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Overview
Kelly Lucinda Galligan stands at the forefront of corporate law, specializing in mergers and acquisitions, private equity, and corporate governance with a dynamic and strategic approach. Her expertise spans a comprehensive range of corporate transactions, where she adeptly navigates the complexities of stock and asset acquisitions, divestitures, privately-held company mergers, joint ventures, litigation funding, and private equity investments. Focused on the middle market, Kelly has skillfully guided transactions valued between $5 million and $500 million, earning her a reputation as a pivotal advisor in high-stakes negotiations.
As the trusted outside general counsel for numerous corporate clients, Kelly provides invaluable day-to-day guidance on transactional and governance issues, tailoring her advice to meet the unique needs of each company. Her practice seamlessly intersects with a diverse array of industries, from private equity to the worlds of apparel and beauty, financial services, food and beverage, health and wellness, logistics, manufacturing, construction, and entertainment, showcasing her versatility and deep market insight.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Kelly is deeply committed to community service and pro bono work. Through her involvement with the Public Law Center, she offers pro bono legal services, leveraging her legal expertise for the greater good. Kelly’s leadership extends to her role as President of Project Youth OCBF, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering at-risk youth in Orange County to stay in school, remain healthy, and live drug-free. Her commitment to service is further evidenced by her roles within the legal community, including her positions as a Board Member of the Orange County Bar Association (OCBA), Past President of the Orange County Women Lawyers Association (OCWLA), the OCWLA Foundation, and the OCBA Young Lawyers Division. Kelly’s contributions reflect her unwavering dedication to both her profession and her community, embodying the essence of leadership and service.
Experience
Areas of Focus
- Corporate/securities law
- Mergers and acquisitions
- Venture capital/private equity
- Litigation funding
- Contract negotiation
Representative Matters
- Acts as outside general counsel for local private equity firm, assisting with all matters from acquisitions, capital raises, contract negotiation, and securities issues
- Represented both issuers and investors in private equity investment transactions and offerings of equity, debt and securities
- Represented both buyers and sellers in mergers and acquisition transactions across a broad spectrum of industries and geographies
- Counseled private companies about internal governance and restructuring matters
- Represented a public building materials company in serial acquisitions of distribution companies across the United States
- Represented a buyer in consecutive acquisitions of automotive dealerships
- Represented funders in various litigation finance investment transactions
News & Insights
Publications
- “Best Board Practices in a Pandemic Era,” Orange County Business Journal (May 2020)
- “Navigating Social Media Sweepstakes and Contests,” Orange County Lawyer Magazine (July 2019)
- “Update on the Reformation of CFIUS Review,” Orange County Business Journal (January 2019)
- Co-Author of Updated Publication: Advising the Board, Chapter 2, Counseling California Corporations, by Continuing Education of the Bar (CEB) (January 2019)
- Co-Editor and Co-Author: Updates in the Law on Domestic Professional and Collegiate Sports, Recent Developments in Business and Corporate Litigation, American Bar Association, Business Law Section (2018)
- Co-Author of Updated Publication: Advising the Board, Chapter 2, Counseling California Corporations, by Continuing Education of the Bar (CEB) (January 2017)
- Co-Author of Updated Publication: Establishing a Corporate Compliance Program, Chapter 9, Counseling California Corporations, by Continuing Education of the Bar (CEB) (January 2019)
- “Disclosures When Approval Not Required,” Daily Journal February (2016)
Speaking Engagements
- Presenter, Understanding the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) (February 2024)
- Panelist, Practicing at Large Law Firms, UC Irvine School of Law (October 2023)
- Moderator, Equal Pay Day Discussion, Orange County Women Lawyers Association (March 2021)
- Panelist, Practicing at Large Law Firms, UC Irvine School of Law (October 2020)
- Moderator, COVID-19 and Deals: A Discussion of the Impact on Mergers and Acquisition, Orange County Bar Association (July 2020)
- Presenter, Unity in a Time of COVID-19 Webinar, Orange County Bar Association (May 2020)
- Panelist, Practicing at Large Law Firms, UC Irvine School of Law (November 2019)
- Moderator, A 360 View of In-House Counsel, Orange County Women Lawyers Association (July 2019)
- Moderator, Getting a Seat at the Bench: Lessons from Female Leaders of the Judiciary, featuring Judge Staton, Justice O’Leary, Judge Sanders and Judge Hubbard, Orange County Women Lawyers Association (March 2019)
- Panelist, Practicing at Large Law Firms, UC Irvine School of Law (March 2019)
- Panelist, The Practice of Corporate Law, Chapman University’s Dale E. Fowler School of Law (March 2019)
- Keynote Address, Elder Law & Disability Rights Center First Annual Fundraiser (October 2018)
- Introductory Address, Orange County Bar Association YLD Fall Member Meeting (May 2018)
- Co-Presenter, Leaders in the Community, UC Irvine School of Law (April 2018)
- Presenter, Welcome to the Legal Profession, Orange County Bar Association Bridging the Gap Program (February 2018)
- Keynote Address, State of the Young Lawyers Division, Orange County Bar Association YLD Annual Business Meeting (January 2018)
- Panelist, Practicing at Large Law Firms, UC Irvine School of Law (January 2018)
Awards & Affiliations
Honors & Awards
- American Bar Association, On The Rise Top 40 Young Lawyers (2024)
- L.A. Times Inspirational Woman Award, Executive-Midsize Company (2024)
- Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch (2021-2025)
- Southern California Super Lawyers, Rising Stars Edition (2018-2024)
- Southern California Super Lawyers, Up-And-Coming Top 25 Attorneys in Orange County (2022-2024)
- Southern California Super Lawyers, Up-And-Coming Top 50 Women Attorneys (2022-2024)
- Southern California Super Lawyers, Up-And-Coming Top 100 Overall Attorneys in Southern California (2022-2024)
- Top Young Diverse Lawyer of OC, Orange County Coalition on Diversity in the Law (2021)
- Distinguished Young Alumni of the Year by Hope International University (2017)
- Wiley W. Manuel Certificate for Pro Bono Legal Services, given by State Bar of California (2015-2017)
Professional Activity & Community Involvement
- President, Project Youth OCBF (Current, served as Vice President in 2021, Treasurer in 2020 and Associate Board President in 2019)
- Graduate, Newport Beach Distinguished Citizens Program (2024)
- Co-Chair, Orange County Bar Association Lawyer Well-Being Committee (2023-Current)
- President, Orange County Women Lawyers Association Foundation (2022)
- President, Orange County Women Lawyers Association (served as President in 2021, Vice President in 2020 and Secretary in 2019)
- Board Member, Diversity and Inclusion Committee, Orange County Bar Association (2018-Current)
- Board Member, Orange County Bar Association (2017-Current)
- Board Member, Leadership Development Committee, Orange County Bar Association (2017-Current)
- Chair, Young Lawyers Division, Orange County Bar Association (2018, served as Chair-Elect in 2017 and Social Chair in 2016)
- Board Member, UCI Law Alumni Association (2015-2018)
- Chair, Rising Stars Group, Association of Corporate Growth (2015-2016)
