Michael F. Sweeney
Publications
Admissions
Mike is Co-Chair of Stevens & Lee New England and leads the firm’s M&A practice in that region. He regularly handles mergers, sales and business acquisitions, recapitalizations and debt and equity financings for leading companies in the manufacturing and distribution, insurance, banking, trust and financial services, and technology and ecommerce industries. He also serves as general corporate counsel to a number of privately held middle market businesses.
Mike has counseled numerous clients from start-up through various stages of growth and financing, including initial and secondary public offerings and sale or merger. On behalf of his clients, he has successfully negotiated and closed numerous significant middle market M&A transactions across the U.S., helping family and entrepreneur owners convert several billion dollars of private enterprise value into liquidity.
A frequent speaker, Mike presents on business strategy and growth, succession and transaction issues at middle market forums with leading financial institutions and investment banks.
Recognition
- Ranked in Band 1 by Chambers USA, Corporate/Commercial, Rhode Island
- Recognized by Best Lawyers in America, Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law, Corporate Law and Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Providence, 2008-Present
- Named a “Lawyer of the Year” by Best Lawyers in America in Providence in the areas of:
- Mergers and Acquisitions Law, 2014, 2023
- Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law, 2017, 2020
- Corporate Law, 2019
- Recognized in Super Lawyers, Business & Corporate, Mergers & Acquisitions, Rhode Island, 2007-Present
- Garnered the “Deal Maker of the Year” award from Finance Monthly, 2012
“What Clients Say”
Michael Sweeney is a “very business-savvy” attorney who specializes in M&A, recapitalizations and equity financings. Sources praise him for “always looking out for the best interest of his clients.” He is deemed to be “extremely knowledgeable in commercial transactions.” | Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business (2019)
Michael Sweeney is well regarded for his abilities in M&A, equity financings and recapitalizations. Sources are impressed with his negotiating skills and praise him as a “talented lawyer with great business sense. He is sought out for his M&A expertise.” | From Chambers USA (2018)
“Mike Sweeney has a fine reputation for problem solving and is praised by clients who say his strength is the ability to see the big picture of what people are trying to accomplish. He solves problems, he doesn’t create them.” | Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business (2017)
Co-founding partner Michael Sweeney is regarded as “not just a bright and intelligent legal technician, but someone who understands the business and who has a talent for negotiation.” He serves as general counsel to several businesses.
“Michael Sweeney leads the firm’s corporate/commercial team and his recent work involves international IP transfer issues and general corporate. He is described as “astute on financial issues and extremely knowledgeable in commercial law in the USA and internationally.”
Professional & Community Involvement
- Quonset Development Corporation
- Board of Directors
- Finance Committee
- American Bar Association
- Business Law Committee
- American Bar Foundation, Fellow
- Rhode Island Bar Association
- Rhode Island Bar Foundation, Fellow
- Providence Children’s Museum, Overseer
- Providence College, President’s Council
- Rhode Island Commodores, Commodore
- Wannamoisett Country Club
- RI Yacht Club
Publications
5th Annual “Business Owners Forum” in conjunction with Bank of America / US Trust covering the M&A landscape, succession planning and key questions faced by business owners and their families. (2020)
“Midsize Firms luring ‘Big Law” clients. See PDF of full article from Rhode Island Lawyers Weekly here. (February 2017)
“Middle-Market Forum,” in conjunction with US Trust, Bank of America, & Houlihan Lokey . See article in Providence Business News here. (2016)
My Blog & News Posts
- Senate Confirms Mike Sweeney to Quonset BoardThe attorneys at Duffy & Sweeney are deeply committed to both civic and charitable activities where we work and live. We contribute our time and …
- Mike Sweeney on Wealth Wisdom for M&AIn case you missed it, Mike Sweeney joined the team at Wealth Wisdom — Justin Obey, Eric Benz and William Ryan — last month …
- Mike Sweeney Participates in Exit Planning RoundtableMike Sweeney recently participated in an Exit Planning Roundtable at the University Club alongside: James Hilton of The Hilton Group Private Wealth Management; Ramsey Goodrich of …
- Congratulations to D&S Attorneys Named Super Lawyers & Rising Stars 2024Congratulations to firm attorneys named to Super Lawyers and to Super Lawyers Rising Stars for 2024. Super Lawyers: 🏆Joshua Celeste: Mergers & Acquisitions, Real Estate, Business & …
- Lawyers of Year & Best Lawyers & Ones to Watch for 2025Congratulations to Stacey Nakasian and Josh Celeste who were named Lawyer-of-the-Year in the practice area of Litigation – Trusts and Estates and Closely Held Companies …
- DOES THE NEW FTC NON-COMPETE BAN IMPACT MY M&A DEAL? NO & YES.By Michael Sweeney & Sophie Bellacosa | On April 23, 2024, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued its final Non-Compete Clause Rule (the Final Rule), …
- Five D&S Attorneys Noted for Excellence in Law by RI Monthly for 2024Rhode Island Monthly’s Professional Excellence in the Law has recognized the following D&S attorneys for 2024. Joshua Celeste Business Law Michael Sweeney Business Law Stacey Nakasian …
- Mike Sweeney Panelist at ACG Event on M&AOn November 29th, Mike Sweeney will serve as a panelist at the November Fall Networking event hosted by ACG at the Squantum Club in East …
- D&S Recognized as Lawyers of Year & Best Lawyers for 2024 in 17 Practice AreasCongratulations to Jean Harrington who was named Lawyer-of-the-Year in the practice area of Mergers & Acquisitions Law. Additional shout-outs to all of the D&S partners — …
- From PBN: Five Questions with Mike Sweeney on M&AMichael Sweeney was recently interviewed by Providence Business News about his work in mergers and acquisitions including recent market trends and what might be on …
Admissions
Education
- John’s University School of Law, J.D.
- St. John’s Law Review, Senior Staff
- Providence College, B.S.
Bar & Court Admissions
- Rhode Island
- Massachusetts
