John Martin is the Partner-in-Charge of the Palo Alto office and a member of the firm’s Executive Committee. He also serves as the firmwide Technology Sector Chair. John’s 30 years of experience with Baker Botts have concentrated on mergers & acquisitions, capital markets, corporate governance, joint ventures, outsourcing transactions and general corporate matters.
John has extensive experience in representing both purchasers and sellers in complex M&A transactions involving both public and private companies. He also helps clients structure and negotiate joint ventures, strategic alliances and other corporate partnering arrangements.
In the capital markets area, John has represented issuers and underwriters in registered public offerings, including IPO and offerings by seasoned issuers. John has substantial experience with private equity and venture capital transactions.
John also is a recognized leader in representing parties in complex sourcing and technology transactions, including BPO and ITO transactions.
John regularly counsels both public and privately held clients regarding corporate governance and federal securities law. He also advises clients in transactions involving special board committees formed to deal with interested party or conflict of interest issues.
Selected comments by clients about John, as reported by Chambers and Partners, include:
“has incredible technology expertise, an authoritative presence and a great ability to deal with senior executives”
“hands-down one of the best outside counsels I have ever worked with”
“the person I turn to if I have a difficult question”
“immensely creative . . . the deal was very difficult to structure and he came forward with the creative ideas that helped us complete it”
“very clear communicator and maintains focus on the important parts of the deal. . . very good in the give and take of points - he knows the points substantively and is very effective”
“reputation as a brilliant deal person”
“innate understanding of his clients’ business makeup”
“identifies the most pertinent points of a deal”
“his knowledge is top-flight, but his ability to communicate and guide negotiations is nothing short of amazing”
“brings to the table a broad perspective that we find really helpful”
“terrific negotiating skills”
“knack for understanding the business itself and making it primary to the transaction”
“great corporate and IT background is useful when dealing with more complex transactions”
“talent for keeping things focused and putting together deals that really work”
“strong on technical issues and he keeps sight of the bigger picture when negotiating - people listen to him”
“the rigor and experience he and his team bring to bear in analyzing transactions is invaluable”
“firm but collaborative style and understands the dynamics of a transaction”
“approachable, practical and a good influence on moving a deal forward”
“intelligent and helpful asset who really knows how to put a team together”
