Clients rely on our M&A team to guide them smoothly through every stage of the often complex transactional process and get the deal done. We know how to uncomplicate the complicated. Additionally, our Mergers and Acquisitions attorneys use creative, state-of-the-art technologies that enable us to respond quickly and efficiently. Clients benefit from our deep collective knowledge and seen-it-all experience because we do this work every day – and we really like what we do. Most importantly, we take the time to get to know our clients and their businesses very well, collaborating closely with them and cultivating long-term relationships. This allows us to tailor transactions strategically to meet their needs, close deals and help them attain their business objectives.
Diverse Client Base Enhances Service Delivery
Drawing on our comprehensive understanding of both the big-picture perspectives and the nuanced details of M&A transactions, our Mergers and Acquisitions attorneys counsel and represent a wide range of clients. They include Fortune 500 corporations that operate internationally; high-profile private equity firms; mid-market, private and publicly traded companies; family-owned businesses and family offices. We represent sellers, buyers, investors, independent director committees, management groups and other participants in M&A transactions across the nation – and our team gives each of our clients our undivided attention. Several of those we serve have told us, “We feel as if we’re your only clients.” We consider that high praise because it validates our way of doing business.
experience
Deal Announcements
- Warner Represented ChoiceOne Financial Services, Inc. in its Merger with Fentura Financial, Inc. and Underwritten Public Offering of Common Stock
- Warner Represented Freeland State Bank in Its Merger with Thumb Bancorp, Inc.
- Warner Represented Crown Capital Securities in its Sale to LPL Financial
- Warner Represented Lumin Financial in its Sale to Perigon Wealth Management
- Warner Represented Century Mold in its Acquisition of Integrity Injection Molding
- Warner Represents Macatawa Bank Corporation in Its Pending Merger with Wintrust Financial Corporation
- Warner Represented Linamar in Acquiring Three Battery Enclosure Factories
- Warner Represented Star Truck Rentals in Its Sale to Penske Truck Leasing
- Warner Represented Syntrinsic in Its Transaction with IMA Financial Group
- Warner Advises Speedrack Products Group on ESOP Deal
- Warner Represented Earth Equity Advisors in its Partnership with Prime Capital Investment Advisors
- Warner Represented Rehmann in its Acquisition of Vestal & Wiler
- Warner Represented Scott Snow (financial advisors) LLC in Its Sale to Clearstead Advisors
- Warner Represented Heber Fuger Wendin in Its Sale to Mariner Wealth Advisors
- Warner Represented Emerson Wealth in Its Sale to Mariner Wealth Advisors
- Warner Represented Azimuth Capital in Joining Focus Financial Partners Inc.
- Warner Represented Shepler’s Mackinac Island Ferry in the Sale of a Majority of Its Stock to The Hoffmann Family of Companies
- Warner Represented Beene Garter in Its Business Combination with Doeren Mayhew
- Warner Represents Nichols Paper & Supply in Its Sale to Imperial Dade
- Warner Represents Performance Trust Capital Partners in the Placement of $75 Million of Subordinated Notes by Arbor Bancorp, Inc.
- Warner Represented West Shore Bank Corporation in the Offering of $20 Million of Subordinated Notes
- Warner Represents Horizon Bank in Acquisition of 14 TCF Branches
- Warner Represented Kendall Electric, Inc. In Its Acquisition of Rumsey Electric Company
- Warner Represented Pere Marquette Shipping Co. and Lake Michigan Car Ferry, Inc. in Their Sale to Interlake Holding Company
- Warner Represented Uncle Ed’s Oil Shoppes, Inc. and AutoBath America, Inc. in Their Sale to FullSpeed Automotive
- Warner Represents American Holoptics in $42 Million Acquisition of Military Supplier
- Warner Represents The Kendall Group in its Acquisition of Forberg Scientific
- Warner Represents FormulaFolios in its Strategic Transaction with Brookstone Capital Management
- Warner Represents Ranir in its Acquisition of the Steripod® Toothbrush Accessory Brand and Related Assets
- Warner Representing ChoiceOne Financial Services, Inc. in the Acquisition of Community Shores Bank Corporation
- Warner Represents Vilex and Orthex in Acquisition by OrthoPediatrics
- Warner Represents ChoiceOne Financial Services, Inc. in Its Merger with County Bank Corp.
