Cedric A. Powell

Cedric Powell is a partner in the Corporate Practice Group in the firm's Washington, D.C. office.

Areas of Practice

Cedric’s clients depend on him to provide expert legal advice and sound counsel during the rollercoaster ride of complex middle market M&A transactions. Cedric brings to bear his extensive experience to deliver superior client service, while emphasizing risk mitigation and commercial solutions. His clients include private equity sponsors and their portfolio companies, strategic acquirers, and founders in both buy-side and sell-side transactions. Cedric’s experience spans various industries, including aerospace and defense, manufacturing, food and beverage, national security, government services, retail, technology, chemical distribution, consumer packaged goods, grocery, third-party logistics, and life sciences to name a few. Additionally, Cedric regularly represents clients in various other corporate and transactional matters, including equity financings, strategic investments, joint ventures, and corporate governance.

Firm Leadership

Cedric is a member of the firm’s Private Equity, M&A and Aerospace, Defense and Government Services industry teams. Cedric also co-chairs the DC Office’s Recruiting Committee and Diversity and Inclusion Office Working Group. He also co-chairs the firm’s Diversity and Inclusion Attorney Network (DIAN) and Black Lawyers Network.

Experience

Private Equity Representations

• Represents Arlington Capital Partners and its portfolio companies in various platform, add-on and divestiture transactions in the aerospace, defense, national security and government services sectors.
• Represents OpenGate Capital and its portfolio companies in various platform and add-on acquisitions and divesture transactions in the chemical manufacturing and distribution and general manufacturing sectors.
• Represented Audax Private Equity in add-on acquisitions for its portfolio companies.
• Represented Gryphon Investors and its portfolio companies in various platform and add-on acquisitions and divestiture transactions in the industrials, third party logistics and manufacturing spaces.
• Represented GESD Capital Partners in the sale of its portfolio company, Milton’s Holding Corporation, a manufacturer of custom baked goods (including gluten-free crackers and pizza crust) to a private equity-backed buyer.
• Represented Riordan Lewis & Haden (RLH) and its portfolio company, Illuminate Holdings, LLC, in connection with the acquisition of an analytics and cybersecurity business serving the intelligence and defense communities.
• Represented Interior Specialists, Inc. (a portfolio company of Littlejohn & Co.) in connection with its acquisition of Creative Touch Interiors, Inc., a leading provider of custom home interior design elements.
• Represented a Texas-based private equity fund in connection with the roll-up of a fuel distribution business into a multi-state fuel distribution joint venture vehicle.

Government Contracting Representations

• Represents Arlington Capital Partners and its portfolio companies in various platform, add-on and divestiture transactions in the aerospace, defense, national security and government services industries.
• Represented CACI International Inc (NYSE: CACI) in connection with various acquisitions in the national security sector.
• Represented Allied Associates International (A²I) in connection with the sale to Redhorse Corporation of its advanced engineering and technical solutions business, providing services to the defense, federal law enforcement and intelligence communities.
• Represented TeraLogics, LLC in connection with its auction process and sale to Cubic Corporation (NYSE: CUB).
• Represented Riordan Lewis & Haden (RLH) and its portfolio company, Illuminate Holdings, LLC, in connection with the acquisition of an analytics and cybersecurity business serving the intelligence and defense communities.

Other M&A Representations

• Represented Provepharm Life Solutions (a pharmaceutical company headquartered in France) in connection with its acquisition of Apollo Pharmaceuticals USA, a company specializing in the commercialization of sterile injectable products for hospital use.
• Represented Precision Medicine Group in connection with various acquisitions in the healthcare and pharmaceutical space.
• Represented Oncocyte Corporation in connection with its acquisition of Insight Genetics, Inc., a leading molecular diagnostics company.
• Represented Flokk AS in connection with its acquisition of 9to5 Seating, LLC, a leading manufacturer of ergonomic office seating.
• Represented Queensbridge Venture Partners, LLC in connection with the divestiture of its general partner interest in Queensbridge Fund I (a venture capital fund) to an affiliate of Cherry Tree Investments.
• Represented Belgacom International Carrier Services, S.A., a global provider of international wholesale connectivity and interoperability services based in Belgium, in connection with its acquisition of TeleSign Holdings, Inc., a leading communications platform as a service (CPaaS) company.
• Represented an affiliate of CBRE Group Inc. (NYSE: CBG) in connection with an asset acquisition and joint venture transaction involving StreetSense, a leading Washington DC-based real estate brokerage and design firm.
• Represented TP ICAP / Tullett Prebon in connection with various acquisitions in the commodities brokerage space. 
• Represented an affiliate of Mitsubishi Corporation (TYO: 8058) in connection with its investment in a joint venture with a Texas-based wind tower manufacturer.
• Represented Darling International Inc. (NYSE: DAR) in its acquisition of a business unit from a Maple Leaf Foods Inc. (TSX: MFI).
• Represented AmerisourceBergen (NYSE: ABC) in connection with its acquisition of a California-based billing and reimbursement services company.
• Represented AmerisourceBergen (NYSE: ABC) in connection with its investment into an Indian generics manufacturing joint venture.
• Represented a Texas-based metals recycler in connection with its contribution of assets into a joint venture with a European metals recycler.
• Represented a national real estate development company in connection with the buy-out of its previous partner’s interest in a 28,000-acre master-planned community in Texas.

Honors

"Ones to Watch," Best Lawyers, 2024

Recognized Lawyer - M&A/Corporate and Commercial, Legal 500 US, 2023

Minority Corporate Counsel Association - Pathways Advisory Council, 2023

Minority Corporate Counsel Association (MCCA), Rising Star, 2021

Washington, D.C. Rising Star, Super Lawyers, 2019

Media Mentions