James (Jim) Cruger

Jim Cruger concentrates his practice in the areas of mergers and acquisitions and fund formation. Jim has represented numerous public companies and private equity funds in acquisition and disposition transactions during his 24 year career. Public company representation has included Leggett & Platt (NYSE), Voyager Learning Company (NASDAQ) and Strategic Hotel Capital (NYSE). Fund representation has included SPO Partners, Intellectual Ventures, Wynnchurch Capital, Weiss Peck & Greer, Code Hennessy & Simmons, Prospect Partners, Riverlake Equity Partners, Hilco Equity Partners, High Street Capital and Explore Holdings.

REPRESENTATIVE MATTERS

• Acquisition of America's Body for Leggett & Platt (NYSE).
• Acquisition of Gamber Johnson for Leggett & Platt (NYSE).
• Sale of Prime Foam Division of Leggett & Platt (NYSE).
• Sale of Aluminum Division of Leggett & Platt (NYSE).
• Representation of Voyager Learning Company (NASDAQ) in merger with Cambium Learning (a Veronis Suhler portfolio company), and follow on public offering.
• Acquisition of Houston Wire & Cable from Alltel Corporation (NYSE).
• Acquisition transactions and IPO for Vigoro Corporation, and subsequent sale to IMC Global (NYSE).
• Acquisition of Heavy Duty Axle division of Arvin Meritor (NYSE) for Wynnchurch Capital, and subsequent sale to the Carlyle Group.
• Acquisition of Dock Products, a division of SPX (NYSE) for Wynnchurch Capital.
• Acquisition of Android Industries LLC for Wynnchurch Capital.
• Acquisition of Safeworks LLC for Wynnchurch Capital.
• Acquisition of Webex Inc. for Wynnchurch Capital.
• Acquisition of SP Industries for Riverlake Equity Partners.
• Acquisition of Sioux-Preme Packing for Hilco Equity.
• Investment in Niman Ranch by Hilco Equity.
• Acquisition of American Reprographics (NYSE) for Code, Hennessy & Simmons.
• Acquisition of Weasler Engineering for Code, Hennessy & Simmons.
• Acquisition of Beacon Roofing (NASDAQ) for Code, Hennessy & Simmons.

• Formation of private equity/hedge fund with committed capital in excess of $5 billion.
• Formation of hedge fund with committed capital in excess of $1 billion.
• Formation of investment fund targeting intellectual property assets with committed capital in excess of 1.5 billion.
• Formation of numerous leveraged buyout funds with committed capital of between $50 million and $500 million.
• Formation of senior debt fund with committed capital in excess of $1 billion.
• Formation of Fund of Funds with committed capital in excess of $100 million.
• Formation of several venture capital funds with committed capital in excess of $100 million.

Professional Recognition

• Ranked by Chambers USA, as "Leading Corporate M&A: Private Equity Lawyers", 2011 - 2012
• Listed in Illinois "Leading Lawyers"
• Listed in The Best Lawyers in America
• Listed in Illinois Law & Politics, "Super Lawyers"

Professional Leadership

• Chicago Bar Association
• American Bar Association