small-logo
ProfessionalsCapabilitiesInsights & NewsCareersLocations
About UsAlumniOpportunity & InclusionPro BonoCorporate Social Responsibility
Stay Connected:
facebookinstagramlinkedintwitteryoutube
  1. Professionals

Kevin Smith

Partner

New York

+1 212-294-6772

Let's Connect

Email
vCard
LinkedIn
  • Full Bio PDFPDF
    • Email
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    Share this page
  • Overview
  • Experience
  • Credentials
  • Insights & News

Kevin is a highly regarded corporate lawyer with over 25 years of experience representing public and private companies, as well as private equity firms, independent sponsors and family offices, in domestic and cross-border mergers and acquisitions, investments, joint ventures, and GP-led secondary transactions, across a range of industries. Kevin is also a trusted advisor to public companies and their boards of directors on securities law, corporate governance, and executive compensation matters. 

Kevin focuses his transactional practice on mergers and acquisitions (both buy- and sell-side), investments, joint ventures, corporate reorganizations, and GP-led secondary transactions. His experience crosses a wide range of industries, including manufacturing, aerospace and defense, consumer products, food and beverage, technology, software, energy (including renewable energy) and infrastructure, telecommunications, automotive, and business services. Kevin has significant cross-border experience, including in Latin America, where he represents both strategic players and private equity firms on mergers and acquisitions and other corporate transactions, both inbound and outbound.

Kevin is also a trusted advisor to companies on their ongoing securities law, corporate governance, and executive compensation matters, including public disclosure, board and board committee matters, equity-based compensation plans, and compliance with listing standards.

Kevin engages in a variety of pro bono efforts, including advising not-for-profit organizations on corporate governance, executive compensation, and related matters. 

Kevin has been regularly recognized for his corporate/M&A, private equity, and securities work in The Legal 500 US and Latin America, Latin Lawyer, and IFLR1000.

Key Matters

Some of the experience represented below may have been handled at a previous firm.

