Jonathan A. Zalkin

Jonathan advises public and private companies, boards, investors and business owners on acquisitions, sales, equity offerings and corporate governance. He represents buyers and sellers from the early stages of a transaction through negotiation, closing and post-closing matters, focusing on the issues that affect value, risk and execution. He also negotiates and drafts agreements for corporate transactions and commercial arrangements.

For public-company clients, Jonathan works closely with management throughout the annual reporting cycle on periodic and current reports, proxy statements and other obligations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. He represents issuers in public equity offerings, including initial public offerings and follow-on transactions, and advises on registration and disclosure under the Securities Act of 1933. His practice also includes Section 16 reporting, beneficial ownership reporting on Schedules 13D and 13G, and NYSE and Nasdaq compliance.

Jonathan advises public and private company boards and board committees on governance matters and has represented investors in shareholder activism and proxy contests. His work also includes commercial arrangements for restaurant and hospitality businesses and advice to public-company boards and management on cybersecurity oversight and related SEC disclosure requirements. Jonathan joined Michael Best with the New York team of Kane Kessler, P.C.

Jonathan joined Michael Best with the New York team of Kane Kessler, P.C.

Solutions in action

Jonathan has represented clients in the following matters:

• Represented a public company manufacturer and distributor of military and law enforcement products in acquisitions of public and private businesses, with purchase prices ranging from $20 million to $1.1 billion.
• Represented a public company in its simultaneous acquisition of two privately held outdoor sports and recreation businesses for an aggregate purchase price of $135 million.
• Represented a client in $175 million sale of manufacturers of high-performance ammunition.
• Represented a public company in its $198 million acquisition of a designer and distributor of automotive roof racks and accessories.
• Represented a public company in its initial public offering and a subsequent public equity offering comprising shares issued by the company and shares sold by an existing stockholder.
• Represented a private investment fund in public-company activist campaigns, including proxy contests involving the election of directors to portfolio company boards.