Warner is current in how the business and risks of banking are changing. Having supported financial institutions through many decades of regulation, compliance, protection, problem-solving and growth, Warner attorneys uniquely understand and view each organization in its entirety – starting with their goals and opportunities. Always efficient, practical and collaborative, our clients tell us, “You make my job so much easier.”
If you are a banking or financial services entity, we get you – including how you operate, how you make money and how you are regulated – and we apply that deep understanding to serve you in a thoughtful and comprehensive way. Our experience in and commitment and connections to this industry are unparalleled, running deeper than those of any other law firm in Michigan. Whether representing global financial institutions on loans to fund major construction projects that contribute to the rebirth of Detroit or serving as a trusted advisor to the smaller banks that are the lifeblood of our Michigan communities, we are proud of our banking heritage and strive to honor it every day.
experience
Deal Announcements
- Warner Represented First State Bank of Decatur in its Sale to GTSB Financial, Inc.
- Warner Represented ChoiceOne Financial Services, Inc. in its Merger with Fentura Financial, Inc. and Underwritten Public Offering of Common Stock
- Warner Represented Freeland State Bank in Its Merger with Thumb Bancorp, Inc.
- Warner Represented Lumin Financial in its Sale to Perigon Wealth Management
- Warner Represents Macatawa Bank Corporation in Its Pending Merger with Wintrust Financial Corporation
- Warner Represented Syntrinsic in Its Transaction with IMA Financial Group
- Warner Represented Earth Equity Advisors in its Partnership with Prime Capital Investment Advisors
- Warner Represented Rehmann in its Acquisition of Vestal & Wiler
- Warner Represented Heber Fuger Wendin in Its Sale to Mariner Wealth Advisors
- Warner Represents Donnelly Penman & Partners in the Placement of $6 Million of Subordinated Notes by Union Financial Corporation
- Warner Represents Performance Trust Capital Partners in the Placement of $75 Million of Subordinated Notes by Arbor Bancorp, Inc.
- Warner Represented West Shore Bank Corporation in the Offering of $20 Million of Subordinated Notes
- Warner Represented ChoiceOne Financial Services, Inc. in the Offering of $32.5 Million of Subordinated Notes
- Warner Represented Boenning & Scattergood, Inc. In the Placement of $35 Million of Subordinated Debt by Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc.
- Warner Represented Lake Financial Corporation in Its Completion of $15 Million Subordinated Debt Offering
- Warner Represents Horizon Bank in Acquisition of 14 TCF Branches
- Warner Represented Southern Michigan Bancorp, Inc. In Its Completion of $30 Million Subordinated Debt Offering
- Warner Represents Keweenaw Financial Corporation in Subordinated Notes Offering
- Warner Represents Sturgis Bancorp, Inc. in Subordinated Notes Offering
- Warner Represented CCL Industries Inc. in US$600 Million Offering of 3.050% Notes Due 2030
- Warner Represented Donnelly Penman & Partners as Placement Agent in $15 Million Common Stock Offering
- Warner Represented CCL Industries Inc. in US$500 Million Offering of 3.25% Senior Notes Due 2026
Strengths Snapshot
- Antitrust and regulatory compliance – Brian Masternak
- Asset-based lending – Matthew Casey, Rob Davies, Mark Wassink
- Bank formations – Charlie Goode, Jeffrey Ott, Malaina Weldy
- Bank succession planning – Charlie Goode, Jeffrey Ott
- Bank trust departments – Mark Harder
- Banking litigation – Thomas Amon, Kristina Munsters
- Banking M&A – Charlie Goode, Jeffrey Ott, Emily Cantor
- Banking regulation – Rodney Martin, Malaina Weldy
- Bond transactions – Rob Davies
- Cannabis banking – Rodney Martin, Malaina Weldy
- Commercial finance – Matthew Casey, Rob Davies, Mark Wassink
- Commercial lending – Matthew Casey, Rob Davies, Mark Wassink
- Community banks – Charlie Goode, Rodney Martin, Jeffrey Ott
- Community development financial institutions (CDFIs) – Charlie Goode, Timothy Horner
