Alain Dermarkar
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Alain Dermarkar

Partner

Alain serves as the U.S. Co-Head of Private Equity, U.S. Co-Head of M&A and is a member of the Board. With a robust practice that focuses on U.S. and international mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and other strategic transactions, including minority investments and joint ventures, Alain’s extensive experience in M&A and PE has positioned him as a key figure in the industry.

Alain’s private capital and strategic clients operate and invest in a diverse range of industries including: technology; manufacturing; aerospace/defense; environmental; construction; business services; healthcare; consumer products; energy; and real estate.

Alain has an impressive track record, having completed transactions exceeding USD275 billion for public and private companies across the U.S., Europe, and Asia, as well as for private equity firms. His expertise in handling high-value transactions underscores his leadership in the M&A and PE sectors.

In addition to his transactional work, Alain provides comprehensive advisory services, including:

  • Capital Raising Transactions: Guiding clients through the complexities of raising capital to support growth and strategic initiatives;
  • Corporate Governance: Advising on best practices and regulatory compliance to ensure robust governance frameworks;
  • Takeover Preparedness: Preparing clients for potential takeover scenarios to safeguard their interests; and
  • SPAC Transactions: Offering specialized counsel on Special Purpose Acquisition Company (SPAC) related transactions.

Expertise

Industries

Experience

Representative matters

Private Equity (PE)
  • Areas Worldwide, a portfolio company of PAI Partners, in its acquisition of Travel Hospitality Services a U.S.-based airport food, beverage, and retail concessions business.
  • J.F. Lehman in multiple transactions, including:
    • Sale of Narda-Miteq to Amphenol Corporation, a supplier of high-technology interconnect, sensor and antenna solutions.
    • USD2bn take-private of Heritage-Crystal Clean Inc.
    • Acquisition of Atomic Transport, LLC.
    • Acquisition and subsequent sale of Lone Star Disposal.
    • Acquisition of Narda-MITEQ from L3Harris.
    • Acquisition of Global Marine Group, a leading provider of subsea cable installation and maintenance services.
    • Acquisition of Integrated Global Services.
    • Acquisition of Envirosafe Services of Ohio, Inc. and its acquisition of Worldwide Recovery Systems, Inc. and Yes Management Inc by its portfolio company Crystal Clean.
    • Acquisition of Murphy Pipeline Contractors, its acquisition of Insight Pipe Contracting and its acquisition of Creekside by its portfolio company PURIS.
    • Acquisitions of majority stakes in Reclamation Technologies USA and Tradewater to establish an environmental services platform.
    • Acquisition of majority stakes in Reclamation Technologies USA, LLC and Tradewater LLC & Affiliates,to establish an environmental services platform.
  • W. T. Byler Co., a family-owned provider of construction services in its sale to Quanta Services, an infrastructure service provider.
  • New Mountain Capital in multiple transactions by portfolio companies, including:
    • Aegion Corporation, the leading provider of infrastructure maintenance in its sale of Aegion Energy Services, to Brock Holdings and its sale to Houston-based Voyager Interests.
    • 3E Company Environmental, Ecological and Engineering, in its acquisition of European-based Chemycal and all IP assets of ChemChain Sarl, and in its acquisition of France-based Quick-FDS from Editions T.I, a subsidiary of WEKA Group.
    • Cumming Group, an international project management and cost consulting firm, in its acquisition of Zubatkin Owner Representation, CLoSE UK, BTCC, Leftfield, and Seneca Real Estate Group.
    • Profile Products, a world-leading manufacturer of wood-fiber-based ceramic technologies, in its acquisition of The Quick Plug Group.
    • HomeX, a technology and services platform in its acquisition of Goodco Mechanical, Carmine’s Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning and Clarkstown Heating & Air Conditioning.Dataessential, a market research company, in connection with licensing and other matters.
    • Novacore, an independent specialty insurance provider, in its acquisition of Collateral Protection Partnership.
    • Amerit Fleet Solutions in its acquisition of Pro Reefer Mobile & Trucking Services.
  • Alturus Capital in the acquisition of Physicians Rehab Solution, LLC and the divestiture of Encapture to Thoma Bravo’s SMA Technologies.
  • Capital Southwest in its tax-free spin-off of CSW Industries.
  • Community Counseling Service Co. (CCS Fundraising), the world’s leading fundraising consulting firm for non-profits, with respect to a strategic investment by ABRY Partners.
  • Connell Limited Partnership in multiple transactions, including:
    • Sale of Anchor Danly and AWC Manufacturing to Hidden Harbor Capital Partners.
    • Sale of Wabash Alloys to Aleris International.
    • Acquisition of Dayton Progress from Federal Signal and subsequent sale to Misumi Group.
    • Acquisition of SencorpWhite.
  • Evolute Capital, LLC in multiple transactions, including:
    • Acquisition of eGroup Holding Company, a recognized leader in differentiated Data Center, Cloud, Hybrid Cloud, and Managed Service.
    • Acquisition of Signature Utility Services, LLC, a provider of helicopter services for railroad planning, vegetation and hazard mitigation, and construction.
    • eGroup Holding Company, LLC, a portfolio company of Evolute Capital, in its acquisition of substantially all the assets of Enabling Technologies Corp. and RedHawk.Futura Title & Escrow in its sale to an investment affiliate of Seidler Equity Partners.
  • Futura Title & Escrow in its sale to an investment affiliate of Seidler Equity Partners.
  • Great Elm Group, Inc. in multiple transactions, including:
    • USD80 million sale of a majority equity interest in Great Elm Healthcare, LLC to QHM Holdings Inc.
    • Sale of a majority interest of Forest Investments, Inc. to affiliates of JPMorgan Chase & Co.
  • NRC Group, (a public company majority-owned by J.F. Lehman & Company), in its USD750m transaction with Hennessy Capital Acquisition Corp. III and subsequent USD966m acquisition by U.S. Ecology.
  • Road Ventures in various investments (and secondary investments) in Alto Experience, Inc., a premium subscription based ride share company.
Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A)
  • Texas Instruments in its pending USD7.5 billion acquisition of Silicon Labs.
  • Aeries Technology, as a subsidiary of Aark Singapore Pte. Ltd, in Aark Singapore’s combination with Worldwide Webb Acquisition Corp.
  • Ardagh Group in its USD8.5bn transaction with Gores Holdings V., a Nasdaq-listed SPAC, involving its metal packaging business.
  • Citrix Systems in its USD2.25bn acquisition of Wrike, Inc.
  • ExcelFin Acquisition Corp. in an agreement to combine with Baird Medical Investment Holdings Limited in a transaction that will result in Baird Medical, a medical technology company, based Guangzhou, China, going public on Nasdaq under the ticker XFIN.Frontier Waste Solutions in its sale to GFL Environmental Inc.
  • Granite Construction Inc. in multiple transactions and divestitures, including:
    • Acquisitions of Warren Paving and Papich Construction, two leading aggregates producers, for a combined purchase price of USD710m.
    • Divestiture of its Inliner business to Inland Pipe Rehabilitation.
    • USD536m acquisition of Layne Christensen.
    • Acquisition of Cinderlite Trucking Corporation and its related property assets
  • Hitachi, Ltd. in its USD9.5bn acquisition of GlobalLogic Inc.
  • Investcorp Europe Acquisition Corp I in its proposed business combination with OpSec Group, a UK-based global leader in brand protection solutions and intellectual property management.
  • Microvast, Inc. in its USD3bn business combination with Tuscan Holdings Corp., a Nasdaq-listed SPAC and USD57.5m bridge financing notes offering with affiliates of Luxor Capital Partner.
  • Mother Lode Holding Co. in its USD300m acquisition by First American Financial Corporation.
  • Vivint, a leading home automation services provider, in its USD2bn sale to Blackstone.
  • Newell Rubbermaid in its USD16bn acquisition of Jarden Corporation.
  • Oncor Electric Delivery Company in connection with Sempra Energy’s USD18.8bn enterprise value acquisition of Energy Future Holdings Corp., Oncor’s majority owner.
  • Reynolds American in multiple transactions, including:
    • USD49bn acquisition by British American Tobacco.
    • USD5bn sale to JT Group of the international rights to the Natural American Spirit brand name.
    • USD4bn acquisition of Lorillard and related USD7.1bn asset divestiture to an Imperial Tobacco affiliate.
  • SAP in connection with the USD12.5bn sale of Qualtrics International, Inc. to Silver Lake.
  • Strike Capital in its attempted sale to a SPAC.
  • Texas Pacific Land Corporation in its strategic partnership with Bolt Data & Energy, Inc to develop and enable large-scale data center campuses and supporting infrastructure across TPL and.Teradyne, Inc. in multiple transactions, including:
    • Acquisition of Energid.
    • Investment in Technoprobe S.p.A.
    • Sale to Technoprobe of its Device Interface Solutions Business.
    • In connection with its joint venture with Multilane.
  • Tokyo Electron in its attempted USD29bn merger-of-equals with Applied Materials Inc.
  • TV Ammo, Inc.: USD1.21bn business combination with Breeze Holdings Acquisition Corp., a SPAC
  • Volta Inc. in its acquisition by Shell USA, Inc.

