR Auction Services, Inc., d/b/a/ KAR Global (NYSE: KAR), a leading operator of digital marketplaces for wholesale used vehicles, in the acquisition of CARWAVE Holdings for US$450M in cash. The acquisition builds on KAR's fast growth in the dealer-to-dealer segment, accelerates profitability, positions the company to achieve its long-term goals and enhances the company's differentiated combination of digital marketplaces and physical network.
  • Represented Reyes Holdings in its US$2B disposition of its Reinhart Foodservices business to Performance Food Group Company (NYSE: PFGC).
  • Represented Reyes Holdings, a global leader in the production and distribution of food and beverage products, in its acquisition of The Coca-Cola Company’s bottling and distribution business in California and Nevada, which includes the major metropolitan markets of Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego and Las Vegas.
  • Represented Wind Point Partners, a Chicago-based private equity firm, in its acquisition of Tropicale Foods, Inc., based in Ontario, California. Tropicale is a leading manufacturer and distributor of Mexican ice cream products across the United States.  
  • Represented Wind Point Partners, a Chicago-based private equity firm, in its acquisition of Palmex Alimentos, S. de R.L. de C.V., based in Monterrey, Mexico. Palmex produces a broad portfolio of wheat, corn and potato-based snack pellets that are sold to large consumer packaged goods companies, regional manufacturers, distributors and retailers across Latin America and the United States.
  • Represented Wind Point Partners, a Chicago-based private equity firm,  in its acquisition of FreshEdge, a leading distributor of fresh produce and specialty foods.
  • Represented Motorola Solutions, Inc. (NYSE: MSI) in its acquisition of WatchGuard, Inc., a U.S. leader in mobile video solutions.
  • Represented Motorola Solutions (NYSE: MSI) in its acquisition of Envysion Intermediate Corp., a leading provider of enterprise video security and business analytics solutions for the quick-service restaurant and retail industries.
  • Represented Motorola Solutions (NYSE: MSI)  in its acquisition of Rave Mobile Safety and its subsidiaries. Rave Mobile Safety and its subsidiaries provide critical communication services, incident collaboration and 911 response services to state and local governments and educational customers.
  • Represented Motorola Solutions (NYSE: MSI) in its acquisition of VaaS International Holdings, a leading global provider of data and image analytics for vehicle location for both law enforcement customers through its Vigilant Solutions affiliate and commercial customers through its Digital Recognition Network affiliate.
  • Represented Norwest Equity Partners in connection with a significant investment in Avtex, a customer experience (CX) focused consulting and technology company that provides design, implementation, and ongoing support of solutions in the CX ecosystem, including contact center and CRM solutions.
  • Represented grain and milling firm Bartlett and Company in its completed merger with supply chain provider Savage Companies, which formed a new combined entity, Savage Enterprises.
  • Represented The Jordan Company, a New York-based private equity firm, in its purchase of all of the stock of Carlisle FoodService Products, a manufacturer of permanent ware supplies, table coverings, cookware, display ware, storage containers, catering and transport equipment, and meal delivery systems.
  • Represented Galen Healthcare Solutions, the market leader in implementation, optimization, data migration and archival solutions for HIT systems, in their sale to RLDatix, the international leader in governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) solutions for healthcare.
Recent Experience
Winston Represents KeHE Distributors, LLC in a $750.0 Million Senior Secured Notes Offering
Academic Partnerships, LLC acquisition of Wiley University Services from John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
CFS Brands acquisition of Foodware
KeHE Distributors' Acquisition of DPI Specialty Foods
Edmentum's Definitive Agreement to Acquire Apex Learning
Norwest Equity Partners Completes Sale of Avtex Solutions
CFS Brands, LLC's Acquisition of AyrKing Corp.
The Vistria Group Strategic Growth Investment in Edmentum
American Access Casualty Co. Sale to Kemper Corp.
KAR Auction Services, Inc.'s Acquisition of BacklotCars Inc.
View All Related Matters

Credentials

Education

Peter received his B.A. in 2007 from McGill University, and he received his J.D. in 2012 from Columbia Law School, where he was a James Kent Scholar and a Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar.

    Admissions
    • Illinois
    • New York

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    Capabilities

    Mergers & Acquisitions
    Private Equity
    Public Companies
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