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Kenneth M. Crane
Partner / ChicagoKenneth M. Crane is a Partner in the Corporate Practice of Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP and serves as the Chicago Section Head. Mr. Crane was previously a Partner with Freeborn & Peters, which combined with SGR in 2023.
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Full Bio
Mr. Crane is a deal lawyer who represents private equity, venture capital and family office–backed companies, focusing on acquisition and sale transactions. He gets involved at all stages in the business growth and succession process, from acquisition, capital raising, financing and growth equity transactions, strategic partnering and joint ventures, to pre-sale and succession planning. Mr. Crane works with entrepreneurs and companies from inception through closing of realization transactions. He also frequently represents the portfolio companies of his private equity, emerging growth and other clients in a wide range of transactions and legal matters, including equity-based compensation plans, manufacturing, distribution and sales agreements, and intellectual property licensing and development.
While at Freeborn (now SGR), Mr. Crane served as the Leader of the Corporate Practice Group.
Mr. Crane earned his J.D. from the University of Illinois College of Law and his B.A. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. -
Representative Experience
- Represented a large distribution company in connection with its efforts to manage an FDA inspection and to prepare the necessary 483 response, corrective action plan, and a food reconditioning plan. Ultimately, a state agriculture department adopted our food reconditioning plan, a model for handling large scale food adulteration matters.
- Represented Borrower in $125,000,000 timber secured loan facility.
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Bar Admissions
Illinois -
Education
Undergraduate- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Law School- University of Illinois College of Law
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Memberships
American Bar Association
Chicago Bar Association
Les Turner ALS Foundation, Director, Executive Committee Member and Chairman of Governance Committee, 2001 – present
Bonnie Addario Lung Cancer Foundation, Chicago Corporate Event Chair, 2013 – present
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Recognitions
Peer Review Rated AV Preeminent® in Martindale-Hubbell (AV®, AV Preeminent®, Martindale-Hubbell Distinguished and Martindale-Hubbell Notable are certification marks used under license in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell® certification procedures, standards, and policies.)
The Best Lawyers in America®, Venture Capital Law, Chicago (2007 - present)
Named Best Lawyers in America®, "Venture Capital Law Lawyer of the Year," Chicago, (2017, 2025)
Illinois Leading Lawyers - 2020 (cited in multiple years) -
Publications and Speaking Engagements
Co-Author, “Client Alert: The “Main Street Lending Program” What It Is and How It Works,” Freeborn & Peters LLP (June 2020).
Co-Author, “Client Alert: FRB Releases Updated FAQ Regarding The “Main Street Lending Program”, Freeborn & Peters LLP (June 2020).
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SGR Publications
- New York LLC Transparency Act: Beneficial Ownership Rules for Non-U.S. LLCs Doing Business in New York – What’s Required in 2026
- New York LLC Transparency Act Effective as of January 1, 2026: What It Really Means for Your Business
- Corporate Transparency Act – March Mayhem Continues
- Corporate Transparency Act – March Mayhem
- Corporate Transparency Act – Reporting Requirements Are Back in Effect
- Corporate Transparency Act – In Appeal of Remaining Nationwide Injunction, Government Would Allow Grace Period and Possible Modification of CTA Reporting Requirements
- Corporate Transparency Act – Supreme Court Stays Injunction of CTA, But FinCEN Says Reporting Remains Voluntary
- Corporate Transparency Act – Government Files Emergency Application with the Supreme Court
- Corporate Transparency Act Nationwide Injunction Reinstated by Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals
- Corporate Transparency Act Litigation and Filing Deadline Extension
- FinCEN Issues Statement regarding Nationwide Preliminary Injunction of the CTA
- The Time Is Now (to Report Under the Corporate Transparency Act)
- What You Need to Know About the Corporate Transparency Act
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Press