Franklin K. Jelsma

REPRESENTATIVE MATTERS

• Ongoing representation of a diverse holding company in numerous M&A transactions over last 25 years, including: acquisition and subsequent sale of regional stock brokerage firm, purchase of fashion eyeglass company, acquisition of juice concentrate business, purchase of fencing and supply business, acquisition of insurance agencies, formation of a health maintenance organization, acquisition of block manufacturing businesses, and acquisition of road paving business.
• Ongoing representation of multiple private non-profit foundations supporting public universities, including work with management and board on corporate governance, MOUs with universities, real estate transactions and strategic planning.
• Representation of seller in sale of multi-state c-store business.
• Representation of global corporations in structuring, negotiating and documenting “corporate venture capital” investments in early stage companies.
• Representation of numerous entrepreneurs and families in the sale of privately held businesses to strategic buyers and private equity backed buyers. These businesses include high tech data management, liquor stores, smart cards, document shredding, radio stations, home appraisers, community newspapers, auto parts suppliers, industrial cleaning, truck rental, equine pharmaceutical, chemical supply, and restaurant concepts.
• Work with family office primarily focused on real estate investments, also assist with family legal issues.
• Representation of financial buyer in acquisition of tobacco business and, years later, sale of same to London based strategic buyer for $1.9 billion.
• Representation of health care entrepreneur in multiple transactions, including acquisition of laboratory business and acquisitions/investments involving health insurance related businesses.
• Representation of family owned safety business, including sale of distribution business to strategic buyer.
• Ongoing representation of large and diversified family owned manufacturing and service business in day to day corporate matters as well as numerous acquisitions and sales of business units, including aluminum manufacturing and transportation.
• Representation of entrepreneur in sale of high end skincare business to global conglomerate.
• Ongoing representation of venture capital fund focused on early-stage and growth investments. As part of this representation, negotiated, documented and closed dozens of preferred stock financings, including initial Series A rounds, follow-on financings, down-round financings and liquidity events. This work includes advice on corporate governance and conflict of interest issues, compliance with securities laws, crafting management incentive plans and employment agreements. Also representation of portfolio companies, advising on equity and debt financings, strategic partnerships, corporate governance issues, customer contracts and day-to-day corporate matters.
• Representation of construction supply business in day to day business operations, financings and workout of senior and mezzanine debt financing.
• Representation of entrepreneurs in implementation of real estate diversification strategy.
• Representation of buyer of high tech assets out of bankruptcy and subsequent assistance with building of bio tech business, formation of strategic partnerships, governmental contracts, and intellectual property licensing agreements.
• Representation of entrepreneurs in acquisition and funding, and subsequent growth and sale, of e-learning business.