U.S. MATTERS
  • Represented Leonardo DRS, Inc., a leading defense contractor, in acquisition transactions, including:
    • Sale of full ownership of joint venture Advanced Acoustic Concepts (ACC) to Thales Defense & Security, Inc. 
    • Acquisition of Ascendant Engineering Solutions (AES), a leader in the design, development, and manufacturing of gimbal systems for unmanned aerial systems.
    • Strategic investment in Hoverfly Technologies, a designer and developer of tethered drones.
    • Acquisition of Daylight Solutions, Inc., the world leader in quantum cascade laser based molecular detection and imaging systems.
  • Represented Crowe LLP, a public accounting, consulting, and technology firm, in a carveout sale of its technology-enabled health care consulting business to TPG, a global alternative asset management firm.
  • Represented SCM Connections, a leader in technology-enabled supply-chain planning and analytics, in the sale of the company to McKinsey & Company.
  • Represented LAACO, Ltd., the owner of the Storage West brand of 59 self-storage facilities (as well as the Los Angeles Athletic Club and the California Yacht Club, in its sale to CubeSmart for approximately US$1.69B.
  • Represented 123-year-old Thomas Publishing Company, a leader in product sourcing, supplier selection, and digital marketing solutions, in connection with its US$300M sale to Xometry, Inc.
  • Represented a manufacturing conglomerate in M&A, joint venture, and capital markets transactions, including (i) the spin-offs to its shareholders of its automotive, avionics and semiconductor businesses into independent publicly traded companies, (ii) the divestiture of its aerospace and defense business, and (iii) a joint venture with a leading aerospace company for the operation of a major program for NASA.  
  • Represented a leading industrial automation company in M&A transactions, including the sales of its power systems business and its call center business.
  • Represented a leading aerospace and avionics company in acquisition and sale transactions, including (i) the acquisition of an air-ground communications and systems engineering provider, (ii) the acquisition of a global leader in satellite-based communications networks, (iii) the acquisition of a military and commercial avionics simulation business, (iv) the acquisition of a military software application company, (v) the divestiture of its seamless alloy and stainless steel pipes business, and (vi) the divestiture of a research and development center.
  • Represented a leading Nasdaq-listed enterprise software company in acquisitions of a virtualization and cloud infrastructure company and an IT consulting firm focused on government IT assets.
  • Represented a leading international advertising company in a merger and joint venture transaction in the direct marketing space and its acquisition of a direct response TV agency.
  • Represented a Fortune 50 aerospace company in the formation of a joint venture providing satellite and other launch services.
  • Represented a leading energy financial services company in the acquisition from a global green energy company of a 49% ownership stake in a portfolio of approximately 50 wind, geothermal, hydropower, and solar energy projects with 1,200 MW of installed capacity in North America, and related joint venture arrangements.
  • Represented a developer and a leading financial institution in the sale of a 150 MW development-stage solar photovoltaic electric generating project in California, to a leading solar development company.
  • Represented the North American division of a leading global energy company in its acquisition of controlling interests in a 500 MW gas-fired power project in New York.
  • Represented a leading automotive supplier in its “merger of equals” transaction with a leading light vehicle automotive supplier, as well as other acquisition and divestiture transactions.
  • Represented an industrial manufacturer in the sale of its automotive businesses in several transactions under Section 363 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code.
CROSS-BORDER MATTERS
  • Represented Southern Cross Group, a leading Latin American private equity firm, in acquisition and sale transactions in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Panama, including:
    • Sale of S.I.N. Implant Systems, one of Brazil’s leading manufacturers of dental implants, to Henry Schein, Inc.
    • Investment in Data Horizon Americas, a new Latin America-focused datacenter platform.
    • Sale of its majority stake in Colombian port operator, Sociedad Portuaria Regional de Barranquilla, to I Squared Capital.
    • GP-led secondary transaction for Southern Cross Latin America Private Equity Fund IV in which Intermediate Capital Group (ITG) was the lead investor.
    • Acquisition of Getronics LATAM, an integrated ICT products and services provider for the large enterprise market with operations in Mexico and Colombia, from OpenGate Capital.
    • Acquisition of a majority interest in Supermercados Xtra, a retail chain in Panama, and related shareholder arrangements.
    • Acquisition of Pétrobras Chile Distribución Ltda., the third largest fuel distribution business in Chile, from Pétrobras.
    • Transactions relating to its investment in Ultrapetrol (Bahamas) Limited, a Nasdaq-listed industrial transportation company serving marine transportation needs, and its river and offshore businesses, with operations in South America, including Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay.
    • Investment in Estrella International Energy Services Ltd., a TSX-listed provider of oil and gas field and geothermal services mainly to the E&P industry in Latin America.
    • Sale of its 50% stake in Chilean gas transporter and energy generator GasAtacama to Endesa Chile.
  • Represented Terold, a company owned by the Bemberg Family Group, a sixth-generation family business with deep experience in the wine and beverage industry, in its acquisition of a majority stake in California-based WX Brands, a leading global wine company.
  • Represented Grupo Vilaseca, a multinational business group dedicated to developing products and services in the packaging, food, real estate, and supplies industries, in connection with its acquisition of Diana’s Bananas, a U.S.-based food company.
  • Represented TV Azteca, S.A.B. de C.V., the second-largest media company in Mexico, and Azteca International Corporation in the sale of its U.S. television network to HC2 Network, Inc., a subsidiary of HC2 Holdings, Inc.
  • Represented a private equity firm and its global infrastructure fund in its acquisition of a 2,300 MW portfolio of hydroelectric and natural gas generation plants, transmission infrastructure and natural gas processing facilities in Latin America (including Peru, Chile, Ecuador, Central America, and Argentina) from a leading power generation and transmission company.
  • Represented a leading Latin American mining company in the sale of its Chilean copper mining operations.
  • Represented a Central American packaging company in its acquisition of a U.S. based visual merchandising, packaging, and design company.
  • Represented the shareholders of an Argentina-based provider of outsourced channel origination and transmission services in Latin America, in the sale of the company to a U.S.-based portfolio company of a private equity firm.
  • Represented one of the largest energy companies in Spain in the sale by its U.S. subsidiary of its natural gas utility businesses in Connecticut and Massachusetts.
  • Represented a Spanish infrastructure company in its acquisition of a toll road project in the U.S.
  • Represented a leading automotive supplier in the acquisition of a U.K.-based heavy vehicle braking business from a leading U.K. automotive supplier.
Recent Experience
Crowe LLP's Carveout Sale of its Health Care Consulting Business
Southern Cross Group's Sale of S.I.N. Implant System to Henry Schein, Inc.
Atlis Motor Vehicles, Inc. Announces Pricing of Follow-on Public Offering
Atlis Motor Vehicles Announces Anticipated Initiation of Trading on NASDAQ Exchange
Atlis Motor Vehicles, Inc. Closes Initial US$10.0M Tranche of US$30.0M Private Placement
LAACO, Ltd.'s Sale to CubeSmart
Terold Acquisition of Majority Stake in WX Brands
Leonardo DRS' Acquisition of Ascendant Engineering Solutions

