Partner

Jonathan A. Dhanawade

Private Equity, Mergers & Acquisitions

Overview

Jonathan A. Dhanawade is a trusted advisor to private equity firms, their portfolio companies, sovereign and sovereign-backed investors in the Middle East and North America, and other publicly and privately held companies, including venture-backed companies. He concentrates his practice on structuring, negotiating and executing domestic and international mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, leveraged buyouts, going-private transactions, carve-out transactions, equity investments at all levels of the capital structure (including co-investments, preferred equity investments, PIPEs and growth equity investments), joint ventures, recapitalizations, out-of-court restructurings, and secondary transactions. Jonathan also provides strategic counsel on a range of general corporate matters, including corporate governance, executive compensation and incentive equity arrangements.

Experience

Represented
  • Builder Circle in financing and equity-related matters
  • Marlin Equity Partners and Marcura in Marcura’s acquisition of Brightwell Navigator, the maritime crew payroll and payment services division of Brightwell
  • A real estate lender in connection with a strategic partnership with a technology and financial services company that involved the issuance of preferred equity interests
  • Kayne Anderson BDC, Inc. in its investment in SG Credit Partners, Inc
  • BC Partners in connection with preferred equity investments
  • An Abu Dhabi-based sovereign-backed investor in a strategic co-investment into a large, U.S.-based asset manager
  • A family-owned, East Coast business in the sale of a minority position to a Dutch conglomerate in the transportation sector
  • A youth sports-focused startup in general corporate governance and fundraising-related matters
  • Bayview Asset Management in connection with multiple preferred equity investments
  • Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) in connection with preferred equity investments and strategic co-investments
  • A leading infrastructure asset manager in the formation of a strategic joint venture with an airline carrier
  • A leading middle-market private equity firm in its acquisition of a controlling stake in a multinational business that is a global leader in ultrahigh-pressure process solutions
  • A leading fire and life safety business in several add-on transactions that expanded its footprint across the Midwest
  • H.I.G. Capital in its investment in Ascension Property Services
  • Madison Industries in a strategic joint venture

Recognition

  • 2026 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America (Mergers and Acquisitions).
  • 2025 Illinois Rising Star – Super Lawyers

Education

  • Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law, JD

    Editor-in-Chief, Northwestern Journal of International Law and Business; Teaching Assistant, Negotiations

  • University of Delaware, BA

    University of Delaware Honors Program; Founder and President, University of Delaware Rotary Club

Admissions

  • Illinois
  • New York

Professional & Community Involvement

  • Member, Board of Directors of VOCEL
  • Member, Chicago Board of Directors of Susan G. Komen
  • Mentor, 1871
  • Mentor, mHUB
  • Mentor, Techstars
Share