Christopher P. Keefe
Partner / Chair, Business & Finance Department
Introduction
Christopher P. Keefe is the leader of Nixon Peabody’s Business & Finance department, which comprises more than 200 attorneys in the Corporate, Healthcare, Global Finance, and Private Clients practices. He is the former leader of the Corporate practice group and a former member of the firm’s Policy Committee. Chris sits on the firm’s Management Committee, where he oversaw the cross-disciplinary team that conceptualized the firm’s past three five-year strategic plans, which serve as the firm’s competitive blueprint for continued success through 2029 and beyond. Chris is a member of the firm’s M&A and Private Equity teams. He represents privately held companies and funds in financings, corporate counseling and sales transactions.
My focus
For over twenty five years, I have represented companies of all stages in the technology, consumer, life sciences and industrial manufacturing verticals, as well as the venture and private equity funds that invest in them. I also represent buyers and sellers in middle-market mergers and acquisitions, as well as sophisticated clients in corporate transactions and strategic relationships. I enjoy a trusted advisor relationship with leading management teams and investors.
Representative experience
M&A
- Represented Hexion Performance Materials Netherlands B.V., an affiliate of Hexion, Inc., a leading global producer of adhesives and performance materials, in its acquisition of Smartech - The Industry Pivot Ltd., a global provider of smart manufacturing solutions.
- Represented ACV Auctions Inc, the leading online car auction for dealers, in connection with several strategic acquisitions across the U.S.
- Represented MSRCOSMOS TECH GROUP LLC, in the acquisition of E Comm Quest, LLC.
- Represented Borealis Foods Inc., an innovative food technology, in connection with its business combination agreement with Oxus Acquisition Corp. in which Borealis Foods Inc. was the surviving company and subsequently was listed the Nasdaq.
- Represented Advanced IT Concepts, LLC, an information technology and training solutions systems integrator focused on providing services to the federal government and the Department of Defense, in its sale to FVLCRUM Fund, LP, an investment firm.
- Represented CURiO Brands, LLC, a designer and marketer of luxury branded fragranced products, in its acquisition of Verve Labs, Inc.
Venture
- Represented Scitara, a global provider of a cloud-based, industry-specific platform and solutions for the life sciences industry, in its Series B Preferred Stock offering.
- Represented Breakthrough Energy Ventures, a clean energy focused venture firm founded by Bill Gates, in its Series C Preferred Stock investment in Electric Hydrogen, Inc., a deep decarbonization company pioneering new technology for low-cost, high-efficiency, fossil-free hydrogen systems.
- Represented Companyon Ventures, a venture capital firm that invests in category-leading seed-funded B2B software startups, in its Series A investment in Ziflow Limited, the leading creative collaboration platform for agencies and brands.
- Represented Material Impact Management, LLC, a venture capital fund, in its investment in Soft Robotics, Inc., an industry-leading technology company that designs and builds automated picking solutions using proprietary soft robotic grippers, 3D machine perception, and artificial intelligence.
Looking ahead
After several active but not overwhelming years, M&A activity is gaining momentum—a trend we expect to continue. While market uncertainties remain, more and more dealmakers are showing they’re open for business, driving volume for both strategic and private equity investors.
In the news
- Mergers & Acquisitions
AI M&A wave coming in the food and beverage sector
May 31, 2024This article covers the deal environment for AI technology in the food and beverage sector. Boston Corporate partner Chris Keefe, head of the Business & Finance Department, is quoted in the article discussing how he can see this space expanding as solutions mature in coming years.
- Mergers & Acquisitions
Mid-market M&A is still down but better times are coming in Q2, experts say
April 4, 2024Boston Corporate partner Chris Keefe, head of the Business & Finance Department, is quoted in this article covering outlook for middle-market deal flow in the second quarter. Chris discusses that deal pipelines are full, but it will depend on how much of that translates into execution.
- Law360
Veteran Nixon Peabody attorney to lead Healthcare practice
Nov 28, 2023This article covers the selection of Long Island partner Lindsay Maleson as leader of the Healthcare practice. In addition to profiling Lindsay, the article quotes Business & Finance Department head Chris Keefe. Illustrating growth across the Healthcare practice, the article also mentions Long Island Healthcare partner Jason Chimon as a member of NP’s 2023 new partner class, and Los Angeles Complex Disputes partner Jonah Retzinger and Rochester Healthcare counsel Scott Simpson as recent additions to the broader team.