- Warner Represents SpartanNash in its Acquisition of Martin’s Super Markets
- Warner Represents BPV Environmental in Its Sale to Pestell Group
- Warner Represents Structural Concepts Corporation in Its Sale to Mason Wells
- Warner Represents Lambert, Edwards & Associates in the Acquisition of NYC Financial Communications Firm
- Warner Represents TCSB Bancorp, Inc. in Its Merger With Independent Bank Corporation
- Warner Represented CMS Enterprises in Purchase of Solar Power Plant in Lansing, Michigan
- Warner Represented Adtegrity.com, Inc. in the Acquisition of Media Place Partners, LLC
- Warner Represented West Shore Bank in the Acquisition of Ellis Capital Management
- Warner Advises Xcentric Mold & Engineering on Investment from The Riverside Company
- Warner Advises in the Sale of American Grease Stick Company
- Warner Advises in a Purchase of an NBA D‑League Team
- Perrigo to Acquire National Healthcare & Consumer Goods Products Distributor – Geiss, Destin & Dunn, Inc.
- Warner Representing Birmingham Bloomfield Bancshares, Inc. (Bank of Birmingham) in Merger with Arbor Bancorp, Inc. (Bank of Ann Arbor)
- CCL Industries Inc. Acquires Checkpoint Systems, Inc. in an Approximate $500 Million Transaction
- Warner is advising Perrigo Company in the sale of its U.S. Vitamins, Minerals and Supplements Business
- Warner Representing West Shore Bank in $8.3 Million Acquisition of West Michigan Bank & Trust
- Chemical Financial Corporation Completes Merger with Talmer Bancorp, Inc.
- Warner advises Consumers Energy Company in its $155 Million Power Plant Acquisition
- Complex Corporate Acquisition Spans 23 Nations
Strengths Snapshot
- Drafting and negotiating early-stage M&A agreements such as letters of intent, term sheets, confidentiality agreements and investment banker engagement letters
- Preparing a business for due diligence by potential acquirers
- Legal due diligence review of acquisition targets
- Assisting with sale processes, including auctions
- Preparing and negotiating definitive acquisition agreements
- Drafting ancillary transaction agreements and documents, including consulting agreements, employment agreements, noncompetition agreements, real estate documentation and closing checklists
- Counseling boards of directors and special committees with respect to fiduciary duties and other obligations
- Obtaining governmental approvals, including preparing the premerger notification report required by the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Act
- Negotiating transaction financing terms and documentation
- Closing the transaction
- Assisting in post-closing price adjustment and transition matters
- Preparing closing binders
- Advising on estate planning and tax planning strategies
Videos and Podcasts
- Getting Ready to Sell Your Investment Advisory BusinessLegally Speaking: Broker-dealer and Investment Adviser Industry Insights
- Engaging an Investment Banker Before Selling a BusinessLegally Speaking: Broker-dealer and Investment Adviser Industry Insights
- Protecting Client Relationships During the M&A TransactionLegally Speaking: Broker-dealer and Investment Adviser Industry Insights
- RIA: Client Consent in M&A TransactionsLegally Speaking: Broker-dealer and Investment Adviser Industry Insights
- 2024 OFN Conference
- ACG University Fall 2024
- 2024 Midwest Securities Law Institute
- DILA 2024 Conference
- Echelon Partners Deals and Dealmakers Summit
- MMA Update: Supreme Court Paid Leave Decision & the Impact on Manufacturers
- MTEC SmartZone’s Inaugural AMMP Accelerator Cohort
- Women In Defense: Michigan Defense Leadership Summit
- The Current State of M&A in Michigan and Beyond
- Midland Business Alliance: What You Need to Know About the Corporate Transparency Act
- MAA 2023 Winter Conference
- Grand Rapids Chamber’s OUTPRO Forum: Beyond the Politics
- Family Business Alliance 2023: Exploring Family Ownership Structures: Slicing the Pie
- Michigan Lawyers Weekly Hall of Fame Luncheon
- M&A Roundtable: Anatomy of the Deal
- Legal Trends to Watch in 2016
- M&A Market Update
- Human Resources Seminar 2015
- Josie Boucher Previews M&A Market in Interview with Crain’s Grand Rapids Business
- Warner Represented Yeo & Yeo CPAs & Advisors in its Acquisition of the Practice of Berger, Ghersi & LaDuke PLC
- Warner Represented ChoiceOne Financial Services, Inc. in its Merger with Fentura Financial, Inc. and Underwritten Public Offering of Common Stock
- Greg Schmidt Joins Humane Society of West Michigan
- Warner Represented Freeland State Bank in Its Merger with Thumb Bancorp, Inc.