- Community loan documentation – Matthew Casey, Rob Davies, Mark Wassink
- Compliance and regulatory filings – Rodney Martin, Malaina Weldy
- Construction financing – Matthew Casey, Rob Davies, Mark Wassink
- Consumer credit – Rodney Martin, Malaina Weldy
- Corporate/securities – Emily Cantor, Charlie Goode, Jeffrey Ott
- Cybersecurity and data breach issues – Kelly Hollingsworth, Rodney Martin
- Industrial facilities – Rob Davies
- Intellectual property – Chad Kleinheksel
- Labor and employment issues – Amanda Fielder, Allyson Terpsma
- Leveraged leasing – Matthew Casey, Rob Davies, Mark Wassink
- Litigation relating to customers and bank operations – Thomas Amon, Kristina Araya
- Mortgage loan financing – Matthew Casey, Rob Davies, Mark Wassink
- Negotiable instruments – Kristina Araya
- Nonprofit debt securities offerings – Charlie Goode, Timothy Horner
- Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) – Ford Turrell
- Real estate development financing – Matthew Casey, Rob Davies, Mark Wassink
- Real estate issues – Rob Davies, Ford Turrell
- Securities filings – Emily Cantor, Charlie Goode, Jeffrey Ott
- Shopping center financing – Matthew Casey, Rob Davies, Mark Wassink
- Social impact investing – Charlie Goode, Timothy Horner
- Subordinated debt transactions (both public and private) – Charlie Goode, Jeffrey Ott
- Tax and bond matters – Rob Davies
- Tax-exempt financing transactions – Rob Davies
- Workouts and bankruptcies – Susan Cook, Rozanne Giunta, Jonathan Lauderbach, Elisabeth Von Eitzen
Videos and Podcasts
- The New Inflation Reduction Act ExplainedLegacy Matters
- The Status of Marijuana BankingWarner’s Legal News For the Cannabis Industry
- Cannabis BankingWarner’s Legal News For the Cannabis Industry
- Steven W. Rhodes Veterans Day Bankruptcy Conference
- 2024 NSCP National Conference
- Risk Management Association’s Annual Horror Stories
- 35th Annual Business Law Institute
- MMA Update: Supreme Court Paid Leave Decision & the Impact on Manufacturers
- Federal Bar Association’s 36th Annual Bankruptcy Section Seminar
- ICLE 36th Annual Tax Conference
- ICLE 64th Annual Probate & Estate Planning Institute Seminar
- Michigan Venture Capital Association’s Corporate Transparency Act Webinar
- Turnaround Management Association’s 2024 Mid-America Regional Conference: Crafting a Grand Turnaround
- National Bar Association: Overview of Affirmative Action Supreme Court Decision, DEI Legal Landscape and ADR
- FEI Detroit: Crafting Leadership
- Midland Business Alliance: What You Need to Know About the Corporate Transparency Act
- State Bar of Michigan Cannabis Law Section: Annual Conference and Meeting
- Family Business Alliance 2023: Exploring Family Ownership Structures: Slicing the Pie
- Michigan Capital Network Fall Fund Update
- 63rd Annual Probate & Estate Planning Institute Seminar – Plymouth
- 63rd Annual Probate & Estate Planning Institute Seminar – Acme
- 2023 ACG Detroit – Congress Codifies M&A Broker Exemption: Clarity Brings New Opportunities
- MBA Bankers Education Summit and Trade Show 2023
- FEI Detroit Hot Topic “Venture Capital Term Sheets: A Guide for Financial Professionals”
- The Stevens Center for Family Business: What Is Your Family Business Worth? A Panel Presentation on Family Business Valuation
- Cannabis Thought Leaders: Survive or Sell? Do-or-Die Decisions in a Tough Market
- Rollovers and the Revived DOL Fiduciary “Rule”
- Cannabis Law Seminar – Industry Insights and Trends From the Legal Perspective
- Virtual CCO Roundtable Series: SEC Exams During COVID-19
- COVID-19 Panel: What Your C-Suite Should Be Thinking About
- Webinar: Update on PPP Loan Forgiveness
- WEBINAR: New Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”)
- Warner Selected One of the Top Law Firms by Best Lawyers®
- Warner Represented First State Bank of Decatur in its Sale to GTSB Financial, Inc.
- Warner Represented ChoiceOne Financial Services, Inc. in its Merger with Fentura Financial, Inc. and Underwritten Public Offering of Common Stock
- Warner Represented Freeland State Bank in Its Merger with Thumb Bancorp, Inc.
