Ronald L. Francis, Jr.

Partner & Chief Legal Officer

Pittsburgh

Reed Smith's Chief Legal Officer and seasoned deal lawyer for private equity, public companies, and multinationals in high-value transactions

Rons practice focuses on private equity, mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance, corporate finance, securities, insolvency and bankruptcy, and joint ventures. He joined the firm in 1995. From 2008 to 2012, Ron led the firms U.S. corporate and securities practice in our Hong Kong office. Ron served as the Office Managing Partner for Pittsburgh from 2016 to 2020 and currently serves as the firm’s Chief Legal Officer. A representative sample of his experience is below.

Experience

Representative matters

Advised Safco Dental Supply (a portfolio company of PNC Riverarch Capital) in its acquisition of K-Dental Inc.
Advised Safco Dental Supply (a portfolio company of PNC Riverarch Capital) in its acquisition of Quantum Labs and Import Partners.
Represented D.O.R.C. Dutch Ophthalmic Research Center in its acquisition of Peregrine Surgical, Ltd., both suppliers of equipment for ophthalmic surgery.

Recognitions

  • Selected through peer review for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© for Corporate Law, 2020-2025, and Mergers and Acquisitions Law, 2025
  • Recognized by The Legal Intelligencer as an Unsung Hero as part of its 2021 Pennsylvania Professional Excellence Awards

Credentials

Education

  • Northwestern Pritzker School of Law, 1995, J.D.
  • The George Washington University, 1988, B.A., Political Science

Professional admissions & qualifications

  • Pennsylvania

News

Military Service

  • Ron served as an officer in the United States Navy from 1988 to 1992. He was stationed aboard the USS Caron (DD-970).