Nixon Peabody LLP is pleased to welcome Michael L. Lawhead as a partner in the Corporate practice, based in the firm’s Los Angeles office. Michael comes to the firm from Baker & Hostetler.
Michael advises public and private companies in a wide range of corporate and securities matters and transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, public and private offerings of equity and debt, joint ventures and other strategic collaborations, SEC reporting and compliance, and general corporate governance. His arrival at Nixon Peabody continues recent expansion of the firm’s West Coast team.
Earlier this year, the Los Angeles Corporate team welcomed counsel Farrah Usmani, whose practice focuses on music and entertainment, and counsel Richard Shamos, whose practice focuses on private investment products and fund formation.
“Michael has a strong sense for the trends that are driving the future of corporate and securities law, and we’re excited to welcome him to the firm,” said Todd Tidgewell, leader of Nixon Peabody’s Corporate practice. “His experience in securities law and work with publicly held companies, private equity and venture capital firms, and emerging growth companies will be an excellent complement to our Corporate practice group and growing group of California-based transactional attorneys.”
Michael has nearly 20 years of experience in capital markets and securities, mergers and acquisitions, venture capital, private equity, debt offerings, and general corporate governance matters. He represents clients ranging from emerging growth companies to large public companies, investment banks, venture capital funds, and private equity funds, and works across myriad industries including life sciences, health care, and technology.
While advising public and private companies, he serves as outside general counsel in general corporate and securities matters, including SEC reporting and compliance, Nasdaq and NYSE listing and compliance, corporate governance, investor relations, and executive compensation. Michael also has extensive experience representing both acquirers and target companies on numerous public and private mergers and acquisitions transactions.
“Michael is well regarded in the industry by his clients for forming active partnerships to help achieve their goals, and is recognized by his peers for his cross-disciplinary approach,” said Justin X. Thompson, Nixon Peabody’s Los Angeles office managing partner. “He is an excellent addition to our Los Angeles office as we continue to grow our West Coast Corporate team.”
Michael sits on the board of trustees of St. Mary’s School in Aliso Viejo, CA; is a member of the Association for Corporate Growth; and is a frequent guest lecturer in legal considerations for venture capital transactions at the Washington and Lee University School of Law and the University of St. Thomas School of Law. He earned his JD from the Washington and Lee University School of Law, cum laude, and a BA in political science from the University of California, Los Angeles.
