John B. Lynch Jr.

Of Counsel

  • Overview

    Biography

    John Lynch is a retired partner of the firm. For many years prior to his retirement, John served as the firm's professional development partner as well as the firm’s financial advisor to the Managing Committee, and most recently as Chair of the firm's Diversity, Equity + Inclusion Committee. He was a member of the Business Transactions Practice Group. John has more than three decades of experience assisting corporate and financial services clients with sophisticated business and commercial finance transactions, mergers and acquisitions, and general corporate matters. He served a range of clients, such as banks and other financial institutions, public and large private corporations, sovereign tribal nations, health care providers, and small business ventures. John was the firm’s Managing Partner from 2009 to 2016. 

    Finance

    John represented large national and regional banks, lenders, and borrowers in a variety of sophisticated commercial finance transactions. These transactions regularly included the representation of lenders in structuring and documenting asset-based financings, the representation of agents and participants in both secured and unsecured syndicated credit facilities, and the representation of lenders and borrowers in leveraged buyout transactions.

    Mergers and Acquisitions

    John developed a transaction-oriented corporate and commercial practice. He regularly represented both buyers and sellers in structuring, negotiating, financing, and documenting sophisticated business acquisition and sale transactions. His practice involved working with investment banks, accounting firms, and other professional advisors to provide integrated professional services to the firm's clients who are engaged in merger and acquisition transactions. He assisted with deals involving businesses across various industries, such as food and beverages, commercial explosives, waste hauling, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, aerospace, and defense.

    Corporate Law

    In addition to his transactional practice, John represented corporate clients on matters involving governance, shareholder relations, employees, and general contracting issues.

    Community Involvement

    John is active in the community, and during his career he donated his time and effort to organizations such as the Hartford Stage Company, Leadership Greater Hartford, Junior Achievement, United Way, and the MetroHartford Alliance. He serves on the Board of Directors for the Lawyers Collaborative for Diversity.

    John was selected to the Connecticut Super Lawyers list from 2006 to 2017, and listed in The Best Lawyers in America© for Corporate Law since 2007 and in the area of Mergers and Acquisitions since 2012. 

     

  • Experience
    • Experience

      Experience

      • Represented a fast-growing specialty food manufacturer in a bid auction sale process resulting in a sale to a subsidiary of the world's leading producer of cereal and convenience foods. Robinson & Cole worked closely with the client's investment bankers in advising the board of directors throughout the process. The transaction was successfully consummated as a forward triangular merger following Hart-Scott Rodino Act clearance.
      • Represented Stacy’s Pita Chip Company (Stacy’s) and its shareholders in connection with the sale to PepsiCo, Inc. of all of the stock of Stacy’s and the real property of a related limited liability company.
      • Led team of Robinson & Cole lawyers which served as deal counsel to The Ensign-Bickford Company in the worldwide business combination of two commercial explosives industry leaders. The combination involved the negotiation and preparation of multiple agreements as well as negotiations with state and federal agencies for certain regulatory approvals and a full-scale legal due diligence investigation of over fifty related entities. The combined company was expected to have sales in excess of $900 million.

      • Represented large international pharmaceutical company in connection with its divestiture of the intellectual property and tangible assets of an operating subsidiary.
      • Represented an international explosives company in the sale of a U.S. subsidiary's business and assets pursuant to a bid offer process.
      • Represented an international explosives company in the sale of the business and assets of its film fibers division.
      • Represented large waste hauling company in $200 million-sale of business and assets to Fortune 500 company.
      • Represented Internet company in sale of business and financial restructuring transaction with strategic acquiror.
      • Representation of an aerospace and defense manufacturer in acquisition through reverse triangular merger of a company in the laboratory services industry.

      • Representation of agent/lender in a multilender senior credit facility for a chain supermarket.
      • Representation of a national bank concerning multilender senior secured credit facility involving revolving and mortgage term loans.
      • Representation of Valley National Gases (AMEX), an industrial-packaged gas company, in its acquisition by Caxton-Iseman Capital.

      • Represented a large multi-industry holding company in the closing of a complex multiple step transaction involving the acquisition of four companies and other tangible and intangible assets from a Japanese-owned international conglomerate and the simultaneous spin-off of one the acquired companies to a strategic buyer. The firm provided representation in all aspects of the transaction, including participating in the bid process, performing a comprehensive due diligence investigation, and negotiating the transaction documents involved in both the acquisition and the subsequent spin-off.
      • back to top
    • Professional Associations

      Professional Associations

      American Bar Association
      Business Law Section (1984 - present)

      Connecticut Bar Association
      Business Law and Banking Sections (1984 - present)
      Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Committee

