Samantha J. Barbara

Samantha J. Barbara

Partner

Cleveland

T 216.363.6283

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Overview

Samantha Barbara represents public and privately held companies, private equity funds, and founders in complex business transactions across a wide range of industries. Her work spans the full spectrum of M&A, capital markets and corporate governance matters, with a focus on delivering practical, business-aligned legal guidance that helps clients navigate high-stakes transactions and strategic growth opportunities.

Sam has helped guide clients through headline-making deals, including the successful completion of a $354 million initial public offering and related follow-on offerings, the sale of a technology company to a private equity platform with rollover and tax-optimized structuring, and the carve-out of a business unit by a publicly traded company with significant post-closing transition complexities. She frequently advises private equity funds in both platform and add-on acquisitions, and she has experience on both the buy and sell side of transactions involving strategic buyers and financial sponsors.

In addition to her M&A and capital markets work, Sam advises companies at every stage of development on corporate formation, board governance, regulatory compliance, employment arrangements and equity ownership structures. Her client base spans industries such as technology, healthcare, manufacturing, financial services and advertising.

Known for her ability to synthesize complex issues, anticipate business impacts and collaborate seamlessly with deal teams, Samantha is a trusted partner to clients executing transformative transactions or building long-term strategic value.

What I Do

Corporate

Experience

Represented Honeywell in the spin-off of its Advanced Materials business, now operating as Solstice Advanced Materials, including leading the separation workstream and contract analysis to establish Solstice as an independent, publicly traded company and supporting Honeywell’s strategic transformation into three distinct industry-leading businesses.

Key Contacts: Kaitlyn KeeleyTrisha L. AppelTrevor MartinJack KunkelMarc G. PolicastroKatie PotrzeboskiGilbert J. VillaflorEmily DworkinPooja BhaskarNicholas MeyersonRoger Boyer Alexa ShookLizbeth Aviles Emily L. MorrisonJoel PruettPatrick ManningAndrew GlickmanMelissa R. GrimMary Frances GardnerSamantha J. BarbaraDylan M. RosenfieldShanae NelsonLaura Mehl SugarmanKevin W. HumphriesJulius A. ZavalaJonathan N. FoxDaniel S. MarksLogan Bryant

Represented the ownership team of Premier Produce One, Inc. in its sale to an affiliate of Shore Capital Partners, the purchase price of which was  paid in a combination of cash and rollover equity. Benesch served as co-counsel on the transaction and advised certain owners on employment matters. Representation and warranty insurance was secured for the benefit of both parties.

Key Contacts: Nicholas MeyersonRobert A. RossRichard F. TracannaSamantha J. BarbaraEster Khaykin

Represented a private equity fund buyer in its acquisition of a provider of sports facilities management and advisory services.

Key Contacts: Samantha J. BarbaraGregg A. Eisenberg

Represented Stein Holdings, Inc. in its sale of Stein, LLC and Stein Mill Services, LLC to TMS International, a leading provider of outsourced industrial services to steel mills globally.

Key Contacts: Robert A. RossMitchell E. GechtRichard F. TracannaSamantha J. BarbaraGregg A. Eisenberg

Represented Stellex Capital Management, a middle market private equity firm with offices in New York and London, in its acquisition of Custom Glass Solutions from Guardian Industries.

Key Contacts: Anthony G. Rossi IVRobert A. RossRichard F. TracannaSamantha J. BarbaraGregg A. EisenbergJennifer L. Garberich

​Represented the buyer in its acquisition of a leading contract manufacturer of Class II and Class III medical devices.

Key Contacts: Peter K. SheltonSamantha J. BarbaraMatthew P. Delguyd

​Represented sellers in the sale of their industrial and commercial plumbing and HVAC service businesses.

Key Contacts: Shaylor R. SteeleKathleen M. VlasekRichard F. TracannaAmy L. CraigSamantha J. BarbaraMegan L. Mehalko

Represented Marcus Thomas, a full-service marketing and advertising agency, in its recapitalization transaction with Svoboda Capital Partners, a Chicago-based private equity firm that invests in leading middle market growth companies.

Key Contacts: Samantha J. Barbara

Represented Vizzle® (a/k/a Monarch Teaching Technologies), a web-based platform that includes visual, interactive lessons for special education students and students with autism, in its acquisition by Rethink Ed, an award-winning technology developer of cloud-based tools, training, and supports for students with special needs.

Key Contacts: Jessica N. AngneyIra C. KaplanAmy L. CraigSamantha J. BarbaraJonathan N. Fox

Represented Duramark Products Inc.(Formerly Ritrama USA), a market leader in the design and manufacture of self-adhesive materials, in the acquisition of the company’s Minnesota and South Carolina facilities by Mactac®. Mactac, a LINTEC Company, is a leading manufacturer and distributor of pressure-sensitive adhesive materials used in label printing, graphic design, packaging, and retail display, among others.

Key Contacts: Jessica N. AngneyIra C. KaplanAmy L. CraigSamantha J. Barbara

​Represented private equity team in its acquisition of an add-on business to its platform company.

Key Contacts: Ira C. KaplanMitchell E. GechtSamantha J. Barbara

​Represented seller in the sale of its business to a strategic buyer in a Representation and Warranty Transaction.

Key Contacts: Robert A. RossMitchell E. GechtRichard F. TracannaSamantha J. Barbara

​Represented the seller in its sale of the Company which is a payment processing service business.

Key Contacts: Julie M. PriceSamantha J. BarbaraLogan Bryant

Represented the sellers in their sale of SaaS technology offering end-to-end audience engagement and sales tools for radio broadcasters, TV Stations, and publishers.

Key Contacts: Robert A. RossRyan M. KrisbySamantha J. Barbara

​Represented the founder in the sale of his die-cutting and non-metallic fabrication services business to private equity.

Key Contacts: Robert A. RossRichard F. TracannaSamantha J. Barbara

​Represented the seller in the disposition of its engineered sealing solutions business.

Key Contacts: Richard F. TracannaSamantha J. Barbara

Represented the buyer in its acquisition of a leading manufacturer of single-use bio-process components and systems including fittings, tubing, single-use assemblies, and fabrication.

Key Contacts: Robert A. RossSamantha J. Barbara

​Represented the sellers in the sale of a refractory removal and preparation services business to a private equity purchaser.

Key Contacts: Robert A. RossMitchell E. GechtSamantha J. BarbaraGregg A. Eisenberg

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Credentials

Education

Case Western Reserve University School of Law, 2017, J.D.
  • President, Women’s Law Association
  • CMBA Young Lawyers Section, Student Representative to the Executive Council, 2014-2016
  • Dean’s Honor List
Case Western Reserve University Weatherhead School of Management, 2017, MBA
  • Dean’s Honor List
DePauw University, 2013, B.A. Political Science
  • Minor in Business Administration
  • Management Fellows Business Honors Program
Hathaway Brown School, 2009

Clerkships and Bar Admissions

Ohio

More

  • Listed, Smart Business Dealmakers – Rising Stars, 2025
  • Listed, Ohio Super Lawyers – Rising Stars, Corporate & Securities Finance, 2024-2026