Michael J.
Dayton

OVERVIEW

Michael Dayton leads a robust merger and acquisition practice and serves as trusted outside general counsel for sophisticated clients. He assists clients with succession planning and corporate governance issues, enterprise-level technology and other contract matters, industry-specific regulatory matters, commercial lending and secured transactions, and raising capital for entity formation and growth. He works with a broad range of industries including health care and health care technology, insurance and financial services, agribusiness, construction and related services, trucking and logistics, renewable energy, banking, software products and services, and more.

 

Michael’s dedication to client counseling, strategic negotiations, and crafting tailored solutions aligns with his client-focused and timely approach, consistently delivering value-added services.

 

Clients view Michael as steady, consistent, and genuine. He has a reasoned approach to negotiation and is invested in what his clients do. “Mike has a sincere interest in our company,” says Tanner Kinzler, president and CEO of Kinzler Construction Services. “He goes beyond merely producing work for us; he is genuinely interested in what we do as an organization and ensuring that we are successful.”

 

As a member of Nyemaster’s Board of Directors and chairman of the Business, Finance & Real Estate department, Michael believes clients get an amazing experience from start to finish at Nyemaster because the firm’s attorneys from different specialties work together to offer clients a unique one-stop shop for all their legal needs.

 

With a PhD in education, bachelor’s degrees in both psychology and philosophy, and experience in social work, Michael is passionate about serving the community, especially in the areas of child education and welfare. Outside of the office, Michael is deeply involved in serving his community through leadership, teaching, and coaching. He takes community work and participation in nonprofit boards seriously.

 

He extends that desire to improve the community to teaching and molding the next generation of attorneys and consistently looks for ways to mentor younger attorneys.

 

Michael frequently writes and speaks on acquisitions, succession planning, client counseling, contracts, entity formation, and corporate governance.

 

 

 

PROFESSIONAL & COMMUNITY AFFILIATIONS

American Bar Association

• Business Law Section
• Mergers and Acquisitions Subcommittee

 

Iowa State Bar Association

• Business Law Section Council, 2014–2020
  
• Banking/Finance Subcommittee
  

 

Polk County Bar Association

 

National Advisory Council, The Robert D. and Billie Ray Center, Drake University Member, 2018–present

 

Juvenile Drug Court Collaborative 
Co-Founder and Past Chairman of the Board of Directors, 2015–2020

 

Children & Families of Iowa

• President, 2019-2020
• Executive Committee, Member, 2016–2020
• Board of Directors, 2014–2020

 

ESGR (Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve)
Volunteer and Ombudsman, 2014–2020

 

Des Moines AM Rotary Club 

• Foundation Board of Directors, 2022–present
• Board of Directors, 2016–2022
• President, 2020

 

PinkySwear Foundation 
Des Moines Advisory Council, 2016–2020

 

Polk County Bar Association Volunteer Lawyer Project
Board of Directors, Treasurer, 2014–2017

 

Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute
Class of 2015

 

Leadership Iowa
Class of 2013–2014

 

I Have A Dream Foundation
Youth Mentor, 2007–2018

 

West Des Moines Community School Foundation
Board of Directors, 2012–2015

 

Evelyn Davis Early Learning Academy
Board of Directors, 2006–2013

 

Pro Bono Legal Services for, among others: 

Iowa Center for Economic Success

DMARC

RECOGNITION & Client References

“Nyemaster’s customer service, and Mike’s customer service in particular, are second to none. Mike is available 24/7 to answer any questions we have and to work on any issues that may arise in our company.” —Cory Harris, president and CEO, Wellmark

“Mike has been with me since the formation of MakuSafe. He truly listens to me about what is important to our company and focuses on solutions to help us be a success. I think these are rare qualities in a lawyer.” —Gabriel P. Glynn, CEO, MakuSafe Corp.

 

“Mike has a sincere interest in our company. He goes beyond merely producing work for us; he is genuinely interested in what we do as an organization and ensuring that we are successful.” —Tanner Kinzler, president and CEO, Kinzler Construction Services

 

The Best Lawyers in America®
2018-2025

 

The Best Lawyers in America®

• Lawyer of the Year, Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Des Moines, 2021, 2025

 

Chambers USA

• 2019 - 2024
• Up and Coming, 2018

 

Great Plains Super Lawyers, Business/Corporate
2021-2024

 

Des Moines Business Record's Forty Under 40
Honoree, 2014

 

Order of the Coif

 

Iowa Law Review
2004-2005

 

University of Iowa College of Law
Award for Outstanding Scholastic Achievement, 2006