Michael Tarwater represents private equity sponsors and their portfolio companies, strategic acquirers, business founders, high net worth individuals, management teams, and ESOP trustees in a broad array of M&A and general corporate activities.

Overview

Michael’s practice primarily focuses on evaluating, structuring, negotiating, and executing middle market M&A deals for both strategic and financial buyers/sellers. He has experience in closing cross-border transactions by working productively with both foreign companies and foreign counsel. Michael frequently represents companies and trustees in the implementation of employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs) and other transactions involving ESOP companies, including ESOP administration issues and transactions involving the sale of ESOP-owned companies. Michael counsels privately held companies with drafting and negotiating commercial contracts, corporate governance documents, including guidance regarding the formation and structure of entities, incentive compensation and other corporate matters.

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

Notable

Notable

  • Best Lawyers in America, Corporate Law and Mergers and Acquisitions Law "Ones to Watch," 2021-2024
  • Board Member, Children’s Theatre of Charlotte

News

Affiliations

Affiliations

  • American Bar Association
  • North Carolina Bar Association
  • Mecklenburg County Bar
  • Charlotte Succession
  • Levine Children's Hospital, Starlight Society Board Member, 2012-2014

Education

J.D., Charlotte School of Law, 2012

M.B.A., University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 2009

B.A., Southern Methodist University, 2007

Admissions

  • South Carolina, 2013
  • U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina, 2013
  • North Carolina, 2012
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Best Lawyers in America, Corporate Law and Mergers and Acquisitions Law "Ones to Watch," 2021-2024

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