Steve Bartz focuses his practice on sophisticated private equity transactions, including mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures (“M & A”), joint ventures and strategic alliances (“JVs”), private placements, and fund formations. He routinely advises private equity sponsors, portfolio companies, and strategic buyers and sellers in matters crucial to the execution of their most important strategic initiatives. Steve has been recognized by numerous publications as a leader in his field, including Best Lawyers in America, The Legal 500, Texas Rising Stars, and D Magazine’s“ Best Lawyers in Dallas.” He is a candidate for the degree of Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Air and Space Law at the University Mississippi School of Law.
Private Equity Firms and Portcos. Steve’s private equity experience spans across a variety of industries and strategies, such as financial services, air & space, satellite, manufacturing, health care, sport and entertainment, real estate, hospitality, and energy, including the upstream, midstream, oilfield services, and renewable segments. He has counseled and represented sponsors and their portfolio companies in connection with:
•raising capital through private placements;
•deploying capital through buyouts, control-acquisitions, non-control investments, and JVs;
•monetizing investments through negotiated divestitures, auction sales, and recapitalization transactions; and
•providing organizational, governance, and regulatory advice to enable owners to operate and utilize their capital more efficiently, avoid regulatory pitfalls, and reduce and compartmentalize liability and legal risk.
Founders and Owners. Steve frequently advises private businesses in ongoing operations, growth initiatives, and liquidity events. Leveraging his deep and multifaceted private equity experience and business-minded approach, Steve is adept at crafting customized legal strategies for owners and management teams to aid them in their pursuit of accelerated growth trajectories and maximized exit valuations.
Strategic Buyers. Strategic buyers frequently leverage Steve’s M&A, control- and non-control investment, and JV experience to implement complex inorganic growth strategies, including market penetration, market development, product/offering development, and diversification strategies.
Fund Sponsors. Steve counsels private equity and venture capital fund sponsors on building and scaling their investment fund platforms. His practice covers the full lifecycle of fund formation and management - from structuring and launching investment vehicles, such as management companies, general partner entities, carried-interest and co-investment vehicles (sidecars), to advising on special purpose vehicles (SPVs) and institutional-grade private funds.
He regularly structures, negotiates, and documents fund arrangements, including investor subscription agreements, limited partnership agreements, and customized side letters with institutional investors, family offices, and high-net-worth investors. Steve’s experience helps clients efficiently navigate complex fund formation and related investor relations challenges while aligning business goals with regulatory and market expectations.
Concentrations
•Private Equity
•Mergers, Acquisitions, and Divestitures
•Leveraged Buyouts / Recapitalizations / Management Buyouts / Seller Rollover Arrangements
•Controlling-Interest Acquisitions (Typically Majority Ownership)
•Non-controlling Interest Acquisitions (Typically Minority Ownership)
•Restructurings / Reorganizations
•Alternative Entities
•Fund Formation (Private Equity / Venture Capital)
•Corporate, Limited Liability Company, and Partnership Governance
•Joint Ventures / Strategic Alliances
•Equity Incentive Plans and Awards
Recognition & Leadership
Awards & Accolades
•Team Member, Chambers USA Guide, Space, 2025
•Listed, The Best Lawyers in America, 2026
•Corporate Law, 2026
•Mergers and Acquisitions Law, 2026
•Listed, D Magazine, Best Lawyers in Dallas, 2022-2025
•Listed, The Legal 500 United States, 2017-2019
•M&A/Corporate and Commercial: M&A - Middle-Market ($500M-$999M), 2019
•M&A/Corporate and Commercial: M&A - Middle-Market (Sub-$500M), 2017-2018
•Listed, Super Lawyers magazine, Texas Super Lawyers, 'Rising Stars,' 2014-2020
•“Up-and-Coming 100,” 2019-2020