- Mergers & Acquisitions
Optimism ahead in 2024 for mid-market M&A despite deal flow continuing to plummet
Oct 9, 2023Boston Corporate partner Chris Keefe, head of the Business & Finance Department, is quoted in this article discussing some positive signs in the middle market and why we could be seeing more deals getting done in this space compared with other segments.
- Bloomberg Law
Big Law M&A market sees reboot on possible interest rate easing
March 21, 2023Business & Finance Department Head and Boston Corporate partner Chris Keefe is quoted in this article on how the Federal Reserve’s interest rate decisions could potentially impact the M&A market in 2023. Chris explains how the market could be poised for an uptick in deals in response to more favorable interest rate developments.
- Law360
Law360 names attorneys who moved up the firm ranks in Q2
This article on notable partner-level promotions during Q2 includes the appointment of Providence Labor & Employment partner Stacie Collier to Chief Talent Officer. In addition, NP’s recent appointments to department heads and practice group leaders were included: San Francisco Complex Commercial Disputes partner Tony Barron as Litigation Department chair, Boston Private Equity & Investment Funds partner John Beals as Investment Funds practice group leader, Boston Corporate partner Chris Keefe as Business & Finance Department chair, Los Angeles Corporate partner Shahzad Malik as Tax team co-leader, Washington DC Community Development Finance partner Matt Mullen as Community Development Finance practice group leader, and Albany Private Equity partner Todd Tidgewell as Corporate practice group leader.Aug 18, 2021 - Bloomberg Law
Wake Up Call
The following article features the selection of Albany partner Todd Tidgewell to lead the Corporate group, providing an overview of his practice and career, and his outlook for growing the group. Head of the Business and Finance Department and Boston partner Chris Keefe is mentioned for previously holding the Corporate PGL role.June 16, 2021 - Albany Business Review
Albany partner named leader of Nixon Peabody's Corporate practice
The following article features the selection of Albany partner Todd Tidgewell to lead the Corporate group, providing an overview of his practice and career, and his outlook for growing the group. Head of the Business and Finance Department and Boston partner Chris Keefe is mentioned for previously holding the Corporate PGL role.June 15, 2021 - Law360
Nixon Peabody picks new Corporate practice leader
The following article features the selection of Albany partner Todd Tidgewell to lead the Corporate group, providing an overview of his practice and career, and his outlook for growing the group. Head of the Business and Finance Department and Boston partner Chris Keefe is mentioned for previously holding the Corporate PGL role.June 15, 2021 - The Deal
Movers & Shakers
The following article features the selection of Albany partner Todd Tidgewell to lead the Corporate group, providing an overview of his practice and career, and his outlook for growing the group. Head of the Business and Finance Department and Boston partner Chris Keefe is mentioned for previously holding the Corporate PGL role.June 15, 2021 - Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly
Promotions
This column of notable executive news highlights the selection of Boston Corporate partner Christopher Keefe to lead the Business & Finance Department.May 20, 2021 - The Deal
Movers & Shakers
This column of notable executive news highlights the selection of Boston Corporate partner Christopher Keefe to lead the Business & Finance Department. CEO and managing partner Steve Zubiago is mentioned for previously holding that role.May 18, 2021 - Bloomberg Law
Wake Up Call
The following article features Boston Corporate partner Christopher Keefe’s selection to lead the Business & Finance Department, which comprises over 200 attorneys across the firm’s Corporate, Health Care, Global Finance, and Private Clients practices.May 13, 2021 - Mergers & Acquisitions
Nixon Peabody promotes Christopher Keefe
The following article features Boston Corporate partner Christopher Keefe’s selection to lead the Business & Finance Department, which comprises over 200 attorneys across the firm’s Corporate, Health Care, Global Finance, and Private Clients practices.May 12, 2021 - Mergers & Acquisitions
Dealmaking under quarantine: 8 private equity and M&A pros share strategies while social distancing
This Q&A roundup on dealmaking during the age of COVID-19 features Boston-based Corporate practice group leader Chris Keefe’s best practices, including reaching out to colleagues and clients to check on the hardships they may be facing and lending a hand as we all weather the storm together.April 30, 2020 - Law360
Attorneys who moved up the firm ranks in Q2
This roundup of second-quarter attorney promotions highlights Boston Global Finance partner Amy Charamba and Boston Corporate partner Chris Keefe, who were named to lead their respective practice groups.Aug 1, 2019 - The American Lawyer
New Nixon Peabody corporate chief bullish on deal work despite market jitters
Boston Corporate partner and practice group leader Chris Keefe talks to American Lawyer about his new leadership position in the firm, his view of the M&A market for 2019 and beyond, and the flood of new competition in the Boston legal industry.May 20, 2019 - The Deal
Movers and Shakers
This roundup of executive news includes the elevation of Boston Corporate partner Chris Keefe to leader of NP’s Corporate group.May 16, 2019 - Mergers & Acquisitions
M&A wrap: Kroger, Lindsay Goldberg, PearlRock, Platinum Equity, American Express
This article highlights the appointment of Boston Corporate partner Chris Keefe as leader of the corporate practice group.May 15, 2019 - Boston Business Journal
Mass. M&A activity falls significantly in the third quarter
Boston Corporate partner Chris Keefe is quoted extensively in this article on the slowdown in mergers and acquisitions in Massachusetts and whether dealmaking signals a slowing economy.Oct 18, 2018 - Boston Business Journal
Local M&A Activity Heats Up in Early 2018, but Will It Last?
