
Rob is co-chair of the Financial Institutions Group and concentrates his practice on financial institutions, securities, and general corporate matters. He regularly represents financial institutions on public and private securities offerings, recapitalizations, mergers and acquisitions and contract negotiations. Additionally, Rob works closely with clients on their continued compliance with federal and state securities laws, including reporting under the Securities Exchange Act and with corporate governance.
Rob is an adjunct professor in banking law at the Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law. He was an adjunct professor of securities law in the graduate program in financial services law at the Chicago Kent College of Law for five years. Rob is also a frequent speaker in the financial institutions and securities law areas to trade associations and professionals.
Representative Experience
Represented ATBancorp in connection with the agreement and plan of merger of United American (OTCBB: UABK) into Heritage Bank of Commerce Corp (Nasdaq: HTBK).
Represented Bank First Corporation (Nasdaq: BFC) ("Bank First") — the holding company of Bank First, N.A — in the signing of a definitive agreement to acquire Tomah Bancshares, Inc. ("Tomah"), in an all-stock merger transaction.
Since 2000, S&P Global Market Intelligence rankings has listed our firm as one of the top firms in the nation in number of announced bank and thrift merger and acquisition transactions. Our firm ranks #1 in the Midwest and #3 in the U.S. respectively. In total, we have represented buyers and sellers of financial institutions in more than 300 mergers and acquisitions.
Representation of Bridgewater Bancshares, Inc. (Nasdaq: BWB) and its subsidiary Bridgewater Bank (HQ: Minnesota) in M&A, IPO, subordinated debt, and other transactions.
Represented many financial institutions with respect to public offerings and private placements of common stock, subordinated debentures and convertible subordinated debentures.
Represented SBC, Incorporated, the parent company for Countryside Bank, in connection with the acquisition by Wintrust Financial Corporation (Nasdaq: WTFC).
Acted as legal counsel to County Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company”; Nasdaq: ICBK), the parent company of Investors Community Bank, in its offering of $17.4 million in Fixed-to-Floating Rate Subordinated Notes due 2030 to certain qualified institutional buyers and accredited investors in a private placement transaction.
Represented First Busey Corporation (Nasdaq: BUSE), in connection with its definitive agreement to acquire Investors’ Security Trust Company.
Represented First Busey Corporation (Nasdaq: BUSE), in connection with its acquisition of The Banc Ed Corp.
Representation of First Busey Corporation (Nasdaq: BUSE) in connection with its acquisition of First Community Financial Partners, Inc. (Nasdaq: FCFP).
Representation of First Busey Corporation (Nasdaq: BUSE) in connection with its acquisition of Mid Illinois Bancorp Inc.
Represented First Defiance Financial Corp. (“First Defiance”) (Nasdaq: FDEF) in connection with its definitive merger agreement in which United Community Financial Corp. (“United Community”) (Nasdaq: UCFC), will merge into First Defiance in a stock-for-stock transaction.
Represented First BancTrust Corporation (OTCQX: FIRT) in connection with the acquisition by First Mid-Illinois Bancshares, Inc. (Nasdaq: FMBH).
Represented Northern States Financial Corporation (OTCPINK: NSFC), in entering into a definitive agreement in which Northern States merged with First Midwest Bancorp, Inc. (Nasdaq: FMBI).
Represented Guaranty Federal Bancshares, Inc. (Nasdaq: GFED) in connection with the merger with Hometown Bancshares, Inc.
Represented ATBancorp in connection with the acquisition by MidWestOne Financial Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: MOFG).
Represented QCR Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: QCRH) in connection with the divestiture of its wholly-owned subsidiary, Rockford Bank and Trust Company, to Illinois Bank & Trust, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Heartland Financial USA, Inc. (Nasdaq: HTLF).
Represented QCR Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: QCRH) in connection with its acquisition of Springfield Bancshares, Inc.
Represent multiple publicly-traded bank holding companies.
Represented a number of financial institutions with respect to their application and receipt of funds under Treasury's Capital Purchase Program.
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.
Activities & Honors
- Selected, The Best Lawyers in America© (2021-2023)
- Financial Services Regulation Law
- Adjunct Professor, Banking Law, Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law
- Member, American Bar Association, Corporate Law and Banking Law Committees
- Adjunct Professor, Securities Law, Graduate Program in Financial Services Law, Chicago Kent College of Law (2002-2007)
Speaking Engagements & Presentations
Articles & Publications
News
Services
Education
Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law, J.D., cum laude, 1998
University of Michigan, B.A., 1995
Bar & Court Admissions
- State of Illinois