Kenneth M. Crane

Ken 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. Ken works with entrepreneurs and companies from inception through closing of realization transactions offering practical clarity and strategic insight that align with clients’ business objectives.

Ken 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. His comprehensive approach helps clients navigate complex transactions with practical clarity and efficiency.

Ken currently serves as the Chicago Corporate section head for Smith Gambrell & Russell. Before joining the firm through the combination with Freeborn & Peters in 2023, Ken served as the Leader of the Corporate Practice Group. His leadership experience enhances his ability to deliver client-focused solutions.

Ken's Practice

Representative Matters

• 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.