Keith Radtke is a partner in Faegre & Benson's corporate group, specializing in mergers and acquisitions, private equity, commercial transactions and general corporate counseling.

Corporate Experience. Keith has represented buyers, sellers and institutional investors in many different types of strategic and private equity M&A transactions. Many of these transactions have involved representing the sponsoring private equity firm or the company's executive management group, including negotiation of equity terms for both the private equity firm and the management groups. Keith has also represented portfolio companies of private equity firms and other emerging private companies on numerous matters, including private placements of equity and debt, stock compensation plan preparation and general corporate counseling. He has also represented numerous companies as purchasers of goods and services in significant commercial transactions.

Representative Transactions. Some transactions in which Keith has played a major role include:

• Numerous strategic acquisitions by American Express Travel Related Services
• Leveraged buy-outs of Production Services Associates, Paladin Brands, Jacobson Companies, Imperial and Norwesco by Norwest Equity Partners
• Leveraged buy-outs of Specialty Commodities, Remmele Engineering, Allen-Edmonds Shoe Corporation, Samuel Lawrence Furniture Company, Claire-Sprayway, Crescent Sleep Products Company, Havco Wood Products and American Engineered Components by Goldner Hawn Private Equity
• Sales of Imperial Supplies, Paladin Brands and Michaels of Oregon by Norwest Equity Partners
• Numerous add-on acquisitions for Paladin Brands, then a Norwest Equity Partners portfolio company
• Investment in an industry-leading health care statement processing business located in the Midwest by Tonka Bay Equity Partners
• Restructurings and reorganizations of family-owned businesses and investment companies

Keith joined the firm's corporate practice in 1996. From 1999 through 2001, he worked as an investment banker in U.S. Bancorp Piper Jaffray's technology mergers and acquisitions group. There he focused on mergers and acquisitions, fairness opinions, defensive advisory services and other financial advisory services for public and private companies in technology sectors. Keith returned to Faegre & Benson in 2001.

Professional Recognition

• Minnesota Rising Stars, Mergers & Acquisitions, 2009

Clerkships

Presentations

• Advanced M&A for the Middle Market:  Indemnification Provisions - Ten Things to Watch
  Minnesota CLE (2009)
• Seller Financing: Bridging the Gap - Creative Alternatives and Key Considerations in Addressing Valuation and Financing Gaps in a Down Market
  Faegre & Benson M&A Conference (2009)
• M&A Tax Strategies
  Faegre & Benson M&A Conference (2008)
• M&A Tax Tips From the Experts
  Faegre & Benson M&A Conference (2007)

Civic Associations

• United Way of Washington County-East, board of directors
• Stillwater Area Hockey Association and St. Croix Valley Athletic Association, coach
• The Colonial Church of Edina, former moderator and council member

Pro Bono

• Homeless Youth Law Clinic, team leader and volunteer
• Project Homeless Connect, volunteer