Miller Canfield's M&A practice has a wealth of success and experience in handling many types of M&A transactions throughout the world. We have represented public and private companies, strategic investors, financial investors and private equity/venture capital funds in mergers, acquisitions, dispositions, LBOs, public tender offers and hostile takeovers, 363 and bankruptcy acquisitions, distressed acquisitions and corporate restructurings.
But the firm's M&A practice is especially known for handling complex, multi-national transactions requiring sophisticated understanding of the entire set of issues involved in such transactions.
Cross-border mergers and acquisitions entail a unique set of issues, structuring and concerns, approvals, documentation and negotiation style. Miller Canfield's M&A team is able to provide clients with its extensive knowledge and practical experience in leading such transactions. For instance, we have represented numerous clients in stock and asset acquisitions in the U.S., as well as strategic investors acquiring business operations in emerging markets and developed economies throughout the world.
Scope of Services
Our team of M&A lawyers provide clients with top-quality service in transactions thanks not only to their depth of knowledge and experience, but also because they are ably assisted by accomplished lawyers from the firm's other practice areas. Accordingly, the firm is able to provide the full array of services required for most M&A transactions, including:
Antitrust and Competition
Banking
CFIUS and Government Approvals
Corporate Governance
Environmental
Executive Compensation and Benefits
Financing
Intellectual Property
Labor, Union, Employment
Real Estate
Securities Regulation
Structuring-Corporate and Tax
Tax
Technology and Export Controls
Cross-Border Transactions
Miller Canfield's experience in handling complex, cross-border transactions provides clients with a distinct advantage in international transactions. Because we focus simultaneously on the local level as well as the cross-border and global implications of each transaction, we provide rich value to clients when undertaking due diligence, risk assessment, transactional structuring and practical governance models. Clients also benefit from our successful experiences in dealing with the U.S. Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) and other national and governmental authorities, including the Polish Government on privatization projects.
Our M&A team is regularly called upon to advise buyers, sellers and investors undertaking transactions in and from the BRIC countries and other emerging markets, where the issues involved can introduce further complexities, and where regulatory compliance is problematic for the unwary. Accordingly, our M&A lawyers are integral to and leaders of the firm's China Team, India Team, Mexico Team, Poland Team and International Practice.
Public Mergers, Takeovers and Proxy Contests
We also have substantial experience with public company mergers and takeovers, both friendly as well as contested transactions, including proxy contests and takeover actions. Our M&A team has successfully represented both insurgents and target companies in planning, implementing, and litigating issues involved in contested elections and shareholder actions. Our lawyers have counseled potential targets in defending takeover attempts and represented companies and individuals in attempts to acquire control of companies in which they have an investment through negotiations, tender offers, litigation and filings with relevant regulatory authorities. We have also acted on behalf of "white knights" in their transactions with targets involved in a takeover attempt by an unwanted suitor. On the friendly side, we have represented buyers in acquiring public target companies, including using forward and reverse triangular merger structuring techniques.
Distressed Mergers, Acquisitions, Sales and Corporate Restructuring
We have represented both strategic and financial purchasers and sellers of distressed companies, utilizing the mechanisms provided by applicable bankruptcy laws in order to structure and carryout mergers, acquisitions, sales and restructuring transactions. We have extensive experience in all aspects of distressed M&A, from due diligence through closing, including in Section 363 sales, CCAA sales, friendly foreclosure structures, negotiating stalking horse and competing bid purchase agreements, negotiating and documenting the transactions and limiting successor liability.
Industry and Sector Specializations
Miller Canfield's M&A practice has represented clients involved in many industries and economic sectors. But the firm is especially known for its long history of transactional experience in the automotive and manufacturing sectors, health care, information technology and software, food/beverage, natural resources and financial institutions sectors. We are very familiar with the business practices of these sectors, and are well aware of the particular issues facing buyers and sellers in undertaking M&A transactions.
- Chinese Foreign Purchaser CFIUS Filing
- Chinese Automotive Supplier Acquisition
- Mexican Automotive Supplier Acquisition
- Software Startup Acquisition
- Software Company Acquisitions
- Software Company Majority Investment
- Software Company Sale
- Staffing and Personnel Management Firm Sale
- Book Manufacturing Company Consolidation
- Public Company Global Acquisitions and Divestitures
- Public Company Acquisitions and Divestitures
- German Specialty Petroleum Company Divestiture
- European Industrial Services Company Expansion, Acquisitions and Sale
- Fire Bricks Products Company ESOP
- Hand Tool Company Leveraged Buyout
- Bank Holding Company Merger
- Pharmaceutical Company Sale
- Manufacturer/Building Supply Company Sale
- Venture Capital Fund Stock Purchase
- Venture Capital Fund Stock Purchase
- Chemistry Company Joint Venture
- Economic Development Company Formation
- Investor Purchase
- Incubator Company Financing
- Medical Products Manufacturer Acquisition
- Real Estate Development Company Ownership Plan
- Privately Held Company Acquisition of Mexican Tourism Business
- Publicly Held Company Acquisition of Manufacturing Facility
- Telecommunications Company Stock Sale
- Food Manufacturer Sale of Company
- Tool and Die Company Sale
- Automotive Parts Manufacturer Sale of Company
- Long Distance Carrier $150 Million Transaction
- Retail Store Asset Sale
- Exchange Company Merger
- Automobile Dealership Acquisition and Sale
- Office Equipment Sale of Company
- Heating and Cooling Company Sale
- Construction Company Sale
- Furniture Manufacturer Acquisition
- Credit Union Merger