Kenneth A. Schlesinger

Kenneth Schlesinger leverages his encyclopedic knowledge of and extensive experience in securities and corporate law, initial public offerings, and all types of transactions to deliver cost-effective, practical results to clients.

Ken represents public and private companies in securities offerings, initial and secondary public offerings, mergers and acquisitions, asset and stock purchase transactions, and securities restructurings. He advises hedge and investment funds and placement agents on sophisticated equity and debt investments in public and private companies and their securities filings, including those under Sections 16 and 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and their obligations under Rule 144 of the Securities Act of 1933. Additionally, underwriters and placement agents rely on Ken to represent them in public and private offerings, including uplistings, reverse mergers, and special purpose acquisition companies (SPACs). In fact, Ken served as company counsel on the first-ever SPAC.

Ken’s approach is thorough, client-focused, and efficient. A keen strategist, he leverages his extensive experience in securities law across a broad range of corporate issues. Ken regularly provides counsel on securities disclosures, compliance with SEC reporting and stock exchange requirements, corporate governance, investor relations matters, and negotiating and drafting acquisition, employment, stockholder, partnership, and operating agreements. Public companies, including in the healthcare, renewable energy, food services, biotechnology, and waste and recycling industries, all rely on Ken for his astute guidance and business acumen.

  • Represented an alternative asset management solutions provider in a $240 million initial public offering and listing on the New York Stock Exchange.
  • Represented a Nasdaq-listed company in the waste and recycling industry in the acquisition of several strategic acquisitions. 
  • Represented a Nasdaq-listed company, which was a pioneer in securing and automating the movement and integration of data, in its acquisition by a strategic buyer in a transaction valued at approximately $217 million.
  • Represented a food services company valued at $150 million in the sale of its business to a private equity firm.
  • Represented a Nasdaq-listed company in multiple debt offerings ranging from $150 million to $300 million.
  • Represented the underwriter in a public offering of a China based business services company.
  • Represented the special committee of a Nasdaq-listed innovative software and data monitoring and analytics solutions company in its $125 million sale to a private equity fund.
Mergers and Acquisitions
  • Represented the special committee of the board of directors of a Nasdaq listed company which was the leading regional provider of integrated communications, in its negotiation of a definitive merger agreement with a private equity firm in a transaction valued at approximately $155 million..
  • Represented an e-learning solutions provider in its sale to a global leader in business cloud software products in a merger with Infor Inc.
  • Represented an NYSE-listed hospitality company in a $800 million merger with a private equity firm.
  • Represented a Nasdaq-listed restaurant company in a $600 million merger with a private equity firm.
  • Represented a Nasdaq-listed insurance company in a $220 million merger with an NYSE-listed company.
  • Represented an NYSE-listed holding company in its acquisition of a majority interest of a Nasdaq-listed music entertainment company.
  • Represented an activist investor in its acquisition of a controlling interest of a Nasdaq-listed biopharmaceutical company.
  • Represented a Nasdaq-listed sporting goods company in a $185 million merger with a British public company.
  • Represented a Nasdaq-listed technology company in the sale of all of its operating assets to an NYSE-listed company.
  • Represented a technology company, whose shareholders included several leading venture capital funds and a Nasdaq-listed technology company, in the sale of the company to a publicly traded Canadian corporation.
  • Represented a publicly held corporation in the purchase and subsequent sale of a manufacturing company.
  • Represented a publicly held company in its acquisition of an oil rig business.
  • Represented a construction company in its merger with a publicly held shell corporation.
  • Represented a publicly held shell corporation in the sale of its stock to a leading entertainment entrepreneur.
  • Represented a specified acquisition company in a proposed acquisition of a bank holding company.
  • Represented a paper company in its merger with a publicly held shell corporation.
Securities
  • Represented a Nasdaq-listed diversified holding entity with healthcare, construction and investment divisions in a public offering of common stock and warrants.
  • Represented an early-stage biopharmaceutical company in its initial public offering and listing on Nasdaq.
  • Represented a SPAC, whose sponsor was a publicly traded operating company in the public offering of the SPAC.
  • Represented numerous listed companies in self-tenders of shares of their common stock.
  • Represented numerous issuers and underwriters in initial public offerings and secondary public offerings.
  • Represented numerous public and private companies in private placement financings.
  • Represented a private investor in its debt and equity investment in a publicly traded pharmaceutical company.
Restructurings/Debt Financing
  • Represented a leading technology-based designer, developer and manufacturer of aerospace and defense products, in a $460 million financing consisting of 7.125% Second Priority Senior Secured Notes, which was used for the acquisition of the largest liquid rocket propulsion designer, developer, and manufacturer in the United States.
  • Represented a former Nasdaq-listed company in the sale of various assets through bankruptcy auctions.
  • Represented numerous companies in connection with their bank credit facilities.
  • Represented a publicly traded technology company in a restructuring and recapitalization, which enabled the company to avoid bankruptcy.
  • Represented a publicly traded furniture company in its reemergence as a public reporting company following its bankruptcy.

News

Speaking Engagements

Keeping your SPAC Alive in the Current Market by Following Proven Examples
The Future of the SPAC Market Conference, Fall 2008

Honors & Recognitions

  • Named to the New York Metro Super Lawyers list since 2010

Professional

  • The Association of the Bar of the City of New York

Blog Posts

Practice Areas

Education

J.D., University of California at Los Angeles School of Law, 1987

B.A., with honors, University of Chicago, 1984

Admissions

  • New York
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