Overview
Mike Abbott solves corporate and finance law challenges for clients ranging from startups and emerging growth companies to Fortune 500 corporations. He advises on strategic transactions and governance matters, including M&A, joint venture and capital transactions.
Mike partners with clients in industries such as financial services, insurance, and food and agribusiness.
Mergers & Acquisitions
Mike has represented buyers, sellers and institutional investors in many different types of M&A transactions. He has been the lead attorney advising clients such as NASCAR, Agrium and Aventine Renewable Energy Holdings on sales and acquisitions.
Finance and Restructuring
Mike strategically counsels clients on financial matters, including complex financial transactions and corporate debt restructurings. He has collaborated with lenders and borrowers in restructurings and workouts.
Emerging Companies, Private Equity and Venture Capital
Mike represents entrepreneurs, fast-growth companies and their investors at all stages of an enterprise's life.
General Corporate Counseling
Mike advises companies on general corporate matters, including corporate governance, contract preparation and negotiation, financing issues, restructurings, and ongoing strategic, transactional and regulatory matters.
Faculty Positions
- Drake University — Guest lecturer for MBA students on turnarounds and restructurings
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)
Experience
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June 2018 1 min readWinnebago Buys Boating Industry LeaderCorporate Group Mergers and Acquisitions
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March 2018 1 min readAg Company Sells Cattle Feeding Assets and FarmsAnimal Feed and Health Agribusiness Food & Agribusiness Corporate Group Mergers and Acquisitions Benefits and Executive Compensation
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November 2016 1 min readPolaris Industries Acquires Transamerican Auto PartsCorporate Group Mergers and Acquisitions
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March 2014 1 min readAventine-Mt Vernon LLC Sells to Valero Renewable Fuels CompanyCorporate Group Mergers and Acquisitions Environment and Energy
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November 2013 1 min readNASCAR Purchases Iowa SpeedwayCorporate Group Mergers and Acquisitions
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1 min readMultinational Insurer Receives Advice On Strategic Corporate MattersInsurance Services
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
- Volunteer Lawyers Network
- United Way of Central Iowa — Income Cabinet Member
- Greater YMCA Camp — Board Member
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.
Honors
- Chambers USA — Iowa, Corporate/M&A, 2015-20
- 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
- The Best Lawyers in America — Financial Services Regulation Law, 2012-20; Business Organizations, Corporate Law 2015-20, 2018-20; Mergers and Acquisitions Law, 2017-20; Securities/Capital Markets Law, 2017-20; Corporate Governance Law, 2017-20 (Des Moines Financial Services Regulation Law Lawyer of the Year, 2015, 2018-20)
- Des Moines Business Record — Forty Under 40, 2012