Firm Draws Significant Attention for its Work in Healthcare M&A
Bass, Berry & Sims was recently recognized by several leading industry outlets for its private equity (PE) and mergers and acquisitions (M&A) deals. Among the recent recognitions, the firm climbed the league tables in healthcare and several additional strategic areas and received several new rankings by PitchBook for its work through the first half of 2025.
"We're honored by these awards and grateful for the recognition of the outstanding work our attorneys are doing across the corporate spectrum," said Michael Holley, chair of the Bass, Berry & Sims Corporate & Securities Practice.
Included in the rankings for this announcement, the firm was ranked #5 most active in healthcare private equity transactions and #12 most active in U.S. M&A transactions representing investors by PitchBook for work through the first half of 2025. The M&A Advisor recognized our work on the acquisition of Hibbett Sports by JD Sports Fashion plc by naming the transaction the International M&A Deal of the Year ($1B to $5B). In addition, several Bass, Berry & Sims attorneys were recognized by Chambers USA, Legal 500 and IFLR1000. Overall, the firm's accolades are a testament to its deep experience, strong track record and commitment to providing its clients with the highest level of service.
"Our national private equity practice continues to expand, and we've seen significant growth in the funds we are partnering with in the lower and middle market nationwide – particularly across healthcare, retail, manufacturing, government services and technology," said Ryan Thomas, chair of the firm's Private Equity Team and co-chair of the Healthcare Private Equity Team. "In particular, we've built a strong reputation advising on healthcare M&A transactions and continue to expand," added Angela Humphreys, chair of the Healthcare Practice Group and co-chair of the Healthcare Private Equity Team. "Our ability to pair transactional experience with nuanced regulatory guidance allows us to support clients through every stage of a deal. That combination continues to make us a trusted partner for investors navigating the healthcare sector."
Notable 2025 Transactions
Below are links to several notable transactions from the first half of 2025 that prompted recognition by many of these prestigious outlets and showcases the depth of our corporate and healthcare experience.
- Sycamore Partners Enters Definitive Agreement to Acquire Walgreens Boots Alliance for a Total Transaction Valued Up To $23.7 Billion
- i3 Verticals (Nasdaq: IIIV) Sells its Healthcare Revenue Cycle Management Business to Infinx, Inc.
- Bass, Berry & Sims Represents AMSURG in Definitive Agreement to be Acquired by Ascension
- Aveanna Healthcare Holdings Inc. (Nasdaq: AVAH) Acquires Thrive Skilled Pediatric Care, LLC
- DealerClub Sells to Cars.com Inc.
- Healthfuse, a Portfolio Company of New Capital Partners, Sells to InTandem Capital Partners, LLC
- LFM Capital Sells Accelevation to Olympus Partners
- RLDatix Acquires IPeople Healthcare
- Valor Healthcare, Inc., a Portfolio Company of Trive Capital, Acquires Mission Critical Psychological Services, LLC
- Wellvana Acquisition of Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP), CVS Accountable Care
PitchBook Global League Tables
In the quarterly PitchBook League Tables, the firm was ranked in the following categories reflective of work through the first half of 2025.
Law Firms: PE Deals
- #5 Most active in Healthcare
- #6 Most active in Southeast
- #8 Most active in Mountain and Midwest
- #17 Most active in U.S.: Representing Companies
- #18 Most active in U.S.: Representing Investors
- #19 Most Active in U.S.
- #23 Most active in Great Lakes
Law Firms: M&A Deals
- #12 Most active in US: Representing Investors
- #14 Most Active in U.S.
Law Firms: Deals Combined
- #23 Most active in U.S.: Representing Investors
- #24 Most Active in U.S.
The M&A Advisor
International M&A Awards
The Hibbett Sports acquisition by JD Sports Fashion plc was recognized by The M&A Advisor as a winner in the M&A Deal of the Year ($1B to $5B) category for the 2025 Annual International M&A Awards. The firm represented Hibbett in this transformative transaction.
