Private Equity

Legal Services

Private Equity

In today’s complex financial market, many private equity funds are looking to the middle-market to find unique investment opportunities to help generate growth and exceptional returns. The important legal issues surrounding private equity fund investments and divestures require skilled, dedicated, and experienced legal counsel.

Kerr Russell has several top practitioners, who have years of experience representing and advising private equity funds in various transactions, including all aspects of acquisitions, divestures and fund formation.

The Kerr Russell Private Equity practice group represents a number of private equity funds in all aspects of their legal needs, including:

  • Fund formation
  • Transactional financing
  • Tax planning
  • Due diligence
  • Effectively drafting documentation including but not limited to, Non-Disclosure Agreements (“NDA”), Letters of Intent (“LOI”), Sale and Purchase Agreements, Debt Commitment letters, Equity Commitment letters
  • Acquisitions, including LBOs, MBOs, stock and asset acquisitions, mergers, and share exchanges
  • Recapitalizations
  • Disposition of assets and exit strategies

Our primary focus is on middle-market transactions ranging in value from $10 million to $500 million. At Kerr Russell, we have vast experience representing a diverse range of clients in automotive, healthcare, manufacturing, construction, financial services, and several other industries. Due to our size, experience and expertise, and due to the significant number of our attorneys who are Certified Public Accountants, or possess Masters in Business Administration or advance law degrees in taxation, Kerr Russell is able to provide attentive and effective counsel to our clients on all aspects of a private equity transaction. At Kerr Russell, we pride ourselves on our ability to work closely with our clients and ensure our services are exceeding their expectations.

+Practicing Attorneys & Staff

Attorneys

Richard C. Buslepp
Richard C. Buslepp

Member

Eric I. Lark
Eric I. Lark

Member

Michael D. Gibson
Michael D. Gibson

Of Counsel

+Related Insights

January 26, 2018

Download Kerr Russell's updated firm brochure and overview of services

Kerr Russell is proud of Detroit. We are proud to have had a seat at the table here since 1874. Our exceptional attorneys understand the unique challenges facing business leaders. Our legal solutions are prompt, accurate, economical, and focused around your needs in every area. We know Michigan business like the back of our hands.

January 15, 2018

Honoring the legacy of Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr.

On Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and every day, we at Kerr Russell honor Reverend King’s leadership and his legacy as well as the critical importance of diversity and opportunity in this great land of ours. Strength comes from difference; a multiplicity of voices brings positive change; understanding and inclusion inspire creativity and innovation.
+Related News

August 20, 2020

Kerr Russell Attorneys Recognized by Best Lawyers in America© 2021 and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch

Seventeen Kerr Russell members were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2021. Notably, twelve of the named attorneys have been listed in The Best Lawyers in America for more than five years.

March 17, 2020

Coronavirus/COVID-19 Business Continuity:  A Message to Our Community, Clients and Friends

Kerr Russell is committed to its community, clients and people. As the world navigates through the impact of COVID-19 (coronavirus), we want to assure you that Kerr Russell is committed to supporting our community, clients and people as effectively as we have through every other crisis our Nation has encountered over our firm’s nearly 150-year history. Our firm is fully operational: We have made sure that our lawyers and staff are able to safely and effectively serve our clients’ needs and continue operations on an uninterrupted basis. Most of our people

September 7, 2018

15 Kerr Russell attorneys recognized as 2018 Super Lawyers

Congratulations to the following attorneys who have been designated "Super Lawyers" by Thomson Reuters:

August 15, 2018

15 lawyers from Kerr Russell were recognized in The Best Lawyers in America© 2019

A total of 15 lawyers from Kerr Russell have been named to the prestigious 2019 Edition of the Best Lawyers in America©. The award is given annually in recognition of being named as part of the “top legal talent in the U.S.”

March 7, 2018

ACG/TMA co-host “Women In Leadership,” a panel of leading Detroit-based female executives discussing opportunities and challenges for women; Kerr Russell a silver sponsor

On March 7 at The Townsend Hotel, the Association for Corporate Growth Detroit Women's Forum & Turnaround Management Association Detroit Network of Women hosted “Women In Leadership,” a panel of leading Detroit-based female executives discussing opportunities and challenges for women in this C-level role. Kerr Russell is a silver-level sponsor of TMA.

January 16, 2018

ACG/TMA co-host, Kerr Russell sponsors "Automotive Landscape: An Inside Look at a Driver of the Global Economy"

The Association for Corporate Growth Detroit​/Turnaround Management Association​ Detroit joint breakfast “The Automotive Landscape: An Inside Look at a Driver of the Global Economy” was held on January 16 at the Detroit Athletic Club. Kerr Russell is a silver sponsor of TMA. Presenters included Michael Robinet, Managing Director, IHS Markit​’s Automotive Global Advisory, and Peter Nagle, IHS Markit​’s Automotive Senior Automotive Economist, North American Industry Analysis.

