Noteworthy Work
K&L Gates Advises Beyond Yoga in Acquisition by Levi Strauss & Co.
Global law firm K&L Gates LLP has advised Beyond Yoga, a fast-growing, premium athletic and lifestyle apparel brand, in its acquisition by Levi Strauss & Co. (LS&Co.) for approximately US$400 million. The transaction closed in late September. The acquisition brings the Beyond Yoga brand to more consumers through direct-to-consumer expansion, including brick-and-mortar retail, gender and category growth, and further development of the wholesale footprint with premium partners.
The K&L Gates team that advised Beyond Yoga on the transaction was led by Orange County/Los Angeles partner Goody Agahi and associates Ron Birnkrant and Caitlin Velasco, and comprised a diverse, multi-disciplinary team of lawyers from the firm’s Austin, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, New York, Pittsburgh, San Francisco, Seattle, and Washington, D.C. offices.
“It was a privilege to work with Jodi, Michelle, Jesse, and the entire Beyond Yoga team in connection with this transaction, which brings together iconic brands with shared values centered on inclusivity,” Agahi said.
Headquartered in Los Angeles, Beyond Yoga is a body positive, premium athleisure apparel brand focused on quality, fit and comfort for all shapes and sizes. Honoring and celebrating every body from XXS-4X, Beyond Yoga was founded in 2005 and has created an inclusive community centered on body positivity, the celebration of diversity, and giving back to causes in which it believes. The company is female-founded, female-run and more than 85% female-led.
Michelle Wahler, co-founder and CEO of Beyond Yoga, added: “The K&L Gates team led by Goody did an amazing job in executing our acquisition by Levi Strauss & Co. The entire firm felt like they were there to support us no matter what or when we needed it. The outcome was everything we wanted for Beyond Yoga. We look forward to an exciting future as part of the LS&Co family thanks in large part to the expertise and guidance of Goody and his team.”
K&L Gates’ corporate practice is one of the most substantial in the legal industry, with more than 500 lawyers in offices on five continents providing clients with practical legal solutions in the structuring, financing, and completion of domestic, international, and cross-border transactions.
K&L Gates is a fully integrated global law firm with lawyers located across five continents. The firm represents leading multinational corporations, growth and middle-market companies, capital markets participants and entrepreneurs in every major industry group as well as public sector entities, educational institutions, philanthropic organizations and individuals.
