J. Michael Wirvin

(he/him/his)

Partner

  • Overview

    Biography

    Michael Wirvin is a member of the firm's Business Transactions Group and a member of its Managing Committee. His practice includes the representation of domestic and international clients in transactions involving mergers, asset and stock acquisitions, private placements, public offerings, commercial secured financings, joint ventures, and other financial transactions.

    Mergers and Acquisitions

    Michael has represented clients in domestic and cross-border merger, acquisition, and disposition transactions for over two decades. He regularly assists buyers and sellers in the negotiation of complex acquisition and financing transactions and transaction structure. Michael acts as a trusted advisor to his clients, providing guidance not only on the legal aspects of a deal, but also on the practical steps to getting it done. He counsels clients in various industries, including food and beverage, software and technology, electrical distribution, shipping and warehouse logistics, manufacturing, consumer goods, and automotive.

    International

    Michael frequently represents clients in Canada, the United Kingdom, and other countries in connection with cross-border transactions with U.S. companies and with the establishment of U.S. operations. His clients include large multinationals, public companies, major banks, closely-held Canada Business Corporations Act (CBCA) companies, and provincial corporations. Michael regularly speaks and presents to foreign clients and professional groups on matters relating to doing business in the U.S., seeking and obtaining U.S. venture and private equity investment, accessing U.S. financial markets, and negotiating with U.S. buyers or sellers on cross-border M&A transactions. Before joining Robinson+Cole, he practiced corporate law in Canada.

    Venture Capital and Equity Finance

    Michael has significant experience working with start-up and emerging companies at all stages and in a variety of industry sectors, and he regularly advises private equity and venture capital clients at both the fund and portfolio company levels. He provides assistance with growth equity and convertible debt financings, investment purchase agreements, convertible note and warrant transactions, structured capital transactions, and equity/debt recapitalizations. He also counsels fund clients and sponsors on a wide range of ordinary-course as well as extraordinary corporate matters, including succession planning, key person transitions, co-investment arrangements and corporate governance matters.

    Commercial and Corporate Finance

    Michael assists clients with secured and unsecured bank, mezzanine, and other senior and subordinate lending. He represents borrowers, banks, funds, and other lenders, and counsels clients on how to structure, negotiate, and document both ordinary course loans as well as more complex financing transactions. He has significant experience representing Canadian banks with respect to international loan transactions involving security in multiple international jurisdictions. He also regularly represents lenders in structuring loan facilities secured by alternative collateral such as capital call rights, management and advisory fees, guarantee trusts and aircraft.

    Michael has been listed in Massachusetts Super Lawyers® in the area of Mergers & Acquisitions Law since 2010 (Super Lawyers is a registered trademark of Key Professional Media, Inc.).

  • Experience
    • Experience

      Experience

      • Represented Stacy’s Pita Chip Company (Stacy’s) and its shareholders in connection with the sale to PepsiCo, Inc. of all of the stock of Stacy’s and the real property of a related limited liability company.
      • Representation of New-England based precious metals manufacturing business in connection with the sale of substantially all of its assets to Illinois-based publicly traded auto parts company.

      • Representation of a multi-state U.S. electrical component supplier in connection with the sale of substantially all of its assets to a multi-national electrical distribution company.

      • Representation of UK-based software company in connection with its acquisition by merger of a Massachusetts based software development company.

      • Ongoing representation of a Canadian national bank, acting as U.S. counsel in connection with loan transactions in Central America, South America and the Caribbean. Transaction jurisdictions include Mexico, Panama, Colombia, Guatemala, Belize, Jamaica, Brazil, BVI, USVI, and Bahamas.

      • Regularly counsel international clients on U.S. matters relating to cross-border structuring, operations, finance, and acquisitions, with a particular focus on Canada-U.S. cross-border issues.

    • Honors + Awards

      Honors + Awards

      Selected to the 2010 and 2011 Massachusetts Super Lawyers lists.

