William Blair & Company is formalizing its Special Situations & Restructuring practice targeted at the middle market, where the firm has focused its business for the past 70 years and has established a vast network and respected expertise.

Richard P. Kiphart, head of corporate finance and a member of the firm’s executive committee, stated that “William Blair & Company has provided investment banking services to companies in troubled situations for more than 20 years.  We recently decided to formalize the practice and dedicate professionals to this important area.” 

Matt Gooch, principal, has been named to lead this effort.  “We believe that William Blair & Company’s comprehensive product suite, including M&A, capital raising, debt restructuring, and strategic alternatives analysis, uniquely qualifies us to assist middle-market companies experiencing challenging operational and financial situations,” Gooch said.  “Our expertise in this area, combined with industry knowledge and a global network of financial and strategic investors, makes our firm a logical choice for middle-market clients.”

Mr. Gooch joined William Blair & Company in 1997.  He worked with William Blair International in London from 2000 to 2005.  He earned a B.A. from Emory University and an M.B.A. from the University of Chicago. Mr. Gooch resides in Chicago.

To learn more about William Blair & Company’s Special Situations & Restructuring Group, visit: www.williamblair.com/Pages/corpfi_tombstone_grp.asp?iGroupID=56

William Blair & Company, L.L.C. is a Chicago-based investment firm offering investment banking, asset management, equity research, institutional and private brokerage, and private capital to individual, institutional, and issuing clients. Since 1935, we have been committed to helping clients achieve their financial objectives. As an independent, employee-owned firm, our philosophy is to serve our clients' interests first and foremost. We place a high value on the enduring nature of our client relationships, the quality of our products and services, and the continuity and integrity of our people. William Blair & Company has offices in Chicago, Hartford, London, San Francisco, Tokyo, Vaduz, and Zurich. For more information, please visit www.williamblair.com