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Mark J. Kelson is Co-Chair of the firm’s Global Corporate Practice. Mark leads multi-disciplinary transaction teams in complex domestic and cross-border transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, leveraged buyouts, private and public offerings of equity and debt, strategic collaborations and joint ventures. Mark’s clients include private equity sponsors, significant family offices, and private and public companies in consumer products, healthcare, technology, hospitality, food and beverage, financial services, real estate, aerospace energy and telecommunications. 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
  • Leveraged buyouts, carve-outs and divestitures
  • Public and private offerings of equity and debt
  • Corporate governance and strategic advice
  • Strategic transactions and joint ventures
  • General corporate, strategic and transactional matters

Capabilities

Experience

  • Extensive history representing significant private equity funds and major family offices in acquisition and investment transactions.
  • Broad representation of public and private companies, including leading industry consolidators, in mergers, acquisitions and joint venture transactions.
  • Representation of public and private companies in capital raising and public offering transactions, ranging from industry leaders to emerging growth companies.
  • Representation of boards of directors and their committees with respect to corporate governance best practices and transaction strategies.
  • Representation of companies and investors in distressed situations, including out of court and in court distressed acquisitions and divestitures, investments, restructurings, recapitalizations, reorganizations and workouts.

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, Emeritus Council, Los Angeles Regional Food Bank 
  • Former Member, Board of Governors, Institute for Corporate Counsel, USC Gould School of Law 

Credentials

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