- Warner Named as Leading Michigan Law Firm by Chambers USA 2024
- Warner Represented Crown Capital Securities in its Sale to LPL Financial
- Brandon J. Hayes Joins Warner
- Warner Represented Lumin Financial in its Sale to Perigon Wealth Management
- Warner Partner Charlie Goode Honored as Michigan Go To Lawyer for Business Transactions by Michigan Lawyers Weekly
- Warner Represented Century Mold in its Acquisition of Integrity Injection Molding
- Warner Represents Macatawa Bank Corporation in Its Pending Merger with Wintrust Financial Corporation
- Warner Attorney Sarah Harper, Client Star Truck Rentals Honored by Crain’s Grand Rapids M&A Deals and Dealmakers of the Year
- Warner Partner Linda Paullin-Hebden Recognized as All-Star Advisor of the Year by ACG® Detroit
- Mark J. Wassink Reelected Managing Partner of Warner
- Warner Names Eight Attorneys as Partners
- Warner Leads Calumet Electronics to Secure Nearly $50 Million in Federal and State Incentive Packages
- 22 Warner Attorneys Rated 2024 Top Lawyer by DBusiness
- Warner Selected Top-Tier Law Firm by Best Lawyers®
- Mark Wassink Named to Grand Rapids 200 for Second Year in a Row
- Emily Cantor Joins Grand Rapids Public Schools Foundation Board of Directors
- Christian Rhoades Joins Junior Achievement of the Michigan Great Lakes Associate Leadership Board
- Corinne Sprague Elected to the Grand Rapids Art Museum Foundation Board of Trustees
- Warner Represented Linamar in Acquiring Three Battery Enclosure Factories
- Sarah Harper Joins D.A. Blodgett – St. John’s Emerging Leaders Council
- Warner Represented Star Truck Rentals in Its Sale to Penske Truck Leasing
- Warner Represented Syntrinsic in Its Transaction with IMA Financial Group
- Bruce Young Among Leaders Who Discuss Transitions, Values, Culture at Crain’s Grand Rapids Business Power Breakfast
- Corinne Sprague Appointed to the Grand Rapids Symphony Board of Directors
- Warner Partner David Eberhard Among Michigan’s Go To Real Estate Lawyers
- Warner Selected as Leading Michigan Law Firm by Chambers USA 2023
- Cody A. Mott Appointed to Opportunity Thrive’s Board of Directors
- Cody A. Mott Joins Warner
- MiBiz Honors Warner Partner Justin Stemple, Shepler’s Transaction with Dealmaker of the Year Awards
- Warner Partner Kelly Hollingsworth Honored by Michigan Lawyers Weekly
- Warner Represented Earth Equity Advisors in its Partnership with Prime Capital Investment Advisors
- Shane Hansen Weighs in on New M&A Legislation
- Warner Represented Rehmann in its Acquisition of Vestal & Wiler
- Mark Wassink Selected for Grand Rapids 200
- Warner Welcomes Paul Engel
- Warner Represented Scott Snow (financial advisors) LLC in Its Sale to Clearstead Advisors
- Warner Represented Heber Fuger Wendin in Its Sale to Mariner Wealth Advisors
- Warner Represented Emerson Wealth in Its Sale to Mariner Wealth Advisors
- Warner Represented Azimuth Capital in Joining Focus Financial Partners Inc.
