John C. Partigan
Partner / Team Leader, Securities
Introduction
John Partigan is known for his extensive experience in public and private company mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures and strategic alliances, capital markets transactions, and corporate governance. He is the team leader of the firm’s national Securities practice.
My focus
My focus is on helping our clients achieve their goals, by efficiently and effectively structuring and executing on transformative transactions, including acquisitions, dispositions, debt or equity financings, initial public offerings, joint ventures, and strategic alliances.
MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS
I enjoy working with clients in a wide variety of industries and on transactions of all shapes and sizes. I recently represented AMP Capital Holdings Limited, a large global investment manager headquartered in Sydney, Australia, in two strategic transactions, including the sale of AMP’s infrastructure mezzanine debt platform to Ares Holdings, L.P. and the sale of its global infrastructure equity management platform, the Global Infrastructure Funds, to DigitalBridge Group, Inc.
I also have deep experience representing clients in the media industry. For more than 20 years, I have represented TEGNA Inc., a publicly traded broadcast and digital media company, in transformative acquisitions and strategic investments. In addition, I have secured billions of dollars of debt financing in the US debt capital markets and under its amended and extended credit agreement.
CAPITAL MARKETS
I have represented issuers of high-grade and high-yield debt securities, in Rule 144A and Regulation S distributions, exchange offers, tender offers, and consent solicitations, involving billions of dollars. These financings are often completed in conjunction with merger and acquisition transactions. I have recently represented a leading European venture capital firm, and its investment funds, as US securities counsel, including in connection with the formation of two new life sciences funds and the disposition of investments in two portfolio companies in the US capital markets after completion of IPO transactions for the portfolio companies.
Representative experience
Securities and Captial Markets
- Sofinnova Partners, the Management Company, and its investment funds, as their US securities counsel, including in connection with the formation of two new life sciences funds in 2022 (Sofinnova Digital Medicine I FCPI and Sofinnova Crossover II S.L.P.) and the disposition of investments in two portfolio companies in the US capital markets after completion of IPO transactions for the portfolio companies
- Sofinnova Partners, as US tax and securities counsel, in connection with a strategic investment by Apollo [NYSE: APO]. Under the agreement, Apollo will take a minority equity investment in Sofinnova and commit up to EUR 1 billion of managed capital to invest in Sofinnova’s investment funds. Sofinnova Partners is a leading European venture capital firm in life sciences and this strategic investment will allow Sofinnova to accelerate its growth strategy and solidify its market position.
- TEGNA Inc. in a private placement offering of $1.1 billion aggregate principal amount of its 5.00% Senior Notes due 2029 under Rules 144A and Regulation S
- EverQuote, Inc., a leading online insurance marketplace in the US, connecting consumers with insurance providers; we represented the selling shareholders in the company’s initial public offering
Mergers & Acquisitions
- AMP Limited and its subsidiary, AMP Capital Investors International Holdings Limited, as lead M&A Counsel, in connection with the sale of AMP’s global infrastructure equity platform to Digital Bridge Operating Company, LLC [NYSE: DBRG]
- UST Global Media Services, Inc., as lead M&A Counsel, in connection with its sale to Gracenote, Inc., a subsidiary of The Nielsen Group (US), LLC. The sale was structured as a sale of the stock of the target company for cash consideration and additional earn-out consideration. The seller’s parent company also entered into a long-term master services agreement with Nielsen in connection with the stock sale transaction involving its subsidiary.
- AMP Capital Holdings Limited and its subsidiary, AMP Capital Investors International Holdings Limited, as lead M&A Counsel, in connection with the sale of AMP’s infrastructure mezzanine debt platform to Ares Holdings, L.P.
