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Colleen Pleasant Kline

Colleen Pleasant Kline

Partner

100 S. Charles Street
Suite 1600
Baltimore, MD 21201
T 443.392.9411
colleen.kline@nelsonmullins.com
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Colleen is co-chair of the M&A Corporate practice group and is a transactional lawyer who serves as outside general corporate counsel and advisor to middle market clients. She assists her clients in mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures, succession planning, venture capital investments and general corporate governance matters. She regularly advises clients on Hart-Scott-Rodino premerger notification...

Colleen is co-chair of the M&A Corporate practice group and is a transactional lawyer who serves as outside general corporate counsel and advisor to middle market clients. She assists her clients in mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures, succession planning, venture capital investments and general corporate governance matters. She regularly advises clients on Hart-Scott-Rodino premerger notification filings.

Her diverse client base includes privately held companies, portfolio companies, private equity firms, American subsidiaries of foreign owned entities and public companies, government contractors, manufacturers, distributors, and real estate entities and serial entrepreneurs.
 

Colleen Pleasant Kline

filings.

Her diverse client base includes privately held companies, portfolio companies, private equity firms, American subsidiaries of foreign owned entities and public companies, government contractors, manufacturers, distributors, and real estate entities and serial entrepreneurs.
 

Experience

The following is a selected sampling of matters and is provided for informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in any future matter.
    Mergers and acquisition counsel for buyers and sellers in transactions of both privately and publicly held industries. Past and present industries represented include:
    • Construction and Construction related services
    • Government contractors
    • Industries co-owned by foreign and domestic parties
    • Professional Services
    • Manufacturing and Distribution
    • Transportation and Logistics
    • Technology
    • Travel
    • Building Services
    • Waste and Recycling
  • Has advised privately held companies on all corporate legal matters related to the entire life cycle of their business including:
    • General corporate governance
    • Business succession plans
    • Formation
    • Growth, financing and recapitalization
    • Operation
    • Internal owner disputes
    • Partnership dissolution as well as other exit strategies
    • Mergers and acquisitions
  • Has advised clients on a variety of matters related to the Hart-Scott-Rodino premerger notification filings.
The following is a selected sampling of matters and is provided for informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in any future matter.
    Mergers and acquisition counsel for buyers and sellers in transactions of both privately and publicly held industries. Past and present industries represented include:
    • Construction and Construction related services
    • Government contractors
    • Industries co-owned by foreign and domestic parties
    • Professional Services
    • Manufacturing and Distribution
    • Transportation and Logistics
    • Technology
    • Travel
    • Building Services
    • Waste and Recycling
  • Has advised privately held companies on all corporate legal matters related to the entire life cycle of their business including:
    • General corporate governance
    • Business succession plans
    • Formation
    • Growth, financing and recapitalization
    • Operation
    • Internal owner disputes
    • Partnership dissolution as well as other exit strategies
    • Mergers and acquisitions
  • Has advised clients on a variety of matters related to the Hart-Scott-Rodino premerger notification filings.

Media

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Recognitions

The bar rules of some states require that the standards for an attorney's inclusion in certain public accolades or recognitions be provided. When such accolades or recognitions are listed, a hyperlink is provided that leads to a description of the respective selection methodology.

  • The Daily Record, Maryland’s Top 100 Women (2024)
  • The Best Lawyers in America®, Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships) (2023–2025), Corporate Law (2024, 2025), Mergers and Acquisitions Law (2024, 2025), Venture Capital Law (2020–2025)
  • Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business, Corporate M&A – Maryland (2023–2024)
  • Legal 500 United States, M&A/corporate and commercial, M&A – Middle Market (sub-$500 million) (2023)
  • IFLR1000 USA, Highly Regarded in M&A in Maryland (2021–2022, 2024)
  • Profiles in Diversity Journal, Women Worth Watching in Leadership Award (2022) 
  • The Daily Record, Honoree for Leadership in Law (2019)
  • MyCity4HER: Honored with Spirited Woman in Balance Award, honoring those who pay it forward and help others (2017)
  • SmartCEO Baltimore: Named winner of BRAVA Award, honoring exemplary female leaders (2017)
  • Maryland Super Lawyers® - Rising Stars – Business/Corporate (2013–2014)
  • The Daily Record: Named one of Maryland's Top 100 Women (2013)

Professional Activities

  • ACTIVATE® Advisory Board Member (2009–2010)
  • American Bar Association
  • Association for Corporate Growth
  • Baltimore Bar Association, Member of the Business Law Section
  • Baltimore Junior Association of Commerce, Inc., Legal Counsel (2003–2008)
  • Greater Baltimore Technology Committee (2002–2006)
  • Maryland State Bar Association, Chair of the Mid–Market and Small Business Committee of the Business Law Section (2007–2010)
  • National Association of Women Business Owners, Member (2007–2012)
  • Women in Business, Center Club (2011–present)

