David Powlen has over 25 years of combined experience as an investment banker, financial advisor and attorney in numerous merger, acquisition, financing, reorganization and other transactions for both publicly and privately held businesses. Industries in which he has advised various clients include automotive, construction, energy, financial services, healthcare, manufacturing, metals, plastics, real estate, retail and wholesale enterprises, technology, telecommunications and transportation.

During the five years immediately prior to joining Western Reserve Partners, David worked as a senior financial advisor with Mesirow Financial Consulting (New York City office), and as a managing director within the investment banking division of KeyBanc Capital Markets and McDonald Investments (Cleveland headquarters). Also, while with KeyBanc Capital Markets, he was a member of its Valuation and Fairness Opinion Committee and its Commitments Committee. Previous to his work in financial consulting and investment banking, David was a partner with the top-100 law firm Barnes & Thornburg, during which time he was a member of its Business Transaction and Counseling, Finance, Insolvency and Restructuring, and Real Estate Departments, and was listed in The Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White).

David is a graduate of Harvard College and Harvard Law School. He has authored, contributed to or been quoted in many articles and publications addressing various aspects of the sale, refinancing and restructuring of companies and other M&A topics. In addition, he has been an active member of and leader within various professional associations focused on fundamental business transactions.

In addition to assisting clients with conventional sale, purchase, financing, and valuation assignments, David leads Western Reserve’s work on special situations, restructurings, and Chapter 11 cases, including for companies undertaking turnarounds, recapitalizations and sale transactions, lenders, creditors’ committees, prospective investors or purchasers, and other parties.  He is a Certified Insolvency & Restructuring Advisor (Association of Insolvency & Restructuring Advisors), has been an officer, board member, committee chair, and speaker for chapters, committees and programs of the American Bankruptcy Institute, American Bar Association, Turnaround Management Association, and other organizations dealing with financial issues and corporate renewal. While a practicing attorney David was certified in Business Bankruptcy Law (American Board of Certification) and appeared in Chapter 11 reorganization cases throughout the U.S.