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Christopher M. Hussey

Your business goals are the objective; every decision should serve those goals.

Contact: P /612.604.6710E /[email protected]

Education

William Mitchell College of Law, J.D., magna cum laude, 2013

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, B.S., Business Management and Philosophy, 2006

Bar Admissions

Minnesota, 2013

My Approach

I started my career in finance and investor relations in New York, working with Fortune 500 publicly-traded companies on capital markets strategy, financial communications, and shareholder value. This foundation means I don’t show up as traditional outside counsel. Whether I’m structuring a complex transaction, managing a capital raise, negotiating a joint venture, or handling a vendor relationship, I think about it the way a business operator would: what’s the risk, what’s the return, and how do we get it done?

I cut through complexity to get to what actually matters. Theory has its place, but common-sense, practical solutions are what consistently win the day. Clients consistently tell Winthrop & Weinstine they value having a lawyer who speaks both languages. Legal precision when it counts, business pragmatism everywhere else, and that combination makes me a better negotiator and a more useful advisor.

I live in Minneapolis with my wife, who is a former CPA at a big four accounting firm and is currently an in-house attorney at an international medical device company. Fortunately and unfortunately, legal strategy is a dinner table topic. Outside of work, I’m a former NCAA Division I ice hockey player who still laces up regularly, a frequent presence on the Twin Cities bike trails and golf courses, and an ever optimistic Minnesota sports fan (which is also a dinner table topic).

Practice Areas

Practicing Mergers & Acquisitions

My Experience

My practice is diverse, and spans software and information technology, life sciences and healthcare, industrial manufacturing and distribution, real estate and hospitality, agriculture and food manufacturing, and fitness and multi-unit franchise operations. Navigating each sector’s distinct regulatory frameworks, commercial customs, and risk profiles has sharpened my ability to adapt quickly to unfamiliar challenges. Because all businesses share common threads of governance, compliance, capital structure, and commercial relationships, this cross-sector fluency allows me to draw on deeper pattern recognition, identify risks a narrower practice might overlook, and deliver more creative, well-rounded counsel regardless of industry. I am regularly entrusted with matters involving intricate structures, accelerated timelines, and high‑stakes negotiations, and I bring a steady, solutions‑oriented approach to executing complex, business‑defining objectives.

Representative Matters

• Represented a top tier real estate development company in a spin-off transaction financed by nearly $400,000,000 in debt, equity and operating properties.
• Represented a financial technology company in its sale to J.P. Morgan Chase & Co.
• Represented a multi-state behavioral health clinic in its sale for $180,000,000.
• Represented one of the largest franchisees of Planet Fitness clubs in half a dozen acquisitions across the United States.
• Represented a leading medical device contract design and manufacturing company in its platform sale to a private equity company for $80,000,000.
• Represented a German-based private equity fund in its acquisition of an industrial refractory service company.
• Represented an oil and gas equipment distribution company in its sale to a publicly traded competitor for approximately $110,000,000.
• Represented a medical device company in its sale to a publicly traded international conglomerate for approximately $140,000,000.
• Represented a private equity fund in its acquisition of a franchise system for $300,000,000.
• Represented a provider of clinical trial supply chain management in its sale to a private equity fund for approximately $30,000,000.
• Local and company counsel to an international software company in its sale to a private equity fund for approximately $750,000,000
• Represented a fitness club franchisee in its majority equity investment transaction with a private equity fund establishing the franchisee’s enterprise value at approximately $90,000,000.
• Represented an engineering software company in its sale to a publicly traded German company for approximately $50,000,000.
• Represented a US-based software company in its disposition of its European-based software business to a European private equity fund for approximately $25,000,000.
• Represented a national commodity producer in its sale to a publicly traded Canadian competitor for $85,000,000.
• Represented a brand loyalty company in the sale of its financial incentives division to a private equity fund for $140,000,000.
• Represented a private family wealth office in its acquisition of an information technology staffing firm for approximately $30,000,000.

General Business Matters

• Involved in multi-year in-house assignment with a Minnesota-based company with operations in 11 states.
• Managed the international corporate governance for an international software company with operations in 8 countries.

Capital Raising Matters

In addition to my general mergers and acquisitions practice, I also represent a variety of operating companies, financial sponsors and real estate developers in capital raising and capital deployment transactions, which include private offerings, venture capital financings and joint ventures. I have completed nearly 60 engagements resulting in approximately $1,000,000,000 in transaction value.

Also experienced in

Securities & Corporate Finance

Private Equity

General Corporate

Honors & Awards

The Best Lawyers in America©

Mergers & Acquisitions Law, 2023

Rising Stars

Minnesota Super Lawyers®, 2018-2023

The Best Lawyers in America© Ones to Watch

Corporate Law, 2021-2022, 2024-2025
Mergers & Acquisitions Law, 2021-2025

MSBA North Star Lawyer

Pro Bono Service, 2014-2017, 2024

Associations & Memberships

American Bar Association

Minnesota State Bar Association

LegalCORPS

Volunteer attorney

William Mitchell College of Law

Alumni mentor, 2013-2015