Attorneys Justin Hanna and Lee Kellert have received recognition by ACG Detroit as part of the organization’s 7^th Annual M&A All Star Awards. Hanna was named the Rising Star and Kellert was named All Star Advisor of the Year. Jeffrey M. Weiss made the announcement. 

“During a year with more deal activity than we’ve seen in recent memory, Justin and Lee each led the way with thoughtful, strategic counsel and outstanding client service,” Weiss said. “Their attentiveness and commitment to finding workable solutions to complex client problems make them a pleasure to work with, incredibly valuable members of the firm, and true all stars in the M&A community. We celebrate their outstanding year and look forward to the many professional accomplishments ahead of them in the years to come. Congratulations, Justin and Lee!”

Winners will be celebrated during a ceremony at The Townsend Hotel in Birmingham, Mich. on May 3 from 6–8:30 p.m. Other honorees will be recognized in categories including All Star Deal of the Year Over $50 million, All Star Deal of the Year Under $50 million, All Star Investment Banker of the Year, All Star Dealmaker of the Year and Lifetime Achievement.

In a busy year for the M&A group and the industry at large, Hanna helped close 20 deals, eight of which he was lead attorney (an increase from the five transactions led in 2020). Of the 20, all but one was a buy-side deal, and eight involved representation and warranty insurance (RWI), necessitating a significantly elevated degree of due diligence and oversight. All told, those 20 deals represented over $550 million in aggregate consideration.

Throughout 2021, Kellert led nearly 30 transactions totaling well over $1 billion for both the buy-side and sell-side clients. A number of these transactions were on very accelerated time frames, shortening the time from start to finish in 30 days or less. Of those deals, five were new platform deals for independent sponsors, each of which included an acquisition, senior and mezzanine debt financing and an equity raise.

ACG Detroit is a 350-member nonprofit business organization of private equity firms, corporations and lenders that invest in middle-market companies. The organization has a network of 59 chapters worldwide.