Michael Shaw

Practice Areas

Mike serves as the head of Much's Private Equity and Add-On Acquisition practices, and is a member of Much's Management Committee. He draws on more than 20 years of business law experience to represent clients in a variety of corporate matters, including mergers and acquisitions, private equity transactions, and general business counseling.

Mike represents private equity funds and independent sponsors with respect to platform and add-on acquisitions and portfolio company matters, such as assisting with day-to-day legal issues. He also frequently represents entrepreneurial business owners who are selling their companies or raising capital.

Mike founded the firm's Add-On Acquisitions practice, recognizing that private equity firms desire a smarter, more efficient way to handle add-on acquisitions. His practical approach combined with his deep experience allows him to get deals closed while mitigating risk. Mike's work spans add-on acquisitions ranging from $1 million to over $100 million.

In addition to his transactional practice, Mike serves as outside general counsel to many privately held businesses. Acting as a strategic advisor, he routinely handles contract drafting and review, startup and formation issues, and corporate structuring and governance matters.

Career

Mike is a member of the firm's Management Committee and co-chair of the Summer Associates Program. He previously served for eight years as chair of the Corporate & Finance group and is the former attorney advisor to the firm's Marketing Department.

Mike is a member of Much Community, the firm’s social responsibility initiative, which drives Much’s involvement in charitable and community organizations.

Professional Memberships

Association for Corporate Growth

American Bar Association

Illinois State Bar Association

Chicago Bar Association, Former Co-Chair of the Corporate Law Committee of the Young Lawyers Section

Publications

Mike regularly writes articles on corporate and private equity legal issues, including a chapter in the ebook Corporate Law Lessons for CEOs: Top Professional Corporate Lawyers Share What They Know Best. His industry commentary is often featured in publications such as Axial, Business News Daily, and Law360. Mike also gives presentations that cover a wide range of topics, including mergers and acquisitions, private equity business succession planning, conducting due diligence, drafting purchase agreements, and structuring earnouts.

Personal

Mike is a former president and member of the board of directors of the Jewish Council for Youth Services. He is also actively involved in the Jewish United Fund’s Lawyers Division.