Michael B. Staebler is a commercial practice partner with Pepper Hamilton LLP. He leads Pepper's SBIC practice and is co-chair of the firm's investment funds practice. He also is a member of the firm's Executive Committee.
Mr. Staebler concentrates his practice in mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance, venture capital, real estate, and forming and advising SBICs. He represents private and public businesses in the entire range of corporate matters, including their acquisition and sale, issuance of securities, corporate finance and contract negotiations. He is particularly experienced in the formation, management and operation of venture capital firms, and in the financing of growing small and medium-sized businesses.
Mr. Staebler is the leader of Pepper's Small Business Investment Company (SBIC) practice - one of the leading SBIC practices in the nation. He has served as counsel to more than 150 venture capital firms and licensed SBICs as well as public employee pension funds in connection with their venture capital investing throughout the United States. He has participated in the financing of hundreds of new and high-technology businesses on behalf of clients.
Mr. Staebler has served on numerous federal and state advisory committees concerning venture capital and economic development. He has been a member of the Advisory Committee to the Investment Division of the U.S. Small Business Administration concerning operation of the SBIC program. He also has served as a director of the Michigan Strategic Fund, a public agency that created and administers a wide variety of venture capital and economic development programs in Michigan.
He has chaired the SBIC and Venture Capital Subcommittee of the Small Business Committee of the American Bar Association. In 1992 and 1993, he served on an informal committee of the National Association of Small Business Investment Companies (NASBIC) to negotiate and draft new SBIC implementing regulations.
During 1983-84, Mr. Staebler served as a member of the Ad Hoc Committee to reform Michigan securities laws. He served on a task force of the Michigan Department of Commerce during 1984-85 aimed at developing incentives for minority business investment companies. Also during 1984-85, he participated on the Advisory Board of the Michigan Research Fund, which provided grants to innovative Michigan businesses.
From 1975 to 1980, Mr. Staebler served as president and chief executive officer of Michigan Capital and Service, Inc., a licensed SBIC located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, prior to its sale to NBD Bank, N.A.
Mr. Staebler is a frequent speaker on venture capital and has conducted numerous seminars on the topic of organizing and operating SBICs. He regularly serves on the faculty of NASBIC's Venture Capital Institute.
Mr. Staebler actively participates in community affairs. He has served on numerous advisory boards of a number of academic units and institutes of the University of Michigan. He has been a member of the board of directors of the City of Detroit Building Authority, United Community Services of Metropolitan Detroit, the American Heart Association of Michigan, and the Legal Aid and Defender's Association of Metropolitan Detroit. He presently serves as a director of numerous nonprofit institutes and public and private corporations.
Education
B.A. 1966, magna cum laude, Harvard College
J.D. 1969, cum laude, University of Michigan Law School
Bar Admissions
Admitted to practice in Michigan (Not admitted in District of Columbia)