Brian Howaniec

Brian is a Shareholder and a member of the Firm’s Mergers & Acquisitions and Corporate & Business Transactions practice groups. He counsels a wide variety of clients, including public and private operating companies, private equity firms, family offices, founders, and other investors, on a broad range of corporate and financing matters.

Brian represents companies and funds of all types and sizes in corporate transactions, including various structures, such as mergers, equity and asset acquisitions, joint ventures, carve-out transactions, and “add-on" and “tack-on” acquisitions.

In particular, Brian has extensive experience in middle-market private company transactions on both the buy-side and sell-side, including frequently representing clients in connection with the sale of their founder-led or family-owned business. He also regularly advises clients on corporate governance issues and provides general counsel and strategic business advice. Brian also has experience representing corporate and private equity borrowers in secured lending and other financing transactions.

As a member of the Firm’s opinion committee, he frequently assists with local counsel legal opinions issued in connection with financings, securities offerings, and other corporate transactions.

Prior to joining the firm, Brian was an Associate in the London, UK and Washington, DC offices of a major global law firm. He earned his J.D. (magna cum laude) from Pepperdine University School of Law, where he served as an editor for the Pepperdine Law Review. Brian also holds a B.S. in Finance (with high distinction) from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University, Bloomington.

Recognition

• Listed in Best Lawyers in America, "Ones to Watch" for Corporate Law, Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law, and Mergers and Acquisitions Law (2025)