Joe Michaels has been selected for Crain’s Chicago Business’ “40 Under 40” list for 2025. The list recognizes a select group of professional leaders across Chicago, representing “a generation balancing innovation with responsibility, leading across industries and communities … with the vision, drive and dedication to carry our city forward.” Joe was recognized for his work on high-profile and high-stakes M&A transactions and corporate governance matters, including for General Electric, Walgreens Boots Alliance, State Farm, Cabela’s, US Foods, Churchill Downs, Core Scientific, and Starwood, among many others.
A trusted corporate advisor and dealmaker, Joe handles high-profile transactional and corporate governance matters for clients across a broad range of industries, including healthcare, consumer goods, industrials, mining and energy, financial services, technology, and real estate and infrastructure services. Joe represents public and private companies and private capital investors in a wide variety of merger and acquisition transactions. The complex strategic transactions he leads on behalf of clients include company sales, leveraged acquisitions, carve-outs, spin-offs, take-privates, mergers of equals, significant investments, and joint ventures. Joe also serves as a trusted and experienced advisor to companies and their boards of directors in their capital raising activities and sensitive corporate governance and disclosure matters, including with respect to fiduciary duties and SEC disclosure.
