David Solomon has a distinguished track record in completing some of the largest and most complex transactions in the firm’s history on behalf of entrepreneurs, public and private companies, private equity groups, and sellers of small-cap public companies. Mr. Solomon is the head of the firm’s Specialty Retail and Direct Marketing Group, with particular expertise in multi-unit retail, franchise operations and catalog/Internet retailers. The group has completed over 46 direct marketing and specialty retail transactions, including the sale of Potpourri Group, Performance Bike, Dr. Leonard’s, Eckler’s, Chef’s Catalog, and SkyMall.

Prior to joining Lazard Middle Market in 1991, he was an officer with Northstar Industries, a national mergers and acquisitions firm where he specialized in corporate finance for direct marketing and consumer companies. Mr. Solomon also has extensive experience in structuring private placements of senior and subordinated debt and equity placements. Previously, Mr. Solomon spent 13 years as a real estate professional, primarily developing retail shopping centers and mixed-use projects in Minneapolis. He brings this wealth of retail experience to bear in his M&A role today.

He earned both a bachelor of arts and master’s degree from Yale University, graduating magna cum laude. He received a Master of Business Administration degree with a concentration in finance from the Carlson School at the University of Minnesota, graduating in the Delta Gamma Sigma honors society.