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Case Studies

Hinckley Allen Facilitates Brinker Capital Merger in Significant Moment for Financial Services Industry

Client: Brinker Capital

Hinckley Allen represented its long-time client, Brinker Capital, a registered investment adviser, and its affiliated broker-dealer, in their sale to new investment partnership controlled by funds affiliated with Genstar Capital Partners, a California-based private equity firm, and TA Associates Management, a Boston-based firm. The sale was consummated contemporaneously with the investment partnership’s acquisition of another financial services company, Orion Advisor Solutions, and its affiliates.

The merger represents a significant moment for the financial services industry, unifying one of the foremost technology providers for fiduciary advisors with the largest privately held turnkey asset management platform. The union of Orion and Brinker Capital will expand the combined firm’s capabilities, providing more than 10,000 active investment advisor representatives with access to investment strategies from the firm’s seasoned portfolio managers and third party strategist partners. Chuck Widger, executive chairman and founder of Brinker Capital, will remain an investor and strategic advisor for the combined business.

Throughout the acquisition, Hinckley Allen assisted in navigating complicated tax issues and obtaining required client consents and regulatory approvals, including HSR and FINRA Rule 1017 filings and mutual fund shareholder votes. “This has been one of the more complex transactions any of us have worked on, particularly given the additional stresses due to COVID-19,” said Peggy Farrell, chair of Hinckley Allen’s Securities Law group. “From tackling significant integration issues to addressing unforeseen challenges as soon as they arose, our team persevered through every step of the process. I could not be prouder to be associated with such a capable and dedicated group of lawyers and staff.”