Alain Dermarkar
Alain Dermarkar

Alain Dermarkar

Partner

Alain serves as the U.S. Co-Head of Private Equity and is the Private Equity Sector Lead – U.S. With a robust practice that focus on U.S. and international mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and other strategic transactions, including minority investments and joint ventures, Alain’s extensive experience in M&A and PE has positioned him as a key figure in the industry.

Alain’s private capital and strategic clients operate and invest in a diverse range of industries including: technology; manufacturing; aerospace/defense; environmental; construction; business services; healthcare; consumer products; energy; and real estate.

Alain has an impressive track record, having completed transactions exceeding US$275 billion for public and private companies across the U.S., Europe, and Asia, as well as for private equity firms. His expertise in handling high-value transactions underscores his leadership in the M&A and PE sectors.

In addition to his transactional work, Alain provides comprehensive advisory services, including:

  • Capital Raising Transactions: Guiding clients through the complexities of raising capital to support growth and strategic initiatives;
  • Corporate Governance: Advising on best practices and regulatory compliance to ensure robust governance frameworks;
  • Takeover Preparedness: Preparing clients for potential takeover scenarios to safeguard their interests; and
  • SPAC Transactions: Offering specialized counsel on Special Purpose Acquisition Company (SPAC) related transactions.

Expertise

Industries

Experience

Representative matters

Private Equity (PE)
  • J.F. Lehman in multiple transactions, including:
    • 2 billion take-private of Heritage-Crystal Clean Inc.
    • Acquisition of Atomic Transport, LLC.
    • Acquisition and subsequent sale of Lone Star Disposal.
    • Acquisition of Narda-MITEQ from L3Harris.
    • Acquisition of Global Marine Group, a leading provider of subsea cable installation and maintenance services.
    • Acquisition of Integrated Global Services.
    • Acquisition of Envirosafe Services of Ohio, Inc. and its acquisition of Worldwide Recovery Systems, Inc. and Yes Management Inc by its portfolio company Crystal Clean.
    • Acquisition of Murphy Pipeline Contractors, its acquisition of Insight Pipe Contracting and its acquisition of Creekside by its portfolio company PURIS.
  • New Mountain Capital in multiple transactions by portfolio companies, including:
    • Aegion Corporation, the leading provider of infrastructure maintenance in its sale of Aegion Energy Services, to Brock Holdings and its sale to Houston-based Voyager Interests.
    • 3E Company Environmental, Ecological and Engineering, in its acquisition of European-based Chemycal and all IP assets of ChemChain Sarl, and in its acquisition of France-based Quick-FDS from Editions T.I, a subsidiary of WEKA Group.
    • Cumming Group, an international project management and cost consulting firm, in its acquisition of Zubatkin Owner Representation, CLoSE UK and BTCC.
    • Profile Products, a world-leading manufacturer of wood-fiber-based ceramic technologies, in its acquisition of The Quick Plug Group.
    • HomeX, a technology and services platform in connection with multiple acquisitions.
    • Dataessential, a market research company, in connection with licensing and other matters.
  • Alturus Capital in the acquisition of Physicians Rehab Solution, LLC and the divestiture of Encapture to Thoma Bravo’s SMA Technologies.
  • Capital Southwest in its tax-free spin-off of CSW Industries.
  • Community Counseling Service Co. (CCS Fundraising), the world’s leading fundraising consulting firm for non-profits, with respect to a strategic investment by ABRY Partners.
  • Connell Limited Partnership in multiple transactions, including:
    • Sale of Anchor Danly and AWC Manufacturing to Hidden Harbor Capital Partners.
    • Sale of Wabash Alloys to Aleris International.
    • Acquisition of Dayton Progress from Federal Signal and subsequent sale to Misumi Group.
    • Acquisition of SencorpWhite.
  • Evolute Capital, LLC in multiple transactions, including:
    • Acquisition of eGroup Holding Company, a recognized leader in differentiated Data Center, Cloud, Hybrid Cloud, and Managed Service.
    • Acquisition of Signature Utility Services, LLC, a provider of helicopter services for railroad planning, vegetation and hazard mitigation, and construction.
