Gary I. Levenstein
Partner
Introduction
Gary Levenstein concentrates his practice in the areas of corporate counseling, mergers and acquisitions, private equity, corporate finance, securities regulation and corporate governance. He represents privately and publicly held corporations, private equity funds, financial institutions, family offices and boards of directors.
My focus
I act as a business advisor, guiding clients in their pursuit of strategic alternatives including merger, acquisition, disposition and financing opportunities. My vast network has enabled me to connect clients with business opportunities. I have been responsible for creating numerous “marriages” of great and lasting benefit.
Looking ahead
Potential acquirers of companies have an abundance of capital and may take advantage of the gradual decline of valuations of targets. Unfortunately, the uncertain global economy is causing an increasing selective approach to acquisitions. Acquirers are spending significant time on due diligence and are cautious in their pursuit of opportunities.
/Insights
- Speaker, “Family Office Direct Investment, Trends & Challenges Ahead,” Keiretsu Family Office Forum, San Francisco, November 20, 2019
- Speaker, “Current State of Family Office Direct & Co-Investment Activity,” ACG Chicago—Family Office Conference, November 8, 2018
- Moderator, “Private Equity and M&A Outlook: What’s Trending Now and the Challenges Ahead,” Nixon Peabody Hot Topics in the Middle Market, September 2016
- Moderator, “Private Equity Investing Outlook: What is Next for the Consumer Products & Services Industry,” Nixon Peabody Hot Topics in the Middle Market, April 2016
- Moderator, “Family Offices and Private Equity: Direct Investment Trends, Opportunities, and Challenges Ahead,” Nixon Peabody Hot Topics in the Middle Market, November 2015
- Moderator, “Private Equity Investing Outlook: What is Next for Investing in Health Care,” Nixon Peabody Hot Topics in the Middle Market, October 2015
- Moderator, “Private Equity Investing Outlook: What is Next for the Logistics Industry,” Nixon Peabody Hot Topics in the Middle Market, June 2015
- Moderator, “Alternative Sources of Capital: A Conversation with Capital Allocators Beyond Public Pension Plans,” National Association of Investment Companies (NAIC) Annual Meeting and Convention, November 2013
- Presenter, “The Biggest Sale of Your Career: How to Sell Your Agency,” Independent Insurance Agents of Illinois Convention and Showcase, October 9, 2013
- Moderator, “Current Status of and Outlook for Merger and Acquisition Activity in 2013,” The LFA Business Law Community, April 17, 2013
- Moderator, “Untapped Funding Sources—Family Office Investments in Private Equity Funds,” National Association of Investment Companies (NAIC) Annual Meeting and Convention, October 2011
- Moderator, “Financing the Deal: Examining the Availability of Deal-Flow Capital & Creative New Options in the Capital Markets,” International Institute for Business Information & Growth Conference on Investment and M&A Opportunities in Healthcare, June 2010
- Moderator, “Seeing Beyond the Dark Clouds,” Association for Corporate Growth Luncheon Panel, April 2009
- Co-Chair, Maximizing Your Potential as a Business Buyer, sponsored by University of Chicago Graduate School of Business, June 2004
- Co-Chair and Moderator of Healthcare M&A & Corporate Development Conferences, April 2004 and May 2005; Presenter, “How Do You Present Your Company for Sale?”
- Presenter, “Corporate Governance: The New Age—The Expanded Role of Outside Corporate Counsel and Standards of Professional Conduct for Attorneys,” Turnaround Management Association 2003 Spring Conference
- Presenter, “Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained: Negotiating and Drafting Joint Venture Agreements,” 3rd (2003), 4th (2004), 5th (2005) and 6th (2006) Annual Conferences entitled Negotiating and Drafting Major Business Agreements: Bulletproofing Your Documents
/Accreditations
- Certified Public Accountant
In the news
- Benzinga
Illinois’ cannabis market: What investors and entrepreneurs need to know
This article on what investors and entrepreneurs should know about Illinois’ cannabis industry quotes Chicago Corporate partner Gary Levenstein, an active member of the firm’s Cannabis practice, on the state’s commitment to social equity and its financial performance as well as how sales to residents of bordering states where cannabis remains illegal could be helping Illinois’ cannabis industry.July 9, 2021 - Financial Poise
Five rules for building a solid family office structure
March 24, 2021Chicago Corporate partner Gary Levenstein contributed this article on the growing prevalence and sophistication of family offices, and best practices for managing and operating a family office.
