Partner

H. John Michel, Jr., a partner and member of the Corporate and Securities Practice Group, has practiced law at Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP since 1985.  He concentrates his practice in securities offerings, securities law compliance, and mergers and acquisitions.  He also is the firm’s Partner for Planning and Practice Development and a member of its Operating and Practice Management Committees. 

Securities Offerings and Compliance.  A substantial portion of Jack’s practice has involved the representation of issuers and underwriters in public offerings of securities to raise capital and to effect restructurings and acquisitions.  In the recent past, he has worked on the registration of approximately $7 billion in securities—including common and preferred stock and high yield debt instruments—with the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with a variety of transactions.  He also serves as outside counsel to several public companies and a sizable hedge fund in securities compliance matters.

Mergers and Acquisitions.  Jack’s mergers and acquisitions transactions include acquisitions of automotive and health care companies, foreign and domestic manufacturers, foreign and domestic retailers, banks, hedge funds and portfolio companies by the firm’s public and private clients in transactions ranging in size from less than $20 million to more than $2 billion.  Jack has also represented public and private companies, investor groups, and private equity funds in all aspects of mergers and acquisitions work, including control and co-investment transactions, friendly and hostile tender offers, the design and implementation of poison pills and other antitakeover devices, the legal evaluation of tender and acquisition offers by boards of directors, “going private” transactions and leveraged buyouts and acquisitions through federal bankruptcy proceedings.  At various times, Jack’s practice has focused on troubled companies and their attendant insolvency, SEC enforcement proceedings and shareholder derivative actions.

In General.  Jack received his bachelor's degree from Wesleyan University, his master's degree from The University of Chicago, and his J.D. from the University of Pennsylvania Law School, where he was a member of the law review.