- TEGNA Inc. on its acquisition of 11 local television stations from Nexstar Media Group, Inc. for $740 million
- TEGNA Inc. on its acquisition of two top-rated television stations and a radio station for $535 million
- TEGNA Inc. on its acquisition of Midwest Television, Inc.’s San Diego television station and two radio stations for $325 million
- TEGNA Inc. on its simultaneous acquisitions of Justice Network, LLC, and Quest Network, LLC, by purchasing the remaining outstanding membership interests of Justice and Quest from Cooper Media LLC, for a purchase price of approximately $52M and $25M, respectively
- TEGNA Inc. on its $2.2 billion merger with Belo Corp., increasing the size of its broadcast television business from 23 to 43 stations; and the related divestitures of television stations KMOV TV in St. Louis, Missouri, and KTVK TV and KASW TV in Phoenix, Arizona, to Meredith Corporation (NYSE: MDP) for $407.5 million in cash
- Gannett Co., Inc., on its $1.8 billion acquisition of Cars.com, then the second largest automobile classified website in the US
Looking ahead
Increased merger and acquisition activity, particularly among strategic buyers, as the debt capital markets continue to be strong.
In the news
- Mergers & Acquisitions
Bally’s completes deals with Standard General and Queen
Feb 7, 2025This article covers the completion of transactions in which shareholder Standard General LP acquired a majority stake in Bally’s, while Bally’s also merged with Queen Casino & Entertainment Inc. The article mentions NP for representing Bally’s in the deals. The NP team includes Providence counsel Marc Crisafulli, New York partner Dick Langan, Chicago partner Conrad Adkins, and Washington DC partner John Partigan, all of the Corporate group.
- The Deal
Deal Diary: Standard General rings up Bally’s
July 25, 2024The following article covers Bally’s Corporation’s merger agreement with shareholder Standard General LP. The coverage mentions Corporate counsel Marc Crisafulli of Providence and partners Dick Langan of New York City, John Partigan of Washington, DC, and Conrad Adkins of Chicago for representing Bally’s in the deal. The NP team also includes Corporate associates Samantha Lopes of Washington, DC, Jacalyn Smith of Chicago and Andrew Pearce of Boston.
- Law360
Bally’s oks Standard General’s takeover valuing it at $4.6 billion
July 25, 2024The following article covers Bally’s Corporation’s merger agreement with shareholder Standard General LP. The coverage mentions Corporate counsel Marc Crisafulli of Providence and partners Dick Langan of New York City, John Partigan of Washington, DC, and Conrad Adkins of Chicago for representing Bally’s in the deal. The NP team also includes Corporate associates Samantha Lopes of Washington, DC, Jacalyn Smith of Chicago and Andrew Pearce of Boston.
- Providence Business News
Bally’s agrees to New York hedge fund’s buyout offer valued at $4.6 billion
July 25, 2024The following article covers Bally’s Corporation’s merger agreement with shareholder Standard General LP. The coverage mentions Corporate counsel Marc Crisafulli of Providence and partners Dick Langan of New York City, John Partigan of Washington, DC, and Conrad Adkins of Chicago for representing Bally’s in the deal. The NP team also includes Corporate associates Samantha Lopes of Washington, DC, Jacalyn Smith of Chicago and Andrew Pearce of Boston.
Bally’s to be acquired by its chairman’s hedge fund
July 25, 2024The following article covers Bally’s Corporation’s merger agreement with shareholder Standard General LP. The coverage mentions Corporate counsel Marc Crisafulli of Providence and partners Dick Langan of New York City, John Partigan of Washington, DC, and Conrad Adkins of Chicago for representing Bally’s in the deal. The NP team also includes Corporate associates Samantha Lopes of Washington, DC, Jacalyn Smith of Chicago and Andrew Pearce of Boston.
- St. Louis Business Journal
Casino Queen parent finds merger partner
July 25, 2024The following article covers Bally’s Corporation’s merger agreement with shareholder Standard General LP. The coverage mentions Corporate counsel Marc Crisafulli of Providence and partners Dick Langan of New York City, John Partigan of Washington, DC, and Conrad Adkins of Chicago for representing Bally’s in the deal. The NP team also includes Corporate associates Samantha Lopes of Washington, DC, Jacalyn Smith of Chicago and Andrew Pearce of Boston.