    • eGroup Holding Company, LLC, a portfolio company of Evolute Capital, in its acquisition of substantially all the assets of Enabling Technologies Corp. and RedHawk.
  • Futura Title & Escrow in its sale to an investment affiliate of Seidler Equity Partners.
  • Great Elm Group, Inc. in multiple transactions, including:
    • US80 million sale of a majority equity interest in Great Elm Healthcare, LLC to QHM Holdings Inc.
    • Sale of a majority interest of Forest Investments, Inc. to affiliates of JPMorgan Chase & Co.
  • NRC Group, (a public company majority-owned by J.F. Lehman & Company), in its US750 million transaction with Hennessy Capital Acquisition Corp. III and subsequent US966 million acquisition by US Ecology.
  • Road Ventures in various investments (and secondary investments) in Alto Experience, Inc., a premium subscription based ride share company.
Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A)
  • Aeries Technology, as a subsidiary of Aark Singapore Pte. Ltd, in Aark Singapore’s combination with Worldwide Webb Acquisition Corp.
  • Ardagh Group in its US8.5 billion transaction with Gores Holdings V., a Nasdaq-listed SPAC, involving its metal packaging business.
  • Citrix Systems in its US2.25 billion acquisition of Wrike, Inc.
  • ExcelFin Acquisition Corp. in an agreement to combine with Baird Medical Investment Holdings Limited in a transaction that will result in Baird Medical, a medical technology company, based Guangzhou, China, going public on Nasdaq under the ticker XFIN.
  • Granite Construction Inc. in multiple transactions and divestitures, including:
    • Divestiture of its Inliner business to Inland Pipe Rehabilitation.
    • US536 million acquisition of Layne Christensen.
  • Hitachi, Ltd. in its US9.5 billion acquisition of GlobalLogic Inc.
  • Investcorp Europe Acquisition Corp I in its proposed business combination with OpSec Group, a UK-based global leader in brand protection solutions and intellectual property management.
  • Microvast, Inc. in its US3 billion business combination with Tuscan Holdings Corp., a Nasdaq-listed SPAC and US57.5 million bridge financing notes offering with affiliates of Luxor Capital Partner.
  • Mother Lode Holding Co. in its US300 million acquisition by First American Financial Corporation.
  • Newell Rubbermaid in its US16 billion acquisition of Jarden Corporation.
  • Oncor Electric Delivery Company in connection with Sempra Energy’s US18.8 billion enterprise value acquisition of Energy Future Holdings Corp., Oncor’s majority owner.
  • Reynolds American in multiple transactions, including:
    • US49 billion acquisition by British American Tobacco.
    • US5 billion sale to JT Group of the international rights to the Natural American Spirit brand name.
    • 4 billion acquisition of Lorillard and related US7.1 billion asset divestiture to an Imperial Tobacco affiliate.
  • SAP in connection with the US12.5 billion sale of Qualtrics International, Inc. to Silver Lake.
  • Strike Capital in its attempted sale to a SPAC.
  • Teradyne, Inc. in multiple transactions, including:
    • Acquisition of Energid.
    • Investment in Technoprobe S.p.A.
    • Sale to Technoprobe of its Device Interface Solutions Business.
  • Tokyo Electron in its attempted US29 billion merger-of-equals with Applied Materials Inc.
  • TV Ammo, Inc.: US1.21 billion business combination with Breeze Holdings Acquisition Corp., a SPAC
  • Volta Inc. in its acquisition by Shell USA, Inc.

Speaking Engagements

  • “Primer on SPACs”, December 2020
  • Panelist, “IPO Alternatives: What You Should Know About SPACs and Direct Listings”, Austin Finance Leadership Summit, November 2020

Awards

  • Law360 2025 Private Equity Editorial Board
  • Recognized as a leading lawyer for Corporate/M&A in Texas, Chambers USA, 2020-2023
  • “Most Effective Dealmakers”, Texas Lawyer, 2022
  • “Client Service All-Star”, The BTI Consulting Group, 2020-2023
  • “Rising Star”, Texas Super Lawyers, 2015-2018
  • “Best Lawyers in Dallas”, D Magazine, 2018

Qualifications

Admissions

Texas, 2011
Massachusetts, 2006

Academic

B.S., Business Administration and Management, Boston University, 2000

J.D., Law, Georgetown University, 2006

M.B.A., Business Administration, Georgetown University, 2006

Languages

French
Disclaimer
A&O Shearman was formed on May 1, 2024 by the combination of Shearman & Sterling LLP and Allen & Overy LLP and their respective affiliates (the legacy firms). Any matters referred to above may include matters undertaken by one or more of the legacy firms rather than A&O Shearman.