Andrew M. Apfelberg is a corporate and finance attorney for middle-market companies throughout the United States. He acts as their outside general counsel and advises them in significant transactions such as mergers and acquisitions, private equity and other financings, joint ventures and licensing. Andrew has particular expertise in the manufacturing & distribution, health & beauty, new media and technology industries.

His clients benefit from his strong business and finance background gained from working for investment bank Houlihan Lokey Howard & Zukin prior to attending law school. This experience enables Andrew to more effectively structure transactions and negotiate agreements to maximize the return to the client and increase the likelihood of getting the deal closed.

Andrew brings the resources of his firm to clients through his deep understanding of their business, industry and strategic goals. He continues to cultivate relationships with professionals from a wide range of disciplines that he leverages for the benefit of his clients.

Andrew lives in Sherman Oaks with his wife and children. He is an avid fan of the Arsenal Football Club in the English Premier League.

Representative Transactions:

Mergers & Acquisitions

• Represented the founder of OPI Products, Inc., a leading manufacturer of nail care products, in the sale of the company to Coty Inc. 
• Represented FIJI Water LLC, the second largest selling imported water brand in the United States, in the sale of assets and stock of affiliate companies to Roll International Corporation.
• Represented Riedon, Inc. in the sale of its German subsidiary, Powertron GmbH, to Vishay Europe GmbH, a subsidiary of Vishay Intertechnology Inc.(NYSE:VSH).
• Represented the minority shareholder of Mrs. Cubbinson's Inc. in the sale by Hostess, Inc. of substantially all the assets of the company to Sugar Foods, Inc.
• Represented Smarsh Inc., a leading provider of email and instant message archiving solutions, in the acquisition of substantially all the assets of CentraScan LLC, Financial Visions Inc. and iNation, LLC.
• Represented Southern Fresh Produce & Provisions Inc. in the acquisition of substantially all the assets of Southern Fresh Produce Inc.
• Represented the management of WireTech Inc. in their buyout of the capital stock of the company and related equity financing as well as subsequent acquisition of competitor in Ohio.

Financing 

• Represented Westlake Financial Services in the sale of 20% of the company for $250 Million to Mirubeni Corporation.  
• Represented Smarsh, Inc., an innovative provider of email and instant messaging archiving and messaging compliance solutions, in two rounds of private equity investment by Kayne Anderson Private Investors II, L.P.
• Represented eBridge Inc. in obtaining a senior secured credit facility with Comerica Bank.

Joint Ventures

• Assisted Jonathan Louis International, a manufacturer/distributor of furniture and fine home furnishings, with the establishment of a manufacturing facility in Mexico.
• Represented Houk Development Company in the formation of a joint venture to finance the acquisition of the Variety Arts Theater from Anschutz Entertainment Group.

Licensing/Sponsorship

• Represented OPI Products in the license of name, likeness and image of Justin Bieber, Katy Perry and Serena Williams relative to the manufacture and distribution of branded nail lacquer products.
• Represented total Golf Adventures Franchise LLC relative to a sponsorship agreement with Nicklaus Golf Equipment Company.
• Represented Kate Somerville Skincare in the license of certain intellectual property relative to skin care products at Four Seasons hotels.

General Counsel

• Represented Natural Balance Pet Foods Inc. relative to response to a product recall and relative to contracts with suppliers and distributors.
• Represented Don Catlin, leading expert in drug testing of athletes, in negotiations with UCLA and formation and operation of Anti-Doping Research.
• Represented Dawn Barnes Karate Kids, Inc. as their general corporate counsel.

Publications:

• SPA Management (PDF File)
  SEA Change-Why Today is the Right Time to Buy, by Andrew Apfelberg
• GCI Magazine, November 2009 (PDF File)
  Sea Change - Beauty's Historic Opportunity, by Andrew Apfelberg
• ABA Business Law Section Newsletter, July 21, 2009 (PDF File)
  New Facebook Usernames Have IP Implications for Trademark Owners, by Andrew Apfelberg and Natasha Shabani
• Strat-e-gize Magazine, September/October 2008 (PDF File)
  Lesson from a Teenager, by Andrew Apfelberg and Mark Jaffe
• The Century City Lawyer, Fall 2007 (PDF File)
  Using the Bankruptcy Code as an Acquisition Tool, by Andrew M. Apfelberg
• electronicRETAILER, June 2007
  Drafting a Contract: Why Its Important to Consult a Lawyer, by Greg J. Sater and Andrew M. Apfelberg
• The Century City Lawyer, Spring 2007 (PDF File)
  Just Walk Away, by Andrew M. Apfelberg
• Business Edge, March 2007 (PDF File)
  Should I Stay Or Should I Go?, by Andrew M. Apfelberg
• Business Edge, January 2007 (PDF File)
  Just Walk Away, by Andrew M. Apfelberg

Andrew Apfelberg has also contributed to:

• Entrepreneur Magazine
• Inc.com
• IP Law 360  
• Los Angeles Business Journal
• Manufacturing Business Technology
• MBTMag.com
• Microsoft bCentral
• Missouri Business Law Quarterly
• San Diego Business Journal
• SHRM Consultants Forum
• Success Magazine
• The Los Angeles Daily Journal
• The San Francisco Daily Journal
• Workz.com

Lectures:
• USC Marshall School of Business
• USC School of Pharmacy
• UCLA Anderson School of Business
• Fashion Institute of Design
• Alameda County Bar Association
• Bar Association of San Francisco
• ProVisors

Awards & Recognition:

• Named top 40 dealmakers, "Who's Who in L.A. Law," Los Angeles Business Journal - 2011
• Recipient of M&A Advisor's "40 Under 40" Award - 2011
• Martindale Hubbell "AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5" rated
• "Super Lawyer" in the field of Business Law, Law & Politics: 2005 - 2011
• Recipient of San Fernando Valley Business Journal's "40 Under 40" Award
• Recipient of Outstanding Graduate Student Award from Boston College Law School
• Elected to Beta Gamma Sigma, Alpha Lambda Delta and Golden Key national honor societies while at University of Southern California

Memberships & Community Involvement:

• ACG Los Angeles, Board Member & Vice-President, Sponsorship
• American Youth Soccer Organization- Region 58, Board Member
• Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Children's Fund100
• Children's Hospital Los Angeles, First Family Legacy
• Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Men's Guild
• ProVisors, Executive Committee, Encino Chapter, M&A 2 Group & Revenue Accelerator Workshop