Skip to main content

Mark J. Kelson is Co-Chair of the firm’s Global Corporate Practice. Mark leads multi-disciplinary transaction teams in complex domestic and international transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, private and public offerings, securities matters, leveraged buyouts, strategic collaborations and joint ventures. Mark’s clients include private equity sponsors, investment banks, specialty finance companies and REITs, and private and public companies in fintech, healthcare, technology, aerospace, energy, consumer products and food and beverage.  Mark also regularly advises boards of directors and their committees with respect to corporate governance best practices, transaction strategy, regulatory compliance, fiduciary duties and executive compensation issues. 

Mark has been recognized by Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business in the area of Corporate/M&A: Private Equity. In the 2022 edition of Chambers, commenters said that “Mark is extremely responsive and focused on practical solutions.” They also noted that “Mark is very commercial, practical and is excellent at providing solutions to overcome deal issues” and “he is a fantastic senior adviser who is very commercial in his approach.”

Concentrations

  • Private equity
  • Domestic and cross-border mergers and acquisitions
  • Public and private offerings of equity and debt
  • Corporate governance and strategic advice
  • Leveraged buyouts, carve-outs and divestitures
  • Strategic transactions, licensing and joint ventures
  • General corporate, strategic and transactional matters

Capabilities

Recognition & Leadership

  • Listed, Chambers USA Guide, 2021-2023
    • Private Equity: Buyouts, 2023
    • Corporate/M&A Private Equity, 2021-2022
  • Listed, IFLR1000, "Highly Regarded," M&A, 2020-2023
  • Finalist, Los Angeles Business Journal, Leaders in Law, "Corporate Firm Attorney of the Year," 2019
  • Listed, Super Lawyers magazine, Southern California Super Lawyers, 2005, 2016-2017
  • Team Member, Corporate Board Member magazine and FTI Consulting Inc., one of "America’s Best Corporate Law Firms," 13th Annual Legal Industry Study, 2013
  • Co-Chair, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Invest in Hope Committee of Los Angeles 
  • Member, Executive Committee of the Board of Governors of Cedars Sinai Medical Center 
  • Member, Board of Governors, Institute for Corporate Counsel, USC Gould School of Law 
  • Member, Emeritus Council, Los Angeles Regional Food Bank 

Credentials

Education
  • J.D., Loyola Law School, Los Angeles, 1991
    • Order of the Coif
    • St. Thomas Moore Honors Society
    • Executive Editor, Loyola of Los Angeles Law Review
Admissions
  • California