Four Decades for Justice
David J. Perkins is Co‑Head of the Private Equity Practice. His diverse corporate practice focuses on all aspects of private equity investments across multiple asset classes, including mergers and acquisitions, investment funds, joint ventures, minority and other structured investments, restructurings and large-scale real estate acquisitions and dispositions.
Mr. Perkins counts among his client base American Securities, BDT, Brookfield, ECN Capital, Lindsay Goldberg, MSD Partners, Owl Rock, Westbrook Partners and White Mountains Insurance Group.
Notable recent transactions include representing:
the formation of Amentum through the $2.405 billion acquisition of AECOM’s Management Services business;
Amentum’s acquisition of DynCorp International from Cerberus Capital Management; and
Amentum’s $1.9 billion acquisition of PAE.
Mr. Perkins has been named a “Dealmaker of the Year” by the New York Law Journal and has been recognized as one of the “500 Leading Dealmakers in America” by Lawdragon. He has been repeatedly recognized by IFLR1000 for his work in both mergers and acquisitions and real estate acquisitions. In 2014, Mr. Perkins was recognized by Law360 as one of 10 outstanding real estate lawyers in the nation under the age of 40 and has also been named a New York Rising Star by Super Lawyers for real estate. Mr. Perkins previously served on the Private Investment Funds Committee of the New York City Bar Association and was selected to serve as a member of Law360’s Private Equity Editorial Advisory Board in 2022.
Mr. Perkins was born in Dover, New Hampshire. He received a B.S. from the United States Military Academy in 1997 where he was a distinguished honor graduate, and a J.D., with high honors, from the University of Washington in 2005 where he was an Executive Editor of the Law Review and was elected to the Order of the Coif.
Mr. Perkins joined Cravath in 2005 and was elected a partner in 2012. Prior to joining Cravath, Mr. Perkins served as an officer in the United States Army in a variety of infantry assignments, including with the 82nd Airborne Division and the 25th Infantry Division, and was later recalled to active duty in 2008 to serve as an embedded advisor to the Afghan National Police in southern Afghanistan, ultimately attaining the rank of Major.
Notable recent transactions include representing:
the formation of Amentum through the $2.405 billion acquisition of AECOM’s Management Services business;
Amentum’s acquisition of DynCorp International from Cerberus Capital Management; and
Amentum’s $1.9 billion acquisition of PAE.
Mr. Perkins has been named a “Dealmaker of the Year” by the New York Law Journal and has been recognized as one of the “500 Leading Dealmakers in America” by Lawdragon. He has been repeatedly recognized by IFLR1000 for his work in both mergers and acquisitions and real estate acquisitions. In 2014, Mr. Perkins was recognized by Law360 as one of 10 outstanding real estate lawyers in the nation under the age of 40 and has also been named a New York Rising Star by Super Lawyers for real estate. Mr. Perkins previously served on the Private Investment Funds Committee of the New York City Bar Association and was selected to serve as a member of Law360’s Private Equity Editorial Advisory Board in 2022.
Mr. Perkins was born in Dover, New Hampshire. He received a B.S. from the United States Military Academy in 1997 where he was a distinguished honor graduate, and a J.D., with high honors, from the University of Washington in 2005 where he was an Executive Editor of the Law Review and was elected to the Order of the Coif.
Mr. Perkins joined Cravath in 2005 and was elected a partner in 2012. Prior to joining Cravath, Mr. Perkins served as an officer in the United States Army in a variety of infantry assignments, including with the 82nd Airborne Division and the 25th Infantry Division, and was later recalled to active duty in 2008 to serve as an embedded advisor to the Afghan National Police in southern Afghanistan, ultimately attaining the rank of Major.
New York City Bar Association
Law360
IFLR1000
Law360
Lawdragon
New York Law Journal
Super Lawyers - Rising Stars - New York
Deals & Cases
November 21, 2023
On November 20, 2023, Amentum, a portfolio company of Lindsay Goldberg and American Securities, announced a definitive agreement to merge with Jacobs’ Critical Mission Solutions and Cyber and Intelligence businesses, creating a new leader in systems integration and technology solutions. The transaction, which is structured as an all‑stock, Reverse Morris Trust transaction, will result in a publicly traded combined organization with $13 billion in revenue and more than 53,000 employees in 83 countries. Cravath is representing Amentum in connection with the transaction.