- Warner Represented United Church of Christ Cornerstone Fund, Inc. in $100 Million Offering
- Warner Partner Charlie Goode Honored as Michigan Go To Lawyer for Business Transactions by Michigan Lawyers Weekly
- Warner Represents Macatawa Bank Corporation in Its Pending Merger with Wintrust Financial Corporation
- Warner Partner Linda Paullin-Hebden Recognized as All-Star Advisor of the Year by ACG® Detroit
- Mark J. Wassink Reelected Managing Partner of Warner
- 22 Warner Attorneys Rated 2024 Top Lawyer by DBusiness
- Warner Selected Top-Tier Law Firm by Best Lawyers®
- Mark Wassink Named to Grand Rapids 200 for Second Year in a Row
- Corinne Sprague Elected to the Grand Rapids Art Museum Foundation Board of Trustees
- Emily Rucker Appointed to Inforum West Michigan Regional Council
- Warner Welcomes Business Development Manager
- Larry Murphy and Laura You Named American Bar Foundation Fellow
- Warner Partner David Eberhard Among Michigan’s Go To Real Estate Lawyers
- Homayune Ghaussi Named American Bar Foundation Fellow
- Rozanne M. Giunta Elected to Board of Regents by American College of Bankruptcy
- Homayune Ghaussi Named to Lawyers of Color 2023 Power List
- Warner Partner Kelly Hollingsworth Honored by Michigan Lawyers Weekly
- Shane Hansen Weighs in on New M&A Legislation
- Warner Attorney Rodney D. Martin Honored by Comprehensive Therapy Center with Legacy Award
- Warner Welcomes Andrea McGrew
- Mark Wassink Selected for Grand Rapids 200
- Crain’s Detroit Business Names Laura You to 40 Under 40 List
- Dennis Loughlin Interviewed by Crain’s Detroit Business for Supply Chain Bankruptcy Story
- Homayune A. Ghaussi Accepted to American Arbitration Association Panel
- Warner Represented Scott Snow (financial advisors) LLC in Its Sale to Clearstead Advisors
- Warner Represented Heber Fuger Wendin in Its Sale to Mariner Wealth Advisors
- Michigan Supreme Court Rules that ELCRA Includes Protection Against Discrimination Due to Sexual Orientation
- Nick Colvin Joins Greater Grand Rapids NAACP Board
- Warner Partner Elisabeth M. Von Eitzen Elected President of Kalamazoo County Bar Association Board
- Nick Colvin Joins Ele’s Place West Michigan Board
- Warner Represented Emerson Wealth in Its Sale to Mariner Wealth Advisors
- Warner Partner Emily S. Rucker Honored by Grand Rapids Bar Association
- Elisabeth M. Von Eitzen Joins Board of Housing Resources, Inc.
- Robert A. Dubault Named Executive Partner of Warner’s Muskegon Office
- Elisabeth M. Von Eitzen Joins Board of YWCA Kalamazoo
- Laura You Selected for Leadership Detroit
- Warner Represents US Subsidiary in Connection With Chervon Holdings’ Initial Public Offering
- Mark Wassink Elected Managing Partner of Warner
- Warner Represents Donnelly Penman & Partners in the Placement of $6 Million of Subordinated Notes by Union Financial Corporation
- Warner Represents Performance Trust Capital Partners in the Placement of $75 Million of Subordinated Notes by Arbor Bancorp, Inc.
- 21 Warner Attorneys Rated 2022 Top Lawyer by DBusiness
- Warner Represented West Shore Bank Corporation in the Offering of $20 Million of Subordinated Notes
- Warner Ranked Top-Tier Law Firm by Best Lawyers®, U.S. News & World Report
- Warner Partner Rozanne M. Giunta Honored by Federal Bar Association Chapter for Excellence in Bankruptcy Law
- Warner Partner Laura N. You Joins Matrix Human Services Board
- Warner Partner David L.J.M. Skidmore Elected Chair of Probate and Estate Planning Section of Michigan State Bar
- Warner Represented ChoiceOne Financial Services, Inc. in the Offering of $32.5 Million of Subordinated Notes
- Linda Paullin-Hebden Named to Detroit 500 List
- Warner Partner Shane B. Hansen Named BTI Client Service All-Star
- Warner’s Laura You Named to Michigan Lawyers Weekly “Women in the Law” Class of 2021
- 105 Warner Attorneys Rated Best Lawyers in America©
- Corinne N. Sprague Selected for Leadership Grand Rapids
- Warner Represented Boenning & Scattergood, Inc. In the Placement of $35 Million of Subordinated Debt by Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc.
