International law firm Dorsey & Whitney LLP advised Lee Equity Partners and certain affiliates (“Lee”) in connection with its recent transaction involving Project Pie LLC, a fast-casual pizza chain based in Carlsbad, California and founded by industry pioneer James Markham. The terms of the transaction are not subject for disclosure at this time. Lee Equity Partners is a middle market private equity firm based in New York and focused on growth investments. Lee seeks to partner with top-tier management teams to build companies with strong market positions and high growth potential. Target sectors include business services, consumer/retail, distribution/logistics, financial services, healthcare services, and media. To learn more, visit: http://www.leeequity.com/.

The Dorsey team for the Lee transaction was led by Eric Rytter, New York corporate partner and chair of Dorsey’s Private Equity Practice Group. Seattle partner Gary Duvall advised on franchise law matters and John Chase, tax partner and co-head of the Palo Alto office, provided advice on tax matters. Minneapolis finance partner Mike Pignato provided advice on financing matters related to the transaction. Robert Olson (Minneapolis real estate partner), David Murphy (Palo Alto labor & employment partner), David Mack and Colton Carothers (New York and Minneapolis corporate associates) provided additional support.

“We are delighted to have had the opportunity to work with Lee Equity Partners to complete this transaction,” Rytter noted. “Our engagement here is consistent with the broader value proposition Dorsey’s Private Equity Practice Group presents to financial sponsors, in which we leverage our private equity experience with the breadth of practice area offerings across the Dorsey platform. As a full-service law firm, we were able to advise Lee efficiently in a wide range of areas. We wish Project Pie and Lee Equity Partners continued success and look forward to working with them again in future.”