Kelly
Li Harris

Kelly Li Harris is a general corporate attorney that specializes in corporate and business matters, mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures & strategic partnerships and real estate development. She has expertise in the apparel industry, luxury goods, retail, third-party logistics, real estate, leasing, private equity real estate and development, entertainment and strategic partnerships.

 

She is known for helping clients understand the legal aspects of a matter without the jargon as well as for helping clients understand the real-world business implications of various legal issues or decisions. Her practical and business acumen has helped startups, emerging growth and middle market companies navigate through the various stages of the business life-cycle, from initial start-up & formation, through growth, expansion and strategic exit via a sale or merger. Her passion is to give back by helping entrepreneurs realize their dreams and build their businesses based upon a solid foundation and strategic plan.

 

Kelly began her career at Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy in New York in the corporate, mergers and acquisitions practice group. Further, her experience as in-house counsel of a privately-held international conglomerate with multiple business divisions as well as with a family office have uniquely positioned her to be a trusted legal and business advisor across a variety of industries and practice areas.

 

Practice Area/Industries Served:

• Corporate and Business Matters
• Mergers and Acquisitions (Middle Market)
• Real Estate and Commercial Leases (Retail and Restaurant)
• Apparel, Retail, Fashion and Luxury Brand Distribution Agreements
• Business Development, Joint Ventures and Strategic Partnerships
• Entertainment and Consumer Brand Licensing
• Private Equity Real Estate & Real Estate Development

Representative Matters/Areas of Concentration:

• Advised founders and entrepreneurs on commercial transactions, throughout the business life cycle, including business planning, mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, employment, real estate
• Drafting and reviewing various business and commercial contracts
• Assisted in start-up business plan development for apparel companies, beauty salon, consumer products
• Advised private companies on divestitures and/or acquisitions, including apparel, entertainment center, software companies
• Advised on $200 million USD real estate portfolio (industrial, office, residential, mixed use) including purchase, sale/lease back and 1031
• Advised on real estate development projects with private companies, institutional investors and/or private equity real estate funds (residential, luxury outlet mall, shopping mall, office) and construction agreements
• Advised on residential, office, retail leases and restaurant leases
• Advised on licensing of consumer branded apparel distribution agreements and luxury brand “flag-ship store” licensed retail distribution agreement
• Advised on licensing and development of entertainment centers, including children’s play zones and children’s science museum
• Advised private companies in investments or strategic partnerships with luxury automobile brands, furniture retailer, third party logistics, technology, entertainment, hospitality and consumer products industries
• Advised start-ups/middle market/ emerging growth companies on venture capital and angel investments, private placement, initial public offering, reverse merger

Experience:

• Deputy General Counsel of Waitex Group of Companies
• Worked internationally in Hong Kong, China and Europe
• Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy, New York
• Published in the International In-House Counsel Journal

Outside Interests:

• Hiking, hot yoga, vegetable gardening and memoir writing