James Goldsmith represents private companies, including private equity funds, in M&A, private equity, federal income tax, and securities. He also represents local government entities in a multitude of areas including federal and state regulatory matters. He serves clients in the technology, grocery, restaurant, entertainment and media, and transportation sectors, among others.
People
James F. Goldsmith
Partner, Corporate
Notable Work
Technology:
Represented a financial technology focused private equity firm in its acquisition of multiple Fintech companies.
Manufacturing:
Representation of a private equity firm in the $90 million acquisition of a manufacturer of craft equipment.
Software:
Represented Novatus, Inc., a software company, in connection with the sale of the company to Conga, a private equity-backed strategic buyer.
Grocery:
Represented Haggen, in connection with its acquisition, via asset purchase, of 146 grocery stores from Albertson's and Safeway, as well as related debt and real estate transactions. As a result of the acquisition, Haggen grew from an 18-store chain to a 164-store chain with 106 pharmacies.
Supply Chain:
Represented a multi-state cooperative in a merger to form a single national cooperative, which serves as the exclusive supply chain provider for all Dunkin' Donuts restaurants in the continental United States.
Restaurant:
Represented a private equity fund in its $100+ million sale of a restaurant-chain portfolio company to another private equity fund.
Oil and Gas:
Represented minority investor in restructuring of formerly the largest refinery on the eastern seaboard.
Entertainment and Media:
Represented a private equity fund in its $175 million acquisition of a television production company from a consortium of stockholders.
Transportation:
Represents the Central Florida Regional Transportation Authority, d/b/a LYNX.
Published Work and Lectures
- Orange County Bar Association, Speaker, "Professionalism in Negotiation: Transactional Law," Orlando, February 2017
- BDO Mid-Year Accounting and Tax Update, Panelist, "M&A Panel," Orlando, June 2016
- Starter Studio, Speaker, "Mock Term Sheet Negotiation," Orlando, April 2016
- Akerman's Guide to Doing Business in Florida: A Legal Guide for Out-of-State and Foreign Businesses, Author, "Sole Proprietorships and Joint Ventures," 2016
- Florida Venture Forum, Venture Capital Bootcamp, Speaker, "Deal Structure: Experienced VC Counsel Reviews a Term Sheet," Orlando, October 2014
- Akerman Seminar, Speaker, "What You Need to Know About Florida's New LLC Act," January 16, 2014
- Guide to Doing Business in Florida, Co-Author, "Sole Proprietorships, Joint Ventures and Not for Profit Entities" and "Securities Regulation," September 2013
Affiliations
- Association for Corporate Growth, Orlando, Board of Directors and Executive Committee, Former President
- Florida Venture Capital Association, Board of Directors
- Coalition for the Homeless, Former Finance Committee Member
- Leadership Orlando, Class 77
Honors and Distinctions
- Best Lawyers, 2023-2025, Listed in Florida for Securities/Capital Markets Law, Corporate Law, and Mergers and Acquisitions Law
- Florida Trend's Legal Elite, 2018, Listed for Business Law
- Super Lawyers Magazine, 2015-2018, Listed in Florida as a "Rising Star" for Business/Corporate
- Florida Trend's Legal Elite 2016, Listed as an "Up and Comer" for Corporate