Nicholas M. Oertel

Nicholas (Nick) Oertel is a partner in the Lansing office of Foster Swift. He concentrates his practice in providing outside general counsel service to a wide variety of businesses, including family-owned businesses, start-up companies, and health systems. He has more than 10 years of experience and a unique ability to find simple solutions to complex issues. 

As an outside general counsel, Nick assists clients in negotiating, drafting and enforcing all types of contracts. He has significant experience involving mergers and acquisitions - in both the non-profit and for-profit arenas.  His merger and acquisition counsel includes all deal phases from the initial planning (including tax planning) to post-closing indemnification claims and defense. In the non-profit arena, Nick has counseled health systems in acquisition/affiliation matters and associated governance issues. Nick also advises on federal and state tax issues, including federal income tax exemptions and Michigan non-property taxes (sales and use).

Nick also regularly counsels family-owned businesses, entrepreneurs and start-up businesses on a wide range of matters. He is an expert on entity selection issues and drafting effective shareholder agreements, including planning for multi-generational family businesses. Nick has counseled many businesses in fundraising – from convertible promissory notes, SAFEs and Series A rounds – and the Federal and blue sky securities laws applicable to those financings.

Nick is active in various civic groups and is the President of the Ronald McDonald House of Mid-Michigan and is a recipient of Ingham County Bar Association’s 2016 Top 5 Under 35 award.

Ingham County Bar Association's 2016 Top 5 Under 35

NALS of Lansing 2014 Boss of the Year

• Represented technology company in $100+ million sale  to private equity fund;
• Represented health system in negating and implement successful joint venture;
• Represented Michigan-based private equity fund in acquiring heating and cooling business;
• Crafted succession plan and associated documentation to transition successful multi-generation family business;
• Successfully represented business owner in office liability sales tax dispute – all liability cancelled
• Assisted numerous early stage companies, negotiate, structure and close private placement offerings totaling more than $25 million
• Successfully obtained summary disposition in use tax dispute – use tax assessment reduced to $0

Legal Affiliations:

• State Bar of Michigan
• Ingham County Bar Association
• Lansing Regional Chamber
  • Political Action Committee 

Industry & Professional Associations: 

• Ronald McDonald House of Mid-Michigan, Board of Directors