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. He concentrates his practice on structuring, negotiating and executing domestic and international mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, leveraged buyouts, going-private transactions, carve-out transactions, joint ventures, recapitalizations, corporate restructurings and equity investments (including preferred equity investments, PIPEs and growth equity investments). Jonathan also provides strategic counsel on a range of general corporate matters, including corporate governance, executive compensation and incentive equity arrangements.
Experience
Represented
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BC Partners in connection with preferred equity investments
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An Abu Dhabi-based sovereign-backed investor in a strategic co-investment into a large, U.S.-based asset manager
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A family-owned, East Coast business in the sale of a minority position to a Dutch conglomerate in the transportation sector
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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
- OpenGate Capital in its acquisition of Player One Amusement Group
- Heartland Business Systems, a portfolio company of Alvarez & Marsal Capital, in its acquisition of Midwest Computech
- Four Seasons Heating and Air Conditioning, a portfolio company of Cortec Group, in multiple add-on transactions that expanded its footprint across the Midwest
- Fireside Investments in its acquisition of an Illinois-based owner and operator of car washes
- A portfolio company of a middle-market private equity firm in a complex out-of-court restructuring that involved successfully negotiating with multiple lenders and equityholders
- BPOC in its launch of Atlas Clinical Research
Recognition
- 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, Chicago board of directors of Susan G. Komen
- Mentor, 1871
- Mentor, mHUB
- Mentor, Techstars