Kevin Baker serves as Managing Director and General Counsel at Calera Capital Partners, holding a key position within the General Partner team. With over 26 years at Calera, Baker has played a vital role in the firm’s investment strategies and overall operations. His extensive experience spans over 35 years in legal practice, actively participating in all acquisition and disposition activities of portfolio companies.
Baker’s responsibilities extend beyond legal counsel. He contributes significantly to overseeing and monitoring Calera’s portfolio companies, ensuring their successful performance and alignment with the firm’s objectives. Furthermore, he is deeply involved in fund-level matters, encompassing fund formation, operational efficiency, and regulatory compliance.
Before joining Calera Capital Partners, Baker honed his legal expertise as a partner at the renowned international law firm O’Melveny & Myers. His practice focused on advising clients on mergers and acquisitions, security offerings, financing transactions, general corporate matters, and securities filings.
Baker’s career showcases a remarkable track record in representing both buyers and sellers in numerous private and public mergers and acquisitions. He has also provided expert counsel to investors and issuers in private placements of securities, as well as underwriters and issuers in public offerings. His financial expertise encompasses bank financings, bond financings, and other corporate financing activities. Additionally, he possesses experience in litigation, franchise law, and compensation, employment, and labor-related issues.
Prior to his legal career, Baker gained valuable experience in the tax department of Arthur Andersen & Co., where he focused on tax research, planning, compliance, and accounting and audit matters. This diverse background provides him with a comprehensive understanding of financial and legal intricacies.
Baker holds both a law license and a certified public accountant designation. He earned a Juris Doctor (J.D.) cum laude from Harvard Law School and a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) cum laude in Economics and Accounting from Claremont McKenna College. His academic achievements underscore his commitment to excellence and provide a solid foundation for his professional success.
Originally from Missouri, Baker spent his formative years in Southern California. He and his wife have been married for 40 years and have three sons and two daughters. His personal life reflects the same dedication and commitment as his professional endeavors. Baker’s multifaceted experience, legal acumen, and deep understanding of financial markets make him an invaluable asset to Calera Capital Partners. His leadership contributes significantly to the firm’s continued success in the private equity landscape.
