Lynn J. Watkins

Client Work

• Frequent representation of an institutional asset manager in connection with the formation of private equity fund-of-funds and separate account vehicles, negotiation of investments in alternative investment vehicles (including venture funds, mezzanine funds and leveraged buy-out funds) and Investment Adviser Act of 1940 registration and compliance.
• Representation of private equity sponsor in connection with the formation of a mezzanine private equity fund with commitments in excess of $500 million.
• Representation of institutional endowments in connection with their private equity and hedge fund investments.
• Frequent representation of an institutional provider of private capital to middle market companies in secured and unsecured term note placements.
• Serving as outside corporate counsel for an education solutions provider of school turn-around services, online education, school design services, and school management services in connection with management agreements, services agreement, licensing agreements, and national and international joint ventures.
• Representation of a middle market private equity fund in connection with its acquisition of a manufacturer of disposable food utensils; its acquisition of a manufacturer of high efficiency lighting and formation of a holding company platform; and its acquisition of a fabricator and distributor of rigging products and supplies.
• Representation of a Fortune 100 corporation in connection with its acquisition of a food manufacturing facility, as well as in connection with several sales of lines of branded food products.
• Representation of a Fortune 100 equipment manufacturer in connection with the sale of its software and consulting division.
• Representation of a Fortune 500 bank in connection with its acquisition of a portfolio of residential mortgages.

Boards, Memberships & Certifications

• American Bar Association, Institutional Investors Committee
• National Bar Association, Corporate Law Section Executive Committee
• Cook County Bar Association, Director
• Leadership Council on Legal Diversity, Fellows Program class of 2017
• National Association of Securities Professionals
• Camp of Dreams, Board of Directors

Publications, Presentations & Recognitions

Presentations

• "Getting off to a Great Start: Commonly Negotiated PE Fund Terms," Chicago Private Equity Forum, Chicago, IL (May 4, 2016)
• “Institutional Limited Partners Association Private Equity Principles: A Guide For Improving GP/LP Relations,” (co-presenter) Muller & Monroe Asset Management’s Back Office Exchange, Chicago, Ill. (Oct. 14, 2011)
• “Dodd-Frank’s Impact on Private Equity Funds and Other Recent Legal Developments,” Muller & Monroe Asset Management’s Back Office Exchange, Chicago, Ill. (Nov. 2, 2010)

Recognitions

• The Best Lawyers in America, Best Lawyers (2023)
• Most Influential Black Lawyers, Savoy Magazine (2022)
• Illinois Leading Lawyer, Law Bulletin’s Illinois Leading Lawyers Network (2021)
• Emerging Lawyer, Law Bulletin Publishing Company’s Leading Lawyers (2016-2020)