Michael leads Neal Gerber Eisenberg’s Private Equity, Venture Capital & Growth Companies practice, as well as its Fund Formation & Investment Management practice. Michael primarily represents private equity sponsors, venture investors, private funds, private equity and venture-backed companies, executives, and family offices.
His extensive experience in complex transactional and corporate governance matters makes him an invaluable asset to his clients, who turn to him for advice on mergers and acquisitions, private equity and venture capital investments, and portfolio company operations, fund formation, negotiations with respect to sponsor management companies and GPs, GP ownership stakes, seeding investments, and fund and co-investments.
Clients appreciate Michael’s ability to simplify complex issues and help them focus on long-term financial and business considerations. His aptitude for evaluating risks and providing clear, actionable advice makes him a trusted advisor in high-stakes transactions and business operations.
Michael’s practical experience as an investor, where he sourced, evaluated, and closed venture capital transactions, has honed his ability to build enduring relationships and connect people within his network to foster business growth. This direct investment experience is a significant asset, allowing him to offer unique insights and add substantial value to his clients’ ventures.
Michael leads Neal Gerber Eisenberg’s Private Equity, Venture Capital & Growth Companies practice, as well as its Fund Formation & Investment Management practice. Michael primarily represents private equity sponsors, venture investors, private funds, private equity and venture-backed companies, executives, and family offices.
His extensive experience in complex transactional and corporate governance matters makes him an invaluable asset to his clients, who turn to him for advice on mergers and acquisitions, private equity and venture capital investments, and portfolio company operations, fund formation, negotiations with respect to sponsor management companies and GPs, GP ownership stakes, seeding investments, and fund and co-investments.
Clients appreciate Michael’s ability to simplify complex issues and help them focus on long-term financial and business considerations. His aptitude for evaluating risks and providing clear, actionable advice makes him a trusted advisor in high-stakes transactions and business operations.
Michael’s practical experience as an investor, where he sourced, evaluated, and closed venture capital transactions, has honed his ability to build enduring relationships and connect people within his network to foster business growth. This direct investment experience is a significant asset, allowing him to offer unique insights and add substantial value to his clients’ ventures.
Recognized in Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business for Corporate/M&A: Private Equity, Michael is praised by clients for his investor experience and problem-solving approach. As one client noted, “He truly understands a lawyer’s role and where his advice can add value to a transaction,” while another highlighted his open-mindedness and solution-oriented mindset.
Michael is currently on the board of the Renaissance Society at the University of Chicago. He is an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Entrepreneurship at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. Additionally, Michael is a frequent guest lecturer at Chicago Booth, the Kellogg School of Management, and the Northwestern Pritzker School of Law, and works with the Zell Fellows Program at Kellogg. Michael is also a member of the firm’s Executive Committee.
Industry Commentary
Michael has become a go-to source for journalists writing in the private equity and RIA spaces.
“I for sure think that the increase in interest rates last week and the hawkish implications by the Fed will have an impact on the volume of deals as well as on pricing. There’s no question that higher rates and the specter of higher rates will more likely than not push the price of deals down.” – InvestmentNews
“There’s no question that higher rates and the specter of higher rates will more likely than not push the price of deals down.” – InvestmentNews
“Generally, an RIA deal is money upfront, money for retention of clients and an earnout based on growth of the underlying client assets under management.” – InvestmentNews
“One thing you could see is buyers asking for more rollover, and then they come out of pocket with less cash, which means they’ve borrowed less and given more, hopefully, upside to the seller in valuable rollover equity. There are levers besides valuation that can be turned in a higher rate environment. The easiest one, if the sellers are willing, is to still pay a high multiple but ask for more rollover.” – InvestmentNews