Morningstar Law Group – Raleigh Law Firm – Durham NC Attorneys

Anne Croteau is a seasoned legal professional who advises private equity firms, lenders, investors, and growing companies as they navigate high-stakes financial transactions. Based in Raleigh, she has extensive experience in debt finance, mergers and acquisitions, equity investments and general corporate matters — helping clients close deals with strategies that minimize risk and maximize value.

Anne counsels lenders and investment funds on a wide range of financing structures, including first lien, unitranche, second lien, and mezzanine credit facilities, as well as equity co-investments. She also advises clients on structuring layered capital arrangements, negotiating intercreditor agreements, and managing complex debt restructurings. She is especially experienced in advising Small Business Investment Companies (SBICs) and is among a select group of attorneys nationally with both transactional and regulatory insight in the SBIC space.

In addition to her finance work, Anne represents funds, companies, and investors in mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, recapitalizations, and exit transactions. Her practice also includes joint ventures, strategic alliances, private securities offerings, and other complex commercial transactions. Anne regularly advises companies on board governance, shareholder matters, and day-to-day commercial contracts.


What’s the best piece of advice you have ever received?
The best form of business development is doing good work and getting deals done. I’ve found that taking a practical approach to transactions and finding appropriate compromises fosters the best outcome for everyone.

Accolades

  • Chambers USA America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, Banking & Finance (2016-2018, 2023, 2024)
  • The Best Lawyers in America: Mergers and Acquisitions Law (2020-2025)
  • Business North Carolina Legal Elite (2013-2014, 2019-2021, 2024, 2025 – Top Corporate Attorney)
  • Commercial Lending Legal 500 United States (2020)
  • NC Super Lawyers: Business/Corporate, Mergers & Acquisitions (2014-2021); Top 100 Lawyers (2017) Top 50 Women (2016-2017)
  • Business Leader Magazine: Women Extraordinaire Award (2011)
  • AV Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

Representative Experience

  • Represent sponsors on a leveraged platform and following buy and build strategy in lubricant franchises.
  • Advise private credit funds (including SBICs) in $58M unitranche facility in the marketing space.
  • Guided sponsor on platform, add-on acquisitions and exit in the specialty adherent and packaging industry.
  • Represented family-owned woodworking company in sale to leveraged ESOP.
  • Advised a private equity fund on the sale of a global provider of merchant solutions, including payment and donation management technology.
  • Represented a private equity owned battery recycling company in capital restructurings, multiple add-on acquisitions and ultimate exit.
  • Guided a publicly-traded business development company through the sale of a business process outsourcing firm specializing in printing, fulfillment, and call center services.
  • Represented a consumer finance company in a $45M securitization of receivables.
  • Advised a private credit fund on litigation financings ranging from $20-55M.
  • Represented an industrials-based public company in a $2B credit facility.
  • Advised private equity sponsor on acquisition and later financing of class action settlement claim facilitator.
  • Represented a sponsor in $100M fund formation focused on the transportation and logistics industries.
  • Handled a $300M private credit fund formation with leverage facility.
  • Represented regional airline in partial sale to and joint venture with another regional airline.
  • Advised private credit fund on debt and equity investment, foreclosure, capital restructuring and exit of industrial services company.
  • Represented various private funds and insurance companies in third-party purchases and sales of debt and equity investments.
  • Regularly advise Small Business Investment Companies (SBICs), Business Development Companies (BDCs) and private equity funds on transactions, investments, and regulatory matters.
  • Represents capital funds and startup companies on various stage equity rounds and convertible debt financings.

Education

  • Harvard Law School, J.D. (1998) cum laude
  • Duke University, M.A. (1995)
  • Duke University, B.A. (1993) magna cum laude
    Phi Beta Kappa

Admissions

  • North Carolina State Bar
  • Illinois State Bar
  • New York State Bar
  • S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York

Professional

  • North Carolina Bar Association: Business Law Section
  • Wake County Bar Association: 10th Judicial District, Swearing In Committee; YLD Board (2007)
  • Association for Corporate Growth: Board Member (2015-2017)
  • Council for Entrepreneurial Development (CED): Member (2006-2007)
  • Kerr YMCA: Board Member (2010-2015)
  • Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce: Leadership Raleigh graduate (Class 27)