Service Areas
Education
- University of Michigan Law School, J.D.
- University of Michigan, A.B.
Bar Admissions
- Michigan
Eric (Ric) V. Brown Jr. is a broad-based business counselor whose practice focuses on mergers and acquisitions, business combinations, joint ventures, corporate governance, and corporate finance. He has served as an advisor and counselor in a substantial number of business transactions for both private and public companies as well as the organization of a bank, a bank holding company and a venture capital firm.
Experience
Ric sits on the board and also serves as general counsel to a privately held food color and spice company, which is transitioning from founder/first generation to second generation. He is working closely with the son and new CEO on a number of issues. Ric is also on the board of a publicly held company in the oil, gas and real estate business, where he is working with management to develop an exit plan which may include a sale of some or all of the assets.
Representative Matters
- Advertising Agency Representation
Working with the management of a privately held advertising agency to develop an exit strategy as well as to reorganize its debt and capital structure
- Conveyor Company Expansion
Assisting the new CEO of a privately held conveyor company on expansion plans and planning.
- Financial Institution Corporate Organization
Working with other team members on general corporate work for a new publicly held de novo bank.
- Insurance Agency Sale of Company
Representing a privately held general insurance agency in selling the company.
- Paper Machine Manufacturer Sale of Company
Representing the president and founder of a privately held paper machine manufacturer in selling the company.
- Specialty Paper Company Corporate Planning
Consulting with the new CEO of a privately held specialty paper company on several legal and long-term planning matters.
Professional Activities
- American Bar Association, Business Law Section; Negotiated Acquisitions Committee, 1992-present; Task Force on Drafting Model Asset Purchase Agreements, 1995-present; Task Force on Drafting Model Stock Purchase Agreements, 1992-95; Task Force on Drafting Joint Venture Agreements, 1995-present; Task Force on Preparation of Manual on Acquisition Practice and Process; Chairman of Brown Bag Program Committee
- State Bar of Michigan, Business Law Section, Council Member, 1990-96; Chairman, Technology Committee; Economics of the Law Practice; Council Member, 1987-90
- Prab, Inc., Board of Directors, 1995-2004
- Comerica Bank-Kalamazoo, Board of Directors and Secretary, 1971-87
- Arcadia Bank & Trust Company and Arcadia, Financial Corporation; Board of Directors and Secretary, 1987-95
- Valley Plastics Corporation, Board of Directors, 1970-86
- De Groot, Inc., Board of Directors, 1975-present
- BC/CAL/KAL, Inland Port Development Corporation, Board of Directors and Executive Committee, 1988-present; President, 1995-2001
- First National Bank of Michigan, First National Bancorp, Inc., Board of Directors and Secretary, 2006-present
- LaFourche Realty Company, Inc., Board of Directors, 2006-present
- Kalsec, Inc. and Kalamazoo Holdings, Inc., Board of Directors and Secretary, 2004-present
- Michigan Jobs Commissions, Board of Directors, 1994-2000 (Appointed by Governor Engler)
- ISB Financial Corporation & Industrial State Bank and Trust Company, Board of Directors and Secretary, 1971-81
Honors + Awards
- Best Lawyers in America, Corporate Law 1995-present
- Who's Who in America
- Business Review, Western Michigan's Top Business Mentor Honorees 2005
- Michigan Super Lawyers, Securities & Corporate Finance 2006-present
Civic, Cultural + Social Activities
- Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo, Board of Directors, 1996-present
- Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra, Board of Directors, 2004-present
Publications
"The M&A Process, A Practical Guide for the Business Lawyer," Committee on Negotiated Acquisitions, 2005
"The Model Asset Purchase Agreement," with commentary, 2000
"Formation and Operation of a BIDCO," Michigan Bar Journal, January 1990
Speeches
"Model Asset Purchase Agreement and Ancillary Documents," Business Law Section, State Bar of Michigan Annual Meeting, 2001
"Negotiated Acquisitions: How to Win a Favorable Position for Your Client in a Business Acquisition with the Letter of Intent," a nationwide teleconference sponsored by the Business Law Section of the American Bar Association, 1997
"Mergers, Acquisitions & Joint Ventures--Domestic and International--Letters of Intent and Confidentiality Agreements," sponsored by The Cambridge Institute, 1997 and 1998
"Letters of Intent and Indemnification Provisions from the Model Stock Purchase Agreement," sponsored by the Business Law Section of the American Bar Association, and The University of Michigan Law School, 1996
"Shareholder Agreement and Shareholder Disputes," sponsored by ICLE and Business Law Section, State Bar of Michigan, Kalamazoo and Troy, Michigan, 1992 (Course Planner and Commentator)
Follow Us on Twitter