Community

  • Meals on Wheels for Central Maryland, Director/Officer (2012–present)
  • Giving Spirits Foundation, Inc., Director/Officer (2013–present)
  • Women Presidents Organization (2012–present)
  • Friends of Southwest Baltimore, Inc., Director/Officer (2002–2005)
  • Walters Art Museum Development Committee Member (2009–2015)
  • Walters Enthusiasts, Chair (2012–2015)
  • William T. Walters Association with the Walters Art Museum: Member (2007–2015); Co–Chair (2009)

Colleen is co-chair of the M&A Corporate practice group and is a transactional lawyer who serves as outside general corporate counsel and advisor to middle market clients. She assists her clients in mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures, succession planning, venture capital investments and general corporate governance matters. She regularly advises clients on Hart-Scott-Rodino premerger notification... filings.

Her diverse client base includes privately held companies, portfolio companies, private equity firms, American subsidiaries of foreign owned entities and public companies, government contractors, manufacturers, distributors, and real estate entities and serial entrepreneurs.
 

Experience

The following is a selected sampling of matters and is provided for informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in any future matter.

    Mergers and acquisition counsel for buyers and sellers in transactions of both privately and publicly held industries. Past and present industries represented include:
    • Construction and Construction related services
    • Government contractors
    • Industries co-owned by foreign and domestic parties
    • Professional Services
    • Manufacturing and Distribution
    • Transportation and Logistics
    • Technology
    • Travel
    • Building Services
    • Waste and Recycling
  • Has advised privately held companies on all corporate legal matters related to the entire life cycle of their business including:
    • General corporate governance
    • Business succession plans
    • Formation
    • Growth, financing and recapitalization
    • Operation
    • Internal owner disputes
    • Partnership dissolution as well as other exit strategies
    • Mergers and acquisitions
  • Has advised clients on a variety of matters related to the Hart-Scott-Rodino premerger notification filings.

Education

  • The Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law, JD (2001)
  • Hood College, MBA (1999)
  • Cornell College, BA, cum laude (1996)

Admissions

  • Maryland
  • District of Columbia

Practice Areas

Industries

The bar rules of some states require that the standards for an attorney's inclusion in certain public accolades or recognitions be provided. When such accolades or recognitions are listed, a hyperlink is provided that leads to a description of the respective selection methodology.

  • The Daily Record, Maryland’s Top 100 Women (2024)
  • The Best Lawyers in America®, Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships) (2023–2025), Corporate Law (2024, 2025), Mergers and Acquisitions Law (2024, 2025), Venture Capital Law (2020–2025)
  • Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business, Corporate M&A – Maryland (2023–2024)
  • Legal 500 United States, M&A/corporate and commercial, M&A – Middle Market (sub-$500 million) (2023)
  • IFLR1000 USA, Highly Regarded in M&A in Maryland (2021–2022, 2024)
  • Profiles in Diversity Journal, Women Worth Watching in Leadership Award (2022) 
  • The Daily Record, Honoree for Leadership in Law (2019)
  • MyCity4HER: Honored with Spirited Woman in Balance Award, honoring those who pay it forward and help others (2017)
  • SmartCEO Baltimore: Named winner of BRAVA Award, honoring exemplary female leaders (2017)
  • Maryland Super Lawyers® - Rising Stars – Business/Corporate (2013–2014)
  • The Daily Record: Named one of Maryland's Top 100 Women (2013)
  • ACTIVATE® Advisory Board Member (2009–2010)
  • American Bar Association
  • Association for Corporate Growth
  • Baltimore Bar Association, Member of the Business Law Section
  • Baltimore Junior Association of Commerce, Inc., Legal Counsel (2003–2008)
  • Greater Baltimore Technology Committee (2002–2006)
  • Maryland State Bar Association, Chair of the Mid–Market and Small Business Committee of the Business Law Section (2007–2010)
  • National Association of Women Business Owners, Member (2007–2012)
  • Women in Business, Center Club (2011–present)
  • Meals on Wheels for Central Maryland, Director/Officer (2012–present)
  • Giving Spirits Foundation, Inc., Director/Officer (2013–present)
  • Women Presidents Organization (2012–present)
  • Friends of Southwest Baltimore, Inc., Director/Officer (2002–2005)
  • Walters Art Museum Development Committee Member (2009–2015)
  • Walters Enthusiasts, Chair (2012–2015)
  • William T. Walters Association with the Walters Art Museum: Member (2007–2015); Co–Chair (2009)