Robert F. Kennedy

Primary Focus & Experience.

Mr. Kennedy advises public and private entities in mergers and acquisitions, leveraged buyouts, private equity investments, corporate governance and general corporate matters.  He has represented private equity funds and strategic buyers and sellers in leveraged recapitalizations, stock and asset acquisitions and dispositions, and private investments.  His practice encompasses a broad range of industries, including manufacturing, commodities, energy services, communications and healthcare-related businesses.

Mr. Kennedy has been the lead lawyer on a number of large-cap transactions, and was most recently named “2026 Dealmaker of the Year” by The American Lawyer for his representation of U. S. Steel in its high-profile sale to Nippon Steel.

Representative transactions include advising: 

• United States Steel in its $14.9 billion sale to Nippon Steel (2025), the successful defense of a proxy contest launched by an activist investor (2025), and the $2 billion joint venture and multiphase acquisition of Big River Steel (2021).
• C. Starck group on entering into an agreement to sell its electronic materials business to U.S.-based Materion Corporation.
• BAE Systems on the sale of a U.S. cyber-security business.
• Strategic Value Partners LLC on its acquisition of OmniMax Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiaries, the leading national manufacturer of residential roof drainage systems and a top supplier of products for outdoor living, recreational vehicles, and other building end markets.
• PSP on a minority investment of $250 million in Lytx, Inc., a transportation software developer. LEA Partners and Founder on the sale of BELLIN Group to Coupa.
• Advent International on the $3.25 billion acquisition of Distributed Power business from GE.
• Stellex Capital Management on its structured investment in Cisco Systems.
• Mill Rock Capital Management on its control investment in Venture Metals and simultaneous acquisition of VPG Metals.
• Peninsula Pacific on the acquisitions by its portfolio company, Vorteq Coil Finishers, of Wheeling Service & Supply and Western Metals Decorating.
• EQT Mid Market on its acquisition, in partnership with management, of marketing technology solutions and services provider FocusVision.
• Strategic Value Partners in the acquisition of Associated Materials, a building materials supplier business.