Michael Wager

We are saddened by the loss of our colleague Michael and our hearts go out to his family and friends. Learn more about Michael’s impressive career and life here.

Michael represented private and publicly-held entities in mergers and acquisitions, securities offerings, corporate finance, corporate governance and regulatory compliance (including SEC and CFTC matters), and strategic growth initiatives. He also advised private equity and venture capital firms in connection with portfolio company investments, acquisitions and dispositions, fund formation and structuring, and securities and corporate law matters. He also had extensive experience representing companies and investors in cross-border transactions. Michael was the chair of a Cleveland-based private equity firm and has served as adviser to, and director of, several private and public companies, including as lead director of a Dutch-based, NYSE-listed private utility company.

Mergers and Acquisitions; Joint Ventures

• Represented Suzhou-based manufacturer and retailer in licensing arrangements with Swiss-based and U.S.-based consumer brands licensor.
• Represented U.S.-based registered investment adviser in acquisition, and funding for, two closed-end funds.
• Represented Shanghai-listed mining company in acquisition of U.S.-based precious metals mining company.
• Represented Ningbo-based trading company in acquisition of U.S.-based mining company.
• Represented Shanghai-listed mining company in investment in, and joint venture with, U.S.-based metals trading company.
• Represented private equity fund in sale of U.S.-based underwriter of orbital and space-related insurance products.
• Represented privately-held managed care company in US$225 million sale to NYSE-listed integrated health care services company.
• Represented NYSE-listed  integrated pharmacy health care services company in US$300 million acquisition of a privately-held pharmacy health care services company.
• Represented NYSE-listed integrated pharmacy health care services company in US$30 million acquisition of a privately-held home health care services company.
• Represented NYSE-listed retailer in US$215 million acquisition of U.S. toy retailer.
• Represented NYSE-listed retailer in US$1.1 billion acquisition of U.S. close-out retailer.
• Represented NASDAQ-listed enterprise software company in sale to publicly-held technology company.
• Representing NYSE-listed water utility company in its acquisition of  privately-held desalination operations in Antigua and St, Maarten.
• Representing NYSE-listed real estate investment trust in joint venture with German-based real estate partnership for development of shopping centers in Ukraine and Russia.
• Represented privately-held Dutch holding company with tobacco packaging operations in Latin America to publicly-held Swiss-based global packaging company.
• Represented German-based car manufacturer in joint venture with U.S.-based global financial institution for financing of purchases and warranties for new automobiles.
• Represented private U.S. investor group in sale of corporate data services company to Canadian-based publicly-held information services company.
• Represented private equity fund in acquisition of retail auto repair operations from U.K. public company.  
• Represented NASDAQ-listed e-business service company in sale of on-line automobile sales and marketing platform to NYSE-listed global technology company.
• Represented private equity fund in several acquisitions of Mexican-based consumer packaging manufacturers.
• Represented private equity fund in sale of Mexican-based packaging operations to Austrian-based packaging company.
• Represented NASDAQ-listed jewelry manufacturer in sale of U.S. and Dominican operations to privately-held U.S. manufacturer.
• Represented private equity fund in sale of U.S.-based gear manufacturing operations.
• Represented private equity fund in acquisition of U.S.-based SaaS company engaged in hospitality and restaurant sector.
• Represented NYSE-listed global communications company in several acquisitions and divestitures involving over 40 cable television systems.
• Represented NASDAQ-listed information technology company in the strategic acquisition of operating divisions of publicly-held defense contractor.
• Represented publicly-held Australian media company in its acquisition of two U.S. magazine businesses.
• Represented registered investment advisor in sale on non-controlling interest to private equity fund.
• Represented registered investment advisor in acquisition of general partner interests in several U.S. private funds.
• Represented private U.K. company in its joint venture with Dutch-based utility.
• Represented NYSE-listed global communications company in joint ventures for build and operation of U.S. urban cable television systems.
• Represented U.S. private equity group in joint venture with NASDAQ-listed technology company for new retail concept.

Capital Market Transactions

• Represented the underwriters of public offerings (initial, secondary and follow-on) of common stock for U.S. and foreign private issuers in information technology, manufacturing, utilities, pharmacy health care services, biotechnology, healthcare, restaurants and hospitality, and retail.
• Represented the underwriters of public offerings of common stock by an NASDAQ-listed producer of natural gas, aggregate proceeds in excess of $60 million.
• Represented NASDAQ-listed e-services consulting business in  $27 million initial public offering.
• Representing a private investor group as stand-by purchaser common stock purchase rights by NYSE-listed integrated pharmacy health care services company.  
• Represented AMEX-listed jewelry manufacturer in initial public offering and follow-on offerings.
• Represented NYSE-listed retailer in US$100 million offering of senior subordinated notes.
• Represented NYSE-listed retailer in US$220 million public offering of common stock.
• Represented NASDAQ-listed information technology company in US$40 million offering of convertible subordinated debentures.
• Represented Dutch-based water utilities company in its initial public offering of $145 million.  
• Represented NYSE-listed retailer in US$100 million offering of short-term subordinated notes.