Mark K. Castiglia

Sidley is representing DigiCert, a leading provider of digital trust backed by Clearlake Capital Group, L.P., Crosspoint Capital Partners L.P., and TA Associates Management L.P., in its acquisition of Vercara from Golden Gate Capital and GIC. Vercara is a provider of cloud-based cybersecurity solutions, including domain name system (DNS) services, distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) mitigation, and website performance management. The acquisition adds to DigiCert’s capabilities in protecting organizations of all sizes from a growing number of cyberattacks and complements its core encryption and certificate management business. The Sidley team is being led by Mehdi Khodadad and Mark Castiglia (M&A and Private Equity), and includes Avni Mehta, Daniel Gessner, and Jihyun (Jamie) Yoon (M&A and Private Equity); Nicholas Schwartz, Alena Thomas, and Scott Dawson (Global Finance); Stacy Crosnicker and Sarah Recktenwald (Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation); Eric Kauffman, Peter McCorkell, Emily Wajert, and Alex Down (Employment); Rachel Kleinberg, Jonathan Westreich, and Alvin Wang (Tax); Vadim Brusser, Ken Daly, Jamie Sadler, Edward Sharon, Iva Todorova, and law clerk Chloe Larsen (Antitrust and Competition); Sven De Knop, James Mendenhall, Alessandra Moroni, and Kayla Scott (International Trade); Eric Schwartz and Anna Tutundjian (Litigation); Sheri Porath Rockwell, Denise Kara, and Sasha Hondagneu-Messner (Privacy and Cybersecurity); Kyle Barnett, Dusan Clark, and Natalie Crawford (Technology Transactions); and Scott Goldstein (Insurance).~~Sidley is representing DigiCert, a leading provider of digital trust backed by Clearlake Capital Group, L.P., Crosspoint Capital Partners L.P., and TA Associates Management L.P., in its acquisition of Vercara from Golden Gate Capital and GIC. Vercara is a provider of cloud-based cybersecurity solutions, including domain name system (DNS) services, distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) mitigation, and website performance management. The acquisition adds to DigiCert’s capabilities in protecting organizations of all sizes from a growing number of cyberattacks and complements its core encryption and certificate management business. The Sidley team is being led by Mehdi Khodadad and Mark Castiglia (M&A and Private Equity), and includes Avni Mehta, Daniel Gessner, and Jihyun (Jamie) Yoon (M&A and Private Equity); Nicholas Schwartz, Alena Thomas, and Scott Dawson (Global Finance); Stacy Crosnicker and Sarah Recktenwald (Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation); Eric Kauffman, Peter McCorkell, Emily Wajert, and Alex Down (Employment); Rachel Kleinberg, Jonathan Westreich, and Alvin Wang (Tax); Vadim Brusser, Ken Daly, Jamie Sadler, Edward Sharon, Iva Todorova, and law clerk Chloe Larsen (Antitrust and Competition); Sven De Knop, James Mendenhall, Alessandra Moroni, and Kayla Scott (International Trade); Eric Schwartz and Anna Tutundjian (Litigation); Sheri Porath Rockwell, Denise Kara, and Sasha Hondagneu-Messner (Privacy and Cybersecurity); Kyle Barnett, Dusan Clark, and Natalie Crawford (Technology Transactions); and Scott Goldstein (Insurance).

