Dennis R. Wendte

Dennis R. Wendte


Barack Ferrazzano

Recognized since 2017

Chicago, Illinois

Practice Areas

Banking and Finance Law

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Dennis is an innovative and creative thinker who helps clients find the best path to their desired goals. He has more than 35 years of experience over hundreds of transactions in the strategy, structure, and successful execution of mergers and acquisitions and other capital transactions.

Dennis regularly advises clients on the mergers and acquisitions of financial institutions, the raising of additional capital through public and private offerings of equity and debt instruments, and other strategic activities and initiatives. He has a wide array of experience in structuring corporate and financial transactions. Dennis also provides counsel to boards of directors on issues of corporate governance and regulatory compliance and enforcement matters.

Earlier in his career, he represented federal bank regulatory agencies in the receivership of over 75 savings and loan associations. This has provided him with valuable practical experience in the representation of troubled banks and also healthy organizations bidding for failed institutions. Dennis has also represented the organizers of over 100 de novo banks across the country, including those forming banks in Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin, New Mexico, Arizona, Indiana, and New York.

Dennis is a frequent speaker at schools and seminars for bankers on issues of financial institutions law, and he served for several years as an adjunct professor of banking law at Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law.

Contact & Links
Location
  • 200 West Madison Street, Suite 3900
    Chicago, IL 60606
Education
  • The University of Michigan Law School, J.D., graduated 1982
  • University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign, BS, graduated 1978
Bar Admissions
  • Illinois, State of Illinois

Barack Ferrazzano
Headquarters: Chicago, Illinois

34 The Best Lawyers in America® awards

39 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America awards

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Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2026 for work in:
  • Banking and Finance Law
Additional Areas of Practice:
  • Financial Services Regulation Law
  • Mergers and Acquisitions Law
  • Securities / Capital Markets Law

Publications

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