Overview
Business Law Attorney
Seth leads the Business and Corporate Services Practice Team. He is experienced in business representation, planning and counseling. He focuses on mergers and acquisitions, as well as private equity, securities, distressed asset and restructuring, and commercial transactions. Seth also advises clients with respect to corporate governance, regulatory and other general corporate matters.
For more information, please contact Seth Ashby at 616/336-6726 or swashby@varnumlaw.com
Experience
Experience
Recapitalization, led by management equity rollover, of leading insurance broker in 2016 ($2.9 billion enterprise value), and follow-on investment to refinance its senior preferred stock in 2018 ($7 billion enterprise value).
Several hundred roll-up acquisitions for leading insurance broker since 2013 throughout North America and Europe.
Sale of equity, with management rollover, in contract manufacturer for the medical device and biotechnology industries to financial buyer ($37 million).
Acquisition of designer and installer of customized in-store environments on behalf of publicly traded company ($162.5 million).
Acquisition of financially distressed produce broker and apple packer on behalf of financial buyer ($20 million).
Sale of operating subsidiary of publicly traded company ($60 million).
Acquisition of textiles designer on behalf of publicly traded company ($150 million).
Liquidation of complex farming operation through series of Section 363 sales in Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
Leadership
Honors & Recognitions
Grand Rapids Magazine's Top Lawyers, Mergers & Acquisitions Law, 2020
Leader’s Edge© Executive Report, (a publication of the CIAB) major player in M&A since 2016
Michigan Lawyers Weekly, Go To Business Lawyer 2020
Michigan Super Lawyers®, Rising Star since 2012
Professional Affiliations
Association for Corporate Growth, Western Michigan
Catholic Lawyers Association of West Michigan
Grand Rapids Bar Association
State Bar of Michigan
Community Involvement
HELP Pregnancy Crisis Aid, Inc., Board of Directors
St. Isidore Parish, Finance Council, chair
Gilda’s Club of Grand Rapids and Gilda’s LaughFest, Board of Directors, 2009 - 2018
News & Publications
News
Speaking Engagements
Publications
Practice Areas
Education
University of Illinois College of Law
Champaign, Illinois
J.D., magna cum laude, 2005
University of Illinois Law Review, Symposium editor
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, Michigan
B.A., summa cum laude, Music, 2001
Bar Admissions
- Michigan
Court Admissions
- All Michigan state courts