Introduction
My focus
I work with clients ranging from privately held emerging growth companies to large public companies as well as investment banks, venture capital funds and private equity funds, primarily in the life sciences, healthcare, and technology industries.
Securities and Capital Markets
I represent companies and investment banks (as underwriters, placement agents, and sales agents) in primary and secondary public offerings of debt and equity securities. I also advise publicly held companies in complying with federal securities laws and regulations and stock exchange listing rules, particularly with respect to disclosure and corporate governance obligations.
M&A and Corporate Transactions
I represent acquirors and targets, both public and private, in a range of M&A transactions, including mergers, stock and asset acquisitions, tender offers, and going private transactions. I also work with emerging growth companies in myriad matters ranging from formation to funding to exits (and all things in between).
Outside General Counsel
I act as outside general counsel to assist clients in general corporate and securities matters, including SEC reporting and compliance, Nasdaq and NYSE listing and compliance, corporate governance, investor relations, and executive compensation.
Representative experience
Michael joined Nixon Peabody in August 2021. The representative work set forth below may reflect experience from prior firms.
Capital Markets
- Represented a Nasdaq-listed biopharmaceutical company in its $329.3 million underwritten public offering of common stock
- Represented a Nasdaq-listed biopharmaceutical company in its $143.8 million underwritten public follow-on offering of common stock
- Represented a Nasdaq-listed medical device company in its $110 million underwritten public offering of convertible senior notes
- Represented a Nasdaq-listed medical device company in its $75 million underwritten public offering of convertible senior notes
- Represented a Nasdaq-listed medical device company in multiple underwritten public offerings and private placement (PIPE) offerings of common stock
- Represented a Nasdaq-listed pharmaceutical company in multiple underwritten public offerings of common stock
- Represented a Nasdaq-listed pharmaceutical company in its initial public offering of common stock
- pharmacy management and software company
- Represented a privately held digital health company in its merger with a Nasdaq-listed healthcare improvement company
- Represented a privately held biopharmaceutical company in its merger with a Nasdaq-listed biopharmaceutical company
- Represented a Nasdaq-listed medical device company in its merger with a Nasdaq-listed medical device company
- Represented a Nasdaq-listed medical device company in its acquisition of a privately held medical device company
- Represent multiple healthcare-focused investment funds in private placement offerings of equity and debt
- Represent multiple privately held companies in private placement offerings of equity and debt
Mergers and Acquisitions
Venture Capital
Looking ahead
We will continue to see a heightened focus on issues of climate and other environmental, social, and governance matters, particularly as they relate to federal and state securities laws and regulations, stock exchange listing rules, and accompanying disclosure obligations for publicly held companies, diversity and inclusion at the board level and otherwise, and related risks and opportunities.
/Insights
- “Diversity in Corporate America,” Nixon Peabody 2023 California MCLE Virtual Seminar, January 20, 2023
- “Final SEC Pay Versus Performance Rule: New Expanded Executive Compensation Disclosures for 2023,” Strafford CLE Webinar, December 20, 2022
- “Legal Essentials for Life Sciences Entrepreneurs: What early-stage founders need to know to scale and safeguard their companies,” Biocom California's Capital Connect: Virtual Investor Roadshow, February 17, 2022
- “LA Investor Outlook,”4th Annual Greater Los Angeles CEO Summit, Los Angeles, CA, October 20, 2021
In the news
- Forbes
Smosh’s next chapter: How Anthony Padilla & Ian Hecox bought back their historic YouTube channel
Oct 2, 2023This article on internet celebrities Anthony Padilla and Ian Hecox discussing why they bought back their Smosh YouTube channel from Mythical Entertainment mentions NP for being instrumental in negotiating the deal. Padilla and his company, Pressalike Productions, are represented by Corporate partner and Entertainment team leader Ellie Heisler and Corporate partner Michael Lawhead, both of the Los Angeles office.
- Variety
Smosh co-founders Anthony Padilla, Ian Hecox reunite to acquire comedy brand from Rhett & Link
June 20, 2023This article covers Smosh co-founders Anthony Padilla and Ian Hecox repurchasing the YouTube comedy brand from Mythical Entertainment. The article mentions Corporate partner and Entertainment team leader Ellie Heisler and Corporate partner Michael Lawhead, both of the Los Angeles office, for representing Padilla and his company, Pressalike Productions, in the transaction.
- The Deal
Trinity Hunt takes majority stake in Supreme Optimization
March 15, 2023This article covering Trinity Hunt Partners’ majority investment in life sciences digital marketing agency Supreme Optimization mentions Los Angeles Corporate partner Mike Lawhead for leading the NP team representing Supreme in the transaction. The NP team also included Corporate partners Christian Hancey of Rochester, Shahzad Malik of Los Angeles, and Andrew Share of Manchester; San Francisco Labor & Employment partner Seth Neulight; Corporate associates Brian Kenney from Washington, DC and Jacalyn Smith from Chicago; and Los Angeles senior paralegal Mina Gonzaque-Taylor and Chicago paralegal Astrid McGruder, both of the Corporate practice.
- Mergers & Acquisitions
Trinity Hunt Partners invests in Supreme Optimization
March 14, 2023This article covering Trinity Hunt Partners’ majority investment in life sciences digital marketing agency Supreme Optimization mentions NP for serving as Supreme’s legal advisor in the deal. Los Angeles Corporate partner Michael Lawhead led the NP deal team, which also included Corporate partners Christian Hancey of Rochester, Shahzad Malik of Los Angeles, and Andrew Share of Manchester; San Francisco Labor & Employment partner Seth Neulight; Corporate associates Jacalyn Smith of Chicago and Brian Kenney of Washington, DC; and Los Angeles senior paralegal Mina Gonzaque-Taylor and Chicago paralegal Astrid McGruder, both of the Corporate practice.
- Bloomberg Law
Wake up call
This roundup of notable legal news and moves mentions the arrival of Los Angeles Corporate partner Michael Lawhead, who focuses his practice on a range of mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance, capital markets, private equity, and securities.Aug 30, 2021
Admitted to practice
California
Education
University of California, Los Angeles, B.A., Political Science
Washington and Lee University School of Law, J.D., cum laude
Professional activities
Michael is a member of the American and the Orange County bar associations. In addition, Michael is a member of the Association for Corporate Growth, a middle-market focused networking group. Michael is also 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.
Insights And Happenings
View AllProfessionals in the Practice Area
View AllChristopher P. Keefe
Partner / Chair, Business & Finance Department- Boston
- Office:+1 617.345.1350
- ckeefe@nixonpeabody.com
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Todd Tidgewell
Partner / Leader, Corporate Practice Group- Albany
- Office:+1 518.427.2705
- ttidgewell@nixonpeabody.com
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Lori B. Green
Partner / Co-Leader, M&A and Corporate Transactions Team / Co-Leader, Cannabis Practice- Rochester
- Office:+1 585.263.1236Mobile:+1 585.281.3076
- lgreen@nixonpeabody.com
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Robert A. Drobnak
Partner / Practice Group Co-leader, Global Finance- Chicago
- Office:+1 312.977.4348
- radrobnak@nixonpeabody.com
-