Kevin L. Morris

Partner Mergers & Acquisitions Private Equity

Chicago +1 312 862 2456

Kevin L. Morris

Overview

In Memoriam for Kevin Morris

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, and investment and joint venture agreements. Kevin serves on the Firmwide Diversity and Inclusion Committee, the Chicago Secretarial Review Committee, the Chicago Legal Assistant Review Committee and the Chicago Recruiting Committee.

Kevin is a member of the Board of Trustees for Butler University and a member of the Board of Directors for the Chicago Committee.

Abbott Labs & Abbott Molecular Inc.

  • sales of assets to ImaRx Therapeutics, Inc.
  • two stage investment in and acquisition of call option to acquire Ibis Biosciences, Inc. and subsequent acquisition of Ibis Biosciences, Inc. from Isis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

American Capital, Ltd.

  • acquisition of Kester solder materials business from Northrop Grumman Corporation and sale of Kester solder materials business to Illinois Tool Works, Inc.
  • acquisition of Swank AudioVisuals business from Swank Motion Pictures, Inc. and sale of Swank AudioVisuals business to Code Hennessy & Simmons

Bain Capital Partners

  • acquisition of Toy’s ‘R’ Us and related transactions
  • acquisition of Guitar Center, Inc. and related transactions
  • restructuring and recapitalization of Guitar Center, Inc. in connection with transfer of control to Ares Management
  • restructuring and recapitalization of Asian consumer electronics business

Centene Corporation

  • acquisition of assets of Community Health Solutions of Louisiana and related joint venture transactions
  • acquisition of Agate Resources, Inc.

Cerberus Capital Management

  • carveout of Avon's North American business and strategic investment in Avon’s international business

Chicago Growth Partners

  • acquisition of Union Corrugating Company metal roofing business
  • acquisition of Caprion Proteomics, Inc.
  • acquisition of ScribeAmerica, LLC

Clear Channel Communications, Inc.

  • acquisition of assets of Thumbplay, Inc. digital music business
  • various investment and corporate governance matters

Energy Future Holdings

  • $18.7 billion sale of the company and its stake in Oncor Electric Delivery Co. to NextEra Energy

EveryWare Global, Inc.

  • reverse subsidiary merger with ROI Acquisition Corp. a NASDAQ-listed ‘blank-check’ special purpose acquisition company and related financing and equity transactions
  • general corporate and restructuring advice

GTCR

  • acquisition of Honeywell Security Monitoring business from Honeywell International, Inc. and sale 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.

Health Care Service Corporation

  • acquisition of assets of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Montana
  • various investment matters

Monomoy Capital Partners

  • acquisition of Cobra Electronics Corporation and related transactions
  • acquisition of Denimatrix S.A. and related denim manufacturing assets; formation of American Textile joint venture with Kingsmoor LLC
  • acquisition of Escort Inc. radar detector business
  • acquisition of Holley and Quickfuel automotive performance businesses and subsequent sale to Lincolnshire Management
  • acquisition of Oneida Limited flatware and dinnerware business and combination with Anchor Hocking Glass business to form EveryWare Global, Inc.
  • acquisition of Alcoa Automotive Castings business from Alcoa Inc.
  • acquisition of Heat Transfer Products Group from Carrier Corporation and sale to Rheem Manufacturing Company

Navistar International Corporation

  • restructuring of international electric vehicle joint venture with Modec Limited and related matters
  • sales of various asset groups to AMP Electric Vehicles, Inc., American Industrial Partners and Thor Industries Inc.

Oaktree Capital Management

  • recapitalization of Tumi Inc. and subsequent sale to Doughty Hanson & Co.

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 VP Corporation with purchase of put option and sale of call option and subsequent related exercise of put option and sale of the company

Sun Capital Partners

  • acquisition of Eljer bath products business from Jacuzzi Brands, Inc.
  • acquisition of Boston Market Corporation from McDonald’s Corporation

Thoma Bravo

  • acquisition of LANDesk software business from Emerson Electric Co. 
  • acquisition of Wavelink Software business and combination with LANDesk software business

Illinois State University
October 1997–June 1999

Pfizer, Inc.
August 1996–October 1997

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Memberships & Affiliations

Board of Trustees — Butler University

Board of Directors — Chicago Committee

Recipient — 2007 Butler University Hilton Ultimus Brown Alumni Achievement Award

Credentials

Admissions & Qualifications

  • 2002Illinois

Courts

  • United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois

Education

  • University of Chicago Law SchoolJ.D.2002
    William W. Wilkow Scholar
  • Butler UniversityM.B.A., Finance1996
  • Butler UniversityB.S., Marketing1995

    Midge Rust Business Scholar

    William J. Davey Business Scholar

    Student Government Association Scholar

    Academic and Athletic Achievement Scholar

    Phi Eta Sigma

    Alpha Lambda Delta