Service Areas
Education
- Loyola University Chicago School of Law, J.D.
- Purdue University, B.S.
Bar Admissions
- Illinois
- Michigan
John M. Novak uses his extensive knowledge and experience to provide practical solutions to his corporate and individual clients. In his business practice, he represents public and private entities, high-technology start-up companies, life sciences companies involved in all parts of the product cycle, banks and bank holding companies, real estate developers, individual investors, and high net-worth individuals. This includes the negotiation and structuring of mergers and acquisitions; private equity and venture capital transactions; formation of bank and bank holding companies; formation of high-technology start-up companies; providing outside general counsel support; and counseling individual investors and high net-worth individuals.
"As the initial point of contact, clients expect their counsel to triage their issues, develop a practical strategy that incorporates the appropriate resources, and deliver a solution that adds value to their business strategy or personal situation. I strive to meet this expectation each day.”
John M. Novak
Representative Matters
- Bank Holding Company Merger
Represented bank holding company in a $8+ million merger with a public bank holding company.
- Chemistry Company Joint Venture
Represented medicinal chemistry company in its $5 million joint venture transaction to build laboratory facilities.
- Chemistry Company Seed Financing
Represented medicinal chemistry company in its $500,000 seed round financing.
- Drug Development Company Seed Financing
Represented drug development company in its $2 million seed round financing.
- Economic Development Company Formation
Represented economic development company in structure and formation of angel investing network.
- Incubator Company Financing
Represented incubator in its $7 million financing for construction and expansion of a life sciences incubator facility.
- Investor Purchase
Represented investor in its $1.5 million transaction to purchase preferred membership interests in a start-up glycerin manufacturer.
- Medical Products Manufacturer Acquisition
Represented medical products manufacturer in its $2 million acquisition of a medical product line of business and the acquisition of a GMP facility.
- Pharmaceutical Company Sale
Represented pharmaceutical testing laboratory in its $8+ million sale to an international acquirer.
- Pre-Clinical Testing Company Seed Financing
Represented pre-clinical testing company in its $1 million angel round financing.
- Real Estate Development Company Ownership Plan
Represented real estate development company in the creation of a phantom ownership plan for 50+ separate investments.
- Venture Capital Fund Stock Purchase
Represented venture capital fund in its lead investment of a $6 million purchase of Series C Preferred Stock from a medical products company.
- Venture Capital Fund Stock Purchase
Represented venture capital fund in its lead investment of a $3 million purchase of Series B & C Preferred Stock from a drug development company.
- Venture Capital Fund Stock Purchase
Represented venture capital fund in its $1.5 million purchase of Series A Preferred Stock from a medical device company.
Professional Activities
- MichBio, Corporate Member
- American Bar Association, Business Law Section; Real Estate Section; Health Law Section; Private Equity and Venture Capital Committee
- State Bar of Michigan, Business Section; Real Estate Section; Health Law
- Kalamazoo County Bar Association
- Michigan Association of Community Bankers, Corporate Member
- Keystone Community Bank, Board of Directors; Executive Committee
- Economic Development Certified - SBA 504, Kalamazoo Board of Directors
Honors + Awards
- Best Lawyers in America, Banking 2010-2011; Banking and Finance Law, Corporate Law, and Mergers & Acquisitions 2012
Civic, Cultural + Social Activities
- Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, Corporate Committee 2004-2006
- Southwest Michigan Professional Network, Past Director
Articles
- Proposed Bill Would Make Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act Optional for Certain Smaller Companies
- Income Tax Credit for Angel Investors Passes, Now in Michigan Senate
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