LAWYER
Nazim Zilkha
Partner | New York
Nazim Zilkha

Nazim ("Naz") Zilkha has more than 25 years of experience advising public and privately-held corporations, private equity sponsors and their portfolio companies and institutional and other clients on U.S. and international transactions, including private equity transactions, mergers and acquisitions, debt and equity financings and other capital markets transactions, joint ventures and restructuring matters across a variety of industries. With his experience representing clients in connection with complex cross-border transactions around the world, Mr. Zilkha is able to utilize sophisticated tax planning to maximize efficiencies for U.S.-based clients undertaking investments in foreign-based assets and business operations. He also advises issuers and their boards, board committees, special committees, executive officers and investors in connection with ongoing compliance under the U.S. securities laws, exchange requirements and governance matters. 

A significant part of Mr. Zilkha’s practice involves counselling private equity sponsors, U.S. public companies and founders of consumer facing businesses in connection with acquisitions, dispositions and investments in the consumer retail industry. He is widely viewed as one of the leading practitioners globally in this rapidly evolving area and has significant experience advising buyers and sellers in connection with transactions involving intellectual property and brand management, men’s and women’s apparel and related accessories, footwear, indoor and outdoor furniture, beauty products, hospitality and consumer services. Mr. Zilkha is especially adept at handling a broad array of transactions, including cross border transactions, carve out transactions, restructuring transactions and distressed opportunities, including bankruptcy and out-of-court restructurings. His understanding of perspectives from both a company and investor allow him to provide quick-to-market solutions for the industry's most complex issues.

Mr. Zilkha has been recognized by The Legal 500 (U.S.) as a recommended lawyer for both private equity buyouts and M&A, which has described him as “highly rated” and a “true partner to clients, a fantastic attorney who understands what clients are looking to accomplish in each transaction”.

In addition to running his practice, Mr. Zilkha is an elected member of the firm’s Policy Committee, which oversees management of the firm worldwide, serves on the firm’s Partnership Promotion Committee, and is the co-managing partner of the summer associate recruiting program in the New York office. Mr. Zilkha also serves as a Diversity Liaison Partner for the corporate and securities practice in New York and works closely with the firm’s DE&I Group. 

Prior to joining Dechert, Mr. Zilkha served as a partner in the capital markets and mergers & acquisitions groups at White & Case.

