Brent has 30+ years of experience in the financial services industry. He began his career as an examiner with the Office of Thrift Supervision, where he also worked as a fraud investigator. After law school, Brent was senior regulatory counsel in the legal department of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, handling complex regulatory and supervisory matters.
Brent's practice includes representation of a wide variety of financial institutions, including insurance companies and agencies, broker-dealers, investment advisers, hedge funds and other private equity funds, as well as banks and bank holding companies. He advises these entities on matters such as formation, capital restructuring, mergers, acquisitions and other business combinations as well as regulatory matters affecting such institutions, including capital requirements, licensing, registration and examination and enforcement issues.
Representative Experience
Representation of numerous financial institutions in merger and acquisition transactions.
Represents financial services industry professionals in disciplinary matters and administrative enforcement proceedings.
Representation of Bridgewater Bancshares, Inc. (Nasdaq: BWB) and its subsidiary Bridgewater Bank (HQ: Minnesota) in M&A, IPO, subordinated debt, and other transactions.
Represented First Busey Corporation (Nasdaq: BUSE), in connection with its definitive agreement to acquire Investors’ Security Trust Company.
Represented multiple sponsors in their formation of and capital raising for private investment funds, investment advisory, regulatory, and corporate matters for such funds, including, hedge funds, managed futures funds, commodity pools, and private equity funds.
Represented QCR Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: QCRH) in connection with its acquisition of Bates Financial Advisors, Inc., Bates Financial Services, Inc., Bates Securities, Inc., and Bates Financial Group, Inc.
Assisted numerous clients regarding regulatory examination issues and negotiated more than 100 enforcement actions. Represented many troubled banks regarding insolvency and potential receivership issues.
Represents H.F. Gehant Bancorp, Inc. in connection with its definitive merger agreement with Tri-County Financial Group, Inc. (OTCQX: TYFG), in which Tri-County will acquire its subsidiary H.F. Gehant Banking Co.
Represented American Enterprise Bank in entering into a definitive agreement with Northbrook Bank & Trust Company, a subsidiary of Wintrust Financial Corporation (Nasdaq: WTFC), in which Northbrook Bank & Trust Company acquires certain assets and assumes certain liabilities of American Enterprise Bank.
Activities & Honors
- Adjunct Professor, Banking Law and Regulation, Chicago-Kent College of Law (2007-Present)
- Member, Financial Institutions Committee, Chicago Bar Association
- Chairman (2005-2006)
- Member, Association of Certified Fraud Examiners
- Board Member, PURSUE Scholars
- Member, Risk Management Association, Chicago Chapter
Speaking Engagements & Presentations
Other Events & Speaking Engagements
- Various bank association committees regarding Banking Law and Regulation
- 2010 United States Department of State Financial Leadership Delegation
Articles & Publications
News
Services
Education
Indiana University School of Law, J.D., 1993
Ball State University, Honors College, B.S., 1987
Bar & Court Admissions
- State of Illinois
- State of Indiana
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