Kris Kemp
Kris Kemp focuses on merger and acquisition transactions, securities offerings and representation of private equity and venture backed companies. In the last five years, Kris has been involved in more than $3 billion worth of M&A transactions. His corporate practice also includes providing capital structure advice to emerging and growth companies.
Whether his clients are start-up endeavors or publicly traded companies, Kris helps each business find a unique and strategic path for growth and works to identify and resolve potential issues. His practice includes:
- Mergers & Acquisitions – Advising both buyers and sellers of public and private companies on mergers, acquisitions and financings, including public and private debt and equity placements; representing executives in the negotiation of compensation arrangements related to strategic transactions.
- Venture Capital – Representing investors and venture-backed companies in growth equity investments and other financing matters; counseling venture capital firms that invest in companies specializing in advanced manufacturing and materials, energy and environmentally clean technologies, and information and digital media technologies.
Prior to joining Bass, Berry & Sims, Kris was a shareholder and the head of the corporate practice group of Harwell Howard Hyne Gabbert & Manner, P.C.
Memberships
Tennessee Bar Association — Business Law Executive Council, Chair (2013-2016); Business Corporations Act Subcommittee (2011-2015)
Nashville Capital Network — Board of Directors
American Health Law Association (AHLA)
Representative Experience
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We represented Tractor Supply Company (Nasdaq: TSCO) in their agreement to acquire Orscheln Farm and Home, a family-owned farm and ranch retailer.
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Creation of the corporate structure for Mosaic Changemakers – our team helped the new organization obtain tax exempt nonprofit status and transfer the program to a new entity, and provided advice for formation and business practices
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We represented Dean Solon, the founder of Shoals Technologies Group, Inc. (backed by Oaktree Capital), a leading solar-power components maker, in connection with Shoals’ initial public offering (IPO) of 88.5 million shares of Class A common stock for a total net proceeds of more than $2.2 billion. The shares began trading on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol “SHLS” on January 27, 2021. Bass Berry & Sims has represented Shoals since the 2016 recapitalization transaction with Oaktree Capital.
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Representation of J. Knipper and Company, Inc. – one of the largest suppliers of end-to-end pharmaceutical samples management services and a Court Square portfolio company – and its affiliates, including KnippeRx, in its acquisition of Eagle Pharmacy – a Florida-based full-service, direct-to-patient (DTP) pharmacy. This strategic transaction for KnippeRx will expand the company’s pharmacy programs, scale and automation capabilities.
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We represented West Virginia Mutual Insurance Company (WVMIC), the only member-owned medical liability insurance company in West Virginia, in its sale to MagMutual Insurance Company, one of the leading providers of medical professional liability insurance in the country. WVMIC will become MagMutual’s Mid-Eastern Region, adding support to policyholders and expanding their geographic footprint in West Virginia, Ohio and Kentucky.
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Served as regulatory and deal counsel to BioPlus, a leading national specialty pharmacy, and ProHealth Pharmacy Solutions, a significant provider of infusion pharmacy management services in their sale to CarepathRx a platform company formed by Nautic Partners
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Representation of LogistiCare in its $80 million acquisition of National MedTrans, a single source Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT) benefit management company focused on delivering services to managed care organizations and governmental entities throughout the United States, as well as the extension of its revolving credit facilities from $200 million to $225 million
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Representation of Lincare Holdings, Inc., a nationwide healthcare services organization and a Florida-based subsidiary of German multinational chemical company Linde AG, in its sale of their home infusion assets to KabaFusion, a provider of specialty acute and chronic home infusion therapies
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We represented BioScrip, Inc. in its merger with Option Care Enterprises, Inc. The newly combined company, Option Care Health, Inc., emerges as the largest independent home and alternate site infusion services provider in the United States. Option Care Health’s common stock will be listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the ticker symbol BIOS.
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Representation of Lincare Holdings, Inc., a nationwide healthcare services organization and a Florida-based subsidiary of German multinational chemical company Linde AG, in its acquisition of Maverick Holdings II, Inc.
Publications
Past Events
Media Mentions & Firm News
Accolades
Chambers USA — Corporate/M&A (2013-2021)
Best Lawyers® — Nashville Securities/Capital Markets Law “Lawyer of the Year” (2020)
The Best Lawyers in America© — Mergers and Acquisitions Law; Securities/Capital Markets Law; Securities Regulation (2010-2021)
Martindale-Hubbell — AV Preeminent® Peer Review Rated
North Carolina State College of Humanities and Social Sciences — Distinguished Alumnus Award (2003)
Education
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Vanderbilt Law School - J.D., 1997
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North Carolina State University - B.A., B.S., 1992
summa cum laude
Admissions
- Tennessee, 1997
Chambers USA
"Kris Kemp is a highly respected practitioner with extensive M&A and capital markets experience. He has a noted specialty in venture capital matters and plays a lead role on a number of the firm's most significant transactions. 'He is excellent; very attentive and very responsive.' 'He is highly analytical and very good at breaking down deal structures.'"
From Chambers USA 2021