Jenni Neri is an associate in the law firm of McDermott Will & Emery LLP based in the Firm's Chicago office. She is a member of the Corporate Department. Jenni represents strategic buyers, sellers, and joint venturers; private equity funds and their portfolio companies; and a variety of other public and private companies. Jenni’s practice focuses on change-of-control transactions, corporate governance, securities, and general corporate matters.
Before attending law school, Jenni served in management and advisory positions for various companies including a multinational clothing retailer, a commercial roofing contractor, a strategic marketing agency, a boutique law firm, and a national personal computer company. In her last position as Controller for a technology company, she oversaw accounting, finance, human resources, client support, investor relations, and technology licensing. She also served as interim Director of Marketing where she developed new product programs including pricing, branding, analyst presentations, trade shows, white papers, and sales support. These experiences bring a practical perspective to her practice.
Jenni is also a certified mediator with The Center for Conflict Resolution (CCR), one of the nation's premiere not-for-profit providers of mediation services and conflict management training.
Jenni is a member of the American Bar Association and the Chicago Bar Association.
Representative Experience
Strategic Transactions
- Represented private seller in the $650 million sale of an 80-year old chemical distribution business to a public competitor and continued counseling of the combined entity regarding integration matters
- Lead the representation of a 2-year joint venture/buyout of a supplier by a multinational manufacturing company and represented the company in connection with the subsequent acquisition of a research and development firm
- Represented restaurant franchisee in a proposed joint venture with a foreign franchisor for expansion into the U.S. market
Private Equity Transactions
- Lead the investment in a medical device research company by a private equity fund
- Represented private equity fund in an 80% recapitalization of a lumber procurement and processing business and the follow-on acquisition of an additional lumber business
- Assisted a private equity fund with the financing of a pharmaceutical distribution company roll-up
Corporate Governance
- Counseled public company regarding the institution of a majority vote policy, shareholder ratification of their rights plan (“poison pill”), and shareholder proposal regarding their 2-tier classified board
- Counseled public company regarding proxy voting advisory firms, including Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS); activist investors, including CalPERS; private equity and hedge fund investors
- Counseled private company regarding self and peer director evaluations
Securities & Public Offerings
- Represented two companies regarding issues with dual-class securities
- Represented companies, individuals and investors regarding various securities regulations and filings
- Assisted with the Compensation Discussion & Analysis (CD&A) and the Exchange Agreement & Reorganization in connection with an IPO
- Assisted with a 144A offering of senior notes and with a Dutch auction self-tender offer
Education
- Northwestern University School of Law, J.D., 2006
- Northwestern University School of Law, L.L.M. (with honors, Taxation), 2007
- Northeastern University, A.A.C., 2001
- University of Florida, B.S. (with honors), 1995
