Photo of Gerald T. Lievois

Gerald T. Lievois Member

Areas of Practice

Industries

Bar Admissions

  • Michigan, 1986

Education

Wayne State University, J.D., cum laude

  • Order of the Coif

Michigan State University, B.A., cum laude

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 assisted living facilities 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, Oxford Automotive and GDX Automotive 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)
  • Ford Motor Company/Automotive Components Holdings, LLC
    • Dispositions of several automotive lines of business
  • Citizens Banking Corporation
    • $820 million acquisition of F&M Bancorporation
    • $110 million acquisition of CB Financial Corporation
  • 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 $2.2 billion recapitalization transaction with Heartland Industrial Partners
  • Oxford Automotive, Inc.
    • $50 million acquisition of Lobdell Emery Corporation
    • $54 million acquisition of the Suspension Division of Eaton Corporation
  • Penske Automotive Group, Inc.
    • Proposed acquisition of Saturn Brand
  • The Private Bank
    • Acquisition by PrivateBancorp, Inc.
  • Simpson Industries, Inc.
    • $365 million merger with Hearthland Industrial Partners


Financing Transactions

  • CCM Merger, Inc. (MotorCity Casino)
    • High-yield debt offering of $300 million of Senior Notes
  • Champion Enterprises, Inc.
    • Senior Secured Credit Facility
    • Registered offering of $180 million of Convertible Senior Notes
    • High-yield debt offering of $200 million of Senior Notes
    • PIPE transactions involving $20 million and $25 million private placements of Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock
  • Citizens Republic Bancorp, Inc.
    • Exchange Offer of Common Stock for $210 million of Subordinated Notes and Trust Preferred Securities
  • The Majestic Star Casino, LLC
    • High-yield debt offering of $303 million of Senior Secured Notes and Senior Discount Notes
  • Oxford Automotive, Inc.
    • High-yield debt offering of $280 million of Senior Secured Notes
    • High-yield debt offering of $200 million of Senior Subordinated Notes
    • Noteholder Consent Solicitation
  • Venture Holding
    • High-yield debt offering of $250 million 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

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