Katherine (Kathie) Buono, partner, Quarles & Brady LLP
Name: Kathryn ("Kathie") Buono
Title: Partner
Company: Quarles & Brady LLP
City of residence: Town of Delafield
Family: Husband: John (CFO of Assisted Living Concepts, Inc.)
How does the market look to you? "Cautious. Deals are getting done, but the financing is more expensive and buyers are more diligent than in years past."
What are you working on now? "One acquisition for a strategic buyer (a non-distressed situation – we hope!), one acquisition by a manufacturer of a distressed dealer and one deal involving emergency debt financing pending an equity investment round."
What was the best deal you’ve been involved in? "It is difficult to characterize one as ‘best.’ The most unusual was an acquisition of a fishing lodge in Saskatchewan. The most challenging was a reverse Morris trust transaction in which Modine Manufacturing spun off its aftermarket division, which immediately merged with Transpro, while Transpro concurrently sold its OEM division to Modine. The most satisfying have been the dozens of deals I’ve worked on for Mason Wells and its portfolio companies, both buy-side and sell-side, during the past 18 years."
What was the funniest or most interesting moment of your career? "Early on in my career as a corporate lawyer, I was sent on spring break by Miller Brewing Company to audit their promotional activities in Florida, Texas and California."
