John J. Crowe

He has over 30 years of experience representing operating companies, strategic buyers and sellers, family offices, and financial services and portfolio companies in domestic and cross-border mergers and acquisitions and other complex corporate matters.

Public and private companies, limited liability companies, partnerships, and nonprofits of all types rely on John to advise them on transactions ranging from private fundraising, private placements, and joint ventures to restructurings, capital transactions, and day-to-day legal concerns. He represents clients from a wide breadth of industries, including apparel, retail, financial services, hospitality, technology, and entertainment, among others.

Strategic Mergers + Acquisitions (M+A)

Beginning with a clear understanding of his clients’ goals, John is able to structure, negotiate, and close strategic deals. He is particularly attuned to the needs of middle-market companies seeking acquisition opportunities that will drive growth and increase market share. He helps evaluate issues that may arise in cross-border mergers and advises on corporate integration and assimilation strategies that will drive profitability while addressing regulatory concerns.

Additionally, private equity firms and investors looking to finance acquisitions routinely seek John’s counsel. He carefully analyzes risks and rewards, evaluates return on investment opportunities, and negotiates the securities instruments and contracts needed to secure his client’s position.

Recently, John has successfully advised:

• God’s Not Dead Foundation d/b/a Pure Flix, a subscription video service that airs faith-based and family-friendly movies, series, documentaries, webcasts, and educational programming, in connection with the negotiation of the asset purchase agreement relating to its acquisition by Sony Pictures Entertainment, through its subsidiary AFFIRM Entertainment, Inc.

• sbe Entertainment Group, the owner of major hospitality brands, on the sale of a 50% interest in the company to Paris-based AccorHotels in a transaction valued at $319 million as well as the subsequent sale of its remaining interest to Accor.

• Camuto Group, the product design and brand development organization best known for the Vince Camuto® brand, in selling its operations to footwear and accessories retailer DSW Inc. for approximately $341 million. 

• WHP Global, brand management company, in connection with various transactions including:
  • the acquisition of the Joseph Abboud trademarks from Tailored Brands (f/k/a Men’s Warehouse).
  • the acquisition of legacy women's fashion brand Anne Klein from Premier Brands Group.

• CSI Innovations Inc. in connection with its sale of Catapult Systems, LLC for an aggregate cash consideration of US $51.5 million to Quisitive Technology Solutions, Inc.

• Consumer Testing Laboratories, Inc., a privately-held consumer products company, in its sale to UL, a premier global independent safety science company.

Industry Recognition

John is consistently recognized as one of the country’s top M&A attorneys, earning accolades from The Legal 500 US, Super Lawyers, and other industry publications.