Meet John
John McDonald is a shareholder in the firm’s Corporate Law Practice Group, Technology & Digital Business Practice Group and chair of the Startups & Venture Capital Practice Group. He is a member of the firm’s Pro Bono Committee and the Knowledge Management Committee. John was admitted to practice in Wisconsin in 2006 and has been with the firm since September 2006.
John counsels clients on all stages of a business, from formation, financing and capitalization to exit strategies. A significant portion of his practice is in the area of mergers, acquisitions and other business combinations, including structuring, negotiating and financing acquisitions and dispositions of companies of all sizes. In his emerging company work, John regularly advises early stage companies and venture capital funds in connection with both capital and debt financings.
John has significant experience working with companies whose products involve innovative technologies, including online payment technologies, advanced manufacturing technologies, technologies incorporating artificial intelligence and software-as-a-service.
In addition, John serves as outside counsel to a variety of companies in relation to corporate governance matters and general corporate matters, including drafting and negotiating consulting, distribution, employment, incentive compensation, license, operating, shareholder and supply arrangements.
Education
Juris Doctor, George Washington University National Law Center, 2006, with honors
Bachelor of Arts, Hope College, Political Science, cum laude
Activities
MKE Tech Hub - Member of the Advisory Board and Chair of the Startup Committee
Wisconsin Technology Council - Member of Steering Committee for Wisconsin Entrepreneurs Conference
Health Tech Capital, a project of the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce - Member of the Advisory Board
SecureFutures Foundation, Inc. (f/k/a/ Make a Difference - Wisconsin, Inc.) – Volunteer, member of the Advisory Board and Investment Conference Committee
Fisher House Wisconsin - Member of Finance Committee
Honors
Recognized as a Wisconsin Rising Star (2011 – 2012, 2014 – 2018)
Listed in Best Lawyers in America (Corporate Law, 2021 - present)
Admitted To Practice
WisconsinProfessional Associations
American Bar Association, Milwaukee Bar Association, State Bar of WisconsinRepresented a Madison-area technology company in preferred stock financing of more than $10,000,000
Represented DHI Corporation in its acquisition of all assets of Leick Furniture
Advised Dynamis Software Company on its sale to Applied Systems
Represent Golden Angels Investors in connection with its portfolio company investments
Represented a Milwaukee-area insurance company in a venture stage equity investment
Advised several family offices in connection with investments in startup and venture stage businesses, including as lead investor on a convertible note financing, lead investor on a SAFE investment and lead investor on several equity financings
Advised Golf Pipeline in its sale of equity to a strategic purchaser
Advised a corporate venture capital group inside a Fortune 100 company on several venture stage investments, including a convertible note investment and a preferred stock investment
Advised a Wisconsin-based company in connection with a multi-step issuance of notes and warrants and in connection with an issuance of preferred stock
Represented West Allis, Wisconsin based Solaris, Inc., a manufacturer of lymphedema, venous insufficiency and wound care garments, in connection with its sale to Lohmann & Rauscher, a strategic buyer
Represented New Berlin, Wisconsin based SF Analytical Laboratories, Inc., a testing laboratory, in connection with its sale to Eurofins, a strategic buyer
Represented Madison, Wisconsin based AquaMost, Inc., the developer of an innovative water treatment system, in connection with a convertible debt financing
Represented a Milwaukee, Wisconsin based manufacturing and welding company in connection with its sale of assets to a strategic buyer
Represented Nashville, Tennessee based My Health Direct, Inc., a health care software company, in connection with several rounds of venture capital financing
Represented a Milwaukee, Wisconsin based software company in connection with preferred stock issuance to several angel investors
Represented Wisconsin based Quad/Graphics, Inc. in connection with its acquisition of UniGraphic, Inc., a commercial printer based in the Boston metro area
Represented Milwaukee, Wisconsin based Wisconsin Super Angel Fund in connection with investment in preferred stock of Milwaukee based software company
Represented an entity formed by Golden Angels Investors in connection with several investments in preferred stock issued by a Wisconsin based mobile-gaming company
Represented East Troy, Wisconsin based Erik Buell Racing, Inc., a motorcycle sport company which produces street and racing motorcycles, in connection with an equity investment by Hero MotoCorp Limited
Represented Wisconsin based Johnson Controls, Inc. in its sale of a division of Johnson Controls Denmark ApS to Emerson Electric Co.
Represented California based KI Capital in its investment in a web based services company
Represented Milwaukee, Wisconsin based Wing Capital Group in connection with its acquisition of Oshkosh, Wisconsin based Muza Metal Products, Inc.
Represented Michigan based MarketLab, Inc. in connection with sale to Water Street Healthcare Partners, II L.P.
Represented Port Washington, Wisconsin based Franklin Energy Services, LLC in its sale of equity to New York based Cortec Group
Represented Florida based TYBRIN Corporation in connection with its sale to Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc.
Represented Milwaukee, Wisconsin based EMSystem, Inc. in management buyout of company