Lawrence R. Haut

Larry is an experienced transaction lawyer whose clients value his practical and creative approach to structuring and implementing acquisitions, dispositions, joint ventures and financings.  He works across a wide spectrum of businesses and industries, in both the corporate and real estate arenas. Having seen all sides of most kinds of transactions, Larry brings a can-do attitude to each and every engagement, often creating unforeseen value for his clients. In addition to his transaction-based practice, Larry serves as “general counsel” or “consigliere” to many of his clients.

Larry is active in a broad range of industries:

• Private equity
• Hospitality, (hotels and restaurants) including working closely with “celebrity chefs”
• Wholesale food supply and distribution
• Media and telecommunications
• Real estate investment banking, joint venture development, acquisition and finance
• Financial services and wealth management
• Manufacturing, marketing/advertising/branding and promotion
• Bio-tech

His clients include both domestic and international companies, private equity funds and individuals, with representation in both domestic and cross-border matters. He has extensive experience in finance, structuring joint venture transactions and investments, as well as negotiating executive compensation arrangements.

Food & Beverage

• Representing many “celebrity” and other chefs and restaurateurs in structuring new restaurant ventures
• Representing hotels in structuring new restaurant ventures
• Representing private investors in structuring new restaurant investments
• Represented Netherlands-based private equity fund in its acquisition of U.S. dairy product importer, as well as follow on acquisition of Hudson Valley “artisanal” goat cheese production company
• Represented private equity fund in investment into wine distribution company

Financial services & financial consulting

• Represented Netherlands-based private equity fund in its acquisition of significant investment in emerging-markets fund of funds management company
• Represented merchant bank in its acquisition of significant interest in wealth-management firm
• Represented merchant bank in its acquisition of significant interest in leading investment-strategy and policy-research firm
• Represented private equity fund in acquisition of investment in brand consulting agency
• Represented private equity fund in its acquisition of bank security company

Real Estate

• Representing leading real estate investment bank, Eastdil Secured, in all aspects of worldwide business
• Represented Dublin-based real property company in its U S real estate acquisitions and dispositions
• Representing private real estate company in acquisition, development, joint venture and lending transactions
• Represented real estate placement agency in its sale to private equity fund

Media & Entertainment

• Represented merchant bank in its acquisition of significant interest in television- and movie-distribution company
• Represented merchant bank in its acquisition of significant interest in children’s television production company
• Represented promotional and event marketing company in its sale to public advertising agency
• Represented private equity fund in its acquisition of a series of media properties, including radio, television, cable and publishing

Manufacturing and technology

• Represented private equity fund in acquisition of investment in technology companies
• Represented private equity fund in acquisition of investment in cellular phone company
• Represented automotive parts company in sale to private equity fund
• Represented private equity fund in its acquisition of leading brand of tennis equipment manufacturer from European seller
• Represented fitness center design and management company in its sale to competing organization
• Represented “insider trading” software developer in its sale to private equity firm
• Represented private equity fund in its acquisition and disposition of business focused on the rebuilding of the electrical grid
• Represented private equity fund in its acquisition and disposition of turbine castings business

Strategic planning and executive compensation

• Representing management in sales of companies to private equity funds
• Representing executives and financial professionals in negotiating executive compensation arrangements as well as severance packages
• Representing joint venture parties in negotiation and structuring joint venture investments
• Representing high net worth individuals in making venture investments

Bio-tech

• Representing healthcare private equity funds and investors in bio-tech investments