Dori E. Brewer
Dori Brewer has more than 30 years of experience in the areas of corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions, strategic business transactions, joint ventures, partnerships, limited liability companies and advising closely-held companies and family-owned businesses. She serves as outside general counsel to significant private companies. Her clients include Continental Mills and Clise Properties.
Dori has extensive experience in other consumer products industries, including apparel, footwear and retail. She advises clients on commercial contracts and transactions including product development, supply, manufacturing, co-pack, private label, marketing, distribution and trademark license agreements. Her M&A work includes representing both buyers and sellers of businesses in various industries. She has represented founders and family-owned companies selling businesses to strategic buyers, private equity groups and company management.
Dori also works closely with owners of family-owned businesses to develop governance structures to support growth and stability of the business and to develop succession plans, whether leading to a sale of the company, raising capital from outside investors or a continuation of the business with the next generation of family members.
Areas of focus
Education & Credentials
Education
- Cornell Law School, J.D., cum laude, Editor, Cornell International Law Journal, 1984
- University of Washington, B.B.A., Accounting, and B.A., Speech Communication, 1981 magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa
Bar and Court Admissions
-
Washington
Professional Recognition
Listed in Best Lawyers in America: Corporate Law; Mergers and Acquisitions Law, 2001 – 2024
Listed in Washington Law & Politics, "Washington's Super Lawyers," 2004 – 2014
Peer Review Rated AV in Martindale-Hubbell (AV®, BV® and CV® are registered certification marks of Reed Elsevier Properties Inc., used in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies.)
(AV®, BV® and CV® are registered certification marks of Reed Elsevier Properties Inc., used in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies.)
Impact
Professional Leadership
- Washington State Bar Association, Business Law Section, Chair, 2004 – 2005; Executive Committee Member, 2001 – 2006
- Washington State Bar Association, Business Law Section, Corporate Act Revision Committee, 2005 – present; Partnership and Limited Liability Company Law Committee, 1995 – 2019
Community Involvement
- Attorneys for Family Held Enterprises, national organization for attorneys representing family-owned businesses, member Board of Directors, 2017 – present
- Northwest Family Business Advisors, member Board of Directors, 2014 – 2016
- Seattle Business Magazine Family Business Awards, Judge, 2012 – 2019
News
Professional Experience
Experience
Mergers & Acquisitions
Les Schwab Tire Centers - Sale to Meritage Group
Represented Les Schwab Tire Centers, a 68-year old family-owned business and leading tire retailer and service center operator, in its sale to Meritage Group.
Oberto Sausage Company - Sale to Premium Brands Holding Corporation
Represented Oberto Sausage Company, a 100-year old family-owned meat snack company, in its sale to Premium Brands Holding Corporation.
Carlyle Inc. - Sale to Carlisle Companies Inc. and Tensolite LLC
Represented Carlyle, a provider of aerospace and network interconnection solutions, in its sale to Carlile Companies and Tensolite.
Bayliner Marine Corporation - Sale to Brunswick Corporation
Represented Bayliner and its founder in a sale of the company to Brunswick Corporation.
Continental Mills - Acquisition of Albers Cornmeal and Grits Business from Nestlé USA Corporation
Represented Continental Mills in the acquisition of Albers cornmeal and grits business from Nestlé USA.
Continental Mills - Acquisition of Eagle Mills Dry Mix business from ConAgra Foods
Represented Continental Mills in the acquisition of a branded dry mix business from ConAgra.
Continental Mills - Acquisition of Pillsbury Food Service Business
Represented Continental Mills in the acquisition of the Pillsbury food service small package dry mix business from Best Brands Corporation.
Continental Mills - Acquisition of Snoqualmie Falls Lodge Dry Mix Business from Bunge Foods Corporation
Represented Continental Mills in the acquisition of a branded dry mix business from Bunge Foods.
Continental Mills - Sale of French-Fry and Poultry Coating Business
Represented Continental Mills Inc. in the sale of its french-fry and poultry coating business to Newly Weds Foods Inc.
