Neil W. Townsend

Neil W. Townsend is a New York partner at Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP whose practice focuses on private equity transactions. He co-chairs the firm’s Private Equity Practice Group and belongs to its Corporate & Financial Services Department.

Leveraged buyouts are one part of his transactional work. For financial sponsors, Townsend advises on how those deals are structured, negotiated, financed and implemented, as well as on their restructuring. His experience is not confined to representing purchasers: he has also represented sellers, investors, lenders, executives and principals. Other assignments involve acquisitions and mergers of public and private companies, along with securities transactions.

His client base includes mezzanine and private equity investment funds, venture capital funds and banks. Corporate clients work in industries that include healthcare, technology, consumer products and energy services. Willkie’s account of his matters includes high-yield note offerings for Speedy Cash and Iracore International, and equity offerings and acquisitions for Wave Systems.

Townsend also works with companies raising capital or undertaking restructurings. Boards and investors in distressed businesses seek his advice on sales, restructurings and interested-party transactions. His practice includes advising on equity-based executive compensation arrangements and private investments, including PIPE transactions.

Before Willkie, Townsend co-led the private equity group at Bingham McCutchen as a partner. His education includes a bachelor of science from Tufts University, awarded in 1987, and a law degree from Villanova University, awarded in 1990.