John M. Rafferty
John Rafferty focuses his practice on representing emerging growth companies in a broad range of corporate and securities law matters. John's practice includes private financings, public financings, mergers, tender offers, and strategic and financial investments.
John advises emerging growth companies backed by venture capital and private equity firms on all corporate, transactional and financing matters. He also advises early and late-stage investors in capital raising transactions. John's practice also includes extensive experience in preferred stock financings, debt financings, and secondary offerings.
John led the launch of MoFo’s ScaleUp website which is focused on providing resources to start-up companies, entrepreneurs, and early-stage investors.
John also regularly counsels boards of directors of public companies on corporate governance issues, fiduciary duty matters (both generally and in the M&A context), compliance with the U.S. federal securities laws, and compliance with the listing standards of NASDAQ and the New York Stock Exchange.
John's transactional and counseling background has involved matters for clients in a broad range of industries, including technology and Internet-based businesses; life sciences and healthcare; communications and media; and retail.
Experience
ThreatMetrix, Inc.
Represented ThreatMetrix, Inc., a leader in the risk-based authentication sector, in its $817 million acquisition by RELX Group.
ThreatMetrix, Inc.
Represented ThreatMetrix, Inc., in its preferred stock financing rounds with USVP, Adams Street and August Capital.
BestReviews, Inc.
Represented BestReviews, Inc., a high growth online product review company, in the sale of 60% of its equity interests to Tribune Publishing. The transaction valued BestReviews at $110 million.
Viator, Inc.
Represented Viator, Inc., a travel tour website backed by The Carlyle Group, in the company’s preferred stock financings.
Viator, Inc.
Represented Viator, Inc. in its acquisition by TripAdvisor for $200 million.
Streetline, Inc.
Represented Streetline, Inc., a provider of vehicle sensor systems for street parking management, in the company’s preferred stock financings with Sutter Hill Ventures and Fontinalis Partners.
Urban Remedy, Inc.
Represented Urban Remedy, Inc., an organic fresh food company, in its preferred stock financings with Obvious Ventures and the Builders Fund.
Innova Dynamics, Inc.
Represented Innova Dynamics, Inc., an electronic materials provider, in its preferred stock financings with BASF Ventures. Also represented Innova Dynamics, Inc., in its sale to TPK Holding Co.
Sonora Mills d/b/a popchips
Represented Sonora Mills d/b/a popchips, in TSG Consumer Products’ sale of its stake in the company to Verlinvest, an investment firm that manages the family wealth created by the empire Anheuser-Busch inBev.
Sonora Mills d/b/a popchips
Represented Sonora Mills d/b/a popchips, in its preferred financings with TSG and Verlinvest.
Temasek
Represented Temasek, a Singapore investment fund, in its co-lead investment with Breakthrough Energy Ventures in Pivot Bio.
RE/MAX Holdings, Inc.
Represented RE/MAX Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: RMAX), a leading franchisor of real estate brokerage services, in its $220 million initial public offering.
RH
Represented RH (NYSE: RH), the home furnishings retailer, in its $124 million initial public offering. Also represented RH in its sale to a group of private equity investors led by Catterton Partners.
LLC International, Inc.
Represented LLC International, Inc. (NASDAQ: LCCI), a provider of end-to-end services for wireless networks, in its $28.7 million public offering.
Nanogen, Inc.
Represented the lead investment bank in the $20 million public offering by Nanogen, Inc. (NASDAQ: NGEN), a developer of advanced human diagnostic products.
Campari Group
Represented Campari Group, the global beverage company, in its acquisition of super premium X-Rated Fusion Liqueur, Jean-Marc XO luxury vodka and X-Rated ultra premium vodka. Also represented Campari Group in its acquisition of Jamaican rum maker Lascelles deMercado & Co.
Ancestry.com, Inc.
Represented Ancestry.com, Inc. (NASDAQ: ACOM), the world’s largest family history website, in its acquisition of iArchives, Inc. and its branded web site, Footnote.com, a leading American History website.
Sega Corporation
Represented Sega Corporation, the video game software and hardware company, in the sale of its 2K sports series of video games to Take-Two Interactive, Inc., the developer of video games such as the Grand Theft Auto series.