Bio

Michael Hurley counsels privately held and public clients and private equity firms and their portfolio companies on a wide range of business and legal concerns, with a focus on representing both buyers and sellers from a broad cross-section of industries in the merger, acquisition or sales process and assisting clients in accessing capital markets through angel- and venture-funding rounds. Michael serves as Co-Leader of the firm's Emerging Companies and Venture Capital practice. He represents businesses on formation, governance, mergers, acquisitions and sales, and capital structuring arrangements. He provides counsel to private equity funds, private and public companies and investors in such funds and companies. This advice covers the full spectrum of business cycles – from start-up through maturation to exit strategies – and a broad range of industries, including information technology, healthcare, chemicals, construction, energy and consumer products. Michael also serves as outside general counsel to a number of private companies where he advises on a wide variety of day-to-day matters, including commercial contract negotiation, implementation of privacy and cyber-security policies and procedures, corporate governance, organizational structuring, succession planning and ESOP transactions. As part of Calfee’s Privacy and Data Security group, Michael has significant experience allocating transactional risks associated with data privacy and security protocols and policies, cross-jurisdiction data transfers and compliance with related laws and regulations. Using his knowledge and experience, Michael also helps athletes establish, monetize and protect their Name, Image and Likeness (NIL). Michael is ranked as an Up and Coming attorney by Chambers USA 2022 in Corporate/M&A Law in Ohio: South & Central. Chambers USA researchers noted, "Michael Hurley is a rising star in the M&A field who regularly works on a host of transactions." Clients stated, "Michael is the best at using his intelligence and legal knowledge and applying it to real solutions for my businesses. Michael was knowledgeable, responsive and provided sound guidance throughout the process." Michael has been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America© "Ones To Watch" for Corporate Law and Mergers and Acquisitions Law (2021-2022). He also was named to the Ohio Super Lawyers, Ohio Rising Stars list (2016-2023) and to the "Cincy Leading Lawyers" list by Cincy Magazine (2018-2021). Outside of the office, Michael is active in the community. He serves as a Board Member for the Association for Corporate Growth – Cincinnati Chapter. He also presents regularly at the Queen City Angels Boot Camp and is active with the Goering Center for Family and Private Business. He presents regularly at seminars and has authored numerous publications. Michael earned his B.A. degree from Yale University and his J.D. and M.B.A. degrees from the University of Cincinnati. Michael joined Calfee’s Cincinnati office in 2014 and was elected Partner in 2019. Prior to joining Calfee, Michael worked at Blank Rome, LLP.