Photo of Gerald T. Lievois

Gerald T. Lievois Member

Gerald T. Lievois, a member of the Firm's Automotive Industry Team, Family Business Transition Team and Dental Service Organizations Group, is a corporate finance lawyer practicing in the Firm's Bloomfield Hills Office. Mr. Lievois represents automotive manufacturers and suppliers in complex financing transactions, mergers and acquisitions, corporate restructurings, and general corporate and contract matters.

In addition, Mr. Lievois represents privately-held companies and their owners in the transition of their businesses, whether intra-family or to outside parties. 

Mr. Lievois also represents clients in the health care sector with respect to corporate and securities matters, and mergers and acquisitions (M&A), including medical device, dental management companies, and continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs).

His extensive experience in M&A work for public, private and family owned businesses is particularly valuable to clients who are involved in critical stages of their company's lifecycle. Mr. Lievois has provided legal counsel in negotiated acquisitions, leveraged buyouts and recapitalizations. He also represents issuers in public and private securities offerings, secured and unsecured debt offerings, and Rule 144A debt offerings. Mr. Lievois represents venture capital and other private equity funds in acquisition transactions and provides general corporate counsel to private equity portfolio companies.

Mr. Lievois' clients have included Ford, GM, Automotive Components Holdings, Delphi, Penske Automotive, and Cooper-Standard in the auto industry; Champion Enterprises in the manufactured housing industry; Great Expressions Dental Centers, a dental practice management company; and StoryPoint, senior living communities.

Experience

Mergers and Acquisitions

  • Asterand, Inc.
    • Merger with Pharmagene plc (LSE: PGN)
  • Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc.
    • Disposition of thermal and emissions business
  • Ford Motor Company/Automotive Components Holdings, LLC
    • Dispositions of several automotive lines of business
    • Acquisitions of several mobility and transportation businesses
  • Citizens Banking Corporation
    • Acquisition of F&M Bancorporation
    • Acquisition of CB Financial Corporation
    • Disposition of division
  • Great Expressions Dental Centers
    • Acquisitions of dental practice management companies with multiple practice locations in several states 
  • MascoTech, Inc.
    • Represented the Special Committee of the Board of Directors of MascoTech, Inc. in its recapitalization transaction with Heartland Industrial Partners
  • Oxford Automotive, Inc.
    • Acquisition of Lobdell Emery Corporation
    • Acquisition of the Suspension Division of Eaton Corporation
  • The Private Bank
    • Acquisition by PrivateBancorp, Inc.
  • Simpson Industries, Inc.
    • Merger with Hearthland Industrial Partners

Financing Transactions

  • CCM Merger, Inc. (MotorCity Casino)
    • High-yield debt offering of Senior Notes
  • Champion Enterprises, Inc.
    • Senior Secured Credit Facility
    • Registered offering of Convertible Senior Notes
    • High-yield debt offering of Senior Notes
    • PIPE transactions involving private placements of Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock
  • Citizens Republic Bancorp, Inc.
    • Exchange Offer of Common Stock for Subordinated Notes and Trust Preferred Securities
  • CSIG Holding Company LLC (StoryPoint)
    • Various conduit bond offerings for senior living projects
  • The Majestic Star Casino, LLC
    • High-yield debt offering of Senior Secured Notes and Senior Discount Notes
  • Oxford Automotive, Inc.
    • High-yield debt offering of Senior Secured Notes
    • High-yield debt offering of Senior Subordinated Notes
    • Noteholder Consent Solicitation
  • Venture Holding
    • High-yield debt offering of Senior and Senior Subordinated Notes
    • Noteholder Consent Solicitation
  • "Understanding the autonomous vehicle industry is a complex dance"
    July 10, 2016
    Crain's Detroit Business
    http://www.dykema.com/news-item-lievois-and-schostak-author-crains-detroit-business-article-on-autonomous-vehicle-industry-071316.html
  • "Understanding the Bush Administration's Auto Bailout" (Co-authored)
    Aspatore Special Report

Memberships & Involvement

  • American Bar Association
  • Oakland County Bar Association

Named as "Lawyer of the Year" in Securities and Capital Markets Law by The Best Lawyers in America® in 2019. Copyright 2015 by Woodward/White, Inc., Aiken, SC

Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® for Mergers & Acquisitions Law and Securities Law, 2009-Present. Copyright 2015 by Woodward/White, Inc., Aiken, SC

Named a Top Lawyer by dbusiness Magazine for Mergers & Acquisitions Law and Securities/Capital Markets Law, 2010-2015

Recipient of an AV® Preeminent™ Rating by Martindale-Hubbell