Reinhart Attorneys Speak at 2026 BizTimes M&A Forum

The annual BizTimes M&A Forum provided crucial insights into the latest considerations in buying and selling a company, featuring local leaders and professionals in the field, including Reinhart’s Eric Hagemeier, Jim Bedore and Brady Brown.

The region’s premier event for staying informed on developments in mergers and acquisitions, the M&A Forum kicked off with a keynote presentation, “Deal Analysis: Inside a Midwest Manufacturing Acquisition,” that detailed the how a 2024 transaction came together, including the aftermath of sale, the partnership’s evolution, navigating culture and operations, and the growth strategy related to a subsequent acquisition.

Following the keynote were two mock case studies that discussed approaches to common issues that complicate transactions and determine the value of potential deals. The first case study, “Zero Tolerance,” analyzed a manufacturing partner in the Aerospace & Defense sector after the company’s owner sought to exit it to start a new venture in the agriculture industry. Shareholder and co-chair of the firm’s Corporate Law Practice Eric Hagemeier served as a panelist.

The second case study, “Invisible Armor LLC,” detailed the journey of a premier provider of advanced technical services and critical infrastructure for the energy and power markets. The company’s owner sought a sale to a partner for the next phase of growth, with a desire to exit the company after the three years. Attorney Brady Brown served as a panelist and James Bedore, of counsel, moderated.

Hagemeier is a shareholder and co-chair of Reinhart’s Corporate Law Practice, using his financial background and keen business sense to help clients make crucial strategic decisions. He is also a member of the mergers and acquisitions, private equity, venture capital, securities and corporate finance teams.

Bedore is of counsel in Reinhart’s Corporate Law and Securities practices, and a former member of the firm’s board of directors. He advises clients on a wide range of corporate and securities matters, including mergers and acquisitions, public and private securities offerings, private equity transactions and other financing arrangements.

Brown is an attorney in Reinhart’s Corporate Law Practice, where he works collaboratively with business owners and management, counseling them on a range of matters to help meet their goals, including mergers and acquisitions, commercial transactions, entity formation and general corporate governance.