Morrison & Foerster Adds Capital Markets Partner in New York

New York (October 10, 2018) – Morrison & Foerster, a leading global law firm, is pleased to announce that John T. Owen has joined the firm in the New York office as a partner in its Corporate Finance | Capital Markets Group. Mr. Owen, who brings more than 17 years of experience representing issuers and underwriters in complex capital markets transactions, further expands the firm’s capital markets capabilities both in New York and globally. He comes to Morrison & Foerster from Jones Day.

Mr. Owen is an accomplished capital markets partner with a wide range of experience, including offerings of equity and equity-linked securities, as well as investment-grade and high-yield debt securities. In the last five years alone, he has represented companies on transactions that have raised in excess of $50 billion in gross proceeds. Mr. Owen has worked extensively on cross-border deals, having completed transactions involving issuers and offerings in a number of jurisdictions around the world, particularly in Asia, including Hong Kong and Singapore.

“With a thriving global corporate practice, it’s essential for Morrison & Foerster to continue offering our clients exceptional guidance and support on every aspect of their most important business transactions, including in capital markets,” said Eric McCrath, co-chair of Morrison & Foerster’s Corporate Department. “Maintaining our strength in capital markets, especially in New York, is a strategic priority for us, and we’re pleased to welcome someone of John’s caliber and experience to the group.”

David Slotkin, a partner in the Corporate Finance | Capital Markets practice, added: “I had the opportunity to work with John as co-counsel on a prior matter and was immediately impressed by his exceptional capabilities, strategic approach and the collegial nature that he brings to working with others. The experience and abilities John brings to Morrison & Foerster will be impactful for our clients, including our largest and most acquisitive clients. I’m delighted to welcome John to the firm.”

Mr. Owen works with a variety of companies across industries, including life sciences, technology, telecommunications, professional services, financial services and consumer products, on a wide range of capital markets and M&A transactions. Examples of his most recent noteworthy matters include representing a leading global business advisory firm in its $316.25 million Rule 144A convertible note offering, the agents in connection with a $500 million senior bank note offering by an Ohio-based super regional bank, and a major European aerospace supplier in connection with a strategic acquisition through an €8.7 billion tender offer.

In addition, Mr. Owen has advised on a number of precedent-setting transactions, including advising a leading United States aerospace manufacturing company on an offering of $500 million of high-yield notes in a tax‑driven structure through a United Kingdom subsidiary and advising a leading Indian real estate development company and an Indian wireless communications company in multiple offerings of high-yield notes.

Mr. Owen received his J.D. from the University of Texas at Austin and his B.A., with honors, from the University of Oklahoma. The Legal 500 United States has consistently recognized Mr. Owen for capital markets, and, in 2014, he received the National LGBT Bar Association’s “Best LGBT Lawyers Under 40” award.

“Morrison & Foerster’s prominence in the tech space, together with its preeminent Asia practice and the firm’s collaborative environment, are what attracted me to the firm,” said Mr. Owen. “Just as important, too, is the firm’s distinguished progressive culture. I look forward to being part of the MoFo team and counseling our clients on their capital markets needs.”

Mr. Owen is just the latest new partner to join Morrison & Foerster in New York. Over recent months, the firm has added tax partners Jay Blaivas and Anthony (“Tony”) Carbone, who is serving as co-chair of the Global Tax Department and Federal Tax Group, and senior SEC trial lawyer Michael Birnbaum.