John Lagrou
John advises on primarily middle-market transactions for private equity sponsors and their portfolio companies, guiding them throughout the full investment life cycle, including initial platform acquisition, add-on and tuck-in acquisitions, and exit. His recent work spans diverse industries and market sectors, including financial services, insurance, health care, technology, human resources outsourcing, real estate, manufacturing and retail.
Clients, colleagues and deal partners look to John for his deft handling of challenging, intricate issues with a clear eye on commercial outcomes. A first-rate draftsman with strong analytical skills and a nuanced understanding of the varying perspectives in every transaction, he delivers practical solutions that drive deals forward, whether in the context of drafting and negotiating multi-sponsor equity holder agreements, navigating complex restructurings and reorganizations, or resolving the last thorny issue for closing.
Experience & capabilities
Selected matters
Represented Focus Financial Partners in Focus Partners Wealth’s acquisition of Churchill Management Corporation.
Represented Emperion Inc., a leader in outsourced clinical review services and a portfolio company of Stone Point Capital, in its acquisition of PeerLink Medical, an independent peer review services company.
Represented an operator of quick service restaurants in its sale of over 100 franchised locations of an international chain.
Represented SKY Harbor Capital Management LLC, a high-yield fixed-income manager and portfolio company of Stone Point Capital, in its sale of certain European assets to Impax.
Represented Tree Line Capital Partners in its acquisition agreement with Aflac Global Investments, the asset management subsidiary of Aflac Inc.
Represented S.i. Systems, Canada’s largest information technology staffing company and a portfolio company of Cornell Capital LLC and TorQuest Partners, in various M&A matters.
Represented Onboard Partners LLC, a portfolio company of Stone Point Capital LLC, in connection with Onboard’s acquisition of Aliaswire Inc.’s Payvus small credit card-issuing and capital management business.
Represented PureStar, North America’s foremost provider of laundry services and linen management to the hospitality industry and a portfolio company of Cornell Capital, in its acquisition of certain assets of Apex Linen.
Represented Prestige Medical Imaging, a radiology service and solutions provider and a portfolio company of Atlantic Street Capital, in its acquisition of MedServ Plus and XRV Healthcare.
Represented BlackRock Impact Opportunities Fund as a co-lead investor in a syndicate acquisition of Acelero Learning, a leading provider of Head Start and other early learning services.
Represented Sentinel Capital Partners and its portfolio company, Controlled Products LLC, a manufacturer and distributor of premium synthetic turf products for sports, training, leisure and landscaping, in its acquisition of The Recreational Group, a designer, manufacturer and installer of premium recreational surfacing products, from Eagle Merchant Partners.
Represented Sentinel Capital Partners in its sale of portfolio company Captain D’s, a leading quick service seafood restaurant chain.
Represented Vensure Employer Services, a leading provider of HR/human capital management technology, managed services and global business process outsourcing, in multiple acquisitions.
Represented Focus Financial Partners in multiple M&A transactions under which companies joined the Focus partnership.
Background
Education
- J.D., summa cum laude, University of Illinois College of Law, 2015
- Order of the Coif
- B.A., History and Political Science, University of Michigan, 2011
Bar Admissions
Recognition
Thomson Reuters’ New York Metro Super Lawyers, Rising Stars*
* No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey. A description of the Super Lawyers selection methodology can be found here.