Deals & Cases
November 13, 2023
On November 9, 2023, Altus Group Limited (“Altus Group”), a leading provider of asset and fund intelligence for commercial restate, announced it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire the commercial real estate valuation and advisory services business of Situs Group LLC (a SitusAMC Company) for $225 million in cash. Cravath is representing Altus Group in connection with the transaction.
Deals & Cases
October 20, 2023
On October 20, 2023, White Mountains Insurance Group, Ltd. (“White Mountains”), a Bermuda‑domiciled financial services holding company, announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire a majority stake in Bamboo Ide8 Insurance Services, LLC (“Bamboo”), a managing general agent focused on the California homeowners insurance market. White Mountains expects to invest approximately $285 million, including primary capital to support Bamboo's growth, and to acquire approximately 70% of Bamboo’s outstanding equity interests. Cravath is representing White Mountains in connection with the transaction.
Deals & Cases
September 19, 2023
On September 19, 2023, affiliates of private investment firm Lindsay Goldberg, in partnership with the company’s management, announced the completion of an investment in The Kleinfelder Group, a leading engineering, design, construction management, construction materials inspection and testing, and environmental professional services firm. Cravath is representing Lindsay Goldberg in connection with the transaction.
Deals & Cases
August 15, 2023
On August 14, 2023, ECN Capital Corp. (“ECN Capital”) and Skyline Champion Corporation (“Skyline Champion”) announced that they have entered into a share subscription agreement pursuant to which Skyline Champion has agreed to make an approximately $138 million equity investment in ECN Capital on a private placement basis in exchange for 33,550,000 common shares of ECN Capital and 27,450,000 mandatory convertible preferred shares, Series E of ECN Capital. In connection with the Private Placement, ECN Capital and Skyline Champion will form a captive finance company that will be 51% owned by Skyline Champion and 49% owned by Triad Financial Services, Inc., a wholly‑owned subsidiary of ECN Capital. Cravath is representing ECN Capital in connection with the transaction, representing the culmination of the company’s strategic review process. Cravath is advising ECN Capital on certain U.S. law matters relating to the transaction, which represents the culmination of the company’s strategic review process.
Accolades
October 09, 2023
On October 3, 2023, Cravath partner David J. Perkins was featured as a 2023 “Dealmaker of the Year” by the New York Law Journal. The accompanying profile published by NYLJ highlights Dave’s work as co‑head of the Firm’s private equity practice, including his representation of BDT in its combination with MSD. In the profile, Dave explained what qualities he believes make a great dealmaker, including an “enjoyment and a sense of purpose” in helping clients deal with complex matters. Asked to contemplate why his team should be retained if a prospective client calls, Dave noted Cravath’s culture of collaboration: “The way in which we approach the practice is very team‑oriented, and clients receive completely integrated, seamless delivery of service and a commitment to excellence, both of which are the hallmarks of Cravath.”
Accolades
August 10, 2023
On August 9, 2023, Cravath partner David J. Perkins was named a 2023 “Dealmaker of the Year” by the New York Law Journal. The award recognizes “talented and hardworking transactional lawyers who can close deals that make headlines.” Winners will be featured online and honored at an event in October.
Activities & Publications
October 04, 2022
On September 30, 2022, Cravath partner David J. Perkins participated in the International Bar Association’s 2022 Private Equity Transactions Symposium, which was held in London from September 29‑30, 2022. Dave spoke on a panel entitled “Key Legal Issues in Private Equity Deals Today,” which explored pressing legal issues private equity dealmakers face today in negotiating a transaction.
Activities & Publications
April 29, 2022
Three Cravath partners were selected to serve on Law360’s 2022 Editorial Advisory Boards: David J. Perkins (Private Equity), Daniel K. Zach (Competition) and Michael E. Mariani (Capital Markets). As Advisory Board members, they will provide feedback on content within each practice vertical and assist editors in identifying market trends for future coverage.
