Brian W. Kensicki

Brian represents private equity firms and closely held family businesses in connection with stock and asset acquisitions and divestitures, mergers, recapitalizations, joint ventures, capital formation transactions and other equity investments.

Whether Brian is representing a private equity firm or closely held family business in an M&A transaction, he helps his client navigate a significant business or life event confidently and thoughtfully. Recognizing the importance of the transaction, Brian’s job is to review, negotiate, and advise his clients on all facets in a detailed, efficient way conveyed in an organized and logical manner. He understands the importance of relationships and personal dynamics and how they may impact a transaction. With that in mind, Brian always makes it a goal to maintain a good, working rapport with all involved, including opposing counsel.

There are so many nuances and technical aspects involved with every transaction, including the transaction documents. Brian understands the big picture goals of the client, but, at the same time, focuses on the small transaction details in order to ensure everything works together with no errors or inconsistencies. It is like putting together a puzzle and making sure every piece fits exactly as it should. That is one of the reasons why clients hire Brian. He understands that the work product needs to be perfect. Every time. No exceptions.

• Represented principal owner in connection with the multi-billion dollar sale of a managed life safety and specialty construction company conglomerate. 
• Represented private equity fund in connection with the acquisition of an industry leader in the archery and archery accessory space.

• Represented private equity fund in connection with the acquisition of a custom food manufacturer.

• Represented New York based private equity fund in connection with the acquisition of a leading provider of learning experience design programs.
• Represented private equity fund in connection with its acquisition of a precision metal stamping operation for aerospace, defense and medical manufacturers.

• Represented family office in connection with its acquisition of a nationally recognized pontoon boat manufacturer.

• Represented family office in connection with its sale of a leading OEM parts distribution and field service organization to a global distributor of OEM foodservice equipment parts.

• Represented employee-owned holding company in connection with its acquisition of a leading provider of conveyors, coolant filtration systems, material handling equipment and chip processing equipment.

• Represented leading provider of employee benefits, property and casualty, retirement and individual private client solutions in connection with its sale to a national industry leader.
• Represented leading provider of life insurance solutions to large financial institutions in connection with its sale to a natural industry leader.

• Represented leader in Edge-based cellular connectivity solutions in connection with its sale to a large public company.

• Represented a premier, large-scale manufacturer and merchandiser of signage, fixtures and architectural elements in connection with its sale to a global graphic communications company.

• Represented full-service contract manufacturer in connection with its sale to a private equity fund.

• Represented manufacturer of critical components for the hearth and commercial cooking equipment end markets to a private equity fund.
• Represented two sales and marketing firms in the food service industry in connection with their simultaneous sales to a private equity fund.

• Represented contract manufacturer of high precision components in connection with its sale to a private equity fund.

• Represented a health care-focused managed IT services firm in connection with its sale to a private equity fund.
• Represented provider of point-of-care drugs of abuse testing products and laboratory services in connection with its sale to private equity fund.
• Represented specialty flooring distributor in connection with its sale to a private equity fund.

• Represented large intermodal carrier in connection with its sale to a public a company.
• Represented innovative fire protection company in connection with its sale to a national provider of fire protection, detection and suppression services and products.

• Represented provider of branded coffee products to the retail grocery sector in connection with its sale to a private equity fund.
• Represented precision metal fabrication company in connection with its sale to a full-service provider of metal fabrication and stamping.

• Represented a U.S. based technology and management consulting company to a French multinational information technology service and consulting company.

• Represented private equity fund in acquisition of residential home engineering and inspection company.
• Represented Fortune 500 public company on multiple occasions in connection with its acquisition of certain intellectual property rights.
• Represented closely-held recycler of bakery and food byproducts in connection with the sale of all of its capital stock to a public
• Represented North American operations of international wind farm developer in connection with its acquisition of a mid-stage development project in the State of Minnesota.
• Represented leading manufacturer of tooling systems in connection with its acquisition of a Canada based corporation.
• Represented leading provider of late-stage receivables management in connection with the sale of all of its capital stock to a private equity fund.
• Represented closely-held provider of laminate flooring products in connection with the sale of all of its membership interests to a private equity fund.
• Represented leading provider of dry based and liquid egg products in connection with the divestiture of a portion of its business operations.
• Represented leading provider of elevator maintenance services in connection with the sale of all of its assets to a global leader in the elevator industry.
• Represented management in a buy-out of a closely held industrial contractor.
• Represented closely-held provider of wastewater treatment services in connection with a management buy-out.

Education

• Case Western Reserve University School of Law, J.D., 1999
• The Ohio State University, B.A., 1996

Admissions

• Minnesota
• U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota
• U.S. Court of Federal Claims

• Minnesota Lawyer, POWER 30—Mergers & Acquisitions, 2024
• Minnesota Law & Politics, Rising Star, 2006-2007

Professional Activities

• American Bar Association
• Minnesota State Bar Association
• Hennepin County Bar Association