Koley Jessen Shareholder Chris Estwick Recognized with M&A Advisor Emerging Leaders Award
Koley Jessen is proud to announce that Chris Estwick, a Shareholder in the firm’s Mergers and Acquisitions practice group, has been recognized with an Emerging Leaders Award from M&A Advisor, which has honored rising industry leaders for 16 years. Chris was named one of 139 honorees nationwide, selected by an independent judging panel for their innovation, leadership, and community contributions.
Chris was honored during the 2025 Leadership in Dealmaking Summit, held September 15-16 at the New York Athletic Club in New York City.
Since joining Koley Jessen in 2020, Chris has closed more than 50 transactions totaling approximately $2 billion, and his rapid rise within the firm—culminating in his promotion to Shareholder in January 2024—highlights both his skill and leadership. His ability to navigate complex negotiations and structure deals that balance legal risk with business objectives has made him a trusted advisor to strategic acquirers, private equity sponsors, and closely held businesses operating in the middle market.
Chris has served as lead counsel for publicly traded companies including JBT Marel Corp (NYSE: JBTM) and CECO Environmental Corp. (NASDAQ: CECO), and played a pivotal role in major deals such as Viessmann Generations Group’s acquisition of KPS Global and Werner Enterprises Inc’s (NASDAQ: WERN) acquisition of NEHDS Logistics and ECM Transport Group. He has also been recognized as a Super Lawyers Rising Star from 2022 to 2024.
Chris is also deeply committed to community and professional development. He served as President of the Urban League of Nebraska Board of Directors, was a founding member of CODE (Commitment to Opportunity, Diversity, and Equity), was a member of the 2019 cohort of the Nebraska State Bar Association Leadership Academy, and actively contributes to Koley Jessen’s Innovation Committee and Diversity & Inclusion Committee. His leadership extends to mentoring students in high school, college, and law school and organizing firm-wide initiatives such as an annual Juneteenth celebration and a partnership with the Avenue Scholars program.
“Chris exemplifies the values we hold at Koley Jessen—excellence, integrity, and service,” said Eric Oxley, Shareholder and Chair of the Mergers & Acquisitions Practice Group. “We’re thrilled to see his contributions recognized on a national stage.”
Chris joins fellow Koley Jessen attorneys Comi Sharif and Zack Rupiper (2024), Josh Norton (2021), Taylor Dieckman (2019), and Eric Oxley (2016) as recipients of the M&A Advisor Emerging Leaders Award, underscoring the strength of the firm’s M&A practice and leadership pipeline.
About The M&A Advisor
Founded in 1998, The M&A Advisor is the global leader in connecting, recognizing, and informing professionals in M&A, restructuring, and corporate finance. Now in its 27th year, they provide world-class content, events, and honors programs that empower dealmakers at every stage of their journey. Learn more at www.maadvisor.com.
