September 28, 2016

Apax Partners Sell TRADER Corporation to Thoma Bravo for $1.575 Billion

Goodmans LLP acted as Canadian counsel to Apax Partners and TRADER Corporation (TRADER) in connection with the sale of TRADER, Canada’s leading digital automotive marketplace and software solutions provider to Thoma Bravo, LLC for approximately $1.575 billion.

Apax Partners LLP is a leading global private equity advisory firm. Over its more than 30-year history, Apax Partners has raised and advised funds with aggregate commitments of $38 billion. Funds advised by Apax Partners invest in companies across four global sectors of Services, Tech & Telco, Health Care, and Consumer. These funds provide long-term equity financing to build and strengthen world-class companies.

TRADER is Canada’s largest digital automotive marketplace. Its marketplace, led by the flagship autoTRADER.ca website and mobile applications, brings together Canada’s largest audience of in-market car shoppers with Canada’s most comprehensive and detailed inventory of new and used vehicle listings. TRADER’s marketing software solutions enable dealers to manage their websites, digital marketing campaigns and inventory. The company’s online marketplaces and destinations include: autoTRADER.ca™, autoHEBDO.net™ and Autos.ca.

Thoma Bravo is a leading private equity firm focused on the software and technology-enabled services sectors. Thoma Bravo partners with a company’s management team to implement operating best practices, invest in growth initiatives and make accretive acquisitions intended to accelerate revenue and earnings, with the goal of increasing the value of the business.

"Goodmans works together, puts egos aside and serves clients effectively. It is really an exceptional law firm." — Chambers Canada
"Goodmans is exceptionally responsive, has cutting-edge expertise and is solution-driven." — Chambers Canada
"Goodmans is our law firm of choice for creativity, commerciality and integrity." — Chambers Canada
"Goodmans is great to work with, distilling very complicated issues and matters to their actionable essence." — Chambers Global
Goodmans LLP continues to be a leader in the corporate and M&A space, bringing strength to advising major multinational corporates and financial institutions involved in high-value, multi-jurisdictional M&A, reorganisations and corporate governance matters. — The Legal 500 Canada
Goodmans have excellent subject matter expertise and actionable strategy and advice. They give deep confidence of their ability to capably handle complex and sophisticated matters. — Chambers Canada
The corporate and commercial team has impressive depth with experienced and highly skilled counsel at all relevant levels, from senior partner to junior associate. — Chambers Canada
The Corporate/Commercial team at Goodmans make it seem as though we are their only client. They are our go-to external corporate-commercial counsel. — Chambers Canada
Clients note, "They have a good team of very experienced lawyers who know the process, " adding, "They have a good bench strength." — Chambers Canada
Clients note, "They get our business and what we're trying to accomplish. It's not just technical advice." — Chambers Canada
One interviewee reported, "The Goodmans team as a whole is excellent," adding: "The lawyers are very responsive and get the job done. It is of great assurance to have them as our legal advisers." — Chambers Canada
One client noted, "...they handled a very complicated transaction involving many jurisdictions and did a very good job. They are always able to make comparative decisions through a relatively simple way and try to balance risk and find solutions." — Chambers Canada
Clients note, "The client service at Goodmans has always been excellent, and they are very deep from a corporate and financing perspective." — Chambers Global
Interviewees praise the firm's work on cross-border matters, saying: "The team's coordination is superb, its work ethic unparalleled and the service excellent." — Chambers Global
One client noted, "very strong legal minds, focus in on the business issues...good communicators, include my internal team as much or as little as we may want on a particular project." — IFLR1000
....punches above its weight for big-ticket M&A in Canada, recently advising on substantial transactions in mining, energy, technology and cannabis sectors. — Chambers Global
Clients commend Goodmans for being, "very entrepreneurial in their culture, in addition to being able to provide sophisticated and excellent legal assistance." — Chambers Canada

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Apax Partners Sell TRADER Corporation to Thoma Bravo for $1.575 Billion

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Apax Partners Sell TRADER Corporation to Thoma Bravo for $1.575 Billion

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