Michael Rave represents financial services companies, in particular community banks and thrifts, in bank regulatory, securities and corporate governance matters, and mergers and acquisitions. He represents many financial institutions in all aspects of their business.
Michael also counsels other business entities on corporate and securities law issues, including mergers and acquisitions and public and private capital raising. A significant part of his practice involves helping public companies comply with federal securities laws and address corporate governance issues.
Michael has a great deal of experience in bank M&A transactions. Through consolidation in the financial services industry, he has represented many banks as buyers or sellers in transactions across the U.S.
Michael also is a frequent speaker and writer on issues related to banking, including regulatory, securities and M&A issues. He is an author for the LexisNexis Practice Advisor series on public securities offerings. He also is the Chairman of the State of New Jersey Corporation and Business Law Study Commission, a legislative commission dedicated to improving and modernizing the New Jersey Business Corporation Act.
Michael prides himself on being obsessively responsive to e-mail regardless of the time of day. He approaches client transactions with both common sense and an urgency to get the best possible results without endangering the deal. Clients appreciate his down-to-earth personality and his ability to work productively with even the most difficult adversary.
The 2013 edition of Chambers USA had this to say about him: "Described as 'very capable and conscientious,' Michael Rave is acknowledged by many for both his technical [experience] and accessibility to clients." In the 2014 edition, they noted that he "is an 'outstanding' attorney whose skills span the gamut of corporate work, and he also has a particular strength in capital markets work." In 2015, Chambers USA noted that Michael is "particularly well versed in handling M&A matters for clients in the financial services space" and "popular among clients." "[He is a] hard-working and responsive adviser with respect to all aspects of M&A negotiations," one client stated. In 2016, another client interviewed by Chambers USA said, "We view him as a strategic partner – he is a pragmatic thinker with extensive legal and industry knowledge."Chosen for inclusion in the Chambers USA Legal Directory (Chambers & Partners) as a leading corporate/ M&A attorney in Connecticut, 2008-2018
Selected as the Securities/ Capital Markets Law Lawyer of the Year for the Newark Metro Area by The Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White, Inc.), 2018
Chosen for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White, Inc.), Securities/ Capital Markets Law, 2010-2018
Chosen for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White, Inc.), Mergers and Acquisitions, 2010-2018
Chosen for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White, Inc.), Corporate Compliance Law, 2011-2018
Chosen for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White, Inc.), Corporate Governance Law, 2011-2018
Selected to the list of New Jersey Super Lawyers (Thomson Reuters), Mergers and Acquisitions, 2008-2015, Securities and Capital Markets, 2016
Selected for inclusion in 40 Under 40 by New Jersey Law Journal, 2006
No aspect of these advertisements have been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey. See Awards Methodology.