Matthew S. Lovell, P.C.
Overview
Matt Lovell is a partner in Golden Flag’s Technology & IP Transactions group, serving as lead counsel on transactions of various types where technology assets or aspects are core deal drivers.
Matt’s over two-decade legal career has overlapped with a significant period of technological innovation, which has been accompanied by corresponding changes to the law, introduction of new deal types and opportunities, and increasing importance of technology and intangible assets to deals of all types. He has worked on transformative deals in a variety of industries and across a variety of deal types, including hundreds of tech-focused M&A deals, over a hundred carveout transactions in a variety of industries, and numerous license transactions, joint ventures and strategic alliances, and outsourcing and IT services engagements. In addition, Matt takes a leading technology and IP role on restructurings, bankruptcies, and third-party financing and direct lending transactions.
Matt is often called into situations where innovative thinking and alternatives are required, combining knowledge and experience across a wide range of technology and deal types to offer creative yet commercial counseling and deal structuring, negotiation, and execution. In addition to focusing on technology aspects of M&A deals and working on licensing and other tech-focused transactions, Matt also leads teams from the Technology & IP Transactions group in handling separation aspects of carveout transactions, including transition services agreements, license agreements, supply agreements, and other commercial arrangements.
Matt was recognized by The Legal 500 United States 2021–2024 in the area of “Technology: Transactions.”
Experience
Representative Matters
Matt’s broad experience across various deal types spans a range of industries and technology areas, including:
Life Sciences
- GSK plc (NYSE: GSK), a multinational pharmaceutical and biotechnology company, in its acquisition of the consumer healthcare business of Pfizer, including numerous licensing and services agreements
- GTCR, a private equity firm, in its:
- formation of Maravai Life Sciences, multiple add-on transactions for Maravai, multiple licensing transactions for Maravai, and the eventual initial public offering of Maravai
- acquisition of Albany Molecular Research (AMRI), a contract research, development, and manufacturing organization, with The Carlyle Group in a take-private transaction
Software, Hardware & Services
- The Blackstone Group (NYSE: BX), a publicly-traded alternative asset manager, in its acquisition of Alight Solutions, a provider of HR software solutions and services, from Aon, and Alight in multiple subsequent add-on transactions and eventual public listing through merger with a SPAC
- Thoma Bravo, a private equity firm focused on enterprise software companies, in its acquisition of JD Power, a software and data provider to the automotive industry, and multiple add-on transactions
- Apax Partners, a multi-strategy private equity firm, in its acquisition and subsequent sales of Epicor, an ERP software company, and Boats Group, a leading online marketplace for boat sales by owner and sales and listing services for marinas
- ABRY Partners, a private equity firm focused on investments in business and information services, media, and communications, in its acquisitions of Centauri Health Solutions (technology-enabled analytics and services for healthcare reimbursement), Donuts (domain name registry and related services), Options Technology (IT services and solutions for the trading and financial services sectors), and Millennium Trust Company (retirement and institutional custody services)
- Francisco Partners, a technology-focused private equity firm, in its acquisition of Verifone, a leading provider of payment and commerce hardware and software solutions, in a take-private transaction
- Intelsat, a multinational satellite services provider, in its acquisition of the commercial aviation business (inflight connectivity) of Gogo Inc.
