Michael C. Hardy II

is a partner in Duane Morris’ Corporate Practice Group, Co-Chair of its Private Equity Division and team lead of the firmwide Private Equity Industry Group, splitting his time between the firm’s Washington, D.C. and Baltimore offices. Mr. Hardy represents clients in connection with complex financings, mergers and acquisitions and other strategic transactions domestically and internationally. He has extensive experience advising private equity sponsors and their portfolio companies in a broad range of industries. Mr. Hardy’s private equity clients include growth equity funds, large institutional investors, private credit and special situations funds, independent sponsors, family offices, SBIC funds and other nonbank lenders. Mr. Hardy also regularly advises regulated financial institutions and borrowers regarding lending transactions.

In addition to his private equity experience, Mr. Hardy has a broad-based multidisciplinary practice providing counsel to growth companies and acts as outside general counsel to middle market businesses. He advises management teams and boards of directors regarding business and tax strategy, corporate governance and matters relating to company operations. Mr. Hardy’s corporate clients include companies in the technology, financial services, consumer products, telecommunications, education, real estate, healthcare and life sciences industries. Within the technology industry, Mr. Hardy has substantial experience with tech-enabled services, financial technology, cybersecurity, data analytics, healthcare and education technology companies.

Mr. Hardy is a graduate of Vanderbilt University Law School, and holds a business degree from Towson University.

Resume

Experience

•Duane Morris LLP
- Partner, 2017-present

•Prior to joining Duane Morris, Mr. Hardy practiced law as an associate and then partner at several prominent international law firms. During law school, Mr. Hardy worked for Vice Chancellors Stephen Lamb and Leo Strine of the Delaware Court of Chancery, as well as for the Honorable Thomas A Wiseman, of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee. Prior to law school, Mr. Hardy ran a small business and worked during college as a Congressional intern on Capitol Hill.

Honors and Awards

•Ranked in Chambers USA, 2016-2017 and 2020
•Maryland Daily Record, 40 Under 40
•Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, 35 Under 35 Award Honoree

Civic and Charitable Activities

•Project Opportunity Veterans Program, Mentor and Guest Lecturer
•Best Buddies International, Maryland Chapter
- Past Member, Board of Advisors
•Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
•Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Light the Night Walk
- Member, Executive Committee, 2012

Selected Publications

•Author, A Qualified Opinion: Growing Emphasis on Cost Control and Value-Based Care is Driving Consolidation and Creating New Opportunities for PE Investors, Middle Market Growth, May/June 2019.

•Featured, Rainmakers: Md. Lawyers at the Top of Their Game Discuss Their Journey, Maryland Daily Record, April 12, 2019