Aug 15

2 min

Sidley is representing Clearlake Capital Group, L.P. in its US$4.4 billion definitive agreement, in partnership with Insight Partners, to acquire Alteryx, Inc. (NYSE: AYX), an analytics cloud platform company. Alteryx powers analytics through their cloud platform, helping enterprises make decisions with automated, AI-driven insights. Under the terms of the definitive agreement, Alteryx stockholders will receive US$48.25 per share in cash for each share of Alteryx Class A or Class B common stock that they own. The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2024, subject to customary closing conditions and approvals, including receipt of required regulatory approvals and approval by Alteryx stockholders. Upon the completion of the transaction, Alteryx will become a privately held portfolio company of Clearlake and Insight. The Sidley deal team is being led by Mehdi Khodadad, Mark Castiglia, and Daniel Belke (M&A and Private Equity), and includes Avni Mehta, Nick DeAngelis, Cameron Turkzadeh, and Francesca Sadler (M&A and Private Equity); Nicholas Schwartz, Kristen Smith, Shayona Schiely, Shneur Wolvovsky, Avery Stefan, and Shea Corrigan (Global Finance); Ken Daly, Vadim Brusser, Jamie Sadler, Uvini Edirisinghe, and Iva Todorova (Antitrust and Competition); Stacy Crosnicker and Sarah Recktenwald (Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation); Eric Kauffman, Peter McCorkell, Emily Wajert, Maeve Gillespie, and Alex Down (Labor and Employment); William Long, Sheri Porath Rockwell, Denise Kara, Lauren Kitces, and Sasha Hondagneu-Messner (Privacy and Cybersecurity); Kyle Barnett, Dusan Clark, and Ida Ebeid (Technology Transactions); Rachel Kleinberg, Jonathan Westreich, and Fraser Tudor (Tax); Scott Goldstein (Insurance); Sven De Knop, Jen Fernandez, Alessandra Moroni, and Lindsey Ricchi (International Trade); and Johnny Skumpija and Robert Mandell (Capital Markets).~~Sidley is representing Clearlake Capital Group, L.P. in its US$4.4 billion definitive agreement, in partnership with Insight Partners, to acquire Alteryx, Inc. (NYSE: AYX), an analytics cloud platform company. Alteryx powers analytics through their cloud platform, helping enterprises make decisions with automated, AI-driven insights. Under the terms of the definitive agreement, Alteryx stockholders will receive US$48.25 per share in cash for each share of Alteryx Class A or Class B common stock that they own. The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2024, subject to customary closing conditions and approvals, including receipt of required regulatory approvals and approval by Alteryx stockholders. Upon the completion of the transaction, Alteryx will become a privately held portfolio company of Clearlake and Insight. The Sidley deal team is being led by Mehdi Khodadad, Mark Castiglia, and Daniel Belke (M&A and Private Equity), and includes Avni Mehta, Nick DeAngelis, Cameron Turkzadeh, and Francesca Sadler (M&A and Private Equity); Nicholas Schwartz, Kristen Smith, Shayona Schiely, Shneur Wolvovsky, Avery Stefan, and Shea Corrigan (Global Finance); Ken Daly, Vadim Brusser, Jamie Sadler, Uvini Edirisinghe, and Iva Todorova (Antitrust and Competition); Stacy Crosnicker and Sarah Recktenwald (Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation); Eric Kauffman, Peter McCorkell, Emily Wajert, Maeve Gillespie, and Alex Down (Labor and Employment); William Long, Sheri Porath Rockwell, Denise Kara, Lauren Kitces, and Sasha Hondagneu-Messner (Privacy and Cybersecurity); Kyle Barnett, Dusan Clark, and Ida Ebeid (Technology Transactions); Rachel Kleinberg, Jonathan Westreich, and Fraser Tudor (Tax); Scott Goldstein (Insurance); Sven De Knop, Jen Fernandez, Alessandra Moroni, and Lindsey Ricchi (International Trade); and Johnny Skumpija and Robert Mandell (Capital Markets).

Dec 19

2 min

Sidley represented the Professional Fighters League (PFL) in the acquisition of Bellator from Paramount Global (NASDAQ: PARA). As part of the Bellator acquisition, PFL has secured a number of top fighters, and the combined company is now on the path to become a co-leader in the MMA space. Founded in 2018, PFL is backed by major blue-chip investors, including SRJ, Ares, Knighthead, Luxor Capital, Waverley Capital, Elysian Park Ventures, and numerous NBA, MLB, NHL, and MLS team owners. PFL is the only organization in MMA that provides the benefits and excitement of the sports-season format. The Sidley team was led by partner and Entertainment, Sports and Media co-chair Charles (Chuck) Baker, and M&A and Private Equity partner Mark Castiglia. The team also included Ryan Hicks, Dylan Sherwyn, Greg Fritzius, and Alyssa Levy (M&A and Private Equity/Entertainment, Sports and Media).~~Sidley represented the Professional Fighters League (PFL) in the acquisition of Bellator from Paramount Global (NASDAQ: PARA). As part of the Bellator acquisition, PFL has secured a number of top fighters, and the combined company is now on the path to become a co-leader in the MMA space. Founded in 2018, PFL is backed by major blue-chip investors, including SRJ, Ares, Knighthead, Luxor Capital, Waverley Capital, Elysian Park Ventures, and numerous NBA, MLB, NHL, and MLS team owners. PFL is the only organization in MMA that provides the benefits and excitement of the sports-season format. The Sidley team was led by partner and Entertainment, Sports and Media co-chair Charles (Chuck) Baker, and M&A and Private Equity partner Mark Castiglia. The team also included Ryan Hicks, Dylan Sherwyn, Greg Fritzius, and Alyssa Levy (M&A and Private Equity/Entertainment, Sports and Media).

