Michael N. Cannell
Senior Counsel
Corporate
Michael advises clients on complex corporate transactions, including mergers, acquisitions, dispositions, and leveraged buyouts. He represents strategic acquirers, private equity sponsors, independent sponsors, and closely held businesses across a range of industries. His work spans the full deal cycle, from the initial letter of intent through closing and post-closing integration. Michael also serves as outside general counsel to a number of companies, advising on business formation, equity structuring, governance, and succession planning.
A significant part of Michael's practice involves accounting firms, which he advises on M&A transactions, alternative practice structures, firm governance, and partner and shareholder arrangements. He counsels firms evaluating private equity investment, including the structuring of MSO arrangements and the restructuring of partner economics that these transactions require.
Clients appreciate how Michael combines legal knowledge with business acumen to deliver practical solutions that achieve their goals. He enjoys working with clients to identify and implement the most effective path to their business objectives.
Before joining LP, Michael advised Main Street businesses as a partner at Reed, Heller & Cannell and represented private equity clients in middle-market M&A transactions at Kirkland & Ellis.
Outside the office, Michael enjoys all things soccer, from watching to playing to coaching his daughters.
Additional Information
Education
- DePaul University College of Law, J.D., summa cum laude
- Southern Illinois University, M.A.
- University of Illinois, B.A.
Bar Admissions
- Illinois
- Board Member – Carbondale Junior Sports (Non-profit)
What is the most interesting part of your job?
The most interesting part of my job is working with clients, colleagues, counterparties and other advisors to identify the optimal structure for business deals. Unlike litigation, which is more adversarial, corporate transactional work is often collaborative, in which everyone strives to reach a deal that is satisfactory to all parties involved.What was your first pet?
My family had dogs and cats growing up. My first pet as an adult was a redbone coonhound named Kingsley. Being a hound (more of a southern hunting dog) in Chicago, Kingsley drew lots of attention on walks from passersby.What’s the biggest mistake attorneys can make?
The biggest mistake attorneys can make is trying to hide a mistake in hopes that no one will notice. Everyone makes mistakes. When you do, it’s best to own it so that you can do what needs to be done to correct it. If you try to hide a mistake, you will inevitably make the problem worse.What was your very first job?
In high school, I was a busboy at my dad’s restaurant. That was my first real experience where I had to roll up my sleeves and get my hands dirty (literally).
“Mike’s strong legal perspective has served us not only as a lawyer but as a trusted advisor when making business decisions. We’ve worked with Mike through all aspects of a business lifecycle from creation to acquisition and he’s been indispensable at every juncture.” —Howard Avner, client