- Government and Economic Development Attorney Nicholas M. Colvin Joins Warner
- Warner Partner Rachel Foster Selected Among Michigan Go To Lawyers
- Warner Represented Lake Financial Corporation in Its Completion of $15 Million Subordinated Debt Offering
- Warner Represents Horizon Bank in Acquisition of 14 TCF Branches
- Warner Partner Ford J.H. Turrell Honored by Michigan Lawyers Weekly
- Warner Represented Southern Michigan Bancorp, Inc. In Its Completion of $30 Million Subordinated Debt Offering
- Warner Attorney Rodney D. Martin Honored By Grand Rapids Bar Association For Distinguished Service
- Warner Represented Kendall Electric, Inc. In Its Acquisition of Rumsey Electric Company
- Warner Talks Cannabis with Crain’s Detroit Business
- Warner Represents Keweenaw Financial Corporation in Subordinated Notes Offering
- Warner Partner Susan M. Cook Honored by Inclusion in Michigan Lawyers Weekly 2021 Hall of Fame
- Matthew K. Casey Named Executive Partner of Warner’s Macomb Office
- Warner Partner Receives MiBiz Dealmaker of the Year and Deal of the Year Awards
- Warner Represents Sturgis Bancorp, Inc. in Subordinated Notes Offering
- Warner Partner Among Michigan Go To Business Lawyers
- 35 Warner Attorneys Rated 2021 Top Lawyers by Grand Rapids Magazine
- Warner Partner Jeffrey Ott Provides Insight into Bank M&A during Pandemic
- 21 Warner Attorneys Rated 2021 Top Lawyer by DBusiness
- Warner Ranked Top-Tier Law Firm by Best Lawyers, U.S. News & World Report
- David J. Klippert Elected to Stevens Center for Family Business Executive Council at SVSU
- 102 Warner Attorneys Rated 2021 Best Lawyers in America
- Matt Casey Discusses the Main Street Lending Program with Crain’s Detroit Business
- Matthew Johnson Provides CARES Act Guidance for Small Businesses
- Jeff Ott Discusses CARES Act Banking Provisions with GRBJ
- Warner Representing ChoiceOne Financial Services, Inc. in the Acquisition of Community Shores Bank Corporation
- Rodney Martin honored on distinguished roster of ’16 over 60′
- Warner Ranked Top-Tier Law Firm by Best Lawyers, U.S. News & World Report 2020
- Warner Partner Rodney D. Martin Named to 16 Over 60 List
- In Memory of Jim Breay
- Chambers USA 2019 Names Warner a Leading Michigan Law Firm
- Warner Partner Timothy L. Horner Named a 2019 “Leader in Law” by Michigan Lawyers Weekly
- Warner Represents ChoiceOne Financial Services, Inc. in Its Merger with County Bank Corp.
- Warner Names Eight Attorneys as Partners
- 17 Warner Attorneys Rated 2019 Top Lawyer by DBusiness
- Warner Ranked Top-Tier Law Firm by Best Lawyers, U.S. News & World Report
- One Hundred Warner Attorneys Rated Best Lawyers in America
- Warner Represents TCSB Bancorp, Inc. in Its Merger With Independent Bank Corporation
- Chambers USA 2018 Warner Partners as Leading Michigan Law Firm
- Warner to Host Webinar on Medical Marihuana
- Warner Ranked Top-Tier Law Firm by Best Lawyers, U.S. News & World Report
- Elisabeth M. Von Eitzen to Participate in Leadership Kalamazoo
- Jeffrey A. Ott Named Finalist for Dealmaker of the Year
- Warner Represented West Shore Bank in the Acquisition of Ellis Capital Management
- Warner Attorney to join Chemical Bank to Ring Nasdaq Opening Bell Tuesday
- Warner Represents Chemical Financial Corp. in Transaction Recognized as One of Biggest Deals of 2016
- Warner Represented Donnelly Penman & Partners as Placement Agent in $15 Million Common Stock Offering
- Fifteen Warner Attorneys Rated 2017 Top Lawyers by DBusiness
- Chemical Financial Corporation Completes Merger with Talmer Bancorp, Inc.
