JLL Partners

JLL Partners was founded in 1987, tracing its roots to the merchant bank Gilliam Joseph & Littlejohn. The firm's founders met at Quadrex Corporation and were joined in 1988 by Paul S. Levy, a former Drexel Burnham Lambert managing director. Since its inception, the firm has committed billions of dollars across multiple funds, experiencing early success with the buyout of Rexene Corp.

The firm focuses on middle-market companies, often targeting those requiring operational turnarounds. Over the decades, JLL has evolved through the departures of original partners William Gilliam, Angus Littlejohn, and Peter Joseph, who went on to form or join other investment firms. Despite these transitions, the firm has continued to raise significant capital, closing its seventh fund at $1 billion in 2016.

Headquartered in New York City, JLL Partners maintains a diverse portfolio spanning healthcare, industrial manufacturing, and aerospace services. Notable recent activity includes the formation of Renovo Health in 2020 and the acquisition of major aviation maintenance and ballistic armor providers.