Three transactions led by attorneys from Warner Norcross + Judd LLP were recognized as the top deals of 2024 by Crain’s Grand Rapids Business.
Now in its 12th year, Crain’s annual M&A Deals and Dealmakers of the Year celebrates significant transactions and honors the professionals driving them forward. The awards applaud outstanding achievements, fostering a dynamic business environment and setting the stage for continued growth.
For 2024, deals were chosen in eight categories by seasoned M&A professionals and included:
- Finance/Banking: Warner represented Macatawa Bank Corp. (Nasdaq: MCBC) in its merger with Wintrust Financial Corp. (Nasdaq: WTFC), an Illinois-based financial services provider, in a transaction valued at $510.3 million – the largest bank transaction in West Michigan for 2024. Wintrust kept Macatawa as a separately chartered institution and maintained its board of directors, both of which were distinguishing factors for the Holland-based bank.
- Manufacturing: Warner represented Sleeping Giant Capital, a private equity firm based in Kalamazoo, which acquired Portland Products LLC and then ProStamp LLC in transactions valued at under $20 million. Ben Greve and Rick Slater, part of the CEOs in Residence program at Sleeping Giant Capital, led the transaction and serve as co-CEOs of the acquired companies.
- Professional Services: Warner represented Grand Rapids-based Lambert Global in its sale to LLYC, a global corporate affairs and marketing consulting firm. The transaction gives Lambert an expanded range of marketing, communications and investor relations resources as part of LLYC, which has offices in seven countries and the U.S.
About Warner
By providing discerning and proactive legal advice, Warner Norcross + Judd LLP builds a better partnership with our clients. One of Michigan’s largest law firms, we’re focused on providing the best legal solutions and exceptional client service to organizations throughout the world. Connect with us on wnj.com, LinkedIn, Twitter or Facebook.
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