Skip to Content
Jaffe has joined Taft.

Jaffe has joined Taft. Now over 800 attorneys strong.

Learn more about the merger here.

Learn more about Taft here.

Overview

Overview

Lee Kellert is the former co-chair of our Mergers and Acquisitions Practice Group and represents a wide range of clients in the areas of mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance, complex business transactions and general corporate matters. Clients appreciate Lee’s no nonsense, practical approach to matters. Lee represents private equity, independent sponsors, entrepreneurs and other clients in M&A transactions of all types, including asset purchases, equity purchases and mergers. He has led and managed transactions across a multitude of industries and jurisdictions from letter of intent to closing.  Lee also has an expertise in corporate finance and facilitating and documenting complex capital structures in limited liability companies, including operating agreements with sophisticated and unique distribution waterfalls and governance provisions.

In addition, Lee acts as outside general counsel in advising clients and their principals on day-to-day legal needs. These services cover a variety of issues, including advising, drafting and negotiating commercial contracts, joint ventures, employment and consulting agreements, non-competes and equity incentives. He also works with business owners on multifaceted issues involving governance and control, transfer restrictions, buy/sell agreements and other general corporate matters.

 

Education & Admissions

Education & Admissions

Education

  • Wayne State University Law School
    J.D.
    Magna cum laude
    Order of the coif
  • Washington & Jefferson College
    Bachelor of Arts

Bar admission

  • Michigan

Significant Matters

Significant Matters

Representative Mergers and Acquisitions Transactions

  • Represented independent sponsor in connection with the acquisition of multiple platforms in various industries including, heavy construction, engineering and land surveying, nutritional supplements and commercial and residential construction
  • Represented precision components and cutting tools manufacturer in connection with the acquisition of more than 30 businesses in a 10 year period across multiple industry sectors, including aerospace and medical
  • Represented global insurance restoration and rehabilitation company in connection with more than 20 acquisitions over an 8 year period
  • Represented owner of multiple-location mental health therapy practice in a sale to a private equity buyer
  • Represented encryption and anti-spam software developer and provider in a sale to a publicly traded buyer
  • Represented US-based management team in a $350M buyout of a German parent company
  • Represented a global insurance restoration and rehabilitation company in a reverse triangular merger with a private equity buyer and a subsequent spinoff of retained property and assets
  • Represented independent sponsor in the sale of its platform company in the precision tooling and manufacturing industry to a private equity buyer
  • Represented a private equity fund in the sale of its platform company in the underground water and sewer pipe restoration industry to a private equity buyer
  • Represented Rosh Review in the sale to Blueprint Education
  • Represented Ferrous Processing and Trading Co. in the $775 million sale to Cleveland Cliffs
  • Represented independent sponsor in the sale of Thayer Power & Communication to Calera Capital
  • Represented multi-industry franchisor in connection with the acquisition of ChemDry, Nhance, Delta Restoration and Redbox+ brands
  • Represented independent sponsor in connection with its acquisition of residential and commercial stone and masonry contractor
  • Represented independent sponsor in connection with its acquisition of a residential foundation and concrete flatwork contractor

Representative Financing Transactions

  • Represented multiple independent sponsors in connection with new platform acquisition financing with both senior and mezzanine debt ranging in size from $5 million to over $100 million
  • Represented multiple independent sponsors in connection with equity raises related to new platform acquisitions ranging in size from $2 million to $50 million
  • Represented global insurance restoration and rehabilitation company in connection with initial financing and refinancing of $500M+ syndicated loan facility
  • Represented nationwide water and sewer pipe rehabilitation firm in connection recapitalization transaction, including equity offering and refinancing of senior and mezzanine debt
  • Represented precision components manufacturer in connection with recapitalization transaction, including equity offering and refinancing of senior and mezzanine debt
  • Represented private equity sponsor in connection with acquisitions financing (including equity and senior and mezzanine debt) for multiple new portfolio companies
  • Represented entrepreneur in connection with acquisition financing for multiple real estate portfolios
  • Represented prototype design and manufacturing business in connection with business, real estate and equipment financing
  • Represented precision components manufacturer in connection with equipment financing and capital lease credit facility
  • Represented nationwide water and sewer pipe rehabilitation firm in connection with equipment financing and capital lease credit facility

Affiliations

Affiliations

  • State Bar of Michigan
  • American Bar Association
  • Oakland County Bar Association

News

News

Speaking Engagements

  • “How to Prepare your Company for Investors”, webinar Lawrence Technological University, June 23, 2020. Click here for Webinar