Rachel L. O'Connor

Rachel is an associate in the firm's Franchise & Distribution practice group. Located in our Minneapolis office, Rachel counsels clients on transactional, business law, and franchise matters such as corporate governance and compliance, acquisitions and sales of businesses, corporate finance, and commercial agreements. Rachel advises clients in the due diligence process of transactions, identifying key issues and risks. She also reviews and drafts purchase agreements, shareholder and owner operating agreements and real estate leases, prepares governing documents, and conducts business sale closings. 

Prior to joining Lathrop GPM, Rachel worked at another law firm in Minneapolis. There, she advised individuals, businesses, private equity funds, and developers, considering potential issues and assessing risk to get a full view of a situation so that clients could focus on their work and maximize their productivity.

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 of various restaurants
• 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 tenants in negotiating office, industrial, and multi-unit retail leases, lease assignments, lease amendments and related matters

• 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

• Minnesota State Bar Association
• Hennepin County Bar Association
• The Minneapolis Women's Rotary Board
• University of St. Thomas School of Law Mentor

• Thomson Reuters, "Minnesota Rising Star," 2023