Kevin L. Morris - Partner

• Corporate
• Private Equity
• Mergers & Acquisitions
• Leveraged Acquisitions
• Private Company
• Restructuring
• Strategic Alliances

• 2002, Illinois

• University of Chicago Law School, J.D., 2002

  
  William W. Wilkow Scholar

• Butler University, M.B.A., Finance, 1996
• Butler University, B.S., Marketing, 1995

  
  Midge Rust Business Scholar

  William J. Davey Business Scholar

  Phi Eta Sigma

  Alpha Lambda Delta

Professional Profile

Kevin Morris is a corporate partner in Kirkland's Chicago office. He concentrates his practice principally in complex business transactions, including private equity transactions, leveraged and strategic acquisitions and divestitures of businesses, in-court and out-of-court restructurings, recapitalizations and joint ventures. Kevin represents a variety of private equity investors and private and public corporations in connection with among other things, distressed business situations, the structuring and negotiation of purchase and sale agreements, significant commercial agreements, investment agreements, equity incentive plans, joint venture agreements and employment agreements. Kevin serves on the firmwide Diversity Committee and the Chicago office Recruiting Committee.

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Representative Matters

Abbott Laboratories & Abbott Molecular Inc.

• sale of recombinant urokinase assets to ImaRx Therapeutics, Inc.

• sale of Abbokinase assets to ImaRx Therapeutics, Inc.

• two stage investment in and acquisition of call option to acquire capital stock of Ibis Biosciences, Inc. and subsequent acquisition of Ibis Biosciences, Inc. from Isis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

• Article 9 repossession of urokinase assets from ImaRx Therapeutics, Inc.

• minority venture capital investment in medical technology business

American Capital Strategies, Ltd.

• acquisition of Kester solder materials business from Northrop Grumman Corporation and related equity transactions

• sale of Kester solder materials business to Illinois Tool Works, Inc.

• acquisition of Swank AudioVisuals business from Swank Motion Pictures, Inc. and related equity transactions

• sale of Swank AudioVisuals business to Code Hennessy & Simmons

Bain Capital Partners

• acquisition of Toy's 'R' Us and related restructuring transactions

• acquisition of Guitar Center, Inc. and related equity transactions and general corporate advice

Chicago Growth Partners

• acquisition of Union Corrugating Company metal roofing business and related equity transactions

• minority venture capital investment in medical technology business

Clear Channel Communications, Inc.

• acquisition of assets of Thumbplay, Inc. digital music business

• general corporate advice

Code, Hennessy & Simmons- sale of Precise Technologies, Inc. plastic container business to Rexam PLC

GTCR

• acquisition of Honeywell Security Monitoring business from Honeywell International, Inc. and related equity transactions

• sale of Honeywell Security Monitoring business to The Stanley Works

• sale of American Sanitary Incorporated janitorial supply business to Interline Brands, Inc.

• sale of Ovation Pharmaceuticals, Inc. to Lundbeck, Inc.

• high yield bond offering for Sorenson Communications, Inc. and related transactions

H.I.G. Capital

• acquisition of assets of WhiteHorse Capital and related transactions

• minority investment in TLC Vision business and related bankruptcy and restructuring transactions

Madison Dearborn Partners- sale of National Mentor Inc. human services business to Vestar Capital Partners

Monomoy Capital Partners

• sale of EveryWare Global, Inc. to ROI Acquisition Corp and related transactions

• acquisition of Oneida Limited flatware and dinnerware business and related transactions

• acquisition of Casting Technology Company from Amcast Industrial Corporation via 363 bankruptcy sale

• acquisition of Rossborough Supply Company automotive parts business and related transactions

• acquisition of Alcoa Automotive Castings automotive parts business from Alcoa Inc.

• formation of Compass Automotive Group and related restructuring and equity transactions

• acquisition of Heat Transfer Products Group from Carrier Corporation and related transactions

Navistar International Corporation- restructuring of international electric vehicle joint venture with Modec Limited and related matters

OakTree Capital Management

• recapitalization and investment in Tumi Inc. luggage and luxury accessories business

• sale of Tumi, Inc. luggage and luxury accessories business to Doughty Hanson & Co.

Relativity Capital

• acquisition of Evergreen Maintenance Center, Inc. aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul business from Evergreen International Aviation and related transactions

• recapitalization and investment in Jessica's Factory Outlet branded apparel distribution business and related transactions

Sara Lee Corporation- sale of Store Brands Refrigerated Dough business to Ralcorp Holdings, Inc.

Summit Partners- sale of one-third interest in Ella Moss women's apparel business to VF Corporation with purchase of put option and sale of call option and related exercise of put option and sale of Ella Moss women's apparel business

Sun Capital Partners

• acquisition of Eljer bath products business from Jacuzzi Brands, Inc.

• acquisition of Boston Market Corporation from McDonald's Corporation and related sale-leaseback transactions

Thoma Bravo- acquisition of LANDesk software business from Emerson Electric Co. and related transactions

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Memberships & Affiliations

Constitutional Rights Foundation - Lawyers in the Classroom

Board of Advisors, Investment Fund Committee - Butler University Business Accelerator

American Constitution Society for Law and Policy

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Other Distinctions

Recipient, 2007 Butler University Hilton Ultimus Brown Alumni Achievement Award

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Prior Experience

Pfizer, Inc.

Illinois State University

Butler University