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Frank D. Ballantine

Member

Frank Ballantine is a strategic advisor and counselor to senior management, boards of directors, and investors in public and private companies across a variety of sectors, based in the U.S. and abroad.  He advises executives, investors, and owner-operators of businesses changing how we live and work and traditional businesses at transformative moments.

Frank serves as outside general counsel and corporate finance transaction leader. He leads private equity, venture capital, and angel investment transactions, as well as debt financings.

Frank leads buy-side and sell-side M&A, joint ventures, marketing alliances, and technology licensing. He advises businesses and executives on equity-based compensation and brings Dykema’s specialists to bear on achieving his clients’ objectives and mastering their obstacles.

Frank’s active client sectors include information technology (often SaaS-based, along with AI, machine learning, mobile apps, and solutions) food processing, healthcare, business services, manufacturers, distribution, and finance.

Frank’s cross-border engagements include inbound acquisitions, as well as foreign market entry, distribution, and technology development involving the UK, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Columbia, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Serbia.

Clients rely upon Frank’s framing of business and legal considerations for decisions, candor, responsiveness, and superior communication skills.

Investor-backed and closely held private companies often experience fiduciary and governance issues with which Frank has extensive experience.

He has been or is serving ex officio on 26 clients’ boards of directors and served for eight years on the advisory board of two venture funds.

“Sound legal and business counsel arise out of understanding each client’s distinctive culture of risk and reward. Business leaders understand that they succeed by selecting and managing their risks and seek a legal partner aligned with their values and objectives.”
    • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, Judicial Clerk to Hon. Nathanial R. Jones
    • University of Michigan Law School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, J.D.
    • Columbia University Graduate School of Fine Arts, New York, New York, Work toward MFA in Film
    • Haverford College, Haverford, Pennsylvania, Honors in English, B.A.
    • Manchester College, Oxford University; Junior Year

  • Bar Admissions

    • Illinois

    • Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® for Corporate Law, 2006-2024

    • Chicago Shakespeare Theater; Board of Directors
    • Re/Cast: Advisors in Ownership Succession; Advisory Board Member
    • Two Venture Funds; Advisory Board Member
    • The Nature Conservancy in Illinois; Founding Chair; Corporate Advisory Committee
    • Chicago Innovations Mentors; Lead Mentor

Contact

Chicago312-627-2509

Latest News and Insights

Press Mentions11.15.24

Dykema’s 2024 M&A Outlook Survey and Contributors Receive National Media Coverage

Several regional and national media outlets referenced Dykema’s 2024 M&A Outlook Survey.…

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Press Releases10.15.24

Dykema's 20th Annual M&A Outlook Survey: Dealmakers Anticipate a Resurgent U.S. M&A Market in 2025

Twenty years of historical survey data reveal a clear trend: the U.S. M&A market is only as strong…

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Press Releases10.9.24

Dykema Represents Network Perception in Successful Acquisition by Dragos, Inc.

Dykema, a leading national law firm, served as outside general counsel and strategic counsel to…

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