Warner Norcross + Judd LLP represented Azimuth Capital Management LLC (“Azimuth Capital”), a registered investment adviser (RIA) headquartered in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, in its transaction with Focus Financial Partners Inc. (“Focus”) which was completed on April 1, 2022. Following the closing of this transaction, the entire existing team at Azimuth Capital will continue to conduct business under its current name while benefiting from the expanded resources offered by Focus.
Azimuth Capital was founded in 2004 as a prominent independent wealth management firm serving ultra-high net worth and high net worth families and individuals, endowments and other institutions. The firm has become well known for its hands-on investment management expertise and its attention to client service – working closely with clients to help them achieve their financial goals. Azimuth Capital has over $3.5 billion in assets under management.
Ted Haddad, senior managing director and co-founder of Azimuth Capital shared: “We were drawn to the Focus partnership because Focus values and protects the entrepreneurial spirit of RIAs while also offering the resources to help us further enhance our client service and continue to grow our business. This partnership will position us for the next phase of our growth through access to a robust suite of tools and services. We believe that becoming part of the large and diverse group of firms in the Focus partnership will yield many benefits for our clients and our business in the years to come.”
Warner served as legal counsel to Azimuth Capital, representing the firm in the negotiation and documentation of the transaction. The Warner transaction team was led by Linda Paullin-Hebden and included John Muhs (M&A), Celia Kaechele (M&A), Matthew Johnson (M&A) and Sean Cook (tax).
Cambridge International Partners LLC served as financial advisor to Azimuth Capital.
Warner’s Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) Practice Group
As part of one of the largest and most successful law firms in Michigan, Warner’s M&A Practice Group draws upon more than 90 years of experience to successfully and efficiently handle a wide range of M&A transactions for both private and publicly traded businesses, including mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures and strategic business combinations of all types.
Warner’s Funds and Investment Services Group
As the only firm in the state of Michigan focused on the unique legal and compliance needs of investment advisers and broker-dealers, Warner regularly represents investment advisers in all of their legal needs from guiding clients through the regulatory process to supporting our clients in acquisition or divestiture. Warner’s unique knowledge of the investment adviser industry ensures that Warner attorneys will safely steer you through every aspect of the investment adviser regulatory or transactional landscape.
