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Michael Ward

Michael Ward

Managing Director, Head of Leveraged Finance

Chicago skyline

About Michael

Michael Ward is a managing director for William Blair based in the firm’s Chicago office. He originally joined William Blair’s investment banking team in 1997. Before joining William Blair, he worked for First Chicago Corp.

Community Involvement

2nd Vice President – Union League Boys and Girls Clubs

Awards and Affiliations

CPA

Notable Transactions

  • Not Disclosed

    Senior Secured Credit Facilities Preferred Equity

    June 2024

  • $75,000,000

    Senior Secured
    Credit Facility

    May 2024

  • $180,000,000

    Senior Secured Credit Facility

    March 2024

  • $165,000,000

    Unitranche Credit Facility

    April 2023

  • Not Disclosed

    Senior Secured Credit Facility

    December 2021

  • $180,000,000

    Unitranche Credit Facility

    July 2021

    William Blair acted as exclusive financial advisor to HungerRush, LLC, a portfolio company of The CapStreet Group, to refinance its existing indebtedness and to support future growth.

    Read more
  • Not Disclosed

    Unitranche Credit Facility

    July 2021

  • Not Disclosed

    a portfolio company of Rockbridge Growth Equity

    Senior & Subordinated Debt Preferred Equity

    June 2021

    William Blair acted as exclusive financial advisor to Connect America, a portfolio company of Rockbridge Growth Equity (Rockbridge), in connection with the pending acquisition and financing of Philips Aging and Caregiving.

    Read more
  • $170,000,000

    Unitranche Credit Facility

    February 2021

  • Not Disclosed

    Unitranche Credit Facility

    October 2020

  • $160,000,000

    Unitranche Credit Facility

    May 2019

  • $410,000,000

    First Lien and Second Lien Credit Facilities

    May 2019

  • Rigorous pursuit of your success. Every transaction. Every time.

    Our investment bankers are 100 percent committed to your organization’s sustained success. By drawing on our deep industry and product experience as well as our dedicated global resources, we provide advisory and financing services that allow you to capitalize on today’s opportunities and anticipate tomorrow’s challenges.

    More about investment banking at William Blair
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    Leveraged Finance

    William Blair's leveraged finance team has extensive experience arranging all types of leveraged loans for sponsor-backed, non-sponsored, and public clients. We provide trusted, objective advice on how best to structure debt issues, and we are skilled at negotiating key terms of debt agreements.

    More about our leveraged finance expertise
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    About William Blair

    William Blair is a premier global boutique with expertise in investment banking, investment management, and private wealth management. We provide advisory services, strategies, and solutions to meet our clients’ evolving needs. As an independent and employee-owned firm, together with our strategic partners, we operate in more than 20 offices worldwide.*

    • 1935

      Year William Blair was founded

    • 1,900+

      Employees worldwide

    • 149 billion+

      Client assets

    • 89 Years

      Independent and employee-owned

    • 20+

      Offices worldwide

    • ~650

      Companies under coverage

    As of September 30, 2024
    *Includes strategic partnerships with Allier Capital, BDA Partners, and Poalim Capital Markets.

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    This content is for informational and educational purposes only and not intended as investment advice or a recommendation to buy or sell any security. Investment advice and recommendations can be provided only after careful consideration of an investor's objectives, guidelines, and restrictions.

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