The Akerman PErspectives Report garnered extensive media attention for highlighting what drives the often underreported yet significant activity of the sub-$1 billion private equity (PE) buyout funds. As one of the few studies available on this market, the report found PE buyout fundraising reached a new high in 2017, with managers deploying new capital quickly amid deal volumes rising at historically high levels, a trend expected to last through 2018. In addition to covering PE data, stories about the report quoted Corporate Practice Group Co-Chair Carl Roston, who addressed critical factors behind current market activity, among other considerations for dealmakers. Coverage appeared in American Lawyer, ABL Advisor, Daily Business Review, Financier Worldwide, Law360, Law.com, Mergers & Acquisitions, New York Law Journal, Private Equity Wire and Pitchbook.

“In today’s market environment, PE fundraising and transaction volumes have maintained healthy levels, thanks to a host of favorable market dynamics,” Roston told media. “Factors driving this PE activity include low interest rates, a growing economy, the reduction in marginal federal income tax rates, the relative outperformance of domestic middle market private equity compared to other asset classes, benign credit markets and the rebalancing of portfolios by institutional investors.”

American Lawyer: Akerman Makes a Play for More Middle-Market Private Equity Work
ABL Advisor: Report: 2018 on Track for Strong PE Activity, Robust Middle Market M&A
Financier Worldwide: 2018 a Strong Year for PE — Report
Law360: Lower Middle Market Gets More Attractive After Tax Reform
Mergers & Acquisitions Magazine: Middle Market Private Equity Funds Set Many Records in 2017
Private Equity Wire: Report: 2018 on Track for Strong PE Activity, Robust Middle Market M&A
PitchBook: Looking Ahead at PE’s Future