  • The Legal 500 Latin America: International Firms:  Recognized Lawyer for Corporate/M&A (2022-2025)
  • The Legal 500 US: Leading Lawyer for Corporate/M&A, including US middle-market M&A and Latin America M&A (2014-2020)
  • Latin Lawyer 250: Leading Lawyer for Corporate/M&A and Private Equity (2024-2025)
  • Lawdragon: Named among the “100 Lawyers You Need to Know in South America” for M&A, Private Equity, and Energy
  • IFLR1000: Notable Practitioner for Capital Markets: Debt; Capital Markets: Equity; and M&A (2019-2024)

Kevin is a member of the Society of Corporate Secretaries & Governance Professionals.

Capabilities

Transactions
Mergers & Acquisitions
Private Equity
Capital Markets
Corporate Governance
Public Companies
Energy

Key Matters

Some of the experience represented below may have been handled at a previous firm.

U.S. MATTERS
  • Represented Leonardo DRS, Inc., a leading defense contractor, in acquisition transactions, including:
    • Sale of full ownership of joint venture Advanced Acoustic Concepts (ACC) to Thales Defense & Security, Inc. 
    • Acquisition of Ascendant Engineering Solutions (AES), a leader in the design, development, and manufacturing of gimbal systems for unmanned aerial systems.
    • Strategic investment in Hoverfly Technologies, a designer and developer of tethered drones.
    • Acquisition of Daylight Solutions, Inc., the world leader in quantum cascade laser based molecular detection and imaging systems.
  • Represented Crowe LLP, a public accounting, consulting, and technology firm, in a carveout sale of its technology-enabled health care consulting business to TPG, a global alternative asset management firm.
  • Represented SCM Connections, a leader in technology-enabled supply-chain planning and analytics, in the sale of the company to McKinsey & Company.
  • Represented LAACO, Ltd., the owner of the Storage West brand of 59 self-storage facilities (as well as the Los Angeles Athletic Club and the California Yacht Club, in its sale to CubeSmart for approximately US$1.69B.
  • Represented 123-year-old Thomas Publishing Company, a leader in product sourcing, supplier selection, and digital marketing solutions, in connection with its US$300M sale to Xometry, Inc.
  • Represented a manufacturing conglomerate in M&A, joint venture, and capital markets transactions, including (i) the spin-offs to its shareholders of its automotive, avionics and semiconductor businesses into independent publicly traded companies, (ii) the divestiture of its aerospace and defense business, and (iii) a joint venture with a leading aerospace company for the operation of a major program for NASA.  
  • Represented a leading industrial automation company in M&A transactions, including the sales of its power systems business and its call center business.
  • Represented a leading aerospace and avionics company in acquisition and sale transactions, including (i) the acquisition of an air-ground communications and systems engineering provider, (ii) the acquisition of a global leader in satellite-based communications networks, (iii) the acquisition of a military and commercial avionics simulation business, (iv) the acquisition of a military software application company, (v) the divestiture of its seamless alloy and stainless steel pipes business, and (vi) the divestiture of a research and development center.
  • Represented a leading Nasdaq-listed enterprise software company in acquisitions of a virtualization and cloud infrastructure company and an IT consulting firm focused on government IT assets.
  • Represented a leading international advertising company in a merger and joint venture transaction in the direct marketing space and its acquisition of a direct response TV agency.
  • Represented a Fortune 50 aerospace company in the formation of a joint venture providing satellite and other launch services.
  • Represented a leading energy financial services company in the acquisition from a global green energy company of a 49% ownership stake in a portfolio of approximately 50 wind, geothermal, hydropower, and solar energy projects with 1,200 MW of installed capacity in North America, and related joint venture arrangements.
  • Represented a developer and a leading financial institution in the sale of a 150 MW development-stage solar photovoltaic electric generating project in California, to a leading solar development company.
  • Represented the North American division of a leading global energy company in its acquisition of controlling interests in a 500 MW gas-fired power project in New York.
  • Represented a leading automotive supplier in its “merger of equals” transaction with a leading light vehicle automotive supplier, as well as other acquisition and divestiture transactions.