- Warner Representing Birmingham Bloomfield Bancshares, Inc. (Bank of Birmingham) in Merger with Arbor Bancorp, Inc. (Bank of Ann Arbor)
- Warner Representing West Shore Bank in $8.3 Million Acquisition of West Michigan Bank & Trust
- Jeffrey A. Ott Named Finalist for Dealmaker of the Year
- Matthew K. Casey Joins Wayne State Business School Board of Visitors
- Wealth Compliance Leaders Podcast featuring Andrea McGrew
- Presidential Pardon of Marijuana Possession: Users Beware
- President Biden’s Pardon of Federal Marijuana Convictions Makes Good Sense, But Rescheduling Marijuana Does Not
- Corporate Transparency Act: FinCEN Issues Final Rule for Beneficial Ownership Reporting
- The New Inflation Reduction Act Explained
- Michigan Supreme Court Rules that ELCRA Includes Protection Against Discrimination Due to Sexual Orientation
- DOJ Formally Ends Trump Administration’s China Initiative
- DOJ Focuses on Cryptocurrency Crime
- SBA Issues Final Rule Related to PPP Loan Review Decision Appeals Process
- The Status of Marijuana Banking
- SBA Issues FAQs and Interim Final Rule Related to PPP Loan Calculations and Loan Forgiveness
- SBA Issues Two Interim Final Rules Related to PPP Loans
- Paycheck Protection Program Loans – Round Two
- SBA Issues Interim Final Rule and Streamlined Loan Forgiveness Application for PPP Loans $50,000 and Under
- The State of Mask Requirements and Other Limitations
- SBA Issues Guidance on Change of Ownership Process for Entities That Received PPP Loans
- SBA Issues Interim Final Rule Implementing Flexibility Act Changes to PPP Loan Forgiveness Rules
- SBA Releases FAQs on PPP Loan Forgiveness
- SBA to Accept PPP Loan Forgiveness Applications Beginning August 10, 2020
- SBA Streamlines PPP Forgiveness Application for Certain Borrowers and Revises Existing Forgiveness Application
- SBA Issues Interim Final Rule Clarifying PPP Flexibility Act of 2020
- Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act of 2020 Summary
- Small Business Administration Issues Interim Final Rule Related to SBA’s PPP Loan Review Process and Lender Obligations
- SBA Issues Interim Final Rule Further Clarifying PPP Loan Forgiveness
- SBA and Department of Treasury Release Paycheck Protection Program Loan Forgiveness Application and Instructions
- SBA Declares PPP Applicants Must Count Foreign Employees for Size Purposes
- Warner Helps You Navigate “Business As Anything But Usual”
- Paycheck Protection Program: 75/25 Rule
- Summary of Guidance Related to PPP Loans
- SBA Issues Interim Final Rule Related to PPP Loans
- CARES Act Temporarily Modifies Provisions of the Bankruptcy Code
- Are Loans Under the Paycheck Protection Program Guaranteed by the SBA?
- Warner Summarizes the CARES Act
- Federal and State Financial Relief for Small Businesses
- Talk to Your Lender NOW if You Anticipate Problems Making Loan Payments due to COVID-19 Business Disruptions
- Cannabis Banking
- The SAFE Banking Act Passes the House: What Is In the Bill?
- It’s Time for Community Banks to Address the End of LIBOR
- Michigan Voters Approved Recreational Marijuana: What Does that Mean for Michigan Businesses and Residents?
- Warner Offers Harassment Training for the Banking and Financial Services Industries
- Financial Institutions Set to Implement Additional Customer Information Requirements for Business Entities
- DOL Adopts Temporary Fiduciary Rule Enforcement Policy
- DOL Proposes 60-Day Delay in Fiduciary Rule
- Update: Delay of DOL Fiduciary Rule is Not (Yet) “Official”
- DOL Fiduciary Rule Delayed
- Circuit Court: No right to redeem property sold by court-appointed receiver
- Court Ruling May Reshape Collection and Foreclosure Strategies