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Carl D. Roston

Member, Executive Committee

Chair Emeritus, Corporate Practice Group

Carl Roston principally represents large and middle market private equity firms and their portfolio companies, and is particularly proud of the team for being named “Law Firm of the Year” for Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law in Best Lawyers’ 2026 “Best Law Firms” edition. He is ranked in the top tier by Chambers USA for Corporate/M&A & Private Equity, which notes that he does “very sophisticated, high-level deals.” Also recognized on the “Elite Hall of Fame” list by The Legal 500 for Corporate - Middle Market M&A, Carl is one of 30 lawyers nationally listed as a leading M&A: Middle Market lawyer in the United States.

Carl actively collaborates with the team to ensure senior attention on every transaction with team continuity scaled to the size, complexity, and characteristics of each transaction. He has the privilege of working with numerous private equity firms, including 3i Group, Branford Castle Partners, AE Industrial Partners, Aterian Partners, Comvest Private Equity, Grupo Romero, Hidden Harbor Capital Partners, H.I.G. Capital, MML Capital, Neos Partners, Searchlight Capital, Shoreline Equity Partners, and Warren Equity Partners.

In addition to private equity firms, he represents public and private companies and large family offices in domestic and cross border acquisitions and sales, leveraged buyouts, recapitalizations, joint ventures, co-investments, growth capital investments, debt and equity financings, and securities offerings. Carl also represents investors and companies in distressed corporate situations, including out of court and in court distressed acquisitions (including under Section 363 of the Bankruptcy Code), investments, restructurings, recapitalizations, reorganizations, and workouts. He represents clients in a broad array of sectors, including aerospace, aviation and defense, technology, software, infrastructure core plus, digital infrastructure, energy transition, telecommunications, distribution, supply chain and logistics, manufacturing, retail, healthcare, financial services, consumer products, and industrial, business and essential services. Beyond his thriving corporate practice, Carl is a member of Akerman’s Executive Committee and Chair Emeritus of the Corporate Practice Group.

Notable Work

Private Equity Insurance Products Distributor Acquisition:

Represented GRAM ABF in its acquisition of UniVista Insurance, a leading insurance brokerage agency with hundreds of franchised and company-owned locations.

Billion Dollar Distribution Merger:

Represented a distributor in a combination to form one of the largest independent distributors of food service and janitorial supplies in the country, with combined sales of over $1 billion.

Private Equity Technology/SaaS Acquisition:

Represented a European private equity firm in its carve out of a U.S. SaaS HR business.

Private Equity Transportation and Logistics Acquisition:

Represented a private equity firm in its acquisition of a leading traffic control systems company.

Private Equity Infrastructure Services Acquisition:

Represented a private equity firm in its acquisition of a leading provider of training services to utilities.

Private Equity Infrastructure Services:

Represented a UK private equity infrastructure firm in its acquisition of a leading domestic pump rental and wastewater treatment rental solutions.

Private Equity Home Services Acquisition and Disposition:

Represented a private equity firm in its acquisition for and disposition of a tech-enabled home services business.

Private Equity Business Services Acquisition:

Represented a private equity firm in its acquisition of a provider of automotive dealership fixed operations solutions.

Private Equity Industrial Resins and Acrylic Monomers Acquisition:

Represented a private equity firm in its acquisition of a provider of resin and acrylic monomer solutions.

Private Equity Business Services Acquisition:

Represented a private equity firm in its acquisition of a contractor specializing in the restoration of condominiums.

Private Equity Commercial Aerospace Acquisition:

Represented a private equity firm in its acquisition of a full-service MRO and FBO.

Private Equity Industrial Hydrazine-Based Solutions Acquisition:

Represented a private equity firm in its acquisition of a leading provider of hydrazine-based solutions.

Private Equity Business Services Acquisition:

Represented a private equity firm in its acquisition of a leading value-added processor and a distributor of specialty beef, poultry, pork, and seafood products.

Private Equity Distribution and Logistics Acquisitions:

Represented a private equity firm in multiple platform and add-on acquisitions of distribution and logistics companies.

Private Equity Distribution and Logistics Acquisition and Disposition:

Represented a private equity firm in its acquisition and disposition of a distribution and logistics company.

Private Equity Software Logistics Acquisition and Disposition:

Represented a private equity firm in its acquisition and disposition of a software logistics company.

Private Equity Technology Disposition:

Represented a California private equity firm in the sale of a technology company securing enterprise security solutions as part of the acquisition of multiple companies with an aggregate value of $2.8 billion.

