Josh has effectively represented clients in the following transactions:

• The members of a leading energy conservation and infrastructure company (NASDAQ) in the sale of its membership interest in a multi-million transaction.
• A hotel owner in a multi-million portfolio transaction that involved both debt and equity financing. The transactions included the acquisition of five hotel properties in New England and disposition of three hotel properties that significantly advanced and upgraded its property holdings in Maine, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire.
• The merger and consolidation of two significant Southeastern New England waste transportation and recycling businesses that doubled in size, revenue and market share.
• The sale of a leading spring and metal stamping business together with a 120,000 square foot manufacturing facility.
• The successful capitalization of a Rhode Island start-up company in the bio-technology sector through both angel and venture capital financing that allowed the company to successfully commercialize its technology on a national scale.
• The refinancing of a hotel portfolio comprised of twelve (12) hotels by a real estate private equity fund.
• The multi-million dollar private, equity-backed sale of an over-the-counter pharmaceutical maker where the seller stayed active and maintained an ownership stake. The deal involved issues of licensing and real estate at the state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Rhode Island.
• Three major transactions in New England that expanded the holdings of a hotel ownership and management properties client including the acquisition of: vacant property plus the development and permitting of a 100-room Hilton in Maine; an existing Days Inn facility in New Hampshire; and  a 130-room Best Western Plus in Massachusetts.
• An eight-figure stock deal for the sale of a software company with proprietary software for the waste industry — transfer stations, recycle facilities or collection companies – to an Ireland-based company looking to expand its US operations.
• A seven-figure offering of common stock to facilitate research and development and, ultimately, the growth and commercialization of new intellectual property in the field of label media, creating new jobs in the engineering and chemistry space and an expanded facility.
• The acquisition of medical device manufacturing business located in the Netherlands from an international conglomerate.

Joshua Celeste was named Lawyer-of-the-Year for the Providence Metro region in the practice area of Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law for 2025 by Best Lawyers. He also continues to be recognized by Best Lawyers in the area of Corporate Law.

He was recognized by Super Lawyers for 2024 in the areas of Mergers & Acquisitions, Real Estate, and Business & Corporate law.

He was also recognized for Professional Excellence in the Law several times in the area of Business Law by Rhode Island Monthly. He was previously included in the Providence Business News Forty Under 40 as an award honoree.

The “smart, savvy and easy to deal with” Joshua Celeste is “a very strong advocate for his clients” in transactional corporate matters such as M&A and recapitalizations, and advisory matters such as corporate governance. Clients praise Celeste for “moving the ball forward” and “following through to make sure the transactions are structured properly.”| Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business

“Joshua Celeste specializes in both international and domestic M&A, dispositions, restructurings and recapitalizations. He also advises on real estate matters including project development and construction. Sources praise his ‘very good technical knowledge’ and describe him as ‘very responsive to his clients’ needs.’” | Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business

“Selling A Business: Ensuring Clients Achieve Maximum Value” was the title of a presentation by Michael Sweeney, Jean Harrington and Joshua Celeste at the Rhode Island Society of CPAs. The group analyzed the anatomy of a sale of a business including key market terms and concepts, negotiation tactics, and critical financial and accounting aspects of every deal. The course provided strategies … from the letter of intent through closing including  the use of post-closing earn-outs, net working capital PEGS and adjustments, financial statement reps and warranties. (December 2015)

Education

Roger Williams University School of Law (J.D. 2000)

University of Rhode Island (B.S. 1997 with distinction)

Bar and Court Admissions

Rhode Island (2000)
Federal District Court, RI (2001)