Education

Texas A&M University

B.B.A. in Accounting and Finance, 1983

South Texas College of Houston

J.D., 1985

New York University School of Law

LL.M., Taxation, 1987

Admissions

Texas, 1986

Memberships & Activities

Houston Bar Association

Board Member, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation

Chairman, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Golf Tournament

Kelly concentrates his practice in general business and tax law and transactional matters, including private equity transactions, mergers and acquisitions, and strategic business counseling. His practice includes advising private equity funds and portfolio companies; structuring and negotiating complex acquisitions, divestitures, and financing transactions; entity formation and governance matters for privately held businesses; business planning and growth strategies; commercial real estate transactions; bankruptcy and restructuring matters; employment law issues; and comprehensive tax planning for businesses and their owners. Kelly’s unique perspective is informed by his experience as founder and managing partner of Milestone Capital, Inc., where he led middle-market private equity investments, conducted financial and legal due diligence, managed investor relations, and developed long-term exit strategies for portfolio companies.

Representative Matters

• • • Majority investor in a consolidation of privately owned fastener distributors that was taken public on the NYSE.
    • Made first-ever investment in a producer of organic branded teas and lemonades. Moved company to Austin, Texas, and eventually sold interest to another private equity firm at a 23 percent internal rate of return.
    • Invested in a wholesale distributor of industrial machinery and equipment. Grew the company and sold it for a 43 percent internal rate of return.
    • Purchased 51 percent interest in a leading heat-tracing service provider. Company experienced tremendous growth and was sold to a large business consolidator at a 112 percent internal rate of return.
    • Purchased an 80 percent interest in a distributor of bearings and oilfield consumables for the oilfield industry. Grew the company and sold it for a 35 percent internal rate of return.
    • Purchased an 80 percent interest in a distributor of material handling equipment. Grew the company and sold it for a 25 percent internal rate of return.
    • Purchased a 74 percent interest in a fusion-bonded epoxy pipe coating operation based in Houston, Texas.
    • Purchased a company that constructs engineered fabric shade structures and manufactures filters and seals for the dry bulk rail car industry and petrochemical industry.
    • Has been involved with numerous real estate transactions including purchases and sales of real estate and tenant and landlord leasing transactions.
    • Has been involved with numerous complex tax planning matters as well as numerous federal income tax controversy matters involving IRS audits and appeals.
    • Has assumed the role of General Counsel with a variety of different companies.