Sidley represented independent infrastructure manager Ancala in the formation of short line rail specialist Phoenix Rail and in the subsequent acquisition by Phoenix Rail of Lehigh Valley Rail Management (LVRM). LVRM is an owner and operator of short line rail and intermodal terminal infrastructure in Pennsylvania.
Short line rail connects shippers to the U.S. national railroad network and plays a crucial role in the transportation of freight. LVRM, Phoenix Rail’s first acquisition, provides access to three Class I railroads, situated between major metropolitan areas, including New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C. Ancala will work alongside Phoenix Rail’s management team to build the platform into a best-in-class owner and operator of railroads and rail-related businesses.
The Sidley team was led by Brien Wassner (M&A and Private Equity), Samantha Seley (Energy and Infrastructure), and Terence Hynes (Transportation), and included Amanda Gonzalez (M&A and Private Equity); Eric Wolf and Amanda Casanueva (Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation); Christian Brause and Joel Lifshitz (Tax); Banks Bruce, Jim Albrecht, and Chase Rowland (Global Finance); Eric Hoffman (Labor and Employment); and Maureen Crough (Environmental).