Mike is a principal at Gray Plant Mooty and concentrates his practice on business/corporate law, with an emphasis on representing closely-held and emerging growth companies. He is currently the chair of the firm’s Family Business Enterprise Advisory Team.
Mike advises businesses on a broad range of business and legal issues. He acts as the outside general counsel for several of the firm’s clients. Mike concentrates most of his time on mergers and acquisitions, venture capital financings, and private equity and debt offerings. He also spends time counseling clients with respect to control contests, shareholder disputes, corporate governance, and fiduciary duties.
Mike has written and spoken on various corporate topics throughout his career. He has also been active in Minnesota’s business law legislative reform.
Experience
- Representing buyers and sellers in mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures
- Assisting startup companies with venture financings and private placement offerings
- Advising boards of directors on governance issues and take-overs
- Negotiating various types of contracts and agreements for companies and their owners
- Resolving disputes between shareholders
- Assisting new businesses with entity selection and obtaining financing
Publications
- "Do You Need an Investment Banker?" Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal, August 29, 2008
- “Inside the Minds,” Aspatore Books (authored chapter on corporate governance and compliance strategies), 2007
- "Law Puts Names of 18,000 LLCs at Risk," The Business Journal, March 25, 2005
- "How to Protect Directors of Privately Held Companies," Upsize Minnesota, March 2004
- "Incorporate Changes, But Don’t Abandon Minnesota," Minneapolis StarTribune, June 3, 2002
Presentations
- "Counseling to Family/Closely Held Business: Can't We All Just Get Along," Gray Plant Mooty Family Business Enterprise Advisory Team Seminar, May 7, 2009
- "Delaware Update," Minnesota State Bar Association Continuing Legal Education, May 5, 2009
- "Delaware Update," Minnesota State Bar Association Continuing Legal Education, April 29, 2008
- "Delaware Update," Minnesota State Bar Association Continuing Legal Education, May 17, 2007
- "Asset & Stock Purchase Agreements," Minnesota State Bar Association Continuing Legal Education, March 30, 2007
- "Delaware Update," Minnesota State Bar Association Continuing Legal Education, May 2, 2006
- "Asset & Stock Purchase Agreements," Minnesota State Bar Association Continuing Legal Education, May 3, 2005
- "Delaware Update," Minnesota State Bar Association Continuing Legal Education, April 19, 2005
- "Keep Your Board from Becoming Tomorrow’s Headline," Corporate Counsel Breakfast Group, Sept. 15, 2004
- "Protecting Corporate Board of Directors," Corporate Counsel Breakfast Group, Feb. 19, 2003
Education
- University of Minnesota Law School, J.D., 1996
- The Catholic University of America, B.A., 1989
Bar Admissions
Professional Activities
- American Bar Association
- Minnesota State Bar Association
- Minnesota Business Corporation Act Revision Committee
- Hennepin County Bar Association
Honors and Distinctions
- “Super Lawyer,” Minnesota Super Lawyers
- “Rising Star,” Minnesota Law & Politics
Community Involvement
- Association for Corporate Growth Minnesota, director
- Better Business Bureau of Minnesota and North Dakota, ex-officio director
- University of Minnesota, Minnesota Multi-Profession Law Clinic, volunteer attorney
- University of St. Thomas Family Enterprise Advisory Board, director
- WorldTeach, interviewer of applicants