Tom represents public and private companies, private equity firms, portfolio companies and family offices on a variety of U.S. and cross-border transactions, including negotiated and contested acquisitions, divestitures, leveraged buyouts, joint ventures, strategic investments and key commercial relationships. He also regularly advises clients on corporate governance, securities law and compliance matters.
Tom provides efficient, creative solutions to complex issues arising in public and private M&A and related transactions in the U.S. domestic market and internationally—having previously practiced in the M&A group of a prominent international law firm in both New York and Chicago. During his legal career, he has served as lead counsel on hundreds of U.S. and cross-border transactions ranging in size from USD 1.00 to USD 160 billion, involving cash, stock, and other consideration. His experience spans a wide range of industries, with recent transactions in the consumer goods, health care/life sciences and manufacturing sectors.
Prior to attending law school, Tom worked as an industrial engineer at Honeywell, where he led the design and development of its Global Electronic Operations Network (GEONET), an internet-enabled ERP system, and participated in strategic consulting projects at Boeing, Chrysler, and General Motors.
*Matter completed prior to joining Benesch.
Representative Experience
- Advised a multinational confectionery, food, holding, beverage and snack food company based in Chicago in the pending sale of a brand of sugar-free chewing gum, a brand of chewing gum and breath mints and other gum brands in developed markets to one of the world's largest manufacturers and distributors of confectionery and chewing gum for USD 1.35 billion; its acquisition of a significant majority interest in a UK leader in high-protein bars; and its acquisition of a California-based pioneer in refrigerated nutrition bars.*
- Advised a French multinational holding and conglomerate specializing in luxury goods in its acquisition of a hospitality and leisure company, owners, part-owners or managers of 45 luxury hotel, restaurant, train and river cruise properties, a USD 3.2 billion enterprise value transaction.*
- Advised a high-tech company in the acquisition of a leading supplier of high-quality seals and components, from a global leading medical device manufacturer and an international investment manager.*
- Advised a multinational medical devices and health care company in connection with a European joint venture transaction involving a leading generics manufacturer; and in the sale of an Argentinian business line.*
- Advised a Danish international pharmaceutical company in the acquisition of a company committed to migraine treatment and prevention, a transaction valued at USD 1.95 billion (including CVR consideration); and in the sale of its interest in a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on the phase III development of a product candidate for treatment of chronic AMR, to one of the world's largest plasma collection networks, CSL Plasm.*
- Advised a German-based manufacturer of building materials operating more than 220 factories worldwide, in its proxy contest and subsequent acquisition of a Chicago-headquartered industry-leading manufacturer of building products and innovative solutions, a USD 7 billion enterprise value transaction.*
- Advised a Japanese company which focuses on correspondence education and publishing in connection with the sale of a language education and leadership training company to a language school, creating one of the largest language education groups in the industry.*
- Advised a global company specializing in credit & business information systems on the sale of its Lending Solutions Divisions to a leading private equity firm.*
- Advised a leading full-service real estate investment and management company on the sale of its US wealth distribution and asset management business to one of the largest asset managers; and in connection with its REIT self-administration and merger transactions and their respective external advisors in connection with the formation of one of the largest healthcare-focused real estate investment trusts, a USD 4.2 billion REIT.*
- Advised an independent international French-based pharmaceutical company, in its acquisition of a leading global biotechnology company focused on rare diseases, a transaction valued at USD 2.4 billion; and its acquisition of a pharmaceuticals’ oncology business including its commercial, clinical and research-stage oncology portfolio for up to USD 2 billion, including an upfront payment of USD 1.8 billion and a potential USD 200 million in regulatory milestone, plus royalties.*