Bickley, Tyson
Tyson Bickley
+1.615.850.8143

Overview

Tyson Bickley is a transactional attorney in Holland & Knight's Nashville office. Mr. Bickley advises private equity firms, portfolio companies, family-owned businesses and founders across a broad range of mergers and acquisitions (M&A), divestitures and other strategic transactions.

Mr. Bickley regularly works with private equity firms on platform and add-on acquisitions in the middle-market space across various industries. He is trusted by clients for his comprehensive perspective on deals – from strategic transaction planning through executing complex transactions and addressing post-closing matters – and he is valued for his ability to be a deal lawyer and assist clients in getting the right deal done for them.

Additionally, Mr. Bickley routinely represents founder-led and family-owned businesses navigating sales to private equity sponsors and strategic buyers, including assisting such sellers with rollover equity and deal structuring considerations.

In the venture capital and growth equity arena, Mr. Bickley counsels investors and companies at every stage, from seed to late-stage financing rounds. His work includes advising on a simple agreements for future equity (SAFEs), priced equity financings, stockholder agreements, partnerships, joint ventures and exit strategies through various sale transactions.

Mr. Bickley also serves as a strategic advisor in industries such as healthcare, technology, manufacturing, distribution and business services. His clients include private equity sponsors, strategic acquirers and public companies engaged in complex M&A, joint ventures and alternative business models. Related to this practice, Mr. Bickley frequently counsels clients on a wide variety of operational and strategic issues, including joint ventures, partnerships, commercial contracts and general corporate matters.

Earlier in his career, Mr. Bickley was chief development officer at a Nashville-based company delivering home healthcare solutions, where he led joint venture development with health systems and insurers focused on home-based care and bundled payment programs.

Representative Experience

  • Represented a group of mental health treatment centers in securing a noncontrolling investment from a private equity firm through its investment fund and from a private equity group through its affiliated fund; the partnership supports the treatment centers' mission to expand access to high-quality substance abuse and mental health care across new markets
  • Represented a lower-middle-market private equity firm in its acquisition of an aluminum sand casting foundry that specializes in complex aluminum castings for numerous applications
  • Represented a healthcare-focused private equity firm and its portfolio company in the acquisition of an India-based healthcare revenue cycle management business
  • Represented Heritage Group, a healthcare-focused private equity firm, as lead investor in a $44.5 million growth equity raise by Valera Health, a leading virtual mental health provider serving high-acuity patients, with participation from Cigna Ventures and Horizon Healthcare Services as well as existing investors, including Windham Ventures, AXA Venture Partners, Aquiline Technology Partners, Trinnovate Ventures (BCBS AZ), Figure Eight Investments, Watershed VC and Alsora Capital
  • Represented a manufacturer of engineered poles and towers for electric utility, telecommunications and other related wireless and electric transmission infrastructure applications in connection with its sale to a private debt and private equity firm that invests in lower- and middle-market private companies.
  • Represented a venture capital-backed leader in building evidence-based, immersive and digital therapeutics in its sale to a venture capital-backed pioneer in therapeutic virtual reality (VR), mixed reality (MR) and extended reality (XR) solutions
  • Represented a leading provider of medical imaging equipment, parts, repair and service in its add-on acquisition of a California-based leading provider of equipment and supplies for cardiology practices
  • Represented a leading provider of medical imaging equipment, parts, repair and service in its add-on acquisition of one of the largest ultrasound marketing and sales organizations in the country
  • Represented a leading provider of medical imaging equipment, parts, repair and service in its add-on acquisition of a provider of sales, service, maintenance, repair and training for ultrasound equipment
  • Represented a biotechnology company specializing in the development of nutraceutical and cosmeceutical products for commercialization, specifically focusing on over-the-counter, health and beauty consumer goods in connection with an investment from a private equity firm specializing in beauty, wellness and longevity
  • Represented a private equity-backed manufacturer of brazing and solder supplies in its sale to an international buyer
  • Represented a full-service distributor of commercial laundry equipment in its sale of assets to a leading designer and manufacturer of commercial laundry equipment and a portfolio company of a private equity firm
  • Represented a trusted source for fire suppression services in Tennessee in its sale to the largest fully integrated and full-service fire protection, life safety and security services provider in the U.S. and a portfolio company of a North American private equity firm
  • Represented an investment firm in connection with a growth investment in a provider of software designed to help faith-based nonprofit organizations streamline their fundraising efforts
  • Represented Heritage Group in connection with its growth investment in Nationwide Medical, a national provider of home medical equipment and clinical services for patients with chronic sleep and respiratory conditions
  • Represented Heritage Group in connection with a strategic investment in Equiti Health, a leading provider of tech-enabled, healthcare-focused language interpretation services, alongside GTCR, a private equity firm
  • Represented Heritage Group in connection with a $28 million Series B financing round for Connections Health Solutions, the leading innovator in immediate-access behavioral health crisis care
  • Represented a leading healthcare venture capital firm as lead investor in connection with a Series A funding round for a leader in 911 diversion, care and navigation solutions
  • Represented a provider of trauma and addiction residential treatment programs in its acquisition of a Texas-based provider of men's rehabilitation services
  • Represented a provider of skilled temporary labor for concerts, music festivals and other large events and a portfolio company of an Atlanta-based private equity firm in the add-on acquisition of a full-service live event production and audiovisual systems installation company
  • Represented a leading contract life cycle management solution for healthcare organizations in connection with a significant capital investment from a global technology-focused private equity firm
  • Represented a private equity-backed full-service computer numerical control (CNC) manufacturing shop in its add-on acquisition of a leading manufacturer of aircraft parts and equipment
  • Represented a Tennessee-based private equity firm in its acquisition of a leading supplier of measurement solutions for the optical, cable and component manufacturing industry

