Jon Howard

Strategic leadership and practical counsel to get deals done

Jon Howard is a strategic negotiator and trusted legal advisor who represents businesses — from emerging companies to Fortune 100 corporations — across the full spectrum of middle-market and upper middle-market transactions. He works closely with executives, in-house legal teams, and boards of directors to structure and complete:

• Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) across a wide range of industries, including health care and pharmacy, higher education, technology and private equity, with particular depth in healthcare M&A, private equity-owned portfolio company transactions and employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) transactions
• Joint ventures, reorganizations and business formations to capitalize on the synergies of existing businesses as well as market opportunities
• Commercial contracts, including high-leverage transactions involving multilayered payment, indemnification, ownership and service provisions

A 18-year veteran of Quarles, Jon leverages deep knowledge of the firm's capabilities to assemble and lead highly effective, cross-disciplinary deal teams. Drawing on colleagues in real estate, health care, employment, tax, and intellectual property, he leads each team through negotiation, documentation and closing, ensuring seamless execution on every transaction.

Jon is national chair of the firm’s Business Law Group where he oversees the strategic direction and growth of one of the firm’s largest practice groups, driving collaboration across disciplines to deliver integrated business solutions for clients nationwide.

• Advising on complex purchases and sales of companies in highly regulated industries, including health care, higher education, retail, and technology, with transactions valued from $10 million to over $1.2 billion, including representations of private equity-owned portfolio companies and strategic roll-ups.
• Forming and managing joint ventures, including jet fuel consortiums that operate at large airports and are jointly owned by the world’s major airlines as well as airport concession businesses and other industries.
• Negotiating complex commercial contracts, including many unique and high leverage transactions that were critical to a client’s supplier, distributor or customer relationships. Clients include Fortune 500 companies, universities and private companies.
• Forming new corporations and limited liability companies, including complex reorganizations involving diverse ownership structures and multiple subsidiaries and reorganization of entities prior to significant M&A and IPO transactions.
• Structuring and advising on ESOP transactions, helping business owners achieve succession planning, tax efficiency and employee retention goals.