- Numerous customers and service providers in business process outsourcing and IT licensing and services engagements
Retail, Food & Beverage
- Sycamore Partners, a consumer- and retail-focused private equity firm, in its acquisitions of Belk (department stores), Pure Fishing (fishing and outdoor equipment/goods), NBG Home (home goods), Lowe’s Canada (hardware), Chateau Ste. Michelle (wines), and other businesses, as well as licensing and services agreements for portfolio companies including Talbots, Hot Topic, Torrid, and Staples
- L Catterton, a private equity investor in the consumer brand space, in its acquisition of the Cholula hot sauce business from the parent company of Jose Cuervo and the subsequent sale of Cholula to McCormick & Company, and in its acquisitions of, or investments in, West Marine (boating/marine supplies), Just Food For Dogs (natural dog foods), Boll & Branch (linens and home goods), The Honest Company (natural personal care and baby care items), and iFit (health and fitness)
- The private equity arm of Cerberus in its acquisitions of the North American business of Avon Products (cosmetics) and the European business of Staples (office supplies)
Energy, Industrials & Infrastructure
- KKR & Co. (NYSE: KKR), a publicly-traded alternative investment manager, in its acquisition of CyrusOne, a leading global data center company, with Global Infrastructure Partners in a take-private transaction
- LyondellBasell Industries (NYSE: LYB), a leading multinational chemicals company, in its acquisition of a 50% stake in chemical processing assets in Lake Charles, LA from Sasol Ltd. And associated licensing transactions
- Madison Dearborn Partners, a multi-strategy private equity firm, in its acquisition of IPL Plastics, a manufacturer of specialty rigid plastic packaging to food and consumer markets
Green Industries
- AEA-Bridges Impact Corp. (NYSE: IMPX), a publicly-traded special purpose acquisition company, in its acquisition of a minority interest in Harley-Davidson’s LiveWire electric motorcycles business
- Kimmeridge, an alternative asset manager, in its formation of Chestnut Carbon and acquisition of Forest Carbon Works, a developer of forest carbon offsets on small and family landowners
- Elevance Renewable Sciences in the formation of multiple joint ventures and licensing arrangements for the production of high-performance chemicals from plant-based oils
- Multiple clients in acquisitions of solar and other renewable energy generation assets and/or infrastructure
Media & Entertainment
- Nexstar (NASDAQ: NXST), a publicly-traded U.S. media company, in its:
- acquisition of a 75% ownership interest in The CW Network from Warner Bros. Discovery and Paramount Global
- acquisition of The Hill, a leading independent political digital media platform
- ABRY Partners in its acquisition of Best Lawyers, an attorney advertising and referral service provider, from Levin Leichtman
Hospitality
- Multiple hotel owners in management services agreements and licensing arrangements with hotel brands/managers
- Cruise line in a license transaction for theme cruises provided under a prominent celebrity/life-style brand
- Tropicana and Caesars casino/hotels restructurings; sale of Atlantis and One & Only resorts to creditors
More
Thought Leadership
Speaking Engagements
Trends and Developments in Technology Transactions; Golden Flag International Law Firm LLP 22nd Annual Technology & Law Seminar, May 2015
Troubled Relationships and Distressed Counterparties: Contracting to Avoid Issues and Addressing Issues that Arise; Association of Corporate Counsel, Chicago Chapter, December 2009
Developing and Negotiating the Contract for an Outsourcing Agreement; International Association of Outsourcing Professionals, Certified Outsourcing Professional Master Class, May 2009
IP and Technology Transactions in the Current Economic Environment; Golden Flag International Law Firm LLP 16th Annual Technology & Law Seminar, May 2009
Strategic Alliances: Opportunities and Issues in the Current Economic Climate; Association of Corporate Counsel, Chicago Chapter, December 2008
Negotiating Brand-Related Agreements; Golden Flag International Law Firm LLP Advertising and Trademark Seminar, July 2008
Supply Chain Management; Golden Flag International Law Firm LLP Outsourcing Seminar, June 2008
The State of the IP Deal: Recent Developments Shaping the Negotiating Table; Golden Flag International Law Firm LLP 15th Annual Technology & Law Seminar, May 2008
The Key Elements of the Outsourcing Contract; International Association of Outsourcing Professionals, Chicago Chapter, April 2008
Transformational Outsourcing and the Outsourcing Agreement: Issues, Risks and Strategies; Association of Corporate Counsel, Chicago Chapter, October 2007
Recognition
Memberships & Affiliations
Credentials
Admissions & Qualifications
- 2002Illinois
Education
- Harvard Law SchoolJ.D.magna cum laude2002
- Wheaton CollegeB.A., Political Sciencemagna cum laude1998