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Mark T. Johnson

Experienced and creative representation helps solve complex business issues and achieve results.<br ...

Contact: P /612.604.6607E /[email protected]

Education

University of Michigan Law School, J.D., 1986

 

Gustavus Adolphus College, B.A., Mathematics & Accounting, 1982

Bar Admissions

Minnesota, 1986

My Approach

My clients call me when they have challenges that need to be addressed, or when they have problems with no obvious solutions. My legal knowledge and business experience help clients navigate through difficult issues and effectively execute on their business transactions. I develop long-term relationships with my clients, which facilitates a better understanding of their businesses, goals and challenges.

When working with opposing counsel, there is a time for adversarial engagement, and a time for negotiation and compromise. It is critical to be able to understand arguments on all sides of the issues, prioritize the issues, and then engage in constructive dialog, as it is essential to getting things done, which is ultimately what we’re all there to do.

When the job gets frenetic, I recharge by being outdoors. I love the diversity of activities available in Minnesota, including biking, golfing, hiking, skiing and snowshoeing, and make time to enjoy them with my family and friends.

A Groundbreaking Moment in my Career

After practicing law for a little over two years, I was entrusted with closing a large business sale transaction for a client in New York, NY, with opposing parties all represented by Wall Street firms. The experience of successfully negotiating and closing that transaction cemented my interest in M&A as a career focus.

Practice Areas

Practicing Mergers & Acquisitions

My Experience

When we represent privately held and family owned businesses in M&A transactions, it is usually the transaction of a lifetime for the owners. Our clients have often spent their careers building their businesses. By guiding them through the sale process, we help make a difference not only for these clients, but also for their families, future generations and their communities. We appreciate the gravity of that role, and the trust that is placed in us to help assure that the deal gets done, and gets done correctly.