- The Deal
Deal diary-Blackstone and KKR chalk up more insurance investments
July 15, 2021In two separate articles, the publication highlighted the firm for advising American International Group, Inc. in the pending sale of a $5.1 billion affordable housing portfolio to Blackstone Real Estate Income Trust. Washington, DC Community Development Finance partner Liz Young is noted in one of the stories for leading the NP deal team.
In addition to Liz, the NP team includes Affordable Housing & Real Estate partner Dara Histed, Project Finance & Public Finance partner Carla Young, Community Development Finance senior counsel Jeff Lesk, and Corporate partner John Partigan, all of Washington, DC; Global Finance partner Amanda Darwin, Affordable Housing & Real Estate associates Julie Stande and Ali Walendziak, and Community Development Finance associate Nury Aguasvivas, all of Boston; Affordable Housing & Real Estate associate Emily Schwebke and Project Finance & Public Finance resident attorney Jacalyn Smith, both of Chicago; Manchester Affordable Housing & Real Estate associate Talia Burghard; Long Island Affordable Housing & Real Estate paralegal Lori Esposito; and Los Angeles Corporate paralegal Mina Gonzaque-Taylor.
- The Deal
Tegna recruits sports podcaster-Locked On
This article on Tegna’s expansion into the fast-growing podcast market through its acquisition of Locked On Podcast Network mentions Washington, D.C. partners John Partigan and Sean Clancy and Rochester partner Brian Kopp, all of the Corporate group, for representing Tegna. The deal team also included Rochester Labor & Employment counsel Todd Shinaman; and Washington, D.C. associate Pierce Han and Boston associate Bohao Zhou, both in the Corporate group.Jan 27, 2021 - Pensions & Investments
Direct listings open new avenues for institutions
In this story, Washington, DC, Corporate partner and Securities team leader John Partigan discusses the opportunities and challenges of the direct listing process as an alternative for companies looking to avoid a traditional IPO.July 8, 2019 - Law360
Don’t Miss It: Vinson, Nixon Peabody Lead Week’s Hot Deals
Nixon Peabody is mentioned as counsel to Tegna in its $535 million deal to acquire two television stations and one radio station in the Midwest from Dispatch Broadcast Group.June 14, 2019 - The Deal
Dispatch exits broadcasting with Tegna deal
The following stories mention Nixon Peabody as counsel to Tegna in its $535 million deal to acquire two television stations and one radio station in the Midwest from Dispatch Broadcast Group. NP’s deal team included partners John Partigan, Brian Kopp, Sean Clancy, counsels Todd Shinaman and Al Floro, and department attorney Dana Campbell.June 12, 2019 - Law360
Nexstar sells 19 stations for $1.32B to satisfy regulators
In the following coverage, Nixon Peabody is mentioned for its role as counsel to Tegna, which agreed to purchase a number of television stations from Nexstar Media Group for $740 million. Washington, DC, Corporate partner John Partigan led the deal team.March 21, 2019 - Bloomberg Law
Big Law Business
In the following coverage, Nixon Peabody is mentioned for its role as counsel to Tegna, which agreed to purchase a number of television stations from Nexstar Media Group for $740 million. Washington, D.C. Corporate partner John Partigan led the deal team.March 21, 2019 - The Deal
Deal Diary: Nexstar turns to Kirkland, BofA for station sales
In the following coverage, Nixon Peabody is mentioned for its role as counsel to Tegna, which agreed to purchase a number of television stations from Nexstar Media Group for $740 million. Washington, D.C. Corporate partner John Partigan led the deal team.March 20, 2019 - The Review of Securities & Commodities Regulation
Going public without an IPO
Washington DC Corporate partner John Partigan wrote this article analyzing Spotify’s decision to go public without conducting an underwritten IPO, making the music streaming service the largest company to do so through a direct listing.Sep 19, 2018 - Law360
Don't miss it: Nixon Peabody pilots Tegna’s $105M TV stations deal