- Warner Represented Shepler’s Mackinac Island Ferry in the Sale of a Majority of Its Stock to The Hoffmann Family of Companies
- Warner Partner Bruce C. Young Honored by Inclusion in Michigan Lawyers Weekly 2022 Hall of Fame
- Warner Represented Beene Garter in Its Business Combination with Doeren Mayhew
- Warner Represents Nichols Paper & Supply in Its Sale to Imperial Dade
- 21 Warner Attorneys Rated 2022 Top Lawyer by DBusiness
- Warner Ranked Top-Tier Law Firm by Best Lawyers®, U.S. News & World Report
- Warner Welcomes Three New Attorneys
- Linda Paullin-Hebden Named to Detroit 500 List
- Warner Partner Shane B. Hansen Named BTI Client Service All-Star
- 105 Warner Attorneys Rated Best Lawyers in America©
- 11 Warner Attorneys Named to Best Lawyers®: Ones to Watch List
- Corinne N. Sprague Selected for Leadership Grand Rapids
- Benjamin P. Nimphie Appointed to InterAct of Michigan Board
- Warner Attorney Malaina J. Weldy Appointed to Affinity Mentoring Board
- Warner Represents Horizon Bank in Acquisition of 14 TCF Branches
- Warner Selected as Leading Michigan Law Firm by Chambers USA 2021
- Warner Partner Ford J.H. Turrell Honored by Michigan Lawyers Weekly
- Crain’s Detroit Business Names Linda Paullin-Hebden to “Notable Women in the Law” List
- Warner Represented Kendall Electric, Inc. In Its Acquisition of Rumsey Electric Company
- Warner Partner Susan M. Cook Honored by Inclusion in Michigan Lawyers Weekly 2021 Hall of Fame
- Warner Partner Receives MiBiz Dealmaker of the Year and Deal of the Year Awards
- OESA and Warner to Present “2021 Automotive Supplier Legal Hot Topics”
- Warner Represented Pere Marquette Shipping Co. and Lake Michigan Car Ferry, Inc. in Their Sale to Interlake Holding Company
- Warner Partner Among Michigan Go To Business Lawyers
- Warner Partner Jeffrey Ott Provides Insight into Bank M&A during Pandemic
- 21 Warner Attorneys Rated 2021 Top Lawyer by DBusiness
- Warner Ranked Top-Tier Law Firm by Best Lawyers, U.S. News & World Report
- Warner Represented Uncle Ed’s Oil Shoppes, Inc. and AutoBath America, Inc. in Their Sale to FullSpeed Automotive
- Warner Represents American Holoptics in $42 Million Acquisition of Military Supplier
- 102 Warner Attorneys Rated 2021 Best Lawyers in America
- Eighteen Warner Attorneys Named Lawyers of the Year
- Eight Warner Attorneys Named to Best Lawyers Ones to Watch List
- Daniel C. Persinger Returns to Warner as Senior Counsel
- Warner Represents The Kendall Group in its Acquisition of Forberg Scientific
- Warner Represents FormulaFolios in its Strategic Transaction with Brookstone Capital Management
- Warner Named a Leading Michigan Law Firm by Chambers USA 2020
- Michigan Lawyers Weekly Honors Linda Paullin-Hebden as One of Its “Leaders in the Law”
- Warner Represents Ranir in its Acquisition of the Steripod® Toothbrush Accessory Brand and Related Assets
- Warner Representing ChoiceOne Financial Services, Inc. in the Acquisition of Community Shores Bank Corporation
- Warner Names Six Attorneys as Partners
- Warner Ranked Top-Tier Law Firm by Best Lawyers, U.S. News & World Report 2020
- Warner Welcomes Daniel G. Bonucchi
- Warner Partners Receive MiBiz Dealmaker of the Year and Deal of the Year Awards
- Warner Represents Vilex and Orthex in Acquisition by OrthoPediatrics
- Warner Partner Stephen C. Waterbury Recognized in Inaugural Hall of Fame by Michigan Lawyers Weekly
- Warner Partner Jeffrey S. Battershall Receives Carol Van Andel Angel of Excellence Award
- Chambers USA 2019 Names Warner a Leading Michigan Law Firm
- Warner Partner Timothy L. Horner Named a 2019 “Leader in Law” by Michigan Lawyers Weekly
- Warner Represents ChoiceOne Financial Services, Inc. in Its Merger with County Bank Corp.