Boston M&A and corporate transactions deputy practice group leader Chris Keefe is quoted in this article for his outlook on the pipeline of M&A deals involving Massachusetts businesses, saying it’s “fuller than it’s been in several years.”Feb 12, 2018 - Opportunities NB Blog
What New Brunswick companies should know about New England’s building sector
This Q&A features Boston M&A and Corporate Transactions partner Chris Keefe and recaps his presentation about doing business in the U.S. at Greenbuild, a conference focused on sustainable building and design.Dec 15, 2017 - The Eagle-Tribune
Haffner's Sale Confirmed by Parties
March 25, 2015This article highlights the sale of 14 service stations in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Boston Private Clients partner Sarah Connolly and Boston M&A and Corporate Transactions partner Chris Keefe represented the Haffner family in the acquisition.
- The Deal
FactSet Acquires Research Firm Code Red
This article notes financial data and analytics provider FactSet Research’s acquisition of privately held investment research management technology company Code Red. Boston M&A and Corporate Transactions partner Christopher Keefe and Boston M&A and Corporate Transactions associate Dustin Hawks are identified as Code Red’s legal counsel.Feb 9, 2015 - The Deal
Sensata picks up PE-backed DeltaTech Controls
This article notes that Sensata Technologies Holding will acquire DeltaTech Controls GmbH from private equity-backed CoActive Technologies Inc. for an enterprise value of $190 million. Business transactions practice group leader David Martland and partner Chris Keefe are noted as Sensata’s legal counsel.July 7, 2014 - Mergers & Acquisitions
First-Quarter Deal Value Reached Highest Level Since 2008
Boston Global Business & Transactions partner Chris Keefe discusses the market outlook for 2014.April 7, 2014 - Mergermarket
Strong Deal Flow Expected in New England in 2014
Boston Global Business & Transactions partner Chris Keefe discusses expectations for a strong New England deal climate in 2014.March 1, 2014
Admitted to practice
Massachusetts
Education
American University, B.S.B.A., magna cum laude
University of Virginia, J.D.
Professional activities
- Boston Bar Association
- American Bar Association
Recognition
- Recognized as one of Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly “Go To Lawyers” in Business 2022
- Recognized for exceptional standing in the legal community in Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business 2018 for Corporate/M&A (Massachusetts); also recognized in Chambers in previous years
- Recommended in The Legal 500 United States 2024 editorial for M&A/corporate and commercial—M&A: Middle-market (sub-$500m); also recognized in previous years
Insights And Happenings
View AllProfessionals in the Practice Area
View AllTodd Tidgewell
Partner / Leader, Corporate Practice Group- Albany
- Office:+1 518.427.2705
- ttidgewell@nixonpeabody.com
-
Lori B. Green
Partner / Co-Leader, M&A and Corporate Transactions Team / Co-Leader, Cannabis Practice- Rochester
- Office:+1 585.263.1236Mobile:+1 585.281.3076
- lgreen@nixonpeabody.com
-
Robert A. Drobnak
Partner / Practice Group Co-leader, Global Finance- Chicago
- Office:+1 312.977.4348
- radrobnak@nixonpeabody.com
-
Catherine Ng
Partner, Practice Group Co-Leader, Global Finance- Boston
- Office:+1 617.345.6081
- cng@nixonpeabody.com
-
