Equity Rollover Counsel for Specialty Distribution Acquisitions
When the deal is specialty distribution and the question is Equity Rollover, the structure decisions in the first 30 days outlast the next five years. This is where Jason Powell works.
An independent sponsor closing specialty distribution transactions in the $10M to $100M EV range has a defined set of moves at the Equity Rollover stage. Most of them are not in a generic M&A textbook.
The typical specialty distribution platform sits at $10M to $100M EV with EBITDA in the $2.5M to $18M range. The thesis runs on vertical buy-up of niche product distributors. Most distribution multiples are wrong by half a turn until the rebate accounting gets normalized.
How Equity Rollover actually gets structured.
Anchor on 15 to 25 percent rollover for a clean alignment story.
Treat rollover as tax-deferred under Section 351 or 721 where the structure allows.
Document tag-along and drag-along rights at the rollover level, not just at the LP level.
Cap exit veto rights for rolled equity to avoid future deadlock.
In specialty distribution, layer in supplier reaffirmation letters before LOI signs as part of the Equity Rollover workstream.
Rolling at the wrong entity level, triggering an immediate tax event on what was supposed to be deferred.
"Rollover is the cheapest alignment tool on the table. Use it; do not abuse it."Jason Powell · Equity Rollover
The deal is one thing. The capital that opens up after close is another.
Refinancing, recaps, growth rounds, and the right strategic conversation eighteen months early are all downstream of relationships that take years to build and minutes to use.
Related deal pages.
LOI Negotiation for Specialty Distribution
The 4 to 8 page agreement that frames the deal economics, exclusivity, and diligence period.
Independent Sponsor Economics for Specialty Distribution
The package of deal-by-deal carry, management fees, and transaction fees that compensates the independent spo…
Management Fee Structuring for Specialty Distribution
The annual fee paid by the deal entity to the independent sponsor for ongoing oversight, board service, and p…
Earnout Structures for Specialty Distribution
Deferred purchase price contingent on post-close performance, used to bridge buyer-seller valuation gaps.
Equity Rollover for Healthcare Services
roll-up of physician practices and ancillary service lines
Equity Rollover for Home Services
regional roll-ups of HVAC, plumbing, and electrical operators
Equity Rollover for Specialty Distribution, on independent sponsor terms.
Independent sponsor counsel that already speaks fluent deal-by-deal economics, structures clean LPAs, and travels with capital markets relationships for what comes after close.