  • Represented an industrial manufacturer in the sale of its automotive businesses in several transactions under Section 363 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code.
CROSS-BORDER MATTERS
  • Represented Southern Cross Group, a leading Latin American private equity firm, in acquisition and sale transactions in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Panama, including:
    • Sale of S.I.N. Implant Systems, one of Brazil’s leading manufacturers of dental implants, to Henry Schein, Inc.
    • Investment in Data Horizon Americas, a new Latin America-focused datacenter platform.
    • Sale of its majority stake in Colombian port operator, Sociedad Portuaria Regional de Barranquilla, to I Squared Capital.
    • GP-led secondary transaction for Southern Cross Latin America Private Equity Fund IV in which Intermediate Capital Group (ITG) was the lead investor.
    • Acquisition of Getronics LATAM, an integrated ICT products and services provider for the large enterprise market with operations in Mexico and Colombia, from OpenGate Capital.
    • Acquisition of a majority interest in Supermercados Xtra, a retail chain in Panama, and related shareholder arrangements.
    • Acquisition of Pétrobras Chile Distribución Ltda., the third largest fuel distribution business in Chile, from Pétrobras.
    • Transactions relating to its investment in Ultrapetrol (Bahamas) Limited, a Nasdaq-listed industrial transportation company serving marine transportation needs, and its river and offshore businesses, with operations in South America, including Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay.
    • Investment in Estrella International Energy Services Ltd., a TSX-listed provider of oil and gas field and geothermal services mainly to the E&P industry in Latin America.
    • Sale of its 50% stake in Chilean gas transporter and energy generator GasAtacama to Endesa Chile.
  • Represented Terold, a company owned by the Bemberg Family Group, a sixth-generation family business with deep experience in the wine and beverage industry, in its acquisition of a majority stake in California-based WX Brands, a leading global wine company.
  • Represented Grupo Vilaseca, a multinational business group dedicated to developing products and services in the packaging, food, real estate, and supplies industries, in connection with its acquisition of Diana’s Bananas, a U.S.-based food company.
  • Represented TV Azteca, S.A.B. de C.V., the second-largest media company in Mexico, and Azteca International Corporation in the sale of its U.S. television network to HC2 Network, Inc., a subsidiary of HC2 Holdings, Inc.
  • Represented a private equity firm and its global infrastructure fund in its acquisition of a 2,300 MW portfolio of hydroelectric and natural gas generation plants, transmission infrastructure and natural gas processing facilities in Latin America (including Peru, Chile, Ecuador, Central America, and Argentina) from a leading power generation and transmission company.
  • Represented a leading Latin American mining company in the sale of its Chilean copper mining operations.
  • Represented a Central American packaging company in its acquisition of a U.S. based visual merchandising, packaging, and design company.
  • Represented the shareholders of an Argentina-based provider of outsourced channel origination and transmission services in Latin America, in the sale of the company to a U.S.-based portfolio company of a private equity firm.
  • Represented one of the largest energy companies in Spain in the sale by its U.S. subsidiary of its natural gas utility businesses in Connecticut and Massachusetts.
  • Represented a Spanish infrastructure company in its acquisition of a toll road project in the U.S.
  • Represented a leading automotive supplier in the acquisition of a U.K.-based heavy vehicle braking business from a leading U.K. automotive supplier.
Recent Experience
Crowe LLP's Carveout Sale of its Health Care Consulting Business
Southern Cross Group's Sale of S.I.N. Implant System to Henry Schein, Inc.
Atlis Motor Vehicles, Inc. Announces Pricing of Follow-on Public Offering
Atlis Motor Vehicles Announces Anticipated Initiation of Trading on NASDAQ Exchange
Atlis Motor Vehicles, Inc. Closes Initial US$10.0M Tranche of US$30.0M Private Placement
LAACO, Ltd.'s Sale to CubeSmart
Terold Acquisition of Majority Stake in WX Brands
Leonardo DRS' Acquisition of Ascendant Engineering Solutions

Credentials

Education

Kevin obtained his B.A., with honors, in 1989 from Haverford College and his J.D. in 1992 from the University of Pennsylvania Law School.

