Chris Carlisle, Taft

Partner, Taft

What are the biggest challenges you currently see in the M&A world?

As a buyer, the challenge is finding the right deal at the right value and with a compelling management team. For sellers, it’s finding a buyer who will not only pay you top dollar but bring intangible value to the management of the business.

Without revealing the names of a client, what is the most interesting transaction you’ve worked on lately?

I recently represented a European public company in its first acquisition in the United States. Working with a sophisticated client not versed in U.S. M&A market terms was super fun, and I believe I was able to add extraordinary value to the client’s deal team.

How do you manage work/life balance?

I really don’t manage it very well. I think one of the things that has made me successful is that I truly care about clients and their outcomes. I take that very seriously and it often means I take calls when I perhaps should let it go to voicemail. But I think that reputation — picking up the phone no matter what — has been my key driver of my success.

What is one thing you would change about Minnesota if you could?

Make the weather like California?! From a practice perspective there isn’t much I would change. I think the M&A community — both legal and investment banking — here punches above its weight in a lot of ways.

What’s something most people don’t know about you?

I was voted the “Most Improved Runner” on the 1985-86 St. Louis Park Cross Country team. An honor I cherish to this day.