Washington DC partner and team leader John Partigan is mentioned in this article for leading the deal team in Tegna Inc.’s $105 million acquisition of local television stations in Ohio and Texas. The deal team also included partners Sean Clancy, Brian Kopp, Jean McCreary and Denise Pursley; counsel Todd Shinaman; and associates Pierce Han, Dara Histed, Carolyn Lowry and Dana Stanton.Aug 24, 2018 - The Deal
Tegna Goes Shopping for Big Four Affiliates
Public Company Transactions practice group leader John Partigan and attorneys Brian Kopp, Mike Hausknecht, Allan Floro, Justin Thompson, Sean Clancy, Pierce Han, Erin Kansy and Carolyn Lowry were mentioned in this article for representing Tegna in its recent purchase of a CBS-affiliated TV station and two radio stations in San Diego.March 2, 2018 - Law360
Don't Miss It: Hot Deals & Firms We Followed This Week
Washington DC public company transactions partner and practice group leader John Partigan led a team from Nixon Peabody that advised client Tegna Inc. on its acquisition of two television stations and two radio stations in the San Diego media market.Feb 16, 2018 - S&P Global Market Intelligence
New York Stock Exchange's 'Spotify Rule' May Not Spell End of Traditional IPOs
Washington DC public company transactions practice leader John Partigan is quoted in this article explaining Spotify’s rumored interest in “direct listing,” a seldom used method of making company stock available without the backing of Wall Street underwriters.Jan 31, 2018 - CQ Congressional
Capitol Hill Hearing Testimony
The testimony of Washington, DC, partner and leader of the firm’s Public Companies Transactions practice John Partigan is highlighted. John testified at a Senate subcommittee meeting in support of the Senate bill (S. 576, Encouraging Employee Stock Ownership Act) to amend SEC Rule 701.March 24, 2015 - Law360
Don't Miss It: Hot Deals & Firms We're Following This Week
Gannett Co., Inc.’s acquisition of seven Texas television stations from London Broadcasting Company for $215 million is highlighted among the top deals this week. Nixon Peabody represented Gannett. The deal team noted in the coverage includes Public Company Transactions practice group leader John Partigan, Labor & Employment partners Brian Kopp and Michael Hausknecht, Tax partner Christian McBurney, Antitrust partner Gordon Lang and counsel Alycia Ziarno, and associates Tiana Butcher and Pierce Han.July 10, 2014 - The Deal
Versar picks up J.M. Waller
Client J.M. Waller Associates’ sale to Versar, Inc. is highlighted in this piece. The coverage notes J.M. Waller’s legal team led by securities practice group leader John Partigan and includes partners Brian Kopp and Christian McBurney; associate Pierce Han; and paralegal Alicia Rotella.July 2, 2014
Admitted to practice
District of Columbia
New York
Education
Albany Law School, J.D., magna cum laude
Willamette University, B.A., cum laude
Professional activities
John is a member of the American Bar Association (Negotiated Acquisitions Committee and Federal Regulation of Securities Committee, Business Law Section), the District of Columbia Bar Association and the New York State Bar Association. John is a former member of the NASDAQ Listings Qualifications Panel (2004–2014).
Recognition
- Selected, through a peer-review survey, for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2025 in the field of Media Law; listed in Best Lawyers since 2023
- Recognized for exceptional standing in the legal community in Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business 2024 for Corporate/M&A and Private Equity (Washington, DC); also in previous years
- Recommended in The Legal 500 United States 2022 editorial for M&A/Corporate and commercial—M&A: Middle-market (sub-$500m); also in previous years
Insights And Happenings
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- Office:+1 585.263.1236Mobile:+1 585.281.3076
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Kevin M. Grant
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- Office:+1 212.940.3759
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Todd Tidgewell
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- Office:+1 518.427.2705
- ttidgewell@nixonpeabody.com
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Christopher P. Keefe
Partner / Chair, Business & Finance Department- Boston
- Office:+1 617.345.1350
- ckeefe@nixonpeabody.com
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