Michael J. Polachek is a partner in the Chicago office of Tressler LLP. He focuses his practice on closely held businesses and their owners, the sale and purchase of businesses, and industrial and commercial real estate and zoning. He provides representation in general counsel representation, complex transactions, mergers and acquisitions, professional practice issues, closely held corporation ownership and succession issues, venture capital, corporate finance, securities matters and litigation.
Mike has represented both sellers and purchasers of businesses in numerous industries, including:
- Sale of a 75 year manufacturer of industrial filters with an enterprise value in excess of $4,000,000
- Sale of a closely held real estate development company to a publicly traded corporation concerning an enterprise value in excess of $50,000,000
- Purchase of an automobile radio repair business
- Purchase by senior management of an automobile parts after market distributor with a national system of warehouses and call centers with an enterprise value of $24,000,000
- Purchase of insolvent wood milling plant and subsequent liquidation
- Sale of a messenger delivery service
- Sale of an entertainment/bowling center
- Purchase of a partner’s interest in a casino, bowling and restaurant facility
- Purchase of co-shareholder’s interest in a corrugated box manufacturer
- Purchase of a cellular phone agency
- Merger of not-for profit corporations
- Corporation “Split-Up” D Reorganization
Mike is an active member of the Midwest Business Brokers and Intermediaries (MBBI) association, which is one of the largest organizations of M&A advisors in the Midwest. Its membership is comprised of business brokers, M&A intermediaries, investment bankers, attorneys, accountants, banks, SBA lenders, valuation service providers, individual buyers, private equity groups and corporate buyers. MBBI members represent buyers and sellers of businesses with revenues ranging from a few hundred thousand dollars to over $100 million. The professionals in the organization are committed to helping business owners confidentially sell their operations, as well as assist buyers in acquiring companies. Services offered by some members include performing business valuations, raising capital and providing financing, legal, and accounting services related to the M&A transaction.
Mike is a past trustee of the Northwest Suburban Mass Transit District as an appointed representative of the Village of Bartlett, Illinois, a past chairperson of the Economic Development Commission of the Village of Bartlett, Illinois and a past president of the Rotary Clubs of Franklin Park and Addison, Illinois.
Mike was a founding partner of Darnall, Polachek & Associates, which merged with Tressler in May 2000.
Through the recommendation of attorney colleagues, Mike was selected for inclusion in Leading Lawyer in the “Closely Held Business Law” category and in Illinois Super Lawyers® in the “Mergers & Acquisitions” category. Mike has received an AV® rating from Martindale-Hubbell which is “a testament to the fact that a lawyer's peers rank him or her at the highest level of professional excellence.”