Continental Mills - Acquisition of WildRoots and TrueBliss Business
Represented Continental Mills in the acquisition of a branded trail mix and snack business from founder.
Continental Mills - Acquisition of Kretschmer Wheat Germ Business
Represented Continental Mills in acquisition of branded heritage wheat germ business from private equity group.
Nutraceutix - Sale to Probi USA Inc.
Represented TNT Gamble, Inc. dba Nutraceutix in its sale to Probi USA Inc.
Squirrel Brand, L.P. - Sale to John B. Sanfilippo & Son, Inc.
Represented Squirrel Brand, L.P., a snack nut company, in its sale of assets to John B. Sanfilippo & Son, Inc.
California Natural Products - Sale to Gehl Foods LLC
Represented California Natural Products in its sale to Gehl Foods LLC, a portfolio company of Wind Point Partners.
Span Alaska Transportation, Inc. - Sale
Represented Span Alaska Transportation, Inc., a family-owned enterprise, in its sale to a private equity buyer.
Moeller Manufacturing & Supply, Inc. - Sale
Represented Moeller Manufacturing & Supply, Inc. in its sale to Consolidated Aerospace Manufacturing, L.L.C.
Bob Bridge Toyota - Sale to O'Brien Auto Group
Represented Bob Bridge Toyota Scion of Renton in its sale to the O'Brien Auto Group.
The Wright Group - Sale to The Tribune Company
Represented elementary school publishing company, The Wright Group, in sale to The Tribune Company.
Zevenbergen Capital - Investment by RidgeWorth Capital Management, subsidiary of SunTrust
Represented Zevenbergen Capital, a boutique investment management company, in a private capital investment by a subsidiary of SunTrust.
Seattle’s Best Coffee - Sale
Represented Seattle's Best Coffee and its founder in a sale of the company to an investor group.
Athena Partners - Sale to DS Waters of America
Represented Athena Partners, a non-profit corporation, in the sale of Athena brand bottled water business to DS Waters of America.
Johnny's Fine Foods - Investment by Winona Capital Management LLC and Longview Merchant Banc, LLC
Represented Johnny's Fine Foods in a private capital investment by Winona Capital Management and Longview Merchant Banc.
Olson’s Food Stores - Sale to Quality Food Centers (QFC)
Represented grocery store chain, Olson's Food Stores, in sale to QFC.
Seattle Pacific Industries - Acquisition of Howe Inc.
Represented Seattle Pacific Industries in the acquisition of the Howe premium designer clothing business.
Modern Manufacturing - Sale to Compass Aerospace Corporation
Represented aircraft components manufacturer, Modern Manufacturing, to Compass Aerospace.
Arctic Circle Enterprises LLC and Polar Graphics USA - Investment by Intracorp Capital LLC
Represented manufacturer of apparel, gifts, souvenirs and promotional products in an investment by Intracorp Capital.
ProCyte Corporation - Acquisition of HumaTech Inc.
Represented ProCyte in the acquisition of skin care products manufacturer, HumaTech.
Executive House - Sale to First Savings Bank of Renton
Represented real estate loan company, Executive House, in sale to First Savings Bank of Renton.
Joint Ventures
University of California Los Alamos National Security Joint Venture
Represented the University of California in a joint venture with Bechtel Corporation, BWX Technologies Inc., and the Washington Group for management of the Los Alamos National Laboratory.
Boeing—Saudi Offset Joint Venture
Represented Boeing in a joint venture with its defense subcontractors for Saudi offset program.
Boeing—Sea Launch Joint Venture
Represented Boeing in a joint venture with foreign partners to form a company for the launch of satellites from sea-based platforms.
Joint ventures between privately-held commercial fueling company and a major oil company
Represented commercial fueling company in joint ventures with a major oil company to establish automated commercial fueling stations in major metropolitan areas and for ownership and operation of retail fueling stations.
OESI Power Corporation Joint Ventures
Represented turbine manufacturer, OESI, in joint ventures with subsidiaries of utility companies for development of power projects.