    Admissions
    • New York

    Related Insights & News

    • “What Late SEC Filers Need to Know in 2024,” Winston & Strawn Public Company Gateway, August 2024
    • "SEC Adopts Final Rules on Rule 10b5-1 Trading Plans and Related Company Disclosure Obligations,” Winston & Strawn Capital Markets & Securities Law Watch, January 2023
    • "SEC Adopts Final Compensation Clawback Rules; Companies Should Begin Preparing for New Requirements,” Winston & Strawn Benefits Blast, November 2022
    • “SEC Finalizes Pay Versus Performance Rules; Companies Should Begin Preparing Now for New Disclosure Requirements in Upcoming Proxies,” Winston & Strawn Benefits Blast, September 2022
    • “Upcoming Changes to Rule 10b5-1 Trading Plans and Related Company Disclosure Obligations,” Winston & Strawn Benefits Blast, February 2022
    • “2022 Proxy Season: A Look Ahead to Executive Compensation Issues and Considerations,” Winston & Strawn Client Alert, October 2021
    • “Considerations for Internationally Focused Private Equity Funds” Winston & Strawn Client Alert, April 2020
    • “Does the COVID-19 Pandemic Constitute a Material Adverse Effect Under New York Law-Governed Credit Agreements,” Winston & Strawn Client Alert, April 2020
    • “U.S. Capital Markets FAQs for Foreign Private Issuers,” Winston & Strawn Client Alert, April 2020
    • “New SEC Rule Allows All Companies to “Test the Waters” Before Securities Offerings,” Winston & Strawn Client Alert, October 2019
    • “SEC Proposes Changes to Financial Disclosures About Acquired and Disposed Businesses,” Winston & Strawn Client Alert, May 2019
    • “SEC Adopts Rule Amendments to Modernize Disclosure Requirements Under Regulation S-K and Related Rules and Forms,” Winston & Strawn Client Alert, May 2019
    • “SEC Proposes Rule Changes to Modernize Regulation S-K,” Winston & Strawn Client Alert, October 2017
    • “Materiality Scrapes Trending Upward in Private Deals,” Deal Lawyers, 2014
    • “Private M&A Deal Trends: ABA Updates Market Study,” Lexology, May 2014
    • “2015 ISS Updates and Proxy Season Insights for Companies and Investment Managers,” New York, NY, November 20, 2014
    • “What Late SEC Filers Need to Know: 2013 Edition,” Lexology, 2013
    • “ISS: 2013 Policy Updates and Proxy Season Preview,” New York, NY, January 9, 2013
    • “Allocating Acquisition Financing Risk: Sellers and Private Equity Buyers Sharpen Focus,” Lexology, 2012
    • “Litigation Contingency Disclosure under ASC 450: A Survey of 2011 SEC Comment Letters,”Practical Law Company, February 9, 2012
    • “Delaware Chancery Court addresses application of Revlon standard to 50/50 cash and stock merger,” VC EXPERTS, June 23, 2011
    Recognitions
    Winston Ranked Among the Top International Law Firms Representing Latin America’s Largest Banks in LACCA 2024 Survey

    May 14, 2025

    Recognitions
    Winston & Strawn Noted by Latin Lawyer as One of the Most Popular International Law Firms in 2024 in Latin America

    April 10, 2025

    Recognitions
    Winston Attorneys Featured on the 2025 Lawdragon 100 Lawyers You Need to Know in South America List

    March 21, 2025

    Recognitions
    Winston & Strawn Recognized in The Legal 500 Latin America 2025

    October 24, 2024

    Sponsorship
    Winston & Strawn Sponsors the 44th Annual Ray Garrett Jr. Corporate & Securities Law Institute

    September 26, 2024

    Recognitions
    Winston’s Latin America Practice Recognized in Latin Lawyer’s 250 2025

    September 11, 2024

    Client Alert
    What Late SEC Filers Need to Know in 2024

    August 2024

    Recognitions
    Winston & Strawn Recognized in IFLR1000 2024

    August 6, 2024

    Recognitions
    Winston & Strawn Recognized in IFLR1000 2023

    June 6, 2024

    Recognitions
    Winston & Strawn Recognized in All Categories of The Legal 500 Latin America 2024

    October 26, 2023

    Recognitions
    Winston’s Latin America Practice Recognized in Latin Lawyer’s 250 2024

    August 30, 2023

    Blog
    SEC Adopts Final Rules on Rule 10b5-1 Trading Plans and Related Company Disclosure Obligations

    January 5, 2023

    View All Insights & News

    Capabilities

    Transactions
    Mergers & Acquisitions
    Private Equity
    Capital Markets
    Corporate Governance
    Public Companies
    Energy
    Logo
    facebookinstagramlinkedintwitteryoutube

    Copyright © 2025. Winston & Strawn LLP

    AlumniCorporate Transparency Act Task ForceDEI Compliance Task ForceEqual Rights AmendmentLaw GlossaryThe Oval UpdateWinston MinutePrivacy PolicyCookie PolicyFraud & Scam AlertsNoticesSubscribeAttorney Advertising