To read more about the 2025 awards click here.
Emerging Leader 2025
Brad Hart was named a 2025 Emerging Leader by The M&A Advisor. Brad was chosen from a distinguished pool of nominees, recognized for their significant accomplishments in business and profound contributions to community service. Read more about Brad's honor here.
Chambers USA
In June 2025, Chambers USA released its annual rankings of firms and attorneys. Bass, Berry & Sims earned the highest Band 1 ranking for the in the Corporate/M&A ranking table for Tennessee and Nationwide for Healthcare in the Elite category. The following fourteen attorneys who focus their practices on M&A were ranked:
- Page Davidson
- Riney Green
- Michael Hess
- Michael Hill
- Scott Holley
- Angela Humphreys
- Jim Jenkins Jr.
- Howard Lamar
- Mark Manner
- Allen Overby
- Tatjana Paterno
- Ryan Thomas
- Todd Rolapp
- Mitch Walker
As reported after the research process, Chambers concluded the following about the firm's Corporate/M&A practice: "Bass, Berry & Sims has a preeminent group highly recommended for its expertise in big-ticket M&A transactions. It also has a wealth of experience advising on private offerings and shareholder activism issues. It further maintains an enviable reputation for its work on major healthcare deals and is also highly regarded for its work in the energy, technology, retail and financial services spheres. Additionally, the firm has extensive expertise in advising public companies and their executive boards on sophisticated corporate and securities matters, with further noteworthy expertise in private equity."
Additionally, clients said the following about Bass, Berry & Sims and our advice related to corporate/M&A matters:
- "They provide a full-service M&A capability and a deep bench of hard-to-find regulatory expertise."
- "The Bass, Berry & Sims team is always available to support."
Legal 500
The firm was again recognized by The Legal 500 in the M&A/Corporate and Commercial M&A: Middle-Market category – maintaining its third tier ranking for 2025. Legal 500 provides annual rankings and insights into the best law firms and lawyers from across the globe. It is a data-driven, AI-optimized research platform which benchmarks, informs and connects providers and users of legal services in over 100 countries worldwide.
IFLR1000
Bass, Berry & Sims was ranked in the Financial and Corporate category in Tennessee by IFLR1000 in 2025. Additionally, the following 12 firm attorneys were recognized in the following practice areas and industry sectors:
- Scott Bell: Notable Practitioner – Practice Areas: Private Equity, M&A
- Bryan Bylica: Rising Star – Practice Areas: Investment Funds, Private Equity, M&A | Industry Sectors: Banking, Investment Management
- Page Davidson: Practice Area: Notable Practitioner – Capital Markets: Equity, M&A | Industry Sector: Healthcare
- Kevin Douglas: Notable Practitioner – Practice Areas: Capital Markets: Debt, Capital Markets: Equity, M&A | Industry Sector: Healthcare
- Angela Humphreys: Notable Practitioner – Practice Area: M&A | Industry Sector: Healthcare
- Andrea Orr: Notable Practitioner – Practice Area: M&A
- Allen Overby: Notable Practitioner – Practice Area: M&A
- Todd Overman: Highly Regarded – Practice Area: M&A | Industry Sector: Government and Public Policy
- Steve Taylor: Notable Practitioner – Practice Areas: Financial Services Regulatory, M&A | Industry Sector: Insurance
- Ryan Thomas: Notable Practitioner – Practice Area: Capital Markets, M&A | Industry Sector: Healthcare
- Leigh Walton: Notable Practitioner – Practice Areas: Capital Markets: Debt, Capital Markets: Equity, Private Equity, M&A | Industry Sector: Healthcare
- Price Wilson: Notable Practitioner – Practice Areas: Capital Markets: Debt, Capital Markets: Equity, M&A
IFLR1000 is a leading international legal market research product specialized in ranking financial and corporate law firms and lawyers.