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Keyne Villert

Associate

Keyne Villert is a corporate and transactional attorney who assists U.S. and foreign clients with mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance, financing transactions, commercial transactions, real estate matters, and general corporate matters. His diverse skill set allows him to provide comprehensive support to businesses at every stage of their growth and address a broad range of legal needs.

Professional Biography


Mr. Villert assists clients with every stage of transactions, from negotiating the term sheet to managing the closing process and resolving post-closing matters. He works closely with business owners and senior leadership teams to identify key issues, formulate comprehensive strategies, and craft language that meets business and legal objectives. He is also a skilled advocate for clients, representing their interests at the negotiation table in both transactional and pre-litigation matters. Mr. Villert has extensive experience representing businesses across a wide range of industries, including real estate, renewable energy, finance, manufacturing, health care, automotive, retail, hospitality, and commodities.

As a native of France with strong connections to the international business community, Mr. Villert frequently assists foreign companies entering the U.S. market or expanding their operations in the U.S., including in connection with the consideration of key economic development factors.

Prior to joining the Firm, Mr. Villert practiced at a large law firm in New York City. He also served as in-house counsel for a Fortune 500 company, where he facilitated closings, negotiated settlements, and managed outside counsel involved in litigation matters. Drawing on his experience in-house, Mr. Villert brings a unique perspective to his practice, allowing him to better understand his clients' business objectives and provide practical solutions tailored to their specific needs.

During law school, Mr. Villert served as a judicial intern for the Honorable Hilda G. Tagle, U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas, and as a legal extern for the Immigrant Justice Corps.

Mr. Villert is a native French speaker.

  • M&A and Corporate

  • Assisted with the sale of a majority interest in a leading logistics company to a global company.

  • Assisted a South Korean company expanding its U.S. operations with the purchase of a company.

  • Represented a franchisee expanding its market reach through asset purchases from competitors.

  • Represented various companies and owners in the transfer and redemption of ownership interests, the preparation and interpretation of governing documents, and general corporate matters.

  • Advised high-net-worth individuals in connection with their indirect acquisition of interests in real estate abroad – including in Paris, France, and Turks and Caicos Islands – through U.S. companies.

  • Finance

  • Served as local counsel to a borrower financing the purchase of multiple properties with a loan exceeding $1.2 billion.

  • Represented a bank in the negotiation of a term loan exceeding $17 million to a distilling company.

  • Represented a borrower in the negotiation of an $11 million term loan secured by the assets of a subsidiary and ownership interests in the subsidiary.

  • Represented a bank in the negotiation of a line of credit exceeding $11 million for the acquisition and renovation of an office building listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

  • Assisted various lenders with the financing of renewable energy projects, including loans exceeding $10 million for solar farms.

  • Represented a lender in the negotiation of a construction loan for up to $7 million in connection with the renovation of a religious establishment listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

  • Real Estate

  • Assisted a large developer with the sale of its portfolio, which included 49 commercial properties.

  • Represented a company in the negotiation of an office lease at One World Trade Center.

  • Performed due diligence for large-scale renewable energy projects, including a cross-border transmission line that will supply power to a major city and a solar farm on former mine lands that will provide power to an automotive company.

  • Assisted a private equity real estate fund with the acquisition of 20 telecommunications facilities in several states.

  • Represented a public international bank in several office and retail leasing transactions and the sale of commercial properties throughout the United States.

  • Represented a renewable energy company in the negotiation of an option to lease land related to the installation and operation of a solar farm.

  • Assisted a company with the review of a multi-floor lease at the Chrysler Building for its independent subsidiary.

  • Represented a health care company in the acquisition of a long term care facility for an amount exceeding $17 million.

  • Assisted an Australian company entering the U.S. market with due diligence, the negotiation of a lease for a manufacturing plant, and the negotiation of an option to purchase real property.

  • Represented a company at public hearings to resolve zoning and fire code violations.

  • Represented commercial tenants in several pre-litigation lease dispute negotiations.

  • Commercial

  • Represented real estate companies in various contract negotiations with service providers as part of the operation of multifamily, retail, office, and mixed-use properties.

  • Assisted a public renewable energy company with the review of a contract for the sale of a battery energy storage system exceeding $120 million in value.

  • Advised a company in connection with the shutdown of a production facility, including the termination of commercial agreements, the resolution of contractual disputes, and risk mitigation.

  • Assisted a manufacturer with the negotiation of a contract for the purchase of equipment exceeding $1 million in value.

  • Represented various companies in the negotiation of master service agreements, consulting agreements, nondisclosure agreements, license agreements, and other contracts.

  • Assisted a commodity merchant with the review and negotiation of bespoke contracts necessary for its operations, including those relating to supply, transportation, and marketing.

  • Listed in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America for Real Estate Law (2025)
  • Board Member – French-American Chamber of Commerce (Tennessee)
  • Member – Nashville Bar Association

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