Michael Tarwater

Michael Tarwater is an experienced attorney focusing on mergers & acquisitions and corporate law. He represents private equity sponsors, portfolio companies, strategic acquirers, business founders, high-net-worth individuals, management teams, and ESOP trustees across a wide range of corporate activities. His practice is concentrated on evaluating, structuring, negotiating, and executing middle-market M&A transactions for both strategic and financial buyers and sellers.

With extensive experience in closing cross-border transactions, Michael works seamlessly with foreign companies and counsel to ensure successful outcomes. He is also a trusted advisor to companies and trustees in the creation and administration of Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) and regularly handles transactions involving the sale of ESOP-owned companies.

In addition to his M&A work, Michael provides counsel to privately held companies on various corporate matters, including drafting and negotiating commercial contracts, corporate governance documents, and advising on entity formation, structure, and incentive compensation plans. 

Representative Experience

• Represented a wealth management firm in its $170 million sale to a strategic buyer
• Represented an ESOP in its $100 million stock purchase of a New York based construction company becoming 100% employee owned
• Represented a lumber company in its $187 million redemption and subsequent stock sale to its employees
• Represented an Austrian logistics company in its $32 million stock purchase of a US – based trucking company
• Represented an Italian leather goods company in its $27 million stock purchase of a US – based leather hide wholesale distributor
• Represented an ESOP in its $67 million stock purchase of a leading educational consulting and curriculum design business becoming 100% employee owned
• Represented a national tool rental company in its $265 million stock sale to a home improvement retailer