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.
Representative Experience
- 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.
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Represented a private equity fund buyer in its acquisition of a provider of sports facilities management and advisory services.
- 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.
- 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.
- Represented the buyer in its acquisition of a leading contract manufacturer of Class II and Class III medical devices.
- Represented sellers in the sale of their industrial and commercial plumbing and HVAC service businesses.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Represented private equity team in its acquisition of an add-on business to its platform company.