Bruce C. Herzog

West Star Aviation (West Star), a portfolio company of The Sterling Group (Sterling), has announced that it has signed a definitive purchase agreement to combine with Jet East in the coming weeks following a shareholder meeting of Jet East's parent company, Gama Aviation Plc. West Star is a leading provider of maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services to the business aviation industry providing maintenance, modification, and other services to aviation customers. Jet East provides MRO services as well and focuses on supporting fractional and managed fleet operators. Capabilities include an expansive 'Aircraft on Ground' (AOG) mobile repair technician network, line maintenance operations, heavy maintenance facilities, and other complementary services. Latham & Watkins LLP represents West Star Aviation and The Sterling Group in the transaction with a corporate deal team led by Houston partners Bruce Herzog and Nick Dhesi and London partner Douglas Abernethy, with associates Brad Guest and Zach Lippman. Advice was also provided on tax matters by Bay Area partner Katharine Moir, with associate Brian Rogers; on labor matters by Chicago associate Laura Waller; on benefits and compensation matters by New York partner Bradd Williamson and Chicago counsel Leah Segall, with associate Daniel Gocek; on antitrust matters by Washington, D.C. partner Jason Cruise and counsel Patrick English; on data privacy matters by Houston counsel Robert Brown; on sanctions matters by Washington, D.C. partner Joe Bargnesi, with associate Ryan Malo; on environmental, health, and safety matters by Washington, D.C. partner James Barrett, with associates Thomas Pearce and Anna Dykema; on real estate matters by New York counsel Shira Bressler; on intellectual property matters by Washington, D.C. partner Morgan Brubaker, with associate Ryan Clore; and on insurance matters by Los Angeles partner Drew Levin, with associates Hannah Cary and Ryan Kazemaini.~~

Oct 18

1 min

Latham & Watkins LLP1 is pleased to announce that Christopher Peponis and Hamad Al-Hoshan have joined the firm as partners in the Project Development & Finance Practice, and the Energy & Infrastructure Industry Group and as members of the Finance Department. “We are thrilled to expand our energy and infrastructure offerings with highly skilled practitioners like Chris and Hamad, each of whom has a reputation for excellence in the space. Their additions help bolster our leading position in energy and infrastructure, further enabling us to assist clients not only with the current issues they face, but also future opportunities and challenges,” said Justin Stolte, Global Chair of the Energy & Infrastructure Industry Group. Peponis, who joins the firm in Houston, focuses his practice on global LNG projects as well as alternative fuels and other infrastructure projects. Al-Hoshan, who joins the firm in New York, centers on domestic and international project finance transactions in the energy and infrastructure sectors. He regularly represents sponsors, investment banks, commercial banks and investment funds in connection with the development, financing, acquisition and sale of assets within the oil and gas, infrastructure and power sectors. “Chris and Hamad’s experience and knowledge will help us continue to navigate this ever-changing project development and finance landscape,” said Jeff Greenberg, Global Chair of the Project Development & Finance Practice. “They are known for innovative, practical, and commercially oriented solutions and will be a great complement to our team.” “Latham is a global leader, not just in project development and finance, but in energy and infrastructure transactional work more broadly, and I’m excited to build out the firm’s project finance offerings in the Houston market,” said Peponis. Al-Hoshan said, “I’m thrilled to join as well. The firm’s Project Development & Finance Practice works on large and cutting-edge energy and infrastructure mandates around the world, creating exciting opportunities for me and my clients.” Peponis and Al-Hoshan are the latest additions to the firm’s leading Energy & Infrastructure Industry Group. The firm has recently welcomed several other US partners including Bruce Herzog, Jason Webber, Ravi Purohit, Trina Chandler, James Garrett, Scott Miller, Caroline Blitzer Phillips, Sarah Fortt, and Betty Moy Huber. Peponis received his JD from the University of Sydney, an LLM in corporate governance from Stanford University, and his bachelor’s degree from the University of Sydney. Al-Hoshan received his JD from Suffolk University Law School and his BS from Northeastern University. Both join Latham from White & Case LLP. About Latham & Watkins Latham & Watkins delivers innovative solutions to complex legal and business challenges around the world. From a global platform, our lawyers advise clients on market-shaping transactions, high-stakes litigation and trials, and sophisticated regulatory matters. Latham is one of the world’s largest providers of pro bono services, steadfastly supports initiatives designed to advance diversity within the firm and the legal profession, and is committed to exploring and promoting environmental sustainability. Notes to Editors 1 Latham & Watkins operates worldwide as a limited liability partnership organized under the laws of the State of Delaware (USA) with affiliated limited liability partnerships conducting the practice in France, Hong Kong, Italy, Singapore, and the United Kingdom and as an affiliated partnership conducting the practice in Japan. Latham & Watkins operates in Israel through a limited liability company. Latham & Watkins operates in South Korea as a Foreign Legal Consultant Office. Latham & Watkins works in cooperation with the Law Firm of Salman M. Al-Sudairi, a limited liability company, in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Apr 19

3 min

Willkie advised The Sterling Group and portfolio company Time Manufacturing in the transaction. On December 3, The Sterling Group announced that it completed the sale of Time Manufacturing Holdings LLC, a global manufacturer of vehicle mounted aerial lifts, to H.I.G. Capital. The Sterling Group acquired Time Manufacturing in 2017 and grew the company significantly. Through a series of nine acquisitions, the company entered new end markets, expanded its presence in Europe and enhanced its aftermarket service capabilities. Headquartered in Waco, Texas, Time Manufacturing is a global designer, manufacturer and distributor of vehicle-mounted aerial lifts for electric utility, telecommunications, infrastructure and forestry end markets. It operates nine manufacturing facilities and 30 distribution and service facilities globally. The Sterling Group, based in Houston, Texas, is a private equity investment firm that targets controlling interests in basic manufacturing, distribution and industrial services companies. H.I.G. is a leading global alternative assets investment firm with over $45 billion of equity capital under management. The Willkie team was led by partners Bruce Herzog and Dvir Oren, and included partner Markus Lauer and associates Ashley Whittington, Ian Morganelli, Brannock Furey and Brandon Schumacher.

Dec 3

1 min

Petra Funds Group (Petra), a leading fund administrator serving private investment firms, has announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to receive a majority growth investment from Charlesbank Capital Partners, a middle-market private equity firm based in Boston and New York. The Petra founders and management team remain significant shareholders alongside Charlesbank. Latham & Watkins LLP is representing Petra in the transaction with a corporate deal team led by Houston partner Bruce Herzog, and New York partner Caroline Phillips, with associates Karen Song, Cody Conwell, and Zainab Hashmi. Advice was also provided on tax matters by Houston partner Tim Fenn, with associate Christine Mainguy; and on benefits and compensation matters by New York partner Bradd Williamson and Chicago counsel Leah Segall.~~

Oct 19

1 min