Speaking Engagements

  • “Primer on SPACs”, December 2020
  • Panelist, “IPO Alternatives: What You Should Know About SPACs and Direct Listings”, Austin Finance Leadership Summit, November 2020

Recognition

Alain is a delight to work with in addition to being an outstanding lawyer.
Chambers USA, 2025
Alain is responsive, super commercial and gets stuff done on time.
Chambers USA, 2025

Awards

“Best Lawyers in Dallas”, D Magazine, 2025

Law360, Private Equity Editorial Board, 2025

Ranked in Texas: Corporate/M&A, Chambers USA, 2020–2025

“Most Effective Dealmakers”, Texas Lawyer, 2022

“Client Service All-Star”, The BTI Consulting Group, 2020–2023

“Rising Star”, Texas Super Lawyers, 2015–2018

Qualifications

Admissions

Attorney-at-law, State of Massachusetts, U.S., 2006

Attorney-at-law, State of Texas, U.S., 2011

Academic

BS, Business Administration and Management, Boston University, 2000

JD, Law, Georgetown University, 2006

MBA, Business Administration, Georgetown University, 2006

Languages

French
Disclaimer
A&O Shearman was formed on May 1, 2024 by the combination of Shearman & Sterling LLP and Allen & Overy LLP and their respective affiliates (the legacy firms). Any matters referred to above may include matters undertaken by one or more of the legacy firms rather than A&O Shearman.