January 3, 2018

Kerr Russell highlighted in Best Lawyers - Business, Winter 2017 issue

Look for Kerr Russell attorneys and advertising (pages 92-95) in the Best Lawyers - Business, Winter 2017 issue. Earlier in 2017, a number of Kerr Russell's attorneys and practice areas were honored with U.S. News and World Report Best Lawyers recognition.

December 18, 2017

Kerr Russell team makes holiday donations to Capuchin Soup Kitchen, Wigs 4 Kids, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Ann Arbor, and Children's Hospital of Michigan

One of our traditions here at Kerr Russell is to hold a holiday raffle to benefit three local charities as well as to conduct a toy drive for local children. This year's raffle (many of the beautiful and festive prizes picture here) raised a record total of $3,450 which will be divided equally among three organizations: Capuchin Soup Kitchen, Wigs 4 Kids of Michigan, Inc., and Ronald McDonald House Charities of Ann Arbor.

November 30, 2017

Merry and bright ... Kerr Russell welcomes the holiday season

It's a time to celebrate, reflect and remember. However you mark the holidays, we hope your days are filled with warmth and thankfulness, good times, and endless cheer. As another year draws to a close, we at Kerr Russell are grateful to you. You give purpose to our work and add meaning to our relationships. Your trust is a cherished gift. Enjoy these images as we get our offices ready to celebrate the holiday season. Design by Mandy Lark of Lark Interior Design.

November 16, 2017

Culture of Connection - new Kerr Russell ad to appear in Michigan Lawyers Weekly and dbusiness

Kerr Russell introduces the second ad in the new "Est. in Detroit 1874" series: "A culture of connection." The piece emphasizes the firm's 143-year presence in Detroit as part of the larger business and legal community. "We are relationship focused. We know our people and our clients are the lifeblood of our firm."

November 3, 2017

Kerr Russell launches new advertising in upcoming issues of dbusiness and Crain's Detroit

With this month's issue of dbusiness, focused on Top Lawyers in Metro Detroit, Kerr Russell launches its new brand advertising with "A Track Record of Results." Working with Identity Public Relations and Marketing, Kerr Russell's marketing team developed the creative to emphasize the firm's longstanding place in Detroit's legal and business history.

November 1, 2017

Kerr Russell ranked in the 2018 U.S. News - Best Lawyers® "Best Law Firms" list nationally in 1 practice area and regionally in 17 practice areas

U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers, for the eighth consecutive year, announce the "Best Law Firms" rankings.

September 19, 2017

ACG Detroit hosts "Sports in the D: Downtown's Economic Power Play?" at Little Caesars Arena

The Association for Corporate Growth Detroit hosted "Sports in the D: Downtown's Economic Power Play?" at Little Caesars Arena on September 19. The event was an inside look at the philosophy and economic drivers behind the development of Little Caesars Arena and The District Detroit.

August 10, 2017

A culture of giving

If you want to know how a firm can thrive for over 140 years in a city that has faced considerable challenges, walk through the door of Kerr Russell’s suite on the 25th floor of the Detroit Center and get a feel for the people.

January 15, 2017

Kerr Russell receives consecutive awards from The M&A Advisor: John Gatti and Mike Gibson receive 2016 “Materials Deal of the Year” Award

Kerr Russell is pleased to have been recognized again by the M&A Advisor who today announced that Kerr Russell was among the winners of the 11th Annual Turnaround Awards.

November 6, 2016

Kerr, Russell, Rich Buslepp and Michael D. Gibson receive "Materials Deal of the Year" Award from The M&A Advisor

KR was recently awarded 2015 "Materials Deal of the Year" by The M&A Advisor for its Representation of Zhongli Corporation in connection with the its acquisition of Stern Rubber Company. Zhongli Corporation was principally represented by KR members Mike Gibson and Rich Buslepp.

August 10, 2016

Kerr Russell, John D. Gatti and Michael D. Gibson named finalists by M&A Advisor for Restructuring Deal of the year Award.

Kerr, Russell, John D. Gatti and Michael D. Gibson have been named finalists for M&A Advisor's Restructuring Deal of the Year (Under $100MM) Award for their work in the 363 Sale of Quantum Technologies.

February 10, 2016

Kerr Russell, Richard C. Buslepp and Michael D. Gibson receive M&A Advisor Award

The acquisition of Stern Rubber by Shanghai Zhongli has been named as a finalist by the M&A Advisor for the 8th Annual International M&A Awards.