Rachel L. O'Connor

Rachel is a business attorney focusing on commercial transactions, mergers and acquisitions and franchise and distribution matters. Located in our Minneapolis office, Rachel counsels on transactional, business law, and franchise matters such as corporate governance and compliance, acquisitions and sales of businesses, ownership transitions, strategic transactions, corporate finance, and commercial agreements. Rachel advises clients in the deal structuring and due diligence process of transactions, identifying key issues and risks. She also reviews and drafts shareholder and owner operating agreements, governing documents, real estate leases, franchise and development agreements, and supply and distribution agreements. 

Representative Experience

• Represented a private equity investment firm in its acquisition of a keyless remote business for approximately $50 million
• Represented various quick-service restaurant franchise operators in both acquisitions and divestitures
• Represented clients in financing transactions, including advising issuers and investors and handling acquisition financing for lenders, borrowers, and investors
• Represented clients in creating new businesses, restructuring existing businesses, and expanding on a national and international level
• Represented clients in financing transactions, including advising issuers and investors and handling acquisition financing for lenders, borrowers, and investors
• Assisted with the sale of a large family-owned home services company to a private holding company
• Represented tenants in negotiating office, industrial, and multi-unit retail leases, lease assignments, lease amendments and related matters
• Supported significant franchise disclosure document updates for one of the largest salon franchises in North America

• Co-presenter, "ESG Essentials for Franchise Companies," Lathrop GPM Webinar, June 21, 2023

• Co-author, "Addressing Five Essential ESG Questions for Franchise Companies," Franchising Magazine USA, November 1, 2023
• Co-author, "Current M&A in the U.S.: the franchisor's guide," Global Franchise Magazine, September 2022

• Association for Corporate Growth Minnesota, Women’s Leadership Committee
• Minnesota State Bar Association
• Hennepin County Bar Association
• The Minneapolis Women's Rotary Member (Board Member, 2019-2023)
• University of St. Thomas School of Law Mentor

• Thomson Reuters, "Minnesota Rising Star," 2023-2024