David J. Perkins is Co‑Head of the Private Equity Practice. His diverse corporate practice focuses on all aspects of private equity investments across multiple asset classes, including mergers and acquisitions, investment funds, joint ventures, minority and other structured investments, restructurings and large-scale real estate acquisitions and dispositions.
Mr. Perkins counts among his client base American Securities, BDT, Brookfield, ECN Capital, Lindsay Goldberg, MSD Partners, Owl Rock, Westbrook Partners and White Mountains Insurance Group.
Notable recent transactions include representing:
the formation of Amentum through the $2.405 billion acquisition of AECOM’s Management Services business;
Amentum’s acquisition of DynCorp International from Cerberus Capital Management; and
Amentum’s $1.9 billion acquisition of PAE.
Mr. Perkins has been named a “Dealmaker of the Year” by the New York Law Journal and has been recognized as one of the “500 Leading Dealmakers in America” by Lawdragon. He has been repeatedly recognized by IFLR1000 for his work in both mergers and acquisitions and real estate acquisitions. In 2014, Mr. Perkins was recognized by Law360 as one of 10 outstanding real estate lawyers in the nation under the age of 40 and has also been named a New York Rising Star by Super Lawyers for real estate. Mr. Perkins previously served on the Private Investment Funds Committee of the New York City Bar Association and was selected to serve as a member of Law360’s Private Equity Editorial Advisory Board in 2022.
Mr. Perkins was born in Dover, New Hampshire. He received a B.S. from the United States Military Academy in 1997 where he was a distinguished honor graduate, and a J.D., with high honors, from the University of Washington in 2005 where he was an Executive Editor of the Law Review and was elected to the Order of the Coif.
Mr. Perkins joined Cravath in 2005 and was elected a partner in 2012. Prior to joining Cravath, Mr. Perkins served as an officer in the United States Army in a variety of infantry assignments, including with the 82nd Airborne Division and the 25th Infantry Division, and was later recalled to active duty in 2008 to serve as an embedded advisor to the Afghan National Police in southern Afghanistan, ultimately attaining the rank of Major.
Notable recent transactions include representing:
the formation of Amentum through the $2.405 billion acquisition of AECOM’s Management Services business;
Amentum’s acquisition of DynCorp International from Cerberus Capital Management; and
Amentum’s $1.9 billion acquisition of PAE.
Mr. Perkins has been named a “Dealmaker of the Year” by the New York Law Journal and has been recognized as one of the “500 Leading Dealmakers in America” by Lawdragon. He has been repeatedly recognized by IFLR1000 for his work in both mergers and acquisitions and real estate acquisitions. In 2014, Mr. Perkins was recognized by Law360 as one of 10 outstanding real estate lawyers in the nation under the age of 40 and has also been named a New York Rising Star by Super Lawyers for real estate. Mr. Perkins previously served on the Private Investment Funds Committee of the New York City Bar Association and was selected to serve as a member of Law360’s Private Equity Editorial Advisory Board in 2022.
Mr. Perkins was born in Dover, New Hampshire. He received a B.S. from the United States Military Academy in 1997 where he was a distinguished honor graduate, and a J.D., with high honors, from the University of Washington in 2005 where he was an Executive Editor of the Law Review and was elected to the Order of the Coif.
Mr. Perkins joined Cravath in 2005 and was elected a partner in 2012. Prior to joining Cravath, Mr. Perkins served as an officer in the United States Army in a variety of infantry assignments, including with the 82nd Airborne Division and the 25th Infantry Division, and was later recalled to active duty in 2008 to serve as an embedded advisor to the Afghan National Police in southern Afghanistan, ultimately attaining the rank of Major.
New York City Bar Association
Law360
IFLR1000
Law360
Lawdragon
New York Law Journal
Super Lawyers - Rising Stars - New York
Deals & Cases
November 21, 2023
On November 20, 2023, Amentum, a portfolio company of Lindsay Goldberg and American Securities, announced a definitive agreement to merge with Jacobs’ Critical Mission Solutions and Cyber and Intelligence businesses, creating a new leader in systems integration and technology solutions. The transaction, which is structured as an all‑stock, Reverse Morris Trust transaction, will result in a publicly traded combined organization with $13 billion in revenue and more than 53,000 employees in 83 countries. Cravath is representing Amentum in connection with the transaction.
