Payal Keshvani

Payal concentrates her practice on mergers and acquisitions, with an emphasis on representing strategic acquirers and private equity sponsors across a range of industries. She has led numerous complex transactions, including carveouts and cross-border deals and has deep experience in the healthcare, food, manufacturing and industrials sectors.

Her work spans the full deal lifecycle, from structuring and negotiating to execution and post-closing integration, bringing practical insight and commercial acumen to each engagement.

In addition to her M&A practice, Payal advises clients on general corporate matters, commercial contracting, equity and debt financings, and regulatory considerations. Payal also serves as outside general counsel for many of her clients and is called on to provide strategic counsel on governance, compliance, and complex business decisions. She is a trusted advisor to clients, guiding them through high-stakes decisions that extend beyond transactional matters.

Payal serves as co-chair of the firm’s Gender Advancement Committee, where she leads initiatives to develop, promote, and elevate women attorneys at Taft, across the legal profession, and throughout the community. In recognition of her leadership, career accomplishments, and longstanding dedication to advancing women in law, she recently was honored as one of Law Bulletin Media’s 2025 Top Women in Law.

• Panelist, “Buy and Build: Mastering the Art of Roll-Up Strategies,” Chicago Dealmakers Conference, Oct.16, 2025.
• Panelist, “Mastering the LOI: Front-End Negotiation Tactics for Buy-Side Deals,” Chicago Smart Business Dealmakers Conference, Oct. 16, 2024.
• Moderator, “Best Practices for the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA),” ACC Chicago Summit, Sept. 18, 2024.
• Moderator, “The Family Business Dynamic – M&A, Growth, and Succession Planning,” Chicago Smart Business Dealmakers Conference, Oct. 5, 2023.
• Moderator, “Transition or Sell: What to Do With Your Family Business,” Chicago Smart Business Dealmakers Conference, Oct. 12, 2022.
• Panelist, “Negotiation Hot Topics: What Lawyers Need to Know to Succeed,” ACC Chicago Summit, Aug. 30, 2022.
• Moderator, “Recruiting and Retaining Diverse Talent in a Changed World,” ACC Chicago Summit, Sept. 1, 2021.