- Financial Poise
Five rules for building a solid family office structure
Chicago Corporate partner Gary Levenstein contributed this article on the growing prevalence and sophistication of family offices, and best practices for managing and operating a family office.March 24, 2021 - Financial Poise
Private investment fund terms and conditions: The relationship between GPs and LPs
Corporate partners Kari Harris of Boston and Gary Levenstein of Chicago co-wrote this contributed article about the relationships between general partner and limited partners in the multi-trillion private equity industry.Sep 28, 2018 - Law360
Law360 Features Gary Levenstein in Dealmakers Q&A Series
Sep 15, 2014Gary I. Levenstein is a senior partner and executive committee member at Ungaretti & Harris LLP, where he chairs the business department. Levenstein concentrates his practice in the areas of mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance, securities regulation and corporate governance.
- Law360
5 Ways a PE Firm Can Win a Packed Auction
April 11, 2014Gary Levenstein was recently quoted in the Law360 article, "5 Ways a PE Firm Can Win a Packed Auction."
The article addresses the crowded marketplace for private equity funds and offers strategies to help boost success in the current competitive environment.
Mr. Levenstein discusses the importance of a firm's reputation and ability to show experience and success within a given industry. Mr. Levenstein also recommends developing relationships with prospective targets early on, providing referrals and business advice as an added value.
To read the full article, click here.
Admitted to practice
Illinois
Education
Northwestern University School of Law, J.D.
University of Illinois, B.A., High Honors
Professional activities
- The American Jewish Committee, Board Member (2018–present)
- Northwestern Pritzker School of Law Center for Practice Engagement and Innovation, Instructor (December 2017-2023)
- Association for Corporate Growth
- Current Member
- Secretary and Director (2004 and 2005)
- Planning Committee for Intergrowth Conference (2004)
- Branding Committee (2004)
- Association for Corporate Growth, Chicago Chapter
- Current Member
- Board Member (2017)
- Chair of Lifetime Achievement Award Dinners (2002–2006)
- President’s Advisory Council
- Chapter President (2001–2002)
- Contributor to the Campaign Leadership Team of The Chicago Bar Foundation Investing in Justice Campaign (2014)
- American Cancer Society, Illinois, Finance and Budget Committee, Income Development Committee and Distinguished Gift Committee, Director, and Current Contributor
- Advisory Committee of the Museum of Photography at the Columbia College Chicag
- Board Member 20+ years
- co-chair, Capital Campaign
- Camp Young Judaea Midwest, Current Contributor
- Circle of Contributors of Columbia College Chicago, Member
- President’s Club of Columbia College Chicago, Member
- Friends of Israel Defense Forces, Current Contributor
- Collectors Forum at the Museum of Contemporary Art of Chicago, Executive Committee
- Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America Campaign for Kidz, Committee Member
- City of Highland Park Business and Economic Development Commission, Vice Chairman (1996–2001)
- Renaissance Society, Member
- Special Committee of Park District of Highland Park, Illinois (Capital campaign for redesign and construction of little league baseball facilities), Member
Recognition
- Selected, through a peer-review survey, for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2025 in the field of Venture Capital Law
- The Legal 500 United States, M&A/Corporate and commercial—M&A: Middle-market (sub-$500m), 2022
- AV® Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
- Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business— Corporate/M&A, 2009–2018
- Illinois Super Lawyers—Mergers & Acquisitions; 2005–2015
- Illinois Leading Lawyers, Closely & Privately Held Business Law, Mergers & Acquisitions Law, Corporate Finance Law, Securities & Venture Finance Law, 2006–2017
- Finalist for M & A Advisor Financial Partner of the Year, 2006
- Recipient of Association for Corporate Growth Meritorious Service Award, 2003
- Law360 Editorial Advisory Board, Member
- Subject of Q&A, Corporate Finance Law360 and Securities Law360
- Contributor, Attorney’s Networking Handbook—Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education, 2016
Insights And Happenings
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- jbeals@nixonpeabody.com
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