Private Equity Series

Financial Distress Q&A for Private Equity Firms & Portfolio Companies

About the Private Equity Series

There is a whole new generation of private equity professionals who, heretofore, have known a business and economic environment where the living is easy: economic growth; artificially low interest rates; fawning lenders competing for their firm’s patronage and, relatedly, covenants that are incredibly generous. Things have changed fast and private equity firms need to pivot.

If your porfolio company is experiencing financial distress or the prospect thereof is keeping you up at night, you’ve come to the right place. We've published a series of articles to give straightforward answers to questions company directors and officers have – or should be asking.

If you have a question that we don’t address, please let us know by contacting Leslie Glassman. And be sure to sign up below for our newsletter so that you don’t miss the next in our series.

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Upcoming Debt Maturities May Threaten Private Equity Returns | Gordian Perspectives for November 2023

The US corporate sector in general, and Private Equity portfolio companies in particular, face significant upcoming financial challenges due to a wall of impending debt maturities totaling $700 billion through 2026 and nearly $2 trillion through 2028. These payments will have to be addressed, and concerns about an impending recession or runaway inflation compound the problem.

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Restructuring With Debt Spring-Backs and Spring-Downs Part 2, Co-Authored by Gordian Partners | The Deal

The following Op Ed, “”Restructuring With Debt Spring-Backs and Spring-Downs”” is Part Two of a two-part series in The Deal and was written by Gordian Group LLC president Peter Kaufman, partner David Herman and managing director Liam Ahearn.

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Never Let a Capital Structure Crisis Go to Waste Part 1, Co-Authored by Gordian Partners | The Deal

The following Op Ed, “Never Let a Capital Structure Crisis Go to Waste” is Part One of a two-part series and was written by Gordian Group LLC president Peter Kaufman, partner David Herman and managing director Liam Ahearn.

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Liability Warnings on the Sell Side for Corporate Directors Co-Authored by Peter Kaufman & Henry Owsley | Harvard Law School Forum on Corporate Governance

Gordian Group’s Peter Kaufman and Henry Owsley recently co-authored an article, “Warnings Persist for Corporate Directors Evaluating LBO and Other Multi-Step Transactions,” for the Harvard Law School Forum on Corporate Governance.

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Gordian on Leveraging Market Uncertainty in Restructuring Private Equity Investments | Journal of Corporate Renewal

Gordian Group’s David Herman, Peter Kaufman and Liam Ahearn recently penned an article for the Journal of Corporate Renewal (JCR)…

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Report From the Front: Private Equity Restructuring in the COVID Era

Private equity restructuring during a pandemic. Themes, trends and outcomes focused on protecting shareholder and owners interests.

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On Demand Webinar: Gordian Group President Peter Kaufman Participates in Distressed as Part of a Winning M&A Strategy | Mergermarket Briefing August 6, 2020

This Mergermarket Distressed M&A Webinar addresses distressed as part of an M&A strategy, Whenever a downturn strikes, dealmakers start looking at distressed assets.

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Discussion: The COVID Recession – 2008 or Something Else?

Gordian Group CEO Henry Owsley provides his thoughts with other industry thought leaders on the current economic situation facing companies in the United States.

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Restructuring Scenario, The Novel Carrot

Creating advantageous restructuring tactics for debtors. Learn about Gordian Group’s novel “carrot” recapitalization strategy for shareholders & management.

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Distressed Healthcare webinar April 2020

On Demand Webinar: Peter Kaufman a Panelist on McDermott Will & Emery Distressed Healthcare Panel

Gordian Group’s Peter Kaufman on how PE Firms should think about Workouts and Restructuring in today’s healthcare environment in light of COVID-19.

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The World Has Changed for Private Equity Firms

There is a whole new generation of private equity professionals who, heretofore, have known a business and economic environment where the living is easy: economic growth; artificially low interest rates; fawning lenders competing for their firm’s patronage and, relatedly, covenants that are incredibly generous. Things have changed fast and private equity firms need to pivot.

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Will Limited Partners Have Limited Understanding?

Will Limited Partners Have Limited Understanding? Advising Private Equity Firms in This Crisis We are going through tumultuous, uncharted times.  Many Private Equity firms are being pressed to come up with a coherent battle plan with incomplete and constantly-changing information. With respect to immediately stressed portfolio companies, firms need to address a myriad of questions like, “How can I extend my runway with creditors nipping at my heels?” and “What are my alternatives to bolster liquidity?”  And for investments that have not been directly affected yet, but may still experience wrenching challenges from either government restrictions, employee dislocation, recession,…

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