Michael M. Donahey, P.C.

Bar Admissions

• Arizona

Court Admissions

• Supreme Court of Arizona
• United States District Court, District of Arizona

Education

• University of Iowa College of Law (J.D., with high distinction)
  • Order of The Coif
  • Member, Iowa Law Review
• University of Iowa (B.B.A., Accounting)

Awards & Recognition

• Top 100 Lawyers in Arizona, AzBusiness Magazine (2024)
• The Best Lawyers in America^®, Corporate Governance and Compliance Law (2008-2012, 2014-2025); Corporate Law, Mergers & Acquisitions Law, Securities/Capital Markets Law (2008-2025); Securities Regulation (2014-2025)
  • Phoenix Lawyer of the Year, Securities Regulation (2016); Mergers and Acquisitions Law (2021); Corporate Governance Law (2022, 2024); Securities/Capital Markets Law (2023)
• Southwest Super Lawyers^®, Mergers & Acquisitions (2012-2022, 2024-2025)
• Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business^®, Corporate/Mergers & Acquisitions (2011-2024)
• Arizona’s Finest Lawyers
• Ranking Arizona: The Best of Arizona Attorneys, Corporate Law (2008)
• Forty Under 40, Phoenix Business Journal (2002)

Representative Transactions

Mergers & Acquisitions

• Represented a private equity fund and a pension fund in the nine-figure acquisition of an aerospace company
• Represented Global Water Resources, Inc. with respect to eight-figure condemnation of water utility assets by the City of Buckeye
• Represented a municipality in connection with the condemnation of a private water facility
• Represented a private water utility in connection with sale to a municipality
• Represented Global Water Resources, Inc. in sale of a majority interest in its FATHOM subsidiary to a private equity firm
• Represented environmental professional services business in sale to private equity firm
• Represented publicly traded utility holding company in six acquisitions of water and wastewater utilities
• Represented large, privately held processed meats company in nine-figure sale to strategic buyer
• Represented publicly traded biotech company in sale to a private pharmaceutical company
• Represented buyer in purchase of two well-known resorts from a REIT for $325 million
• Represented broadband service provider in merger with competitor
• Represented an injection molding company in dispositions of three divisions/subsidiaries totaling over $80 million
• Represented a Special Purpose Acquisition Company (SPAC) in an acquisition of a Chinese media company
• Represented seller in sale of construction services business for $80 million
• Represented utility holding company in $40 million acquisition of a water and wastewater treatment company
• Represented publicly traded biotech company in $37.5 million sale of nutraceuticals division to another public company
• Represented life insurance company in $35 million acquisition of another life insurance company
• Represented publicly traded biotech company in $34 million acquisition of a dental products company
• Represented founders of pediatric dental clinics in formation, financing, and ultimate sale to private equity firm for $27 million
• Represented Phoenix-based life insurance company in acquisition of three life insurance companies
• Represented buyer in acquisition of a major USAID contractor out of bankruptcy
• Represented flooring company in $18 million sale to private equity fund
• Represented publicly traded biotech company in four separate sales of divisions/subsidiaries
• Represented copier company in $15 million sale to private equity firm
• Represented owners of bathtub company in $15 million management-led buyout
• Represented owner of pharmacy company in $12 million sale to private equity fund
• Represented for-profit university in the acquisition of another for-profit educational institution
• Represented publicly traded computer reseller in numerous acquisitions
• Represented publicly traded technology solutions provider in acquisitions in Germany and the United Kingdom
• Represented seller in the sale of a radio station

Venture Capital and Private Equity Services/Emerging Business Services

• Represented ultrasound technology company and affiliates in multiple venture capital rounds totaling over $30 million
• Represented local internet company in $15 million investment by MP3.com
• Represented Arizona-based real estate opportunity fund in its formation and capital raising

Capital Markets

• Represented water and wastewater utility company in 2016 IPO and subsequent public offerings of equity securities
• Represented transportation company in its $152 million IPO and several subsequent public offerings of debt and equity securities aggregating over $1.5 billion
• Represented biotech company in $40 million sale of stock, debt, and warrants in PIPE transaction
• Represented auto dealer in $94 million PIPE transaction

