Overview
Peter Shelton focuses his practice on transactional and corporate work, representing investors, private equity funds, independent sponsors, portfolio companies and other closely held businesses in complex business transactions.
He has extensive experience in mergers, acquisitions and divestitures, as well as private debt and equity financings, recapitalizations and joint ventures across a wide range of industries, including transportation and logistics, manufacturing, technology and healthcare.
Peter’s work spans the full spectrum of the business life cycle, from formation and early-stage investments to strategic growth and exit transactions. He routinely advises clients on corporate governance and day-to-day operational matters, including the drafting and negotiation of partnership, shareholder and other commercial agreements.
Clients turn to Peter for his practical, business-minded approach and ability to structure and execute transactions efficiently, whether guiding a founder through a sale to a private equity fund, helping a multinational expand through cross-border acquisitions, or advising on financing strategies to support long-term growth. His experience representing both buyers and sellers, as well as investors and lenders, gives him a well-rounded perspective that helps clients anticipate challenges and achieve their strategic objectives.
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Experience
Represented the seller in its sale of a provider of digital forensics and investigation, electronic data processing and hosting, and cybersecurity services to a private-equity-backed buyer.
Lender’s counsel to both senior and mezzanine lenders.
Represented Arsenal Capital Partners’ acquisition of Plasticolors, Inc. In this case, a new entity called Plasticolors Acquisition Corporation was set up and merged in Plasticolors, Inc., with Plasticolors, Inc. being the surviving corporation and whose name was then changed to Chromaflo Technologies Corporation.
Represented a U.S.-based manufacturer in establishing a joint venture in China with a Hong Kong business partner.
Represented a Canadian buyer in a stock acquisition of an Ohio-based manufacturing company.
Extensive representation of both purchasers and issuers in a variety of private placements.
Represented Cleveland Unlimited acquisition of Cricket Communications.
Underwriter’s counsel in connection with the IPO of a financial institution.
Represented a sponsor-backed national food products business in a significant acquisition from a publicly-traded food business; and in the subsequent divestiture of non-core operations.
Represented a last-mile delivery business in its sale to a private equity backed national competitor.
Represented Environmental & Occupational Risk Management Inc. (EORM) in its stock sale to BSI Americas Inc.
Represented a multinational chemical company in the acquisition of two plastics businesses.
Counseled a leading MRO provider in connection with the acquisition of a software development firm.
Represented Simplified Logistics in its sale to CI Capital Partners.
Represented a software company in the sale of the business to a publicly-traded competitor.
Represented an Ohio-based manufacturer in the acquisition of a subsidiary of a state-owned Chinese business.
Represented a client in purchasing a $130 million revenue company. Deal involved recapitalization of the business, including new debt, new mezzanine, and acquisition.
Issuer’s counsel for a Nasdaq-listed Internet solutions business.
Represented owners in the sale of a retail marketing business to a private equity fund.
Represented Fidelity Voice and Data in its sale to Fusion Telecommunications International.
Private equity financings, recapitalizations, and related senior and mezzanine debt financings.
Served as seller’s counsel in the disposition of a testing equipment business to a private equity fund.
Represented the buyer in its acquisitions of multiple behavioral health practices throughout the country.
Represented the buyer in its acquisition of a provider of mental-health services in the State of Washington.
Represented the buyer in its acquisition of a provider of mental-health services with a focus on telehealth.
Represented a strategic buyer in its acquisition of a leading manufacturer of protective outerwear garments for law enforcement agencies.
Represented a private equity buyer in its acquisition of a materials handling business.
Represented the buyer in its acquisition of a provider of construction services, including tunneling construction, infrastructure development, utilities construction, site development and facilities construction, and pipeline construction.
Represented the buyer in its acquisition of a leading contract manufacturer of Class II and Class III medical devices.
Represented Allstates WorldCargo, a portfolio company of Clarendon Capital, in its acquisition of Ground Freight Expeditors.
Represented Clarendon Group in its recapitalization investment in Phoenix Intermodal Services, a leading national intermodal transportation business.
Represented Clarendon Group in its acquisition of AllStates World Cargo, a leading national and international transportation company.
Represented a private equity sponsor in its acquisition of the assets of a domestic and international intermodal drayage and transportation logistics company.
Represented a Seller in the sale of its subsidiary, a Registered Investment Advisor Firm, which provides investment and operations outsourcing services to financial institutions around the country.
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Credentials
Education
Clerkships and Bar Admissions
More
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Member, American Bar Association
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Member, Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association
- Member, Association for Corporate Growth (ACG Cleveland)
Did you know?
Prior to attending law school, Mr. Shelton spent five years in commercial banking. He is also an avid tennis player.
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