Deals & Cases
November 13, 2023
On November 9, 2023, Altus Group Limited (“Altus Group”), a leading provider of asset and fund intelligence for commercial restate, announced it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire the commercial real estate valuation and advisory services business of Situs Group LLC (a SitusAMC Company) for $225 million in cash. Cravath is representing Altus Group in connection with the transaction.
Deals & Cases
October 20, 2023
On October 20, 2023, White Mountains Insurance Group, Ltd. (“White Mountains”), a Bermuda‑domiciled financial services holding company, announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire a majority stake in Bamboo Ide8 Insurance Services, LLC (“Bamboo”), a managing general agent focused on the California homeowners insurance market. White Mountains expects to invest approximately $285 million, including primary capital to support Bamboo's growth, and to acquire approximately 70% of Bamboo’s outstanding equity interests. Cravath is representing White Mountains in connection with the transaction.
Deals & Cases
September 19, 2023
On September 19, 2023, affiliates of private investment firm Lindsay Goldberg, in partnership with the company’s management, announced the completion of an investment in The Kleinfelder Group, a leading engineering, design, construction management, construction materials inspection and testing, and environmental professional services firm. Cravath is representing Lindsay Goldberg in connection with the transaction.
Deals & Cases
August 15, 2023
On August 14, 2023, ECN Capital Corp. (“ECN Capital”) and Skyline Champion Corporation (“Skyline Champion”) announced that they have entered into a share subscription agreement pursuant to which Skyline Champion has agreed to make an approximately $138 million equity investment in ECN Capital on a private placement basis in exchange for 33,550,000 common shares of ECN Capital and 27,450,000 mandatory convertible preferred shares, Series E of ECN Capital. In connection with the Private Placement, ECN Capital and Skyline Champion will form a captive finance company that will be 51% owned by Skyline Champion and 49% owned by Triad Financial Services, Inc., a wholly‑owned subsidiary of ECN Capital. Cravath is representing ECN Capital in connection with the transaction, representing the culmination of the company’s strategic review process. Cravath is advising ECN Capital on certain U.S. law matters relating to the transaction, which represents the culmination of the company’s strategic review process.
Accolades
October 09, 2023
On October 3, 2023, Cravath partner David J. Perkins was featured as a 2023 “Dealmaker of the Year” by the New York Law Journal. The accompanying profile published by NYLJ highlights Dave’s work as co‑head of the Firm’s private equity practice, including his representation of BDT in its combination with MSD. In the profile, Dave explained what qualities he believes make a great dealmaker, including an “enjoyment and a sense of purpose” in helping clients deal with complex matters. Asked to contemplate why his team should be retained if a prospective client calls, Dave noted Cravath’s culture of collaboration: “The way in which we approach the practice is very team‑oriented, and clients receive completely integrated, seamless delivery of service and a commitment to excellence, both of which are the hallmarks of Cravath.”
Accolades
August 10, 2023
On August 9, 2023, Cravath partner David J. Perkins was named a 2023 “Dealmaker of the Year” by the New York Law Journal. The award recognizes “talented and hardworking transactional lawyers who can close deals that make headlines.” Winners will be featured online and honored at an event in October.
Activities & Publications
October 04, 2022
On September 30, 2022, Cravath partner David J. Perkins participated in the International Bar Association’s 2022 Private Equity Transactions Symposium, which was held in London from September 29‑30, 2022. Dave spoke on a panel entitled “Key Legal Issues in Private Equity Deals Today,” which explored pressing legal issues private equity dealmakers face today in negotiating a transaction.
Activities & Publications
April 29, 2022
Three Cravath partners were selected to serve on Law360’s 2022 Editorial Advisory Boards: David J. Perkins (Private Equity), Daniel K. Zach (Competition) and Michael E. Mariani (Capital Markets). As Advisory Board members, they will provide feedback on content within each practice vertical and assist editors in identifying market trends for future coverage.
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