Carmen F. Francella III

Biography

Carmen F. Francella III advises clients on all aspects of employment-related issues that arise during complex national and international corporate transactions. He works with clients and deal teams to conduct due diligence and oversee the employment aspects of purchase agreements and other supportive deal documents. He also provides management-side day-to-day advice and counsel on other employment and labor issues, including as to non-competes and other restrictive covenant enforcement, wage and hour matters, reductions-in-force, workplace misconduct, harassment and discrimination prevention, whistleblowing, internal investigations, employee discipline and termination, employee handbooks, and compliance and policy matters. Carmen also represents high level executives and negotiates and drafts offer letters, employment agreements, onboards executives, and oversees executive separations.

A down-to-earth and pragmatic counselor known for his calm and collected demeanor, Carmen forges personal and professional relationships with his clients to best understand their needs and impart relevant and crucial advice. Clients seek his supportive guidance, often doing so while facing stressful situations and difficult decisions. Carmen enjoys collaborating with other colleagues and professionals whenever he encounters an issue outside his purview to ensure his clients receive the best service.

Carmen is a graduate of Suffolk University Law School, where he was a member of the National Moot Court Team. Outside his practice, he is affiliated with organizations such as the Boston Athenaeum, Lawyers Defending American Democracy, and Community Resources for Justice.

Outside the Firm

Carmen enjoys spending time with his wife, Mary, and their son, Carmen IV, particularly at the beach on the North Shore or at Ipswich Country Club. He’s an avid sports enthusiast and lifelong Philadelphia Eagles fan, even living in New England.

Experience

Corporate Transaction Representations

  • A private equity firm specializing in the food sector and its portfolio company on the acquisition of the No. 2 player and No. 1 franchisor in the Mexican fast casual restaurant sector in North America.
  • A private equity firm and its portfolio company in connection with the acquisition of an energy infrastructure investment company-backed by a midstream energy business.
  • A leading grocery retailer focused on serving the Hispanic community, and investment funds affiliated with a leading global investment firm, on its sale to a leading provider of alternative asset management.
  • A mid-market equity private equity firm on the sale of its portfolio company, a provider of end-to-end environmental consulting and engineering solutions, to another mid-market equity private equity firm.
  • A leading growth-oriented private equity firm, on its acquisition of a majority interest in a sushi franchise company.
  • A sustainability-focused investment firm, on its joint venture investment with a leading developer of renewable biogas assets.
  • A leading provider of retirement and financial services for employers, institutions, advisers, and individuals, on its acquisition of a provider of health savings accounts and consumer-directed benefit administration services, from a leading American healthcare company.
  • A private investment fund in its one-billion-dollar investment in a nuclear energy company.
  • A global private equity firm focused on control and significant minority investments in the $500MM sale of its portfolio company, a property management firm.
  • A leading private equity firm focused on investing in enterprise software, data, and technology companies on its $200 million acquisition of a web-based talent intelligence platform that assists companies in reference checking.
  • A private equity firm in its $115 million acquisition of a medical equipment and laboratory products supplier.
  • A private equity firm in its $105 million acquisition of a plastics engineering and low volume injection molding company.
  • A global private investment firm in its $75 million acquisition of a mainframe storage and software company.
  • A private equity firm and its portfolio company in a $30 million acquisition of an e-commerce analytics provider.
  • A private equity firm in its $32 million acquisition of a world leader in insulation and technical fabrics.
  • A private equity firm and its portfolio company in a $30 million acquisition of a U.S.-based marketing and consulting agency with subsidiaries in Australia, Mexico, and the United Kingdom.

Counseling Representations

  • A major pharmaceutical company in a contentious separation with an executive related to allegations of hostile work environment.
  • A private equity firm and its portfolio company in a noncompete dispute.
  • A global talent solutions and business consulting firm in a matter brought by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission related to allegations of sexual misconduct against the Company’s former Chief Executive Officer.
  • A former student in settlement negotiations with a private, independent secondary school related to allegations of sexual misconduct.

Internal Investigation Representations

  • A global leader in facilities services related to whistleblower allegations of fraudulent and excessive billing practices.
  • A Boston-based non-profit hospital and physician network related to allegations of race discrimination.
  • A non-profit organization in a dispute with a former employee who made threats against the organization.
  • A non-profit organization in a matter involving allegations of bullying and harassment.
  • A Liberia-based non-governmental organization related to allegations of race discrimination and harassment.
  • A Massachusetts-based independent, college-preparatory day school related to allegations of sexual misconduct against a former faculty member.
  • Two elite New England private secondary schools related to historical allegations of sexual misconduct.
  • A Boston-based college related to student-on-student sexual assault allegations under Title IX.
  • A medical device company during a civil investigation by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts related to alleged Anti-Kickback Statute violations.

Litigation & Arbitration Representations

  • A large retail mortgage lender and nonbank retail originator in its lawsuit against another mortgage lender for breach of contract, trade secret violations, interference with contractual relations, and unfair competition.
  • A Boston-based financial services corporation against claims of breach of contract and misappropriation.
  • A Boston-based university against claims of fraud and breach of fiduciary duty.
  • A Boston-based private investment management firm against claims of race and gender discrimination.
  • A national student loan servicer in a lawsuit brought by the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office alleging unfair and deceptive business practices under Chapter 93A.
  • A dental equipment manufacturer in a trade secret dispute.

Recognitions

  • 2021–2024, Ones To Watch, Commercial Litigation, Criminal Defense: White-Collar, listed in Best Lawyers in America©
  • 2020–2023, “Rising Star,” listed in Super Lawyers

Affiliations

Memberships

  • Massachusetts Bar Association
  • Boston Bar Association
Professional Activities
  • Beacon Hill Civic Association
  • Community Resources for Justice
  • Boston Athenaeum
  • Lawyers Defending American Democracy

Credentials

Admissions

  • Massachusetts
  • United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
  • U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts

Education

  • Suffolk University Law School, JD
  • Siena College, BA