      Robinson+Cole Diversity and Inclusion Award Recipient, 2018

    • Community Involvement

      Community Involvement

      DCF Kids Fund
      Board of Directors

      The Wonderfund
      Board of Directors (2013 - 2023)
      Clerk
      Secretary
  • NEWS + PRESS
    • Publications

      Publications

      "Business Structure," co-authored with Michael J. Kearney Jr., Jeffrey J. White and Jinhua (Anna) Wang, published in SelectUSA’s 2022 Investor Guide (June 2022)
      • » more info

      "Business Structure," co-authored with Jinhua (Anna) Wang, Michael J. Kearney Jr. and Jeffrey J. White, chapter published in SelectUSA’s June 2020 Investor Guide (6/17/2020)
      • » more info
      • View article

      "Trade Wars and the Automobile," contributor to update published by Mills & Reeve LLP (12/6/2018)
      • » more info
      • View article

    • Presentations

      Presentations

      "Business Structuring in the United States," as part of the Select USA 2021 Investment Summit (6/8/2021)
      • » more info

      "Investor Guide Webinar Mini-Series: An Overview of Common Business Structures," co-presented with Michael J. Kearney Jr., Jeffrey J. White and Jinhua (Anna) Wang, a virtual program presented by SelectUSA that featured comparisons of some common business structures used by foreign entities to conduct their U.S. operations. (8/14/2020)
      • » more info

      "U.S. Private Stock Purchase Transactions – Topics and Trends," at The European Connection – Corporate Meeting, held in Cambridge, United Kingdom (6/21/2017)
      • » more info

      "Expanding Your Business in the United States," presented to AceTech Ontario in Toronto, Ontario (2/22/2013)

      "How to Prepare for and Present Business Opportunities to U.S. Investors," presented to CleanTech North entrepreneurs in Toronto, Ontario (4/4/2012)

    • News

      R+C in the News

      • July 12, 2022

        Robinson+Cole Lawyers Author Business Structure Chapter of SelectUSA’s 2022 Investor Guide

        • » more info
      • June 19, 2020

        Anna Wang, Jeff White, Mike Wirvin, and Michael Kearney Author Business Structure Chapter of SelectUSA’s Investor Guide

        • » more info
        • View article
      • January 7, 2019

        Mike Wirvin Contributes to Mills & Reeve Article on “Trade Wars and the Automobile”

        • » more info
      • January 22, 2018

        Kathy Porter and Mike Wirvin Contribute to Mills & Reeve Study on International Opportunities for Middle Market Companies

        • » more info
      • December 13, 2017

        Boston Office Hosts Holiday Raffle in Support of Hurricane Relief Effort in Puerto Rico

        • » more info
      • August 25, 2017

        Michael Wirvin Presents at International Law Firm Event

        • » more info
      • February 3, 2017

        Boston Lawyers Join Annual Walk to the Hill

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      • January 31, 2017

        Boston Lawyers Attend Annual John & Abigail Adams Benefit

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      • December 18, 2015

        Boston Lawyers Participate in 2015 WomenUp Event

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      • December 19, 2014

        Boston Lawyers Address WomenUp Event

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      • August 14, 2014

        Robinson+Cole Lawyers Host Networking Event at 2014 ABA Annual Meeting

      • March 19, 2013

        Boston Lawyers Present to Software Companies in Ontario

        • » more info
      • April 20, 2012

        Business Transactions Partners Present to Canadian CleanTech CEOs

        • » more info
      • December 19, 2011

        Boston Attorney Michael Wirvin Joins DCF Kids Fund

        • » more info
      • July 22, 2011

        Q2 Deal Report

        • » more info
      • June 7, 2011

        “Competition for Capital in the Private Markets – What LP Investors Want in 2011” – A Signature Series Event at Robinson & Cole

        • » more info
      • July 23, 2010

        J. Michael Wirvin Appointed to Board of Directors of Massachusetts Department of Children and Families Kids Fund

        • » more info

      R+C News Releases

      • August 13, 2018

        Robinson+Cole Presents Annual Awards for Outstanding Contributions

      • March 26, 2014

        Michael Wirvin Elected to Robinson & Cole’s Managing Committee

        • » more info
        • View article
    • Legal Updates/Newsletters

      Legal Updates/Newsletters

      "The Coronavirus (COVID-19) and Material Adverse Effect Clause" co-authored with Jinhua (Anna) Wang and Kathleen M. Porter (3/23/20)