Private Equity Software Disposition:

Represented the leading financial services software company of its type in the United States in its sale to a NASDAQ-listed software company.

Private Equity IT Services and Software Acquisition:

Represented a New York private equity firm in its acquisition of an IT services and software development firm.

Technology Consulting Acquisitions:

Represented a NASDAQ-listed company in multiple IT services, consulting, BPO and software-related acquisitions.

Telecom Acquisition:

Represented an NYSE-listed company in its acquisition of a controlling interest in an aggregator and operator of low power television licenses and stations across the United States.

Private Equity Telecom Acquisition and Disposition:

Represented a private equity firm in its acquisition and disposition of a supplier of signaling solutions for the mobile telecommunications market.

Private Equity FinTech Acquisition and Disposition:

Represented a private equity firm in its acquisition and disposition of a national FinTech company providing solutions to small and mid-sized businesses.

Cross Border Financial Services Disposition:

Represented the largest financial services company of its type in the United States in its sale to the European arm of one of the largest global private equity firms.

Private Equity Aerospace, Defense and Space Acquisitions:

Represented a private equity firm in its acquisition of multiple aerospace, defense and space companies.

Aerospace and Defense Acquisitions:

Represented an NYSE-listed company in multiple aerospace and defense acquisitions.

Private Equity Commercial Aerospace Acquisition and Disposition:

Represented a private equity firm in its acquisition and disposition of a commercial aviation services company.

Aerospace and Energy Sectors Acquisitions:

Represented the world’s leading distributor and value added service provider of aerospace fasteners and consumables, and a provider of services and products for the oil and gas industry, in multiple acquisitions.

Private Equity Retail Acquisitions:

Represented a private equity firm in acquisitions of multiple multi-state retailers.

Private Equity Consumer Food Products Brand Acquisition:

Represented a private equity firm in its acquisition of a national consumer food products brand.

Tobacco, E-cigarette and Vaping Transactions:

Represented the largest company in its category in the hemisphere in various tobacco, e-cigarette, vaping and related acquisitions and transactions.

Private Equity Consumer Services Acquisition:

Represented a New York private equity firm in its acquisition of a personal care services company.

Private Equity E-commerce Acquisition:

Represented a private equity firm in its acquisition of a national e-commerce company.

Private Equity Consumer Products Entertainment Distribution Disposition:

Represented a private equity firm in its disposition of an entertainment-related consumer products distributor.

Private Equity Healthcare E-commerce Acquisitions and Dispositions:

Represented a private equity firm in its acquisition and disposition of two e-commerce companies providing healthcare products and supplies.

Private Equity Healthcare Services Acquisitions:

Represented two New York private equity firms in multiple healthcare services platform and add-on acquisitions.

Private Equity Cross-Border Manufacturing Acquisition:

Represented a New York private equity firm in its cross-border acquisition of a leading global manufacturer of branded products for the spa, massage and wellness industries.

Consumer Products Manufacturing Acquisition:

Represented a sponsor in the acquisition of a manufacturer of branded alcoholic beverages from a European conglomerate.

Private Equity Manufacturing Acquisitions:

Represented a New York private equity firm in its acquisition of a scientific instrumentation and testing manufacturer, as well as a manufacturer and distributor of ventilation-related products.

Private Equity Infrastructure Manufacturing Acquisition and Disposition:

Represented a private equity firm in its acquisition of one of the nation's largest manufacturers of ductile pipe.

Medical Device Manufacturer Acquisition and Transactions:

Represented one of the world's largest independent manufacturers of medical devices in its sector in various transactions and acquisitions.

Private Equity Utility Services Acquisitions:

Represented a New York private equity firm in its platform and add-on acquisitions of utility services companies.

Private Equity Environmental Services Acquisition:

Represented a New York private equity firm in its acquisition of a multi-state solid-waste services company.

Private Equity Industrial Services Acquisition and Disposition:

Represented a New York private equity firm in its acquisition and disposition of an industrial services company.

Private Equity Infrastructure Services Acquisition:

Represented a private equity firm in the acquisition of an infrastructure services company.

Private Equity Business Services Acquisition:

Represented a private equity firm in the acquisition of a leading disaster restoration and remediation company.

Private Equity Training and Education Acquisition:

Represented a private equity firm in its acquisition of a career-oriented, post-secondary education company.

Private Equity Building Products Acquisition:

Represented a New York Private equity firm in its acquisition of a building products manufacturer and distributor.

