Financial Services and Banking

In this interpleader action in a rural venue against a sympathetic plaintiff, represented a regional bank in defeating a counterclaim seeking over $1 million in damages by obtaining a total dismissal with prejudice in our favor, which included an attorney fees award.

Represented Royal Bancshares, Inc., bank holding company of Royal Banks of Missouri, St. Louis, Missouri, in its acquisition of Saints Avenue Bancshares, Inc., bank holding company of Saints Avenue Bank, New London, Missouri, and the subsequent merger of Saints Avenue Bank into Royal Banks of Missouri.

Served as lead counsel to an international bank on a multimillion-dollar (U.S. and Canadian dollars), cross-border, senior secured loan.

Represented Delta Bancshares Company, bank holding company of Jefferson Bank and Trust, St. Louis, Missouri, in its merger with a subsidiary of First Mid Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ: FMBH), bank holding company of First Mid Bank & Trust, Mattoon, Illinois. The total consideration for this cash and stock deal was approximately $108 million. We also provided counsel on employee benefits and tax aspects of the transaction.

Represented a group of investors in the formation of a bank holding company and acquisition of a national bank based in Kansas via an interim bank merger.

Obtained a temporary restraining order for a wealth management firm against a former employee regarding the violation of a nonsolicitation agreement. The employee, who had provided services to approximately 300 households representing about $50 million in assets, had signed a confidentiality and nonsolicitation agreement stating he would not directly or indirectly do business with or attempt to take away any of his employer’s clients.

Served as counsel to lender in connection with document review and borrower opinion in multimillion-dollar loan modification.

Served as lead trial counsel to national bank in adversary proceeding in bankruptcy court resulting in a judgment for priority of mortgage against $15 million mechanic's liens on failed commercial project.

Served as lead trial counsel to national bank lender in enforcement of rights in secured collateral in Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings, including the first virtual evidentiary hearing conducted in the court.

Represented a financial technology company in its issuance of more than $2 million in Series A Preferred Stock. Worked with the company to integrate Series A preferences with Series Seed preferences. The company was able to fund expansion in operations.

Completed the acquisition of two sites in Northwest and Central Arkansas to facilitate a banking client’s expansion. Worked closely with a local development team to ensure local approval of the bank’s intended development. In addition, the team worked through local and subdivision architectural and site plan approvals, property investigation, site plan development and access negotiations across neighboring properties to ensure the one of the sites, which has a unique topography featuring a 40-foot vertical drop from east to west, was suitable for our client’s intended development.

Represented international bank in prosecution of claims related to purchase and sale of commercial mortgage-backed securities and collateralized debt obligations (CDOs).

Counseled multinational hedge fund and financial serves company regarding post-employment obligations of employees.

Served as counsel to national bank in collection on commercial loan, secured by multi-state collateral, including receivership.