  • Exiger, a global Saas supply chain management software company, on its acquisition of Ion Channel, a software supply chain risk management platform, and on the sale of its market-leading Financial Crime Compliance (FCC) division to Capgemini, a leading business and technology transformation services company.
  • Acacia Research Corporation (Nasdaq: "ACTG") in connection with its strategic partnership with Starboard Value, consisting of a financing providing Acacia with access to up to $400 million of new capital for strategic investments and acquisitions.
  • Centric Brands Inc., a leading lifestyles brand collective and licensee of global consumer brands, in connection with various capital markets and M&A transactions, including:
    • In its US$1.2 billion carve-out acquisition of a significant portion of Global Brands Group Holding Limited's (Hong Kong listed: SEHK) North American licensing business, which includes licensed brands such as Disney, Star Wars, Calvin Klein, Under Armour, Tommy Hilfiger, BCBG, bebe, Joe's, Buffalo David Bitton, Frye, Michael Kors, Cole Haan and Kenneth Cole.
    • As corporate counsel in connection with its voluntary Chapter 11 filing in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York.
  • Edmentum, a global leader in education and innovative solutions for teaching and learning, in its strategic growth investment from The Vistria Group, a private investment firm focused on companies in the healthcare, education, and financial services sectors.
  • Iconix Brand Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: "ICON"), a premier brand management company, in connection with its:
    • US$345 million sale of its entertainment division to DHX Media, which includes interests in the Peanuts and Strawberry Shortcake branded businesses. 
    • US$225 million acquisition of the UMBRO brand from Nike, Inc.
    • Sale by one of its subsidiaries of Umbro China Limited (which owns the rights to the Umbro sports brand within the People's Republic of China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macau) to a subsidiary of Qiaodan Sports Co., Ltd.
    • Sale by one of its subsidiaries of certain IP rights relating to the Lee Cooper® brand in the Republic of India to a joint venture part-owned by Iconix.
    • Acquisition of the emaining interests in (i) Iconix Europe LLC, (ii) Iconix MENA Ltd and (iii) Iconix SE Asia Limited from GBG International Holding Company Limited (in administration).
  • JANUS et Cie, a premium contemporary outdoor and interior furniture company, in connection with its acquisition by Haworth, Inc., a privately held global furniture brand company with several iconic Italian design brands, in its portfolio, including Cassina, Cappellini and Poltrona Frau.
  • The founders and principals of Nature's Trees, Inc., in connection with a majority equity investment in SavATree, a leading provider of quality tree, shrub and lawn care services, by an affiliate of CI Capital Partners, a New York-based private equity firm.
  • Seawall Capital, LLC, a middle-market private equity firm, in the acquisition of Kent Water Sports Holdings, LLC, a diverse platform of action sports brands with a broad product set spanning personal flotation devices, wakeboards, water skis, towable tubes and snowboards.
  • Sequential Brands Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: "SQBG"), a publicly traded owner and licensor of a diversified global portfolio of prominent consumer brands, including Martha Stewart, Heelys, DVS Action Sports and William Rast, in its acquisition of the branded consumer product business from GAIAM, Inc. (NASDAQ: "GAIA").
  • StoreBound, the owner of the Dash brand of kitchenware and developer and distributor of housewares under brands including Dash, Sobro and Chef Geoffrey Zakarian, in its sale of a majority stake to Groupe SEB (Paris:SK), portfolio owner of top houseware brands including Tefal, Seb, Rowenta, Moulinex, Krups, Lagostina, All-Clad, WMF, Emsa and Supor.
  • Tengram Capital Partners, a private equity firm, in connection with its:
    • Purchase of certain assets comprising the Haircare & Skin Cleansing business of High Ridge Brands, one of the largest independent-branded personal care companies in the United States, in a sale process under Section 363 of the Bankruptcy Code.
    • Purchase of controlling interests in Earth Treks, Inc., Planet Granite, Inc. and Movement Climbing + Fitness, LLC, operators of commercial indoor climbing gyms across the United States.
    • Sale of NEST Fragrances, a leader in home and fine fragrance products, to Eurazeo Brands.
  • The Carlyle Group in its acquisition of Blyth, Inc. (NYSE: "BTH") and its partnership with Centre Lane Partners, LLC, a New York-based private investment firm, to create Luminex Home Décor & Fragrance Holding Corporation, a global candle and home fragrance company.
  • VisioCap, LLC, a private equity firm focusing on companies in the pet and veterinary and children and infant packaged goods markets, in connection with its investments in: 
    • Wet Noses Natural Dog Treat Company LLC, a manufacturer of specialty dog and cat treats and foods.
    • Worldwise, Inc., a pet accessory company.
    • Nature's Logic™, a premium, all natural pet food company.
    • BreathableBaby, a designer and distributor of infant safety products including cribs, mesh crib liners, crib bedding, and nursery essentials.
  • Waterworks Holding Corp., parent of Waterworks™, a premier luxury bath and kitchen brand, in its sale to Restoration Hardware Holdings, Inc.
  • Windsong Brands LLC, a private investment firm focusing on leading middle-market consumer companies, in its purchase of McCubbin Hosiery LLC (d/b/a Leg Apparel), a designer, developer and distributor of legwear, hosiery and accessories in the United States, from PNC Bank pursuant to a foreclosure sale under Article of the NY UCC.

Includes matters handled at Dechert or prior to joining the firm.

 

Services
    • Duke University, B.A., 1987, Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society
    • Duke University School of Law, J.D., 1990
    • New York
    • New Jersey
    • United States District Court for the Southern District of New York
    • English
    • French
    • Portuguese

  • Member, Law.com Editorial Advisory Board 2019, 2020

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