Colby W. Smith
Partner
Colby W. Smith
+1.215.252.9589
Overview
Colby W. Smith is a corporate attorney in Holland & Knight's Philadelphia office. Mr. Smith focuses his practice on a variety of business law matters, with an emphasis on middle-market merger and acquisition (M&A) transactions.
Mr. Smith represents clients in a variety of industries, including technology, life sciences, healthcare, manufacturing, distribution and logistics, aerospace and defense, sports and entertainment, retail and consumer products. He represents seed, institutional and venture capital investors, with a focus on corporate venture capital investing. In addition, he represents private equity funds and their portfolio companies in general business law and transactional matters.
Prior to joining Holland & Knight, Mr. Smith was an attorney at a large international law firm's Philadelphia office.
Representative Experience
- Represented Cencora Inc. (NYSE: COR), a global pharmaceutical distributor, in 1) the sale of its U.S.-based Hub consulting services operations, previously conducted under the Lash Group brand and including TheraCom free goods pharmacy, to CareMetx LLC, a leading technology-enabled patient services provider headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, and 2) the carve-out acquisition by its subsidiary of MWI Animal Health, Furscription, a veterinary prescription software solution from a San Francisco-based pet care company and technology platform
- Represented one of the world's largest building materials companies and a manufacturer of innovative material solutions in 1) its acquisition of a leading manufacturer of specialty insulation in the U.S., 2) its acquisition of the remaining equity interest and assets of a 100 percent recycled paperboard mill from its joint venture partner and 3) the divestment of its leading fence and decking business
- Represented Air Design Systems, one of the largest full-service mechanical and plumbing contractors in Northwest Florida, in its sale to Grizzly MEP, a commercial mechanical, electrical and plumbing platform
- Represented Angelo's Recycled Materials, the dominant provider of independent solid waste and recycling operations in Central Florida, in its sale to GFL Environmental Inc. (TSX: GFL), a leading provider of non-hazardous solid waste management and environmental services
- Represented SEI Investments Company (Nasdaq: SEIC), a leading global asset and investment manager, in 1) its acquisition of WealthForge Technologies dba Altigo, a cloud-based technology platform that provides inventory, e-subscription and reporting capabilities for alternative investments, 2) the $120 million sale of its family office services business to Aquiline Capital Partners LP, a private investment firm dedicated to financial services and technology, and 3) connection with its acquisition of LifeYield, a tax-smart technology provider
- Represented Harris Freeman & Co. Inc., a leading private brand tea manufacturer, in its definitive agreement to sell certain subsidiaries that operate its private brand tea business in the U.S., Harris Tea, to TreeHouse Foods Inc. (NYSE: THS)
- Represented LXP, a private equity firm providing collaborative liquidity solutions to small and medium-sized businesses in the professional services and light manufacturing and distribution industries, in its recapitalization of Black Creek Integrated Systems Corp., a premier provider of fully integrated public safety software and facility control systems
- Represented BioResource International Inc., a leading developer and supplier of feed additives that help poultry, swine and aqua producers optimize performance and gut health while maximizing profits in a sustainable manner, in its sale to Novus International Inc, a Missouri-based nutrition company that provides solutions for the global animal agriculture industry
- Represented a reconstruction services firm in its sale to an international business services company
- Represented a global healthcare company in its acquisition of a supply chain services provider
- Represented a private equity fund in its acquisition of a telecommunications services provider
- Represented a global healthcare company in its acquisition of a financial technology (FinTech) solutions provider
- Represented a restoration and remodeling company in its acquisition of a roof repair and installation services provider
- Represented an aerospace and defense services provider in the sale of its composites and thermoplastics business operations to affiliates of a private equity fund
- Represented a clinical trial testing services provider in its sale to a contract research organization
- Represented a precision plastic extrusion manufacturer in connection with its sale to a medical manufacturer
- Represented a precision contract manufacturer to the life sciences and aerospace industries in its acquisition of a milling, mill/turn and wire machining manufacturer
- Represented a global healthcare company in its acquisition of a life sciences information services provider
- Represented an aerospace and defense services provider in the sale of a component manufacturing operations business to an aircraft manufacturer
- Represented an early stage accelerator in a variety of fundraising and investment transactions
- Represented a global healthcare solutions company in a strategic relationship with a medical oncology provider
- Represented a beverage manufacturer in a variety of fundraising transactions
- Represented a global healthcare solutions company in its investment in a supply chain management platform
- Represented a patient adherence services provider in its seed investment transactions
- Represented a global healthcare solutions company in a strategic relationship with a workflow solutions provider
- Represented a pharmaceutical manufacturer in connection with its investment in a specialty life sciences company
- Represented an animal health company in its strategic relationship with a veterinary practice workflow solution provider
Credentials
Education
- Rutgers Law School, J.D., with highest honors
- Hobart and William Smith Colleges, B.A.
Bar Admissions/Licenses
- Pennsylvania
Memberships
- Pennsylvania Bar Association
Honors & Awards
- Chambers USA – America's Leading Business Lawyers guide, Corporate/M&A & Private Equity, 2022-2025
- The Best Lawyers in America guide, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, 2022, 2023
- Acritas Star, Acritas Stars Database and Report, 2017-2021
- The Legal 500 USA, Mergers and Acquisitions, 2014-2021
- Client Service All-Star, The BTI Consulting Group, 2020
- 40 Under 40, The M&A Advisor, 2015
- Rising Star, Pennsylvania Super Lawyers magazine, 2008, 2015
- The Legal Intelligencer, Lawyer on the Fast Track, 2014
- Champion's Award, Cross-Border Deal of the Year (Over $250 Million), Association for Corporate Growth (ACG) New York, 2013
- Paul C. Ireton Memorial Award, Rutgers Law School, 2004