  • Represented Acadia Healthcare in its $1.3 billion acquisition of CRC Health Group, a leading provider of treatment services related to substance abuse and other addiction and behavioral disorder
  • Represented Acadia Healthcare in its acquisition of Mission Treatment Centers, a substance abuse treatment provider
  • Represented Onlife Health and BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee in the sale of Onlife to GuideWell Health
  • Represented Capital Alignment Partners, NewSpring, Petra Capital Partners, and Tecum Capital (the SBIC capital syndicate), who in partnership with Silver Palm Capital Healthcare Partners, acquired and invested in Aging With Comfort, a Philadelphia-based home care agency that provides personal care assistance for elderly and disabled clients
  • Assisted CareBridge in the acquisitions of HealthStar and Sinq Technologies, and its $35 million investment from Oak HC/FT, Google Ventures (GV) and other strategic investors
  • Represented MindCare Solutions Group in its acquisition of TriCounty Tele Behavioral Services
  • Represented Psychiatric Medical Care, a provider of mental health services to geriatric patients, in its recapitalization by Consonance Capital Partners
  • Represented Urgent Care Group in its acquisition of MEDcare Urgent Care and its investment financing by Capital Alignment Partners and Harbert Management Corporation

  • Represented Kindred Healthcare in its $195 million acquisition of Centerre Healthcare, an operator of inpatient rehabilitation hospitals
  • Assisted Kindred Healthcare with the acquisition of Fundamental Administrative Services Hospice, a skilled nursing facility
  • Represented Kindred in its acquisition of Senior Home Care, one of the largest home health providers, with 47 locations in Florida and Louisiana
  • Represented Kindred Healthcare in its sale of two long-term acute care hospitals and the acquisition of four long-term acute care hospitals operated by Select Medical
  • Assisted Kindred Healthcare with the sale of eight nursing centers to affiliates of Signature Healthcare and in the reinvestment of the $49 million in sales proceeds
  • Served as lead transaction counsel to Stinger Medical in its sale to Riverside Partners of Boston

  • Represented BehaVR, a virtual reality (VR) delivery platform, in a $13 million joint capital raise with OxfordVR to fund the merger of the two companies
  • Represented Contessa Health Inc. in a growth financing round led by Health Velocity Capital, BlueCross BlueShield Venture Partners, Noro-Moseley Partners and Sandbox Advantage Fund
  • Represented Martin Ventures in the Series B financing round for WiserTogether, a healthcare treatment comparison software company
  • Represented MDSave, a healthcare technology company revolutionizing how hospitals and health systems increase access for the patient-consumer, in its receipt of investment by Change Healthcare
  • Represented QualDerm Partners, a dermatology services company, in raising $31.8 million in capital from investors including funds affiliated with Cressey & Company and Apple Tree Partners
  • Represented Heritage Group and other investors in their investment to launch Spero Health, one of the largest office-based opioid treatment providers in the country
  • Assisted Heritage Group with the Series B funding round for Valence Health
  • Assisted Heritage Innovation Fund with establishing a partnership with Beecken Petty O'Keefe & Company, as well as the subsequent recapitalization of healthcare staffing company Medical Solutions
  • Represented a high net worth individual in his investment in a toxicology lab and substance abuse treatment center
  • Represented Beckner Clevy Partners and Harbert Management Corporation in the restructuring of Innovative Hearth Products (IHP), a leading manufacturer of fireplaces, venting products and accessories
  • Served as lead counsel to Iggbo, d/b/a as Workpath, and its institutional investors in its sale to Ro

  • Assisted HCA Healthcare, Inc. in preparing for and commencing participation in the Bundled Payments for Care Improvement Advanced model
  • Represented Duke LifePoint Healthcare in its $500 million acquisition of Conemaugh Health System, west-central Pennsylvania's largest health system, including three hospitals, outpatient facilities and physician practices
  • Represented the University of Virginia Health System in its investment in AVIA, a group of more than 20 health systems building the digital answer key for initiatives such as convenient access and social determinants of health

Credentials

Education
  • University of Georgia School of Law, J.D.
  • The University of Alabama, B.S., Accounting, with honors
Bar Admissions/Licenses
  • Tennessee
Memberships
  • Nashville Capital Network, Board of Advisors
  • Nashville Bar Association
  • Tennessee Bar Association
  • American Bar Association
  • American Bar Association, Corporate and Business Law Section
  • Association of Corporate Growth
  • Sequoia Swim and Tennis Club, Board of Directors
  • United Way of Metropolitan Nashville
Honors & Awards

Publications

Speaking Engagements

News