Bodman LLP
Practices & Industries
* Automotive
* Banking
* Business
* Construction
* Debtor-Creditor Rights and Bankruptcy
* Environmental
* Financial Crisis Response Team
* Health Care
* High Tech
* Individual Clients
* Intellectual Property
* Litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution
* Municipal Law and Finance
* Real Property
* Tax
* Workplace Law
The attorneys in Bodman's Business Law Practice Group routinely handle mergers and acquisitions, private equity transactions, venture capital transactions, securities matters, business planning, business entity formation, governance and other business law matters. Our experienced business lawyers are sophisticated, creative and practical. We operate efficiently in getting deals done and believe that we are a better value when compared to our peers. Our business lawyers pride themselves on offering the best service and rapid response to the needs of our clients. The prestigious journal Chambers USA has routinely ranked Bodman among Michigan's very best firms specializing in Corporate/M&A law based on comments received from our clients and peers. In its current edition, Chambers USA ranks Bodman’s Corporate/M&A practice as one of the top three in the state.
Our Services:
The following is a general overview of the Business Law Practice Group's areas of expertise:
Mergers & Acquisitions: As one of Michigan's leading M&A firms, our attorneys regularly handle all types of public and private mergers and acquisitions. We have extensive experience on both the buy and the sell side of transactions. We specialize in getting deals done efficiently and bringing a deal to closure, with a focus on advancing our client's business needs. Our attorneys pride themselves on being innovative and will work to further the interests of our clients, while not creating legal roadblocks to achieving their goals.
Venture Capital and Private Equity and Financings: We regularly advise clients (both issuers and investors) on capital-raising activities including private equity, venture capital, angel investments and other capital-raising transactions. Our lawyers have assisted clients with all aspects of financings, including structure, documentation, closings and post-closing matters. In a recent two-year period our venture capital and private equity specialists negotiated and closed more than 27 separate corporate finance transactions totaling more than $150 million, including seed and follow-on funding, venture capital funding, debt financing (including senior and mezzanine debt), funding and raising funds for a private investment entity.
Joint Ventures: We have significant experience working with joint ventures, both domestically and internationally. Bodman attorneys provide advice on all aspects of joint ventures, including structure, business terms and legal documentation. We also work with our clients to engage and manage foreign law firms as needed. In one representative transaction, we helped a Tier-1 automotive supplier establish joint ventures with manufacturers in Asia, Europe and Mexico that allowed it to bring products to market quickly and service customers across three continents.
Corporate Governance and Public Company Regulation: We assist publicly-held corporations in complying with the full range of corporate reporting and regulatory obligations, including requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission, the New York Stock Exchange and NASDAQ. Our experience in these areas involve preparation and review of required periodic reports (annual, quarterly and current) and proxy materials, as well as advising clients on disclosure issues, Section 16 and Regulation FD compliance, and Sarbanes-Oxley Act corporate governance and internal controls obligations. We also advise clients regarding legal issues arising from annual shareholder meetings, shareholder inquiries and shareholder proposals. We regularly serve as counsel on matters relating to boards of directors, special and other committees, and special investigative and litigation matters.
Commercial Agreements: We advise clients on all aspects of the procurement and licensing process, including development of requests for proposal, negotiating agreements with vendors, negotiating subsequent schedules, statements of work and amendments to agreements, and terminating agreements. We also assist businesses in developing standard vendor agreements for the acquisition of products, services and technology (software and hardware). With our assistance, our clients have saved millions of dollars on vendor contracts.
Emerging Industries and Start-Ups: We serve as corporate counsel to start-up and established businesses in the sectors that represent the future of Michigan’s economy, such as software, alternative energy, aerospace, biotechnology, and media. We help these companies optimize their business and tax structure, secure financing, commercialize technology, and develop strategic relationships. Whether setting up the original business entity or restructuring an existing one, we assist clients in choosing a corporate structure consistent with tax goals, capitalization and funding strategies, relationships among company founders, intellectual property realization, and plans for corporate growth.
Automotive Contracts: We have extensive experience with automotive contracts and related issues. Our lawyers have also acted as temporary in-house counsel for certain of our Tier 1 supplier clients. We have advised numerous companies regarding purchase order terms and conditions, terms and conditions of sale, supply agreements and service agreements. We have vast experience in counseling on issues such as adequate assurances, threats, injunctive relief, warranty claims, resourcing and others. We also have unique insight into M&A transactions involving the automotive world.
Closely Held Businesses: We specialize in advising closely held corporations, limited liability companies, and partnerships in all aspects of business formation and operations. Our comprehensive representation of closely held businesses often includes providing estate- and succession-planning advice to the business owners and their families.
International Business Transactions: Our international experience includes buying and selling businesses around the world, establishing joint ventures and buying or selling interests in joint ventures. In a recent transaction, we assisted a client in the sale of a software business located in the United States and India. While we assumed responsibility for the transaction overall, we also effectively managed the law firm engaged in India to successfully close the transaction. We have established relationships with law firms throughout Europe, Asia (including India and China), Oceania, and North and South America (including Canada and Mexico) that enable us to quickly and efficiently meet our clients’ needs and manage legal work around the globe.
Industry Focuses: We have aligned teams with respect to the following industries:
* Aviation
* Automotive
* Banking and Financial Services
* Biotechnology
* Computer Hardware and Software
* Construction
* Consumer Retailing
* Energy
* Franchising
* General Manufacturing
* Health Care
* Information Technology
* Insurance
* Life Sciences
* Media/Publishing
* Pharmaceuticals
* Professional Services
* Medical Technology
* Sports Franchises
* Telecommunications
* Transportation
Bodman LLP
Ford Field - 6th floor
1901 Saint Antoine St
Detroit MI 48226
Tel: 313 259-7777
Fax: 313 393-7579
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