Global consulting firm J.S. Held announced the acquisition of MorrisAnderson, a market leader in financial restructuring and operational consulting.  The acquisition further strengthens J.S. Held’s turnaround and restructuring, bankruptcy, transaction, and dispute advisory expertise that helps businesses overcome complex enterprise challenges and realize long-term, sustainable business value.

Daniel F. Dooley, MorrisAnderson CEO, commenting on the transaction, shares, “Of the many benefits of the transaction are the geographic reach and broad industry expertise of J.S. Held. The expansive global office footprint will allow us to provide additional local support and a wider array of services to our clients.”

MorrisAnderson was recognized by Turnaround & Workouts as one of the Outstanding Turnaround Firms for 2024 and for many years for their work in:

• Turnaround and Restructuring, as Chief Restructuring Officer (CRO) in the Chapter 11 reorganization of US Realm and out of court CRO for a $275M logistics company
• Refinancing, as Financial Advisor specializing in debtor refinancing for a $700M protein processor, $250M construction products distributor, and $200M sporting goods manufacturer, among other matters spanning franchised restaurants, manufacturers, distributors, healthcare providers, and service companies
• Fiduciary Services, including their work on several cases as Liquidating Trustee
• Litigation Support, for multiple disputes

J.S. Held Senior Managing Director Michael Jacoby, who joined J.S. Held as a result of the Phoenix Management acquisition in 2022, commenting on the acquisition, shares, “The entire Phoenix Team along with the team from Stapleton Group look forward to actively collaborating with our colleagues at MorrisAnderson and further applying our shared expertise to an increasingly diverse set of clients, law firms, private equity firms, and lenders." 

MorrisAnderson Team

The MorrisAnderson team has earned a reputation for:

• Deep knowledge and skills in distressed situations honed over 40 years working within the industry.
• Action oriented creativity, experts who not only advise, but manage plan implementation.
• Operational proficiency, leveraging first hand experience running a business to improve business performance.
• Consistent and reliable communication extending beyond the management team to keep all stakeholders informed.

MorrisAnderson is led by nationally recognized restructuring, crisis management, operations improvement, debt refinancing, and C-level interim manager Dan Dooley and notable turnaround and transaction expert Mark Welch.  Drawing on over 40 years of deep expertise across multiple industry sectors, MorrisAnderson team members are trusted advisors to restaurants, franchise businesses, distributors, manufacturers, including automotive, and energy, including coal, solar, and natural gas. 
MorrisAnderson, a part of J.S. Held

As a part of J.S. Held, the experts from MorrisAnderson join a team with deep financial and operational expertise, spanning:  

• Turnaround and Restructuring
• Bankruptcy, Receiverships, and Fiduciary Services
• Investment Banking Services
• Real Estate Solutions
• Investigations & Litigation Support
• Investor Support Services
• Operational Value Creation
• Office of the CFO & Corporate Finance Support
• Distressed Agribusiness Services
• Independent Director and Interim Management (CRO, CEO, CFO, COO)

Together, the team now includes over 75 professionals. MorrisAnderson Principal Mark J. Welch reflects on the expanded team, sharing, “The expertise at J.S. Held will be important to support our strong deal flow, enhancing our ability to scale leveraging J.S. Held experts is incredibly valuable to us and our clients.”  

Lee Spirer, Chief Executive Officer of J.S. Held, observes, "Among many qualities that were attractive to us in this acquisition is the unique combination of entrepreneurial and visionary leaders with an unwavering focus on operations that helps clients maximize enterprise value." 

As a result of the transaction, MorrisAnderson clients now have access to more than 1,500 technical, scientific, financial, and strategic experts across five continents who provide specialized, complementary expertise in areas including business enterprise and intellectual property strategy and valuation; compliance and regulatory consulting; forensic accounting; environmental consulting; M&A regulatory response; dispute advisory; ESG and sustainability consulting; cybersecurity; and independent director and interim management, among others.