Overview

Mike serves as Senior of Counsel at McDonald Hopkins, and has extensive experience assisting middle-market clients in executing complex mergers and acquisitions. Mike also counsels clients on the formation and operation of various investment vehicles, including search funds.

Mike earned a J.D., summa cum laude, from The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law in 1977. He received an A.B., cum laude, from Georgetown University in 1974.

Representative Cases & Matters

  • Representation of a private equity fund in the sale of a company that issues warranties on used automobiles to a publicly-held strategic acquirer. 
  • Representation of a private equity fund in the sale of a company that sells and installs telecommunications systems for the hospitality industry. 
  • Representation of a private equity fund in the sale of a Texas based professional employer organization (PEO) to a PE-owned strategic purchaser.
  • Representation of a private equity fund in the purchase of commercial millwork companies in Colorado, Georgia, Virginia, and Wisconsin. 
  • Representation of the owners of a veterinary emergency and specialty hospital in Hawaii to a national operator of veterinary specialty hospitals.
  • Representation of a private equity fund in the purchase of an ambulance company in the San Francisco Bay Area.
  • Representation of a private equity fund in the purchase of a distributor of garage doors and garage door parts.
  • Representation of an online compliance training leader in its sale to a leading education technology innovator.
  • Representation of an industry leader in Data, Voice and Unified Communications technologies in the execution of a definitive agreement to acquire the assets and operations of a major wi-fi provider.
  • Representation of a private equity fund in the purchase of a company that sells and installs telecommunications systems for the hospitality industry.
  • Representation of private equity funds in the purchase of software companies.
  • Representation of the founders of a manufacturer of complex ceramics products for the aerospace and medical device markets in its sale to a German strategic buyer.
  • Representation of a private equity fund in the sale of a digital marketing company to a NYSE-listed company.
  • Representation of a private equity fund in three separate transactions involving the purchase of companies that manufacture and lease industrial air heaters.
  • Representation of the purchaser of a leading manufacturer of copper tubing.
  • Representation of a corporation in the sale of its Netherlands-based subsidiary.
  • Representation of a private equity fund in five separate transactions involving the sale of portfolio companies, in each case for a purchase price of over $50 million.
  • Representation of a private equity fund in its acquisition of a specialty pipe threading business serving the oil industry in the Rocky Mountain states. Representation of the same client in the subsequent sale of this business to another private equity fund.
  • Representative of a private equity fund in its acquisition of a manufacturer and value-added distributor of specialty chemicals.
  • Representation of a private equity fund in its acquisition of a St. Paul, Minnesota based dominant regional provider of recycling services and end-of-life solutions for computers and electronic equipment. 
  • Representative of a private equity fund in its acquisition of a high-voltage powerline maintenance and service provider in Nebraska.
  • Representation of a private equity fund in its acquisition of a Kansas City based medical products company. 
  • Representation of a private equity fund in its acquisition of a Pennsylvania based company in the business of issuing service contracts on pre-owned vehicles. 
  • Representation of a private equity fund in the purchase of an Oklahoma-based professional employer organization.   
  • Representation of an investment management firm in the sale of its stock to a bank holding company. 
  • Representation of a publicly held diversified manufacturer with respect to (i) several merger and acquisition transactions (one of which involved a purchase price of over $100 million) and (ii) numerous commercial agreements. 
  • Representation of an investment fund with respect to the acquisition of an industrial company in the Midwest for a purchase price in excess of $100 million. 
  • Representation of an investor group in the sale of an industrial products distribution business to a New York Stock Exchange listed company. 
  • Representation of a bearings manufacturer in a $55 million sale to a New York Stock Exchange listed company. 
  • Representation of the owner of a local wireless personal communication service (PCS) for a major metropolitan area in the sale of the business to a private equity firm. 
  • Representation of an investor group in the sale of an industrial products distribution business to a private equity fund.
  • Representation of an entrepreneur in the sale of his manufacturing business to a portfolio company of a private equity firm for over $35 million, including a significant ongoing stake in the combined company. 
  • Representation of the purchaser the acquisition of an industrial products distribution business with eleven facilities located in six states. 
  • Representation of an entrepreneur in the sale of his distribution business to a private equity firm, including a significant ongoing stake in the company. 
  • Representation of an Ohio-based logistics services provider in its merger with a California-based strategic acquirer.
  • Representation of a private equity fund in the purchase of a website.
  • Representation of a private equity fund in the purchase of a value-added distributor and manufacturer of garage door parts and accessories.

Honors & Recognition

AV Preeminent® Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell

Named one of the Best Lawyers in America (2014-2024)

Credentials

Education

The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law

Georgetown University

Admissions – State

Professional & Civic

Community Involvement

President of 50-member homeowners’ association

Officer on two local Assessment Equalization Boards

News & Insights

External News & Publications

“Will Your Purchase Agreement Stop You From Recovering Losses?,” Crain’s Cleveland Business, January 28, 2013.

"Ohio Nonresidents Taxed on Gain From the Sale of Debt or Equity in Closely Held Ohio Businesses," article co-authored in the Journal of Multistate Taxation and Incentives, January 2012.

“Legal Aspects of the Sale of a PEO,” PEO Insider Magazine, December 2008/ January 2009 and February 2009 issues.

“Before You Sell,” Smart Business Cleveland, September 2008.

Events

Speaking Engagements

“Search Funds,” The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, March 2009 & April 2010. 

“Search Fund Forum,” Harvard Business School, March 2009 & April 2010. 

“Search Funds,” Stanford University Graduate School of Business, February 2008 Entrepreneurship Conference. 

“Developments in Corporate Governance,” 12th Annual Bowne SEC Updates Seminar, November 2008. 

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