biography

Kelley Smith is a transactional attorney whose practice focuses on M&A, commercial matters and general corporate structuring and counseling.

Kelley helps businesses (both buyers and sellers) manage risk and resolve issues through every stage of the deal process to reach a closing that meets their strategic needs. During transactions, she coordinates due diligence investigations, drafts and negotiates principal agreements and related documents, incorporates deal support from practice area professionals and manages closings.

Along with her transactional work, Kelley provides general guidance to domestic and international companies on corporate matters including commercial contracts, distribution arrangements and entity structures.

Kelley’s work encompasses a host of industries, and also includes private equity and venture capital work, and franchisor-franchisee relationships. In all cases, her counsel is based on a practical approach to legal issues that prioritizes the client’s business needs.

Kelley serves on the Executive Committee of the Ambassadors Board of Legal Aid Chicago, which provides quality, free legal services to people living in pover...

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Chicago

Credentials

Admissions

California

Illinois

New York

Education

Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law, JD, 2008

Stephen M. Ross School of Business, University of Michigan, Master of Accounting, 2005

Stephen M. Ross School of Business, University of Michigan, BBA, 2004

Prior Law Firm Experience

Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP

Nixon Peabody LLP

Winston & Strawn LLP

Practice Areas