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John Tokarz is a business lawyer who brings extensive experience and a practical approach to complex transactions. His background as a Certified Public Accountant with a Big Four accounting firm gives him a deep understanding of his clients businesses. John is known for getting deals done by delivering insightful and practical solutions in matters involving mergers and acquisitions, securities offerings, joint ventures and other significant corporate transactions. From startups to publicly traded companies, he provides a full range of transactional and strategic support to help his clients achieve their goals.

In addition to his transactional work, John has a robust general corporate practice advising closely held and family-owned businesses on day-to-day legal and business issues.

John also regularly represents insurance companies and other institutional investors when making commitments to private investment funds, including buyout, venture capital, credit, real estate and infrastructure funds.

John graduated first in his class from the University of Wisconsin Law School where he was a Note and Comment Editor for the Wisconsin Law Review and honored with the James J. & Dorothy T. Hanks Memorial Award for excellence in the study of corporate law.

Education

  • J.D., summa cum laude, University of Wisconsin Law School (Order of the Coif)
  • B.B.A., University of Notre Dame (Accountancy)

Bar Admissions

Wisconsin

Matters

John has represented a variety of companies across a wide array of industries:

  • Midwest-based private equity sponsor in connection with its organization and internal structuring/governance and in a series of subsequent acquisitions in the material handling equipment and specialty cheese manufacturing industries
  • Specialty industrial manufacturing company in connection with its national search and subsequent acquisition of an automotive trailer manufacturing company to counter cyclical changes in its core manufacturing business
  • Midwest-based manufacturer and distributor of lime products in the sale of its business to a strategic buyer using an auction process
  • Publicly traded global provider of financial services technology in several strategic add-on acquisitions in the Fintech sector
  • Iconic Milwaukee-based sausage company in the sale of its business to a private equity fund using an auction process
  • SBIC licensed private equity fund in its acquisitions of a residential HVAC service company and a communications equipment manufacturer
  • Biotechnology services company in its sale to a private equity backed competitor
  • Publicly traded automotive component manufacturer in connection with the formation of an Indian joint venture
  • Leading commercial kitchen and bar design firm in a series of strategic acquisitions to expand its geographic footprint and market position
  • Nationally recognized mutual insurance company in a secondary sale of a portfolio of private equity fund investments to several “fund of funds” buyers
  • Milwaukee entrepreneur in connection with several acquisitions in a variety of sectors including retail and restaurant/hospitality
  • Health care software company in the sale of its business to a Fortune 100 health insurance provider
  • Outside investors/management group in connection with the buyout of a Midwest-based processor of by-products from food and beverage processing plants
  • Specialized hydraulic tank manufacturer in connection with the restructuring of its Chinese joint venture
  • Publicly traded medical device manufacturer in connection with its merger with a startup pharmaceutical company specializing in drug development for men’s health that transformed the company’s strategic plan
  • National leader in the re-refining of used motor oil in a series of strategic acquisitions to expand its market position
  • Midwest-based hotel developer in connection with its fundraising efforts for a series of hotel developments across the United States
  • Local Milwaukee staffing agency in the sale of its business to an independent private equity sponsor
  • Wheelchair seating and positioning device manufacturer in the sale of its business to a large multinational strategic buyer
  • Private equity backed leading label converter and packaging materials manufacturer in a series of strategic add-on acquisitions
  • Specialty raw pet food manufacturer in the sale of its business to a private equity fund
  • “Phishing” training and prevention software company in the sale of its business to a large publicly traded IT-security company using an auction process
  • Carbonless paper manufacturer in the sale of its business to a private equity fund using an auction process

John also regularly counsels clients regarding issues under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, including notification filings with the Federal Trade Commission and the U.S. Department of Justice.

Honors & Affiliations

Honors

  • Best Lawyers in America – Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships); Corporate Law; Mergers and Acquisitions Law
  • Wisconsin Law Journal “Up and Coming Lawyer” (2019)
  • Selected for inclusion in Wisconsin Super Lawyers, previously named as a Wisconsin Super Lawyers "Rising Star"
  • Daniel H. Grady Award (Top-Ranking Graduating Student in the University of Wisconsin Law School)
  • James J. & Dorothy T. Hanks Memorial Award (Excellence in the Study of Corporate Law at the University of Wisconsin Law School)

Affiliations

  • State Bar of Wisconsin
  • Milwaukee Bar Association
  • St. Francis Borgia Catholic School (School Committee Board Member, Finance Committee Chair)
  • MACC Fund (former Emerging Leaders Board Member)
  • Zoological Society of Milwaukee (former Associate Board Member)

News & Insights

Publications

  • "The Corporate Transparency Act: What Companies Need to Know," Privacy & Cybersecurity Law Report (January 2024)
  • Involuntary Servants: The NCAA’s Abridgement of Student-Athletes’ Economic Rights in Perpetuity Violates the Thirteenth Amendment, 2010 Wis. L. Rev. 1501 (2010)