A trusted advisor to private equity firms, REITs and middle-market businesses, Reed guides clients in assessing, structuring, and managing risks associated with acquiring and disposing of businesses and real property while helping them develop and implement transformative growth strategies.
Reed advises on environmental issues in the context of corporate and real estate transactions, litigation, regulatory compliance, and government investigations and enforcement matters. He provides strategic counsel to businesses nationwide throughout the investment lifecycle, from mitigating environmental liabilities during due diligence to ensuring regulatory, reporting and permit compliance in portfolio management and transaction structuring.
As a member of Benesch’s Private Equity, Corporate & Securities, Real Estate, Renewable Energy, Environmental, Transportation & Logistics and Retail & E-Commerce groups, Reed possesses uncommonly broad knowledge and experience. With a nuanced understanding of sophisticated environmental, health, and safety laws, an interdisciplinary approach, and a big-picture perspective, he identifies issues and delivers comprehensive solutions tailored to each client’s needs.
Reed’s experience extends to high-stakes internal audits, government negotiations, OSHA compliance, hazardous materials transportation, California CARB compliance, and PFAS consulting, ensuring clients are well-positioned to address enforcement challenges and regulatory scrutiny. Additionally, his background as a former law clerk, litigation associate, and former chief operating officer and corporate general counsel further enhances his ability to protect client interests, preserve their reputations, safeguard their investments in highly regulated and evolving landscapes, and position them for success.
Before joining Benesch, Reed was a director of a New Zealand-based electrical engineering company with 100-plus employees and an EBITDA exceeding $30 million (NZD). He was also an associate at an Am Law top-40 law firm.
Representative Experience
- Represented a private equity buyer in its acquisition of a wholesale distributor of pipes, valves, and fittings for an enterprise value of $190,000,000.00.
- Represented the Buyer in its acquisition of a company engaged in the sale and servicing of first responder vehicles.
- Represented a public, world-leading polymers group in its acquisition of a provider of high-quality thermoplastic elastomers for all size orders across the United States.
- Represented the buyer in its acquisition of a distributor of lifting products and accessories.
- Represented a publicly traded REIT in its acquisition of three commercial truck repair garages/warehouses in Ohio and Michigan in a $10,250,000.00 sale-leaseback transaction.
- Negotiated multi-pronged risk transfer and risk management provisions to protect client.
- Represented a major North American automobile manufacturer in the disposition of two very large former plants, located in Ohio and Indiana.
- Advised a buyer on all environmental issues that arose in its acquisition of a national, full-service logistics business focused primarily on courier, warehouse management and distribution services.
- Advised the seller of a national automotive repair business on environmental issues involving property transfer under New Jersey’s Industrial Site Recovery Act (ISRA) and The Connecticut Transfer Act.
- Advised and managed multiple clients on the disposition of commercial, warehouse and office space under New Jersey’s Industrial Site Recovery Act (ISRA).
