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John R. Moore
Partner
Overview
John Moore regularly serves as lead corporate and M&A counsel for search fund, private equity-backed, and self-funded entrepreneurs, as well as traditional private equity funds and family offices. Employing his background in economics and strong, sensible legal knowledge, John is adept at formulating strategic plans for clients and managing a team of attorneys and support staff to effectively and efficiently meet his clients’ goals.
John’s comprehensive role includes advising his clients on structuring and governance considerations for newly formed companies and portfolios, continued support of those companies’ general corporate governance needs, assisting clients through the initial IOI and LOI negotiation process, deal structuring to ensure an efficient result for his clients, performing and managing due diligence, preparing and negotiating a wide range of transactional documents, reviewing and addressing related and peripheral real estate matters, and shepherding M&A deals toward a successful closing.
In addition to providing initial formation and M&A support, John also serves as outside general counsel for many of his clients, supporting their day-to-day operational needs by directly advising on various matters from corporate governance to commercial contracts, and also coordinating and supervising a team of specialists in other practice areas, such as labor & employment, intellectual property, and employee benefits, to provide full-service legal support for those clients.
Prior to entering private practice, John served as a legal intern at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Missouri and as a judicial extern for the Hon. Audrey G. Fleissig in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri. Prior to joining Spencer Fane, John worked as compliance counsel for a registered broker-dealer and investment adviser.
Credentials
Education
- Saint Louis University School of Law, 2015 (J.D.), magna cum laude
- Northwestern University, 2010 (B.A.)
- Represented a private equity-backed national consolidator of veterinary clinics as its outside general corporate counsel, including representing the client in the acquisition of 150+ veterinary clinics across the U.S., legal compliance, corporate governance and equity transfers, real estate and leasing, employment, financing, intellectual property and trademarks, technology contracts and data privacy, and commercial contracts.
- Represented a self-funded consolidator of cleanroom certification companies through initial formation and structuring matters, acquisition of an initial target company and seven add-on acquisitions, negotiation and closing of a large credit facility to fund additional acquisitions, and ongoing representation in connection with further add-ons and general corporate counsel.
- Represented a private equity-backed aggregator of garage door service and installation companies, including general structuring and formation advice, M&A support, and general outside counsel services, including serving as lead M&A counsel for six acquisitions throughout 2024.
- Represented a self-funded and private equity-backed acquirer of IT-managed service providers through initial structuring and formation matters, initial outside capital fundraising, acquisition of an initial target company, negotiation and closing of an initial credit facility, and ongoing representation in connection with add-on acquisitions.
- Represented a real estate investment, development, and management company in the purchase of a 1.46-million-square-foot office tower in downtown St. Louis.
- Represented a search fund in formation, structure, and acquisition of early childhood centers throughout the U.S. Representation included the acquisition of over 25 school locations and associated real estate throughout 2023 and 2024 with a total value in excess of $40 million, as well as the closing of a $37 million credit facility.
- Represented an engineering planning and design services firm in separate transactions related to the acquisitions of four engineering companies located in California, Colorado, and Texas, for a total value in excess of $60 million.
- Best Lawyers in America, Ones to Watch, Real Estate Law, 2024-2025
- The Missouri Bar
- Illinois State Bar Association