Nov 20

1 min

Sidley represented Clearlake Capital Group, L.P. in its strategic investment in Aptean, a global provider of customer relationship management solutions, enterprise resource planning software for manufacturing companies, and supply chain applications. Clearlake joins existing investors TA Associates, Insight Partners, and Charlesbank Capital Partners to enable Aptean’s management team to continue delivering differentiated solutions to the market and accelerate the company’s growth. The Sidley team was led by Mehdi Khodadad and Mark Castiglia (M&A and Private Equity) and included Anthony James Friedman (M&A and Private Equity); Vadim Brusser and Ken Daly (Antitrust and Competition); Eric Kauffman (Labor, Employment and Immigration); Stacy Crosnicker (Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation); Sven De Knop and Alessandra Moroni (International Trade); and Rachel Kleinberg and Jonathan Westreich (Tax).~~Sidley represented Clearlake Capital Group, L.P. in its strategic investment in Aptean, a global provider of customer relationship management solutions, enterprise resource planning software for manufacturing companies, and supply chain applications. Clearlake joins existing investors TA Associates, Insight Partners, and Charlesbank Capital Partners to enable Aptean’s management team to continue delivering differentiated solutions to the market and accelerate the company’s growth. The Sidley team was led by Mehdi Khodadad and Mark Castiglia (M&A and Private Equity) and included Anthony James Friedman (M&A and Private Equity); Vadim Brusser and Ken Daly (Antitrust and Competition); Eric Kauffman (Labor, Employment and Immigration); Stacy Crosnicker (Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation); Sven De Knop and Alessandra Moroni (International Trade); and Rachel Kleinberg and Jonathan Westreich (Tax).

Jul 23

1 min

Sidley is representing Clearlake Capital Group, L.P. and Francisco Partners, two global private equity firms, in their acquisition of Software Integrity Group (“SIG”) from Synopsys, Inc. (NASDAQ: SNPS) for total consideration of up to US$2.1 billion. SIG delivers integrated application security testing to software developers. Its portfolio of software security products interoperates with third-party and open-source tools, allowing organizations to leverage existing investments to build the security program that is best for them. Upon completion of the transaction, SIG will emerge as a newly independent application security testing software provider. The transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2024, subject to customary closing conditions including the receipt of required regulatory approvals. The Sidley team is being led by Mehdi Khodadad and Nicolai Schwarz-Gondek (M&A and Private Equity), and includes Mark Castiglia, Avni Mehta, George Krug, Tommy Tsao, and Daniel Gessner (M&A and Private Equity); Nicholas Schwartz, Kristen Smith, Kendra Smith, and Chloe Kim (Global Finance); Stacy Crosnicker, Gregory Matisoff, and Alexandra Green (Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation); Eric Kauffman, Peter McCorkell, Emily Wajert, Alex Down, and Drew Burkey (Trainee Solicitor) (Employment); Rachel Kleinberg, Jonathan Westreich, and Andy Lau (Tax); Vadim Brusser, Ken Daly, Jamie Sadler, Monika Zdzieborska, and Iva Todorova (Antitrust and Competition); Sven De Knop, Jen Fernandez, and Alessandra Moroni (International Trade); Jim Ducayet and Eric Schwartz (Litigation); Kyle Barnett, Dusan Clark, Andy Dykstra, Dina Kang, and Adia Brantley (Technology Transactions); and Sheri Porath Rockwell and Sasha Hondagneu-Messner (Privacy and Cybersecurity).~~Sidley is representing Clearlake Capital Group, L.P. and Francisco Partners, two global private equity firms, in their acquisition of Software Integrity Group (“SIG”) from Synopsys, Inc. (NASDAQ: SNPS) for total consideration of up to US$2.1 billion. SIG delivers integrated application security testing to software developers. Its portfolio of software security products interoperates with third-party and open-source tools, allowing organizations to leverage existing investments to build the security program that is best for them. Upon completion of the transaction, SIG will emerge as a newly independent application security testing software provider. The transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2024, subject to customary closing conditions including the receipt of required regulatory approvals. The Sidley team is being led by Mehdi Khodadad and Nicolai Schwarz-Gondek (M&A and Private Equity), and includes Mark Castiglia, Avni Mehta, George Krug, Tommy Tsao, and Daniel Gessner (M&A and Private Equity); Nicholas Schwartz, Kristen Smith, Kendra Smith, and Chloe Kim (Global Finance); Stacy Crosnicker, Gregory Matisoff, and Alexandra Green (Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation); Eric Kauffman, Peter McCorkell, Emily Wajert, Alex Down, and Drew Burkey (Trainee Solicitor) (Employment); Rachel Kleinberg, Jonathan Westreich, and Andy Lau (Tax); Vadim Brusser, Ken Daly, Jamie Sadler, Monika Zdzieborska, and Iva Todorova (Antitrust and Competition); Sven De Knop, Jen Fernandez, and Alessandra Moroni (International Trade); Jim Ducayet and Eric Schwartz (Litigation); Kyle Barnett, Dusan Clark, Andy Dykstra, Dina Kang, and Adia Brantley (Technology Transactions); and Sheri Porath Rockwell and Sasha Hondagneu-Messner (Privacy and Cybersecurity).

May 8

2 min