Overview
Mike Abbott focuses on corporate and finance law for clients ranging from startups and emerging growth clients to public Fortune 500 companies. Mike is regularly involved in advising companies, financial investors and boards around the country on strategic and governance matters including M&A, joint venture and capital transactions, and development and implementation of strategic endeavors. Mike also assists clients with compliance, business planning, governance and corporate finance. Mike works with clients in a number of industries including financial services, insurance, technology, and food and beverage, serving in an outside general counsel function and as a strategic advisor to several companies.
Mergers and Acquisitions
Over the last several years, Mike has led more than 100 M&A transactions — ranging in transaction value from under $5 million to more than $2 billion — representing buyers, sellers, joint venture partners and strategic and institutional investors in many different types of transactions. He has been a repeat M&A advisor to clients such as Winnebago Industries, Polaris Industries, Nutrien, Midwest Growth Partners, American Enterprise Group, Homesteaders Life Company and Farmers Mutual Hail, among others.
Finance and Restructuring
Mike strategically counsels companies on financial matters including complex financial transactions and corporate debt and equity restructurings. He has collaborated with lenders and borrowers in restructurings and workouts.
Private Equity and Venture Capital
Mike represents institutional and private equity investors in minority and majority equity and debt investments in early-stage companies, and has led numerous FinTech, InsurTech and AgTech transactions.
Corporate Counseling
Mike advises private companies and mutual insurance companies and their boards on oversight responsibilities, board and committee structures and fiduciary duties. He also assists private, closely held companies in strategic matters including leadership transitions, the establishment of investment and diversification strategies, corporate restructurings and other matters.
Thought Leadership
Mike is a frequent speaker and provides thought leadership in the areas of M&A and industry disruption.
Mike is the founder and chair of Faegre Drinker's annual M&A Conference in Des Moines, which is Iowa’s largest M&A conference
Mike is currently serving as the co-chair of the Global Insurance Symposium, an annual insurance industry event at which he has also moderated panels of executives on topics including leadership, innovation and attracting talent.
Services & Industries
Credentials
Bar Admissions
Iowa
Education
University of Iowa College of Law
J.D. with high distinction, Order of the Coif, Journal of Corporation Law (articles editor) (2005)
University of Iowa Tippie School of Management
M.B.A. Beta Gamma Sigma (2005)
Iowa State University
B.S. in Finance, with distinction, (top 2% of graduating class), graduate of University Honors Program, Cardinal Key (2000)
Insights & Events
Insights
Other Perspectives
- Recent M&A Trends in the Food & Agriculture Industries: Consolidations, Divestitures, Addressing Consumer Sentiment and Fueling Growth
Moderator, 2016 Food & Agriculture National Conference, Faegre Baker Daniels, Indianapolis, May 2016
Leadership & Community
Professional Associations
- Iowa State Bar Association
- Polk County Bar Association
- American Bar Association
Civic Activities
- United Way of Central Iowa – Board Member, Vice Chair – Income, Executive Committee Member
- Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden – Board Member, Vice Chair – Treasurer, Executive Committee Member
- Greater Des Moines Partnership – Board Member, Downtown Board
Firm Leadership
Mike is a member of the firm's national food and agribusiness industry steering committee and serves as the leader for the industry team's corporate practice area.
Mike has also been involved in firm governance, serving multiple times as a member of the firm’s nominating committee. Further, Mike has co-chaired committees charged with exploring and executing on several firm strategic initiatives.
Honors
- Chambers USA — Iowa, Corporate/M&A, 2015-21
- Chambers USA — Iowa, Corporate/M&A, "Up and Coming" Lawyer, 2014
- BTI's Client Service All-Stars, 2019
- M&A Advisor's Emerging Leaders, 2016
- Corporate INTL Global Awards— Iowa M&A Attorney of the Year, 2014
- Great Plains Super Lawyers — Securities and Corporate Finance, Mergers & Acquisitions, Banking, 2013-18
- Best Lawyers® — Financial Services Regulation Law, 2012-22 (Lawyer of the Year - Financial Services Regulation Law, 2022); Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Corporate Law 2015-22; Mergers and Acquisitions Law, 2017-22; Securities/Capital Markets Law, 2017-20; Corporate Governance Law, 2017-22 (Des Moines Financial Services Regulation Law Lawyer of the Year, 2015, 2018-21)
- Des Moines Business Record — Forty Under 40, 2012