CLEVELAND, OHIO (November 1, 2011)  Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP is pleased to announce that high-profile attorney, Michael Wager, has joined the firm’s Cleveland office as a partner in the Business & Finance practice group. Wager previously was a partner with Squire, Sanders & Dempsey (US) LLP.

Wager focuses his legal practice on the representation of private and publicly-held entities in mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance, corporate governance and strategic growth initiatives. He has significant experience representing companies and investors in change-of-control transactions. In addition, Wager has served as counsel and adviser to, and director of, several private and public companies. He also served as the chair of a Cleveland-based private equity firm.

Representing top-tier international and national clients, Wager bolsters the notable talents of Taft’s Business & Finance partners in Cleveland, including Kevin Barnes, Irv Berliner, Howard Bobrow, Dominic DiPuccio, Peter Nealis and Gregory O’Brien.

Taft Cleveland partner-in-charge, Stephen M. O’Bryan, stated that he is “pleased that Michael selected Taft as the next step in his impressive career.  We look forward to the depth of experience and contributions he brings to Taft.  We are equally enthusiastic about Michael’s distinguished client base and look forward to serving their future needs.” 

Wager expressed that he is “delighted to join Taft, a world-class, regionally-focused firm.  I look forward to contributing to the ongoing development of the Taft organization and to future collaboration with Taft attorneys to meet the needs of my clients.”

In addition to managing a distinguished legal career over the last 30 years, Wager is deeply engaged in Greater Cleveland civic, cultural, and political institutions and causes. He is a past chair of the board of the Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority and serves on the board of the Clean Ohio Council. He is an adjunct professor at Case Western Reserve University.

Wager has contributed his considerable talents to the following organizations, and more:

• American Marshall Memorial Fellowship
• Northeast Ohio Development Fund
• National Leadership Council of University Hospital’s Seidman Cancer Center
• Cuyahoga County Renewable Energy Task Force
• Jewish Community Federation of Cleveland
• Gateway Economic Development Corporation of Greater Cleveland
• Cleveland Foundation’s Task Force on Economic Development
• Mayor’s Convention Center Task Force

Wager received his J.D. from New York University School of Law; his M.A. from Columbia University; and his B.A. from The American University.  He is admitted to practice in Ohio and New York.