Norton Rose Fulbright represents Hoffmann Family of Companies in Smith Gardens acquisition

Global law firm Norton Rose Fulbright represented the Hoffmann Family of Companies (HF Companies), a multi-vertical family-owned private equity firm based in Winnetka, Illinois, in its acquisition of Smith Gardens, a greenhouse growing company headquartered in Bellingham, Washington. The closing was announced on January 29, 2026.

This strategic acquisition expands HF Companies' rapidly growing agricultural vertical into a new geographic region, complementing its existing holdings in California, Florida, Illinois, Missouri and Mexico. HF Companies' broader portfolio includes more than 125 global brands with businesses located across 30 countries.

Smith Gardens grows and sells annual and perennial ornamental plants to home improvement, grocery and big-box retailers, and operates a merchandising service and young plant division. The family-owned and operated company has approximately four million square feet of greenhouses and more than 100 acres of outdoor production space across five major growing facilities in the Pacific Northwest and California.

"We are proud to have advised the Hoffmann Family of Companies on this meaningful acquisition," said Kevin Friedmann, who led Norton Rose Fulbright's representation. "This partnership unites two legacy-driven organizations and positions both organizations for continued growth built on shared values and a commitment to excellence."

Norton Rose Fulbright's deal team was led by Kevin Friedmann (Chicago) and included Adam Braun (St. Louis), Michael Flamenbaum (New York), Eric Clamage (Chicago), Josh Owings (Dallas), Josh Buss (Chicago), Spencer Brown (Dallas) and Eli Gaylor (Austin).

The lawyers who comprise Norton Rose Fulbright's global corporate, M&A and securities practice advise corporations, family offices, private equity investors and financial institutions across the full spectrum of industry matters, including public takeovers, public and private M&A, joint ventures, disposals, debt and equity capital markets, governance, general commercial and corporate advisory issues. The global team is well positioned to provide strategic, business-oriented legal advice on complex domestic, cross-border and multijurisdictional transactions in both emerging and developed markets.