Foley & Lardner LLP announced today that Michael (Mike) Lappin has joined the firm’s Transactions Practice Group as of counsel in its Milwaukee office. A proven and trusted C-suite leader and attorney with extensive experience helping to lead multibillion-dollar organizations through growth and complex business matters, Lappin brings additional expertise, depth and in-house perspective in support of Foley’s public and private company clients.
Lappin comes to Foley with nearly 30 years of legal experience and after more than a decade serving in senior executive roles with Advocate Aurora Health, Inc. and Aurora Health Care, Inc., one of Advocate Aurora’s predecessor organizations. His long tenure with the health care system began in 2009 when Aurora hired Lappin as the not-for-profit’s first general counsel. In that role, Lappin established the legal department, which handled numerous significant matters, including acquisitions and divestitures, governmental investigations, regulatory issues and major contracts. More specifically, Lappin served as the co-executive lead on all significant Aurora mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures and strategic partnerships, including the formation of Aurora Health Care Medical Group. He later took on additional duties as Chief Administrative Officer, overseeing legal and several other administrative departments.
Then, in 2018, when Aurora combined with Advocate Health Care to form Advocate Aurora Health, Lappin – known for his significant experience in mergers and acquisitions – was tapped to establish and lead a 60-person team that developed and implemented a merger integration plan, which unified the two organizations and resulted in hundreds of millions of dollars in annual synergies. Following the merger, he returned to his Chief Administrative Officer role.
“We are pleased to welcome Mike to our transactions team,” said Mike Okaty, co-chair of the firm’s Transactions Practice Group. “His provider-side experience guiding the integration between Advocate Health Care and Aurora Health Care will afford our clients with unmatched health care transactional know-how. Furthermore, Mike is highly regarded as a business advisor and is sought after by board members and senior executives seeking objective yet creative counsel on strategic business and legal matters. Our clients will greatly benefit from Mike’s addition to the firm.”
In addition to his professional background, Lappin is deeply involved in several nonprofit organizations. He currently sits on the board of the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Milwaukee and Jewish Family Services and has been involved with many other youth, health and education-focused nonprofits over the years.
“While Mike’s professional accomplishments stand alone, his dedication and commitment to his community and the causes he supports truly set him apart,” said Linda Benfield, managing partner of Foley’s Milwaukee office. “The Milwaukee office is committed to providing outstanding client service and is similarly devoted to providing pro bono legal services and board support to dozens of community organizations. We look forward to the contributions Mike will make to our clients and our community members.”
“Foley’s outstanding reputation, collaborative culture, and national leadership in both the transactions practice and health care industry made the firm a clear choice for me,” said Lappin. “I’m thrilled to join the team and look forward to supporting our clients.”
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