Practice Areas
Industries
Education
Case Western Reserve University School of Law
Cleveland, Ohio
J.D., magna cum laude, 2006
Order of the Coif
Law Review
Washington and Lee University
Lexington, Virginia
B.A., English, 2000
Bar Admissions
Michigan
Court Admissions
All Michigan state courts
Corporate Attorney
John is a partner in Varnum’s corporate practice. Over the course of his career, he has advised on dozens of complex transactions whose aggregate value totals more than $10 billion. John has extensive experience in deals involving the automotive, manufacturing, technology, retail and health care industries, with a strong background in mergers and acquisitions, private equity, real estate and join venture transactions. John’s diverse practice includes both company-side representation, public and private, as well as private equity groups in connections with all stages of complex transactions, including acquisitions, divestitures, recapitalizations and restructurings.
In addition, John advises clients on general internal corporate matters, including shareholder agreements, corporate governance, equity incentive plans and investor relations. John also acts as general outside counsel to a number of corporate clients, providing advice and assistance in connection with general contract matters concerning vendors, suppliers, customers, licensors and other day-to-day business transactions.
Experience
Represented a foreign buyer in its $110 million acquisition of a large U.S. automobile manufacturing plant.
Represented a private equity seller in its $545 million sale of a national home security company.
Represented a private equity buyer in its $176 million acquisition of a textile production operation.
Represented a private equity buyer in its $40 million acquisition of a home health services provider.
Represented a private equity buyer in its $258 million acquisition of a national casual dining chain.
Represented a large pharmaceutical company in its license and subsequent $175 million acquisition of intellectual property.
Represented a private equity buyer in its $7 billion buyout of a publicly-traded asset management company.
Represented a health care conglomerate fund in several add-on acquisitions ranging from $1 million to $20 million.
Represented an international auto parts manufacturer in the $15 million sale of its aftermarket components division.
Represented a startup medical products distributor in its acquisition of a product line from Stryker.
Represented a plastics injection molding company in its $8 million sale to a private equity group.
Represented an insurance agency in multiple add-on acquisitions ranging from $1 million to $60 million.
Represented a local private equity fund in its add-on acquisitions of printer supplies manufacturers and franchisors.
Represented a large international insurance conglomerate in various acquisitions of insurance carriers and agencies ranging from $5 million to $150 million.
Represented a private equity seller in its $600 million divestment of a large international pharmaceutical company.
Represented a pipeline construction and engineering firm in connection with a private equity investment and subsequent restructuring.
Represented multiple private equity clients in various recapitalizations and restructurings of portfolio companies.
Represented a large chemical processing and production company in its $445 million acquisition of a liquid colorant engineering and processing facility.
Represented a large, publicly-traded industrial services company in its $16 million acquisition of industrial components and related machinery.
Honors and Recognitions
The Best Lawyers in America®, Corporate Law, 2022; Mergers and Acquisitions Law, 2024
Professional Affiliations
American Bar Association
Illinois State Bar
Ohio State Bar
State Bar of Michigan