Other Selected Transactions/Engagements

• Represented public companies in the adoption and termination of “poison pills” and related anti-takeover measures, stock repurchase programs, and stock splits
• Represented software company in a joint venture with Match.com
• Represented publicly traded biotech company in termination of CEO
• Represented Valley of the Sun Bowl Foundation (the Fiesta Bowl) in acquisition of the Insight Bowl (fka the Copper Bowl)
• Represented publicly traded electronics company in termination of CEO
• Represented publicly traded biotech company in $40 million credit facility with Black Diamond
• Represented Valley of the Sun United Way in merger with another non-profit entity
• Represented The Dial Corporation in the sale of a bar soap manufacturing plant and negotiation of related contract manufacturing agreements
• Represented multiple public companies in connection with defense of hostile takeover attempts

Professional Memberships and Activities

• Snell & Wilmer
  • Compensation Committee (2023-Present)
  • Elected Executive Committee (2019-Present)
  • Expanded Executive Committee (2014-2019)
  • Hiring Committee Co-Chair (2002-2005)
  • Loss Prevention Partner (2002-Present)
  • Sarbanes-Oxley Compliance Committee (2002-Present)
• Maricopa County Bar Association
• Lex Mundi (2001-2005)
  • Corporate & Securities Committee
  • Regional Vice Chair, North America

Community Involvement

• Greater Phoenix Leadership, Board of Directors (2023-Present)
• St. Mary’s Food Bank, Board of Directors (2023-Present)
• Tocqueville Society, Member
• Xavier College Preparatory, Board of Trustees (2013-2019)
• Westmarc, Board of Directors (2011-2014)
• Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry, General Counsel (2006-2009)
• Partnership for a Drug-Free Arizona, Board of Directors (2003-2006)
• International Science & Engineering Fair 2005 – Arizona, Advisory Board Member (2001-2005)
• Valley Leadership Class XIX (1997-1998)
• Pioneer Arizona Museum Board of Directors (1993-1998); President (1997-1998)
• COMPAS, Pro Bono Legal Counsel (an organization devoted to enhancing the cultural, artistic, and scientific environment of metropolitan Phoenix) (1996-2003)
• St. Matthew School Advisory Board (1993-1995)

Representative Presentations and Publications

• “US Bank Business Succession Planning Event,” Panelist, Paradise Valley, Arizona (May 2019)
• “Congressional Plenary – 2012 Election,” Moderator, Arizona Housing Forum, Tucson, Arizona (October 2012)
• “Corporate Counsel Best Practices,” Moderator, 2012 Corporate Counsel Forum, Pelican Hill, California (March 2012)
• “Corporate Counsel Best Practices,” Moderator, 2010 Corporate Counsel Forum, Pelican Hill, California (October 2010)
• “Corporate Counsel Best Practices,” Moderator, 2008 Corporate Counsel Forum, Half Moon Bay, California (August 2008)
• “Mergers and Acquisitions II – Let’s Make a Deal: The Current State of Mergers and Acquisitions Practice,” Speaker, 2008 State Bar of Arizona Convention (June 2008)
• “Executive Compensation Panel,” Speaker, Nasdaq Stock Market (December 2006)
• “The SEC’s New E-Proxy Rules: Background and Practical Suggestions,” Speaker, American Society of Corporate Secretaries, Arizona Chapter (October 2007)
• “Proxy Season and Executive Compensation Disclosure Developments,” Speaker, 2007 Corporate Counsel Forum, Half Moon Bay, California (August 2007)
• “The New Executive Compensation Disclosure Rules,” Speaker, 2006 Corporate Counsel Forum, Colorado Springs, Colorado (August 2006)
• “SEC Reporting Requirements,” Speaker, 2005 Corporate Counsel Forum, Colorado Springs, Colorado (August 2005)
• “Annual Meetings of Stockholders and Proxy Rules,” Expert Witness, United States Federal Bankruptcy Court
• “Small Business Law: A Practical Guide to Starting & Operating,” Speaker, People’s Law School