Private Equity Home Renovation Acquisition:

Represented a New York Private equity firm in its acquisition of a home renovation company.

Private Equity Quick Service Restaurant Acquisition:

Represented a private equity firm in its acquisition of one of the largest Wendy's franchisees in the United States.

Show all

The Akerman PErspectives Report, Q1, Q2, Q3, and Q4 - 2018
Akerman Deal Bridge: Southeast Investment Banking and New York Private Equity, Facilitator, March 2018
2018 Family Office Association Miami Retreat, Moderator, "Best Practices in Private Equity Fund and Co-Invest Selection," January 30, 2018
Akerman Deal Bridge: Industrials Investment Banking and Private Equity in New York, Facilitator, November 2017
Association for Corporate Growth, New York Manufacturing Conference , Moderator, "Made in America: The Resurgence of U.S. Manufacturing," "Making Value: US Based Manufacturing in a Global Economy - Business Owner/Operator," June 21, 2017
Akerman Deal Bridge: Southeast Investment Banking and New York Private Equity, Facilitator, March 2017
Association for Corporate Growth, New York Chapter, "State of the Union/Dealmaking in 2017," Program Moderator, January 12, 2017
Acquisitions International, Author, "Considerations in Preparing for the Sale of a Privately Held Business," December 2015
Bank of America Conference for Business Owners: M&A Solutions for Privately Held Companies, Speaker, "Pre and Post Sale Planning for You, Your Company, and Your Family," Ft. Lauderdale, September 12, 2013
VCExperts, Co-Author, "Purchase Price Adjustments: How True is Your True-Up?" March 18, 2013
Pipeline's The Deal, Co-Author, "Judgment Call: So True," March 18, 2013
Akerman M&A Roundtable Series, Moderator, "M&A, Private Equity, and Capital Markets Update," Boca Raton, Jacksonville, Orlando, Tampa, 2012

The Economic Club of New York, Member, 2020
Florida Institute for the Commercialization of Public Research, Board Member, 2010
Ernst & Young, Judge, Entrepreneur of the Year Awards, 2005-2008
BioFlorida, Executive Committee of the Board of Directors, General Counsel and Secretary, 2004-2005
Florida Venture Forum, Chairman, 2004 and Florida Venture Conference, Co-Chairman, 2008
Florida Venture Forum, Board Member, 2000-present, Vice-Chair, 2003
Florida Research Consortium, General Counsel, 2001-2004
Governor Jeb Bush's IT Task Force, Legal Venture Capital Advisor, 1999-2000
South Florida Business Journal Technology Awards, Judge, 2001-2003
University of Florida Technology Commercialization, Advisory Council
United Way of Miami Dade, Trustee, 1996-Present
University of Florida Foundation, Private Equity Advisory Council, Chairman, 2001-2009, Member 2009-Present and Corporate/Foundation Advisory Council, 2001-Present
University of Florida Foundation, Board of Directors, 2001-2009
University of Florida, MBA Advisory Board, 1995-Present and Chair, 1999-2000
Association of Public Corporations, Board of Directors, 1994-2000
Florida Blue Key

Chambers USA, 2006-2025, Ranked in Top Tier in Florida (South Florida) for Corporate/M&A & Private Equity
Best Lawyers, 2007-2026, Listed in Florida for Corporate Law, Mergers & Acquisitions Law, International Mergers & Acquisitions Law, Securities/Capital Markets Law, and Venture Capital Law
The Legal 500, 2009, 2011-2025, Recommended for Mergers, Acquisitions, and Buyouts: M&A National Middle Market; 2015-2019, Recognized as a “Leading Lawyer;” 2020-2025 Named to "Elite Hall of Fame" for U.S. Corporate - Middle Market M&A
Lawdragon, 2021-2022, 2024-2026, Listed as one of "Lawdragon's Leading Dealmakers in America”
International Financial Law Review (IFLR) 1000, Listed as "Highly Regarded" for M&A
Super Lawyers Magazine, 2006-2010, 2012-2021, Listed in Florida for Mergers and Acquisitions, Business/Corporate and Securities, and Corporate Finance
PLC Which Lawyer?, Listed for Corporate/M&A Law
Florida Trend's Legal Elite, 2012-2013, 2017-2019, Listed for Business Law
Who's Who Legal, Listed in Madison
University of Florida, 2001, MBA Alumni of the Year and Commencement Speaker

Carl D. Roston

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