Michael D. DuBay

Mike DuBay concentrates his practice on complex business transactions, with a particular focus on structuring and negotiating acquisitions, leveraged buyouts, mergers, joint ventures, recapitalizations, growth equity investments, restructurings, and workouts. 

Mike executes these transactions on behalf of private equity funds, family offices, independent sponsors, and their respective portfolio companies, as well as on behalf of closely held businesses in sales to both financial and strategic buyers. He manages transactions in a wide variety of industries, including manufacturing, industrials, healthcare, building products, automotive, distribution, education, food products, and software. Mike also regularly provides wide ranging legal advice to many closely held businesses and the portfolio companies of private equity sponsors.

Mike’s “terrific” reputation as an excellent negotiator—“practical, effective and tough” (Chambers USA)—is built on his tenure of handling hundreds of transactions during his career.

In addition to his client work, Mike is a member of the firm’s Board of Directors and its Executive Committee.

Practice Areas

Representative Matters

Mike has handled hundreds of complex business transactions in a range of industry sectors across the United States on behalf of private equity funds, family offices, independent sponsors and their respective portfolio companies, as well as many closely held businesses. He also counsels many closely held businesses, including numerous portfolio companies of private equity funds, family offices, and independent sponsors.

• Represented Center Rock Capital Partners in connection with its acquisition and investment activities and provided ongoing counsel to its portfolio companies
• Represented O2 Investment Partners since its formation in connection with its acquisition, investment, and disposition activities and provided ongoing counsel to its portfolio companies
• Represented Rockbridge Growth Equity since its formation in connection with its acquisition, investment, and disposition activities and provided ongoing counsel to its portfolio companies
• Represented TRP Capital Partners in connection with its acquisition and investment activities and provided ongoing counsel to its portfolio companies
• Acted as outside counsel to US LBM Holdings since its formation, including in connection with its acquisition and investment activities
• Represented numerous closely held businesses in sales to both financial and strategic buyers, with aggregate enterprise value in excess of $5 billion
• Represented numerous independent sponsors in connection with their acquisition and investment activities

Prior Experience

• Kirkland & Ellis LLP, 1997-2003

Education

Admissions

Awards

• The M&A Advisor: 2017 Turnaround Award Winner
  
  • Distressed M&A Deal of the Year (Over $250MM to $500MM)
• Listed in Chambers USA, 2012-2024
  • Recognized in Corporate/M&A in Michigan; Chambers USA states: 
    • "Mike is excellent. He is extremely experienced on corporate matters and has very good commercial judgment." "Michael is a great partner who understands the full client service model."
    • "Michael DuBay is widely respected for his strong track record in private equity. Having conducted a number of significant acquisitions, he is skilled in sales and dispositions, investments and corporate governance.”
    • “Clients describe Michael as ‘knowledgeable, responsive, articulate,’ with one adding, ‘He is a very good lawyer and he runs a very strong practice.’”
    • One of his peers depicts him as 'a great lawyer, he is my top choice when it comes to conflict-of-interest referrals.'"
    • "Michael DuBay guides clients through acquisitions, debt financing and private equity transactions. Market sources remark that he is 'very talented.'"
    • "Michael DuBay advises clients on acquisitions and sales in the private equity market and is praised by one source as 'one of the go-to lawyers in town.'"
    • "Michael DuBay advises on a range of acquisitions and dispositions as well as matters of corporate governance. He co-heads the firm's private equity practice and is described by sources as 'a fabulous lawyer' with a 'terrific' reputation in the market."
    • "Michael DuBay has over two decades of experience in the corporate market and is described by commentators as a 'very bright, practical and reasoned lawyer.' He routinely advises prominent clients on finance and investment deals, as well as a range of complex M&A transactions."
    • "Michael DuBay has a fine reputation in the private equity and venture capital arena, and excels in secured and subordinated financing. He is also much sought after for his corporate governance work."
    • "[Mike] leads the firm's private equity practice group, and is recognized in particular for his abilities within the spheres of private equity and venture capital. He is praised as solution-oriented and 'practical, effective and tough.'"
    • "'Very strong practitioner' Michael DuBay is noted for handling private equity transactions. Clients highlight his 'good commercial instincts' and 'deep transactional experience.'"
    • "Michael DuBay is commended for his transactional work involving private equity and venture capital funds. Clients praise him as a 'very strong negotiator who puts us in a very favorable position in our deals.'"
• The Best Lawyers in America, 2016-2025
  • Recognized in practice areas of Corporate Law and Mergers and Acquisitions Law
• DBusiness, Top Lawyers, 2011-2013, 2017-2018, and 2022-2025
• Michigan Super Lawyers, 2011-2024
  • Recognized as one of the:
    • Top 100 Super Lawyers, 2014-2018
    • Top 50 Business Super Lawyers, 2014-2016
  • Recognized as a Rising Star, 2008-2010
• Law Bulletin Media
  • Leading Lawyers, Closely & Privately Held Business Law, 2017, 2023-2024
  • Leading Lawyers, Mergers & Acquisition Law, 2017, 2023-2024
  • Leading Lawyers, Publicly Held Corporations Law, 2017, 2023-2024
  • Leading Lawyers, Securities & Venture Finance Law, 2017, 2023-2024

Professional & Community Involvement

• American Bar Association
  • Business Law Section
    • Committee on Negotiated Acquisitions
    • Subcommittee on Private Equity M&A
• State Bar of Michigan
  • Business Law Section
• Birmingham Country Club, Birmingham, Michigan
  • Past President and Director
• St. Regis Parish, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan
  • Past Member, Finance Council
• Christ Child Society of Detroit, Detroit, Michigan
  • Member, Advisory Council  

News

Press Releases

Events