- Warner Names Eight Attorneys as Partners
- Warner Partner Corinne Sprague Named as Up & Coming Lawyer by Michigan Lawyers Weekly
- Warner Ranked Top-Tier Law Firm by Best Lawyers, U.S. News & World Report
- Warner Represents BPV Environmental in Its Sale to Pestell Group
- Warner Represents Structural Concepts Corporation in Its Sale to Mason Wells
- A focus on serving others serves Waterbury well during four-decade legal career
- Warner Partner Stephen C. Waterbury Receives Inaugural Hall of Fame Award for Lifetime M&A Achievement
- One Hundred Warner Attorneys Rated Best Lawyers in America
- Warner Represents Lambert, Edwards & Associates in the Acquisition of NYC Financial Communications Firm
- Warner Represents TCSB Bancorp, Inc. in Its Merger With Independent Bank Corporation
- Three Warner Partners Elected to Management Committee
- Chambers USA 2018 Warner Partners as Leading Michigan Law Firm
- Linda Paullin-Hebden Named To Crain’s Detroit Business “Notable Women Lawyers” List
- Warner Ranked Top-Tier Law Firm by Best Lawyers, U.S. News & World Report
- Jeffrey A. Ott Named Finalist for Dealmaker of the Year
- Warner Represented CMS Enterprises in Purchase of Solar Power Plant in Lansing, Michigan
- Warner Represented Adtegrity.com, Inc. in the Acquisition of Media Place Partners, LLC
- Warner Represented West Shore Bank in the Acquisition of Ellis Capital Management
- Warner Advises in the Sale of American Grease Stick Company
- Warner Advises Xcentric Mold & Engineering on Investment from The Riverside Company
- Warner Represents Chemical Financial Corp. in Transaction Recognized as One of Biggest Deals of 2016
- Warner Advises in a Purchase of an NBA D‑League Team
- Warner Ranked Top-Tier Law Firm by Best Lawyers, U.S. News & World Report
- Fifteen Warner Attorneys Rated 2017 Top Lawyers by DBusiness
- Three Warner Partners Elected to Michigan State Bar Leadership Positions
- Warner Partner, Client to be Honored by Association for Corporate Growth
- Chemical Financial Corporation Completes Merger with Talmer Bancorp, Inc.
- Perrigo to Acquire National Healthcare & Consumer Goods Products Distributor – Geiss, Destin & Dunn, Inc.
- Warner Representing Birmingham Bloomfield Bancshares, Inc. (Bank of Birmingham) in Merger with Arbor Bancorp, Inc. (Bank of Ann Arbor)
- Crain’s Detroit Business Names Linda Paullin-Hebden to “100 Most Influential Women” List
- Warner Representing West Shore Bank in $8.3 Million Acquisition of West Michigan Bank & Trust
- Linda Paullin-Hebden Named Executive Partner of Warner Southfield Office
- Warner is advising Perrigo Company in the sale of its U.S. Vitamins, Minerals and Supplements Business
- CCL Industries Inc. Acquires Checkpoint Systems, Inc. in an Approximate $500 Million Transaction
- Chambers USA 2016 Recognizes Warner as Leading Michigan Law Firm
- Warner advises Consumers Energy Company in its $155 Million Power Plant Acquisition
- Jeffrey S. Battershall Received Client Choice Award in Recognition of Excellence in Client Service
- Warner Welcomes David W. MacDonald
- Jeffrey A. Ott Named Finalist for Dealmaker of the Year
- Warner Welcomes Rachel J. Foster
- Great Lakes Bay Region Professionals Will Share M&A Market Update for Business Owners
- Jeffrey S. Battershall Received Client Choice Award in Recognition of Excellence in Client Service
- Chambers USA 2015 Recognizes Warner as Leading Michigan Law Firm
- Automotive Insiders Podcast — M&A: Where Are the Opportunities and the Challenges?
- Getting Ready to Sell Your Investment Advisory Business
- Engaging an Investment Banker Before Selling a Business
- Protecting Client Relationships During the M&A Transaction
- RIA: Client Consent in M&A Transactions
- M&A Strategy Update: Union Contracts and Section 363 Sales
- Corporate Transparency Act: FinCEN Issues Final Rule for Beneficial Ownership Reporting
- Warner OESA Legal Corner Article: Quick Tips To Better Prepare For Your M&A Future
- OESA and Warner Join Forces to Present “Legal Trends to Watch in 2016” to the Automotive Supply Industry
- Warner Represents Chemical Financial Corporation in a $1.1 Billion Bank Merger with Talmer Bancorp, Inc.
- Revlon Revisited: Delaware Supreme Court Provides New Guidance on M&A Rules
- Business Practice Group Recent Transactions