Overview

Mike works with companies on their corporate transactional activity, including mergers and acquisitions, venture capital, capital-raising financings, technology transactions and other mission critical matters.  

He co-leads the firm’s Life Sciences and Chambers Global-rated AgTech industry practice groups, and often works with pharmaceutical, biotechnology, precision agriculture, medical device and animal health companies.  Mike also regularly counsels entrepreneurial and closely-held businesses from start-up through growth stages in industries ranging from gaming to retail to technology.

Areas of Focus

Credentials

Recognition

  • The Best Lawyers in America®
    • Biotechnology and Life Sciences Practice (2010-2024)
    • Corporate Law (2010-2024)
    • Mergers & Acquisitions Law (2010-2024)
    • Securities/Capital Markets Law (2010-2024)
    • Venture Capital Law (2010-2024)
    • "Lawyer of the Year," Raleigh, Securities/Capital Markets Law (2020)
    • "Lawyer of the Year," Raleigh, Biotechnology and Life Sciences Practice (2015, 2019)
  • Business North Carolina Legal Elite 
  • Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Rated 
  • North Carolina Super Lawyers (2011-2021)

Education

  • Emory University, J.D., 1989
  • Columbia University, A.B., 1984

Bar & Court Admissions

Affiliations

  • Board Member, Research Triangle Chapter, National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) (2024-present) 
  • Council for Entrepreneurial Development (CED)
    • Board of Directors and Executive Committee (2015-2022)
    • Secretary (2016-2022)
  • North Carolina Bar Association
  • Wake County Bar Association
  • Past Director, Association for Corporate Growth, RTP Chapter
  • Founding Director, National Association of Corporate Directors, RTP Chapter
  • Past President, Temple Beth Or, Raleigh, NC

Experience

  • Advised a EU-based clinical research organization in a definitive agreement to acquire the pharmacovigilance business from a global, listed healthcare services company for approximately $10,000,000 in cash.
  • Represented a leading genome editing company dedicated to improving life in its $145.4 million initial public offering of 9,085,000 shares of common stock at a public offering price of $16.00 per share.
  • Lead counsel to a venture capital-funded genome editing company in a worldwide partnership, worth up to $1.6 billion, including an upfront payment of $105 million, with a global, publicly-traded pharmaceutical company to develop and commercialize allogeneic chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapies for multiple cancers. The transaction was awarded the 2016 Life Science sector Deals of Distinction™ award by the Licensing Executives Society and was awarded the 2016 Collaboration Impact Deal of the Year: High Range by LMG Life Sciences.
  • Represented a large, owner-operated, regional construction equipment dealer and distributor in connection with its acquisition by a global manufacturer of multiple lines of construction equipment in a cash deal for an undisclosed amount.
  • Advised a special materials company on the acquisition of a global supplier of tantalum, tungsten, and niobium particulates.
  • Advised a special materials company on the purchase of substantially all of the assets of a leading manufacturer of value-added ferrotitanium, titanium sponge, titanium powders, and specialty forms.
  • Advised a leading travel management company in a definitive agreement to acquire a corporate and leisure travel company.
  • Represented a private ag biotech company in a $400 million sale to public ag bio company in a cash and milestone-based transaction.
  • Advised leading global healthcare services company in acquisition of specialty laboratory and diagnostics products company.
  • Represented second and third generation owners in sale of their interests in family-owned industrial company in structured finance transaction.
  • Advised a leading healthcare services provider in the $60 million cash acquisition of a global sourcing company.
  • Represented a drug development company in $60 million late stage venture capital raising preferred stock financing (largest such deal in the Southeast at the time).
  • Represented the special board committee of portfolio company of large private equity fund in connection with financing transaction.
  • Advised a global CRO business in the staged acquisition of the leading interactive response technology provider for $75 million in value.
  • Advised a leading CRO in Asia in the acquisition of CRO assets in the United States.
  • Represents institutional investors in portfolio company financings, including seed financings of technology, life sciences and ag biotech companies.
  • Represented a healthcare IT company in connection with $100 million bid for strategic target in auction process and in multiple other acquisitions.
  • Advised a 100% Employee Stock Ownership Plan-owned company providing support services to the poultry industry in an acquisition by a private equity-backed buyer for approximately $21 million in cash and equity.
  • Advised a private materials and recycling technology company in its purchase of certain assets of a maker of emission control catalytic materials for the global automotive industry.
  • Represented a leading travel management company in multiple strategic acquisitions, including its purchase of the assets of a Canadian travel management company.
  • Advised a global contract research organization in a definitive agreement to merge with a North American contract research organization.
  • Advised a private scientific research, systems engineering, and design company in its purchase of a consulting firm.
  • Represents a manufacturer dealer network in strategic acquisitions for cash and stock of family-owned businesses for expansion and consolidation of network.
  • Represented a large contract research organization in strategic acquisition of global consulting firm.
  • Represents ESOP companies and trustees in sell-side and buy-side transactions.

Insights

News

Events & Programming

  • Guest, "Legal Traps for the Unwary Founders," Founded Connect Podcast
    Speaking Engagement
  • Moderator, "Investing in AgTech," AgTech Investor Symposium Presented by ACG Raleigh-Durham, Durham, N.C.
    Speaking Engagement
  • Co-Presenter, "The Money Food Chain - Sources of Capital for New & Growing Businesses (A Lawyer's Perspective)," NCACPA's 80th Annual Symposium, Greensboro, N.C.
    Speaking Engagement
  • Speaking Engagement
  • Speaker, "Hot Topic in the Agribusiness Sector," Ally Law's Americas Regional Conference, Montreal, Canada
    Event
  • Speaker, “Agribusiness and the Agtech Sector,” Ally Law’s 2018 Annual Client Conference, London, U.K.
    Event
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