Press Release 03.18.25
Brett Willis represents clients in a wide range of corporate and partnership tax matters, including domestic and international mergers and acquisitions, reorganizations, restructurings, private equity investments, joint ventures, U.S. and non-U.S. financial instruments, real estate investments trusts (REITs) and foreign investments in the United States, including under the Foreign Investment Real Property Tax Act.
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Brett has represented various prominent private equity funds, asset managers, and public and private REITs. He has significant experience in federal income tax matters relating to domestic and cross-border corporate and financial transactions, including M&A transactions, restructurings, financial instruments and joint ventures, as well as all tax matters relating to fund formation and investments in funds. His representations have been profiled in numerous publications.
Prior to joining Pillsbury, Brett was a senior vice president at Oaktree Capital Management, LP, and a partner at Kirkland & Ellis LLP.
Representative Experience
- Represented Sentynl Therapeutics, Inc., a U.S.-based biopharmaceutical company wholly owned by Zydus Lifesciences, Ltd., in the acquisition of Eiger Biopharmaceutical’s Zokinvy (lonafarnib) program through a chapter 11 sale process, where Sentynl served as the “stalking horse bidder” and ultimately prevailed in a competitive auction process. This deal was awarded “Distressed M&A Deal of the Year Award” by Americas M&A Atlas Awards (2025).
- Assisted EV fleet charging specialist TeraWatt Infrastructure in raising over $1 billion in financing for buildout of electric fleet charging centers and operations nationwide.
- Represented Catalyst Spirits in its acquisition by Campari Group’s Howler Head Whiskey.
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- Represented CalPERS in the largest secondary-sale transaction ever, which was a divestiture of $6 billion in private equity stakes from the fund’s $50 billion private equity portfolio, and in its commitment to $1 billion to put toward the next generation of emerging managers in the private markets.
- Represented Everi Holdings Inc. in its approximately $59 million purchase agreement to acquire certain assets of Video King.
- Represented MSUITE in its acquisition by Stanley Black & Decker.
- Represented Kirei in its acquisition by Carnegie Fabrics.
- Represented Sentynl in an acquisition of assets, including Nulibry (Fosdenopterin), an FDA-approved injection used to reduce the risk of mortality in patients with an ultra-rare, life-threatening pediatric genetic disorder.
- Represented Eagle Four Partners in the purchase of the former Fashion Island Hotel in Orange County, California. The hotel will rebrand as the Pendry Newport Beach, part of the Montage International chain.
- Represented Ventura Foods in the sale of its Marie’s dressings and Dean’s Dip businesses to Brynwood Partners.
Professional Highlights
- Advised on “Distressed M&A Deal of the Year Award” awarded by Americas M&A Atlas Awards (2025) for representation of Sentynl Therapeutics, Inc. in its acquisition of Eiger Biopharmaceutical’s Zokinvy (lonafarnib) program.
Education
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LL.M. (in Taxation), New York University School of Law
J.D., University of Utah College of Law
M.Acc., Brigham Young University
B.S., Brigham Young University
Admissions
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California