Aaron M.Gillett
Partner
Corporate
agillett@seyfarth.com
From startup to sale, Aaron represents clients in all aspects of their businesses, providing practical legal advice and making the connections that help them grow at every stage.
More About Aaron
As vice chair of the Mergers & Acquisitions practice, Aaron enjoys working with a diverse group of clients—from early-stage entrepreneurs to multinational private and public companies. Each transaction or matter provides a unique set of challenges, and he is known for delivering creative, client-centric solutions.
Efficiency and value are fundamental to Aaron’s approach. He prioritizes delivering legal services on time and on budget, often leveraging advanced technology to streamline his work. For example, he partnered with the firm's in-house technology innovation team to automate the closing process in an M&A or finance transaction—a solution that saves time, reduces cost, and helps eliminate user error at critical stages.
His work spans M&A, corporate governance, complex commercial contracts, and other strategic growth transactions, including joint ventures, ESOPs, and private debt and equity offerings.
He brings both business and legal insight to every engagement, advising clients on entity formation, operating and stockholder agreements, and multifaceted commercial matters. In addition, Aaron serves as outside counsel to clients of all sizes—including some of the world’s largest companies—drafting and negotiating commercial contracts that support day-to-day operations and long-term growth.
Efficiency and value are fundamental to Aaron’s approach. He prioritizes delivering legal services on time and on budget, often leveraging advanced technology to streamline his work. For example, he partnered with the firm's in-house technology innovation team to automate the closing process in an M&A or finance transaction—a solution that saves time, reduces cost, and helps eliminate user error at critical stages.
His work spans M&A, corporate governance, complex commercial contracts, and other strategic growth transactions, including joint ventures, ESOPs, and private debt and equity offerings.
He brings both business and legal insight to every engagement, advising clients on entity formation, operating and stockholder agreements, and multifaceted commercial matters. In addition, Aaron serves as outside counsel to clients of all sizes—including some of the world’s largest companies—drafting and negotiating commercial contracts that support day-to-day operations and long-term growth.
- JD, Chicago-Kent College of Law, Illinois Institute of Technology
Magna cum laude
Order of the Coif
Certificate in Business Law - BA, University of Wisconsin - Madison
With distinction
- Illinois
- US District Court, Northern District of Illinois
Related Key Industries
Related Trends
Related News & Insights
-
Media Mentions
05/08/2025
Steven Richman and Aaron Gillett Featured as Seyfarth’s New Corporate Leaders in Law360 and PLANSPONSOR
-
Firm News
05/07/2025
Seyfarth Elevates Steven Richman to Chair of Institutional Investor Practice and Aaron Gillett to Vice Chair of M&A Practice
-
Speaking Engagement
Feb 13, 2025
Suzie Saxman, Aaron Gillett, and Breanne Vaclavik to Present ACG M&A Academy Session, "The Anatomy of an M&A Transaction"
-
Speaking Engagement
Nov 7, 2024
Seyfarth to Host and Suzie Saxman, Aaron Gillett, and Aly Audy to Present ACG Chicago Sunrise Session "What’s 'Market' in Middle Market M&A Deal Terms: Lessons from the Slowdown”
- Listed as a "Next Generation" Attorney by The Legal 500 for M&A/corporate and commercial - M&A - middle-market (sub-$500m) (Legalese Ltd.) (2023-2024)
- Listed in Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.), Ones to Watch, Corporate Law (2021-2024)
- International M&A Award, The M&A Advisor, “Corporate/Strategic Deal of the Year (Over $250MM To $500MM)” (2019)
- Association for Corporate Growth (ACG), Chicago Chapter, former NextGen Leaders Committee Member
- Co-Author, "Healthcare M&A Guide (USA Chapter)," Chambers (2024-2025)
- Author, "Private Company Mergers," Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education (IICLE), Business Law: Mergers and Acquisitions (2023 edition)
- Contributor, Middle Market M&A SurveyBook, published by Seyfarth Shaw LLP (2020-2024)
- Co-Author, "Using Legal Technology and Creative Structuring to Get Deals Done," ACC Docket (September 2020)
- Contributor, Illinois Corporate Practice and Forms: The Seyfarth Shaw Manual (2017-current)
- Presenter, "Anatomy of an M&A Transaction," IICLE: Insights on Buying and Selling a Business (June 5, 2025)
- Presenter, "Anatomy of an M&A Transaction," ACG Chicago's M&A Academy session (February 13, 2025)
- Speaker, "What’s “Market” in Middle Market M&A Deal Terms: Lessons from the Slowdown," ACG Chicago Sunrise Session, Chicago, IL (November 7, 2024)
- Presenter, "Discover Foreign & International Law in The Second City," AALL 2024 Annual Meeting and Conference, Chicago IL (July 20, 2024)
- Speaker, "What’s 'Market' in Middle Market M&A Deal Terms: RWI or Not," ACG Chicago Sunrise Session (November 30, 2023)
- Speaker, "2023 Survey of Middle Market M&A," Podcast, Deal Lawyer (October 13, 2023)
- Presenter, "What’s 'Market' in Middle Market M&A Deal Terms: RWI or Not," ACG Chicago Sunrise Session, Seyfarth Shaw LLP, Chicago, IL (July 20, 2022)
- Presenter, "Key Deal Terms in Today’s Middle Market Private M&A Environment: Is the Rise of No Seller Indemnity Deals Here to Stay?," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 29, 2022)
- Panelist, "What’s 'Market' in Middle Market M&A Indemnity Deal Terms: Achieving a Competitive Advantage in Your M&A Transactions," ACG Chicago Webinar (June 18, 2020)
- Presenter, “Corporate Law Update,” The Future of Health Care Symposium, Chicago, IL, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (September 12, 2019)
- Presenter, "What’s 'Market' in Middle-Market M&A Indemnity Deal Terms: Minimizing Risk in Your Next M&A Transaction," ACG Chicago Sunrise Session, Chicago, IL, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 20, 2019)
- Speaker, “What's Market in Middle-Market M&A Indemnity Deal Terms,” Association for Corporate Growth (ACG) Chicago Chapter Sunrise Session (June 6, 2018)
- Presenter and Panelist, “Sophisticated Asset Recovery,” Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education (IICLE) Symposium, Chicago, IL (October 2014)
- Jewish Council for Youth Services (JCYS) board of directors, former Secretary and executive committee member
- Pro bono matters with Cabrini Green Legal Aid, National Immigration Justice Center, and Center for Disability & Elder Law
“Doing deals like this involves an incredible amount of hard work ... done in a short time … and often with incomplete information – and frayed nerves! Truly remarkable work. Thank you!” —Client feedback
“Thank you so much for all your hard work and effort on this transaction. We (and certainly the sellers) could not have gotten this done without you! Seriously beyond appreciative of everything you’ve done to help our organization.” —Client feedback
“I can say with confidence without all of your great support and work day and night, we couldn’t get this excellent result.” —Client feedback
From startup to sale, Aaron represents clients in all aspects of their businesses, providing practical legal advice and making the connections that help them grow at every stage.
More About Aaron
As vice chair of the Mergers & Acquisitions practice, Aaron enjoys working with a diverse group of clients—from early-stage entrepreneurs to multinational private and public companies. Each transaction or matter provides a unique set of challenges, and he is known for delivering creative, client-centric solutions.
Efficiency and value are fundamental to Aaron’s approach. He prioritizes delivering legal services on time and on budget, often leveraging advanced technology to streamline his work. For example, he partnered with the firm's in-house technology innovation team to automate the closing process in an M&A or finance transaction—a solution that saves time, reduces cost, and helps eliminate user error at critical stages.
His work spans M&A, corporate governance, complex commercial contracts, and other strategic growth transactions, including joint ventures, ESOPs, and private debt and equity offerings.
He brings both business and legal insight to every engagement, advising clients on entity formation, operating and stockholder agreements, and multifaceted commercial matters. In addition, Aaron serves as outside counsel to clients of all sizes—including some of the world’s largest companies—drafting and negotiating commercial contracts that support day-to-day operations and long-term growth.
Efficiency and value are fundamental to Aaron’s approach. He prioritizes delivering legal services on time and on budget, often leveraging advanced technology to streamline his work. For example, he partnered with the firm's in-house technology innovation team to automate the closing process in an M&A or finance transaction—a solution that saves time, reduces cost, and helps eliminate user error at critical stages.
His work spans M&A, corporate governance, complex commercial contracts, and other strategic growth transactions, including joint ventures, ESOPs, and private debt and equity offerings.
He brings both business and legal insight to every engagement, advising clients on entity formation, operating and stockholder agreements, and multifaceted commercial matters. In addition, Aaron serves as outside counsel to clients of all sizes—including some of the world’s largest companies—drafting and negotiating commercial contracts that support day-to-day operations and long-term growth.
- JD, Chicago-Kent College of Law, Illinois Institute of Technology
Magna cum laude
Order of the Coif
Certificate in Business Law - BA, University of Wisconsin - Madison
With distinction
- Illinois
- US District Court, Northern District of Illinois
Related Key Industries
Related Trends
Related News & Insights
-
Media Mentions
05/08/2025
Steven Richman and Aaron Gillett Featured as Seyfarth’s New Corporate Leaders in Law360 and PLANSPONSOR
-
Firm News
05/07/2025
Seyfarth Elevates Steven Richman to Chair of Institutional Investor Practice and Aaron Gillett to Vice Chair of M&A Practice
-
Speaking Engagement
Feb 13, 2025
Suzie Saxman, Aaron Gillett, and Breanne Vaclavik to Present ACG M&A Academy Session, "The Anatomy of an M&A Transaction"
-
Speaking Engagement
Nov 7, 2024
Seyfarth to Host and Suzie Saxman, Aaron Gillett, and Aly Audy to Present ACG Chicago Sunrise Session "What’s 'Market' in Middle Market M&A Deal Terms: Lessons from the Slowdown”
- Listed as a "Next Generation" Attorney by The Legal 500 for M&A/corporate and commercial - M&A - middle-market (sub-$500m) (Legalese Ltd.) (2023-2024)
- Listed in Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.), Ones to Watch, Corporate Law (2021-2024)
- International M&A Award, The M&A Advisor, “Corporate/Strategic Deal of the Year (Over $250MM To $500MM)” (2019)
- Association for Corporate Growth (ACG), Chicago Chapter, former NextGen Leaders Committee Member
- Co-Author, "Healthcare M&A Guide (USA Chapter)," Chambers (2024-2025)
- Author, "Private Company Mergers," Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education (IICLE), Business Law: Mergers and Acquisitions (2023 edition)
- Contributor, Middle Market M&A SurveyBook, published by Seyfarth Shaw LLP (2020-2024)
- Co-Author, "Using Legal Technology and Creative Structuring to Get Deals Done," ACC Docket (September 2020)
- Contributor, Illinois Corporate Practice and Forms: The Seyfarth Shaw Manual (2017-current)
- Presenter, "Anatomy of an M&A Transaction," IICLE: Insights on Buying and Selling a Business (June 5, 2025)
- Presenter, "Anatomy of an M&A Transaction," ACG Chicago's M&A Academy session (February 13, 2025)
- Speaker, "What’s “Market” in Middle Market M&A Deal Terms: Lessons from the Slowdown," ACG Chicago Sunrise Session, Chicago, IL (November 7, 2024)
- Presenter, "Discover Foreign & International Law in The Second City," AALL 2024 Annual Meeting and Conference, Chicago IL (July 20, 2024)
- Speaker, "What’s 'Market' in Middle Market M&A Deal Terms: RWI or Not," ACG Chicago Sunrise Session (November 30, 2023)
- Speaker, "2023 Survey of Middle Market M&A," Podcast, Deal Lawyer (October 13, 2023)
- Presenter, "What’s 'Market' in Middle Market M&A Deal Terms: RWI or Not," ACG Chicago Sunrise Session, Seyfarth Shaw LLP, Chicago, IL (July 20, 2022)
- Presenter, "Key Deal Terms in Today’s Middle Market Private M&A Environment: Is the Rise of No Seller Indemnity Deals Here to Stay?," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 29, 2022)
- Panelist, "What’s 'Market' in Middle Market M&A Indemnity Deal Terms: Achieving a Competitive Advantage in Your M&A Transactions," ACG Chicago Webinar (June 18, 2020)
- Presenter, “Corporate Law Update,” The Future of Health Care Symposium, Chicago, IL, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (September 12, 2019)
- Presenter, "What’s 'Market' in Middle-Market M&A Indemnity Deal Terms: Minimizing Risk in Your Next M&A Transaction," ACG Chicago Sunrise Session, Chicago, IL, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 20, 2019)
- Speaker, “What's Market in Middle-Market M&A Indemnity Deal Terms,” Association for Corporate Growth (ACG) Chicago Chapter Sunrise Session (June 6, 2018)
- Presenter and Panelist, “Sophisticated Asset Recovery,” Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education (IICLE) Symposium, Chicago, IL (October 2014)
- Jewish Council for Youth Services (JCYS) board of directors, former Secretary and executive committee member
- Pro bono matters with Cabrini Green Legal Aid, National Immigration Justice Center, and Center for Disability & Elder Law
“Doing deals like this involves an incredible amount of hard work ... done in a short time … and often with incomplete information – and frayed nerves! Truly remarkable work. Thank you!” —Client feedback
“Thank you so much for all your hard work and effort on this transaction. We (and certainly the sellers) could not have gotten this done without you! Seriously beyond appreciative of everything you’ve done to help our organization.” —Client feedback
“I can say with confidence without all of your great support and work day and night, we couldn’t get this excellent result.” —Client feedback