Representative Matters

• Representing a multigeneration family owned business in connection with diversification and expansion acquisition transactions. Multiple transactions closed 2013 to the present.
• Representing international producer and distributor of brewing ingredients and other supplies to the craft brewing industry in connection with diversification and business expansion acquisition transactions. Multiple transactions closed 2013 to the present.
• Representing multiple national printing companies in connection with diversification and business expansion acquisition transactions. Multiple transactions closed 2013 to the present.
• Representing international tool and die design, manufacturing and distribution company in connection with acquisitions of business expansion and diversification targets. Multiple transactions closed 2013 to the present.
• Representing a private equity owned designer, manufacturer and distributor of outdoor sport and hunting products in connection with its acquisition of complementary businesses. Multiple transactions closed 2017 to the present.
• Representing restaurant ownership group in connection with acquisition of ownership interest in multiple location restaurant for further diversification and expansion. Transaction in process.
• Representing key executive in connection with purchase of retail business from owner. Transaction in process.
• Representing publicly traded company in connection with possible sale transaction. Transaction in process.
• Representing contract service provider in the medical device marketplace with regard to possible sale transaction. Transaction in process.
• Representing management group in connection with private equity sale of a portfolio company in the hydraulics industry. Transaction in process.
• Representing ownership of sports and entertainment complex in connection with consideration and implementation of ownership diversification/sale alternatives. Transaction in process.
• Representing minority owner of engineering business in connection with structuring, negotiating and documenting ownership sale. Transaction in process.
• Represented private equity owned portfolio company in connection with its bolt-on acquisition of a manufacturer and distributor of hunting, wildlife and security cameras. Transaction closed in third quarter, 2019.
• Represented owner of designer and fabricator of custom retail environments in connection with ownership consolidation transaction. Transaction closed third quarter, 2019.
• Represented management group in connection with private equity sale of a portfolio company in the uninterruptible power supply marketplace. Transaction closed in second quarter, 2019.
• Represented provider of analytic data integration solutions to the credit union marketplace in connection with its sale to a national consolidator. Transaction closed in first quarter, 2019.
• Represented corporate client in connection with its acquisition of business focused on locally growing and distributing year–round fresh produce. Transaction closed in fourth quarter, 2018.
• Represented family owned business in school furniture space in connection with its sale to publicly traded buyer. Transaction closed in third quarter, 2018.
• Represented family owned business in connection with the sale of its petroleum distribution and C–store retail business. Transaction closed in third quarter, 2018.
• Represented owner of workplace safety business in connection with its sale to an international designer and manufacturer of hand tools and other products. Transaction closed in third quarter, 2018.
• Represented industrial tooling business in connection with its acquisition of a complementary business. Transaction closed third quarter, 2018.
• Represented publicly traded recycler of bakery, cereal grain and other food by–products in connection with its acquisition of a complementary business. Transaction closed in third quarter, 2018.
• Represented publicly traded recycler of bakery, cereal grain and other food by–products in connection with its acquisition of a complementary business. Transaction closed in second quarter, 2018.
• Represented management group in connection with private equity sale of a portfolio company in the industrial lighting business. Transaction closed in second quarter, 2017.
• Represented private equity owned portfolio company in connection with its bolt-on acquisition of a complementary business in the outdoor sport and hunting products business. Transaction closed in second quarter, 2017.
• Represented business owner in connection with the sale of commercial product distribution and supply business. Transaction closed in second quarter, 2017.
• Represented private equity owned portfolio company in connection with its bolt-on acquisition of an archery products company. Transaction closed in first quarter, 2017
• Represented international producer and distributor of malt and industry-related brewing supplies in connection with its acquisition of a Canadian complementary malt house. Transaction closed in first quarter, 2017.
• Represented contract manufacturer of medical devices for the healthcare, pharmaceutical and medical diagnostic industries in connection with its acquisition of a UK-based technology company. Transaction closed in fourth quarter, 2016.
• Represented medical practice in connection with the merger of two complementary specialty groups, resulting in one of the largest practices in that medical specialty area in the Midwest. Transaction closed in third quarter, 2016.
• Represented a national manufacturer and distributor of plumbing and piping related products, in connection with their sale to Chinese corporate conglomerate. Transaction closed in first quarter, 2016.
• Represented owners of transportation business in connection with their sale to an employee stock ownership plan. Transaction closed in fourth quarter, 2015.
• Represented a company and its owners in connection with a sale of their gas/convenience store businesses. Transaction closed in fourth quarter, 2015.
• Represented majority ownership group in connection with its acquisition of minority interests in a leading metals distributor representing a global network of primary mills and secondary manufacturers. Transaction closed in fourth quarter, 2015.
• Represented management group in connection with private equity sale of a portfolio company in the power supply and components industry. Transaction closed in third quarter, 2015.
• Represented investment group in connection with its acquisition of real estate and related retail business. Transaction closed in third quarter, 2015.
• Represented management group in connection with private equity sale of a portfolio company in the custom wire, cable and connector industry. Transaction closed in second quarter, 2015.
• Represented continuing ownership group in connection with their buyout of minority owners in real estate holding company. Transaction closed in first quarter, 2015.
• Represented owners in connection with the sale of their gas/convenience store businesses pursuant to stock and asset sale transactions. Transactions closed in first quarter, 2015.
• Represented minority owner of the largest effervescent tablet manufacture in the U.S. in connection with the buyout of the majority owner and other ownership interests. Transaction closed in first quarter, 2015.
• Represented owners of a regional convenience store business in connection with stock and asset sale transactions. Transactions closed in first quarter, 2015.
• Represented international distributor of craft brewing ingredients and other supplies in connection with its acquisition of Canadian complementary business. Transaction closed in fourth quarter, 2014.
• Represented regional supplier and installer of residential and commercial building products in connection with the sale of its assets. Transaction closed in fourth quarter, 2014.
• Represented management in connection with its sale and partial rollover of equity interests in aeronautics private equity portfolio company. Transaction closed in fourth quarter, 2014.
• Represented management in connection with its sale and partial rollover of equity interests in an engineered machinery private equity portfolio company. Transaction closed in second quarter, 2014.
• Represented financial services business, which provided investment management and consulting services to bank trust departments, trust companies and affiliated registered investment advisors, in connection with the sale of the assets of the business. Transaction closed in first quarter, 2014.
• Represented designer, manufacturer and distributor of elevator products in connection with the sale of its assets. Transaction closed in first quarter, 2014.
• Represented owner of manufacturer and distributor of laboratory and clean room equipment, supplies and services in connection with stock sale transaction. Transaction closed in fourth quarter, 2013.
• Represented management group in connection with private equity sale of a portfolio company in the power and energy industry. Transaction closed in fourth quarter, 2013.
• Represented real estate developer in connection with restructuring of California-based joint venture. Transaction closed in third quarter, 2013.
• Represented national furniture designer, manufacturer and distributor, and senior management, in connection with buy-out of controlling interest owners, transferring control to management. Transaction closed in third quarter, 2013.
• Represented international manufacturer and distributor in connection with sale of “non-core” business unit. Transaction closed in second quarter, 2013.
• Represented regional real estate developer in connection with buyout of joint venture partner relating to commercial real estate holdings. Transaction closed in second quarter, 2013.

Awards

The Best Lawyers in America©

Minneapolis Lawyer of the Year: Corporate Law, 2015
Corporate Law, 2013-2025
Mergers & Acquisitions Law, 2021-2025

Practicing General Corporate

My Experience

Every day, clients call me to talk through their latest challenge or transaction. I advise clients on a wide range of day-to-day business issues, including licensing, manufacturing and distribution arrangements, corporate restructurings, recapitalizations, next generation business transitions, compensation options and alternatives, and structuring new business ventures. We strive to better understand their businesses so we can better develop creative solutions that work for their businesses.

Awards

The Best Lawyers in America©

Minneapolis Lawyer of the Year: Corporate Law, 2015
Corporate Law, 2013-2025
Mergers & Acquisitions Law, 2021-2025

Practicing Private Equity

My Experience

I represent private equity, venture capital and investment firms in developing and managing their portfolios with smart business decisions. Every deal has its unique attributes and challenges, and I enjoy taking on those challenges to come up with creative solutions. Our familiarity with private equity (including organizing PEGs, acquiring and growing portfolio companies, and ultimately selling and liquidating) helps assure thorough and efficient deal and portfolio company representation.

Honors & Awards

The Best Lawyers in America©

Minneapolis Lawyer of the Year: Corporate Law, 2015
Corporate Law, 2013-2025
Mergers & Acquisitions Law, 2021-2025

Minnesota Super Lawyers®

2005-2019

AV Preeminent

LexisNexis Martindale-Hubbell, Peer review ratings

Associations & Memberships

Caloris Engineering

Board of Directors

Three A Ventures, Inc.

Board of Directors