John H. Spillman

John H. Spillman counsels clients on corporate and transactional matters, including mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, emerging company issues and international transactions. John has represented both strategic and financial buyers and sellers, as well as sellers of family-owned and entrepreneurial businesses. He has also assisted numerous foreign companies entering the U.S. market through acquisitions and joint ventures. He has extensive experience in franchise law matters, including the purchase and sale of franchisors and multi-unit franchisees.

John has been listed in Best Lawyers in America^® from 2013 to 2017 and 2019 to 2023 for Mergers & Acquisitions and Corporate Law and has an AV^® Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell.

John is a member of the Business and International Law Sections of the American Bar Association, as well as its Forum on Franchising. He is a member of the Board of HOPE Atlanta, an Atlanta non-profit. He is former board chair of Travelers Aid of Metropolitan Atlanta, Inc.

John is a co-author of:  M&A — Protecting the Purchaser and Global Venture Capital Transactions, both published by Kluwer Law International. He has spoken frequently at seminars and written articles on transactional topics. He attended law school at the University of North Carolina, where he served on the Law Review before graduating with honors. He received his undergraduate degree in International Studies from the University of North Carolina.

John's Practice

Representative Matters

Representative transactions in which Mr. Spillman played a leading role include the following:

• $45 million sale of specialty textile manufacturing division on behalf of European client
• $30 million sale of family-owned medical products distributor to private equity purchaser
• $300 million acquisition of a Latin American beverage products company
• $150 million sale of U.S. consumer products company on behalf of a European client
• Acquisition of restaurant franchisor in bankruptcy on behalf of private equity buyer
• $220 million Portfolio sales of assisted living facilities by owner/operator
• Joint venture between U.S. defense manufacturer and a Middle Eastern sovereign wealth fund
• Internal investigation for board of directors of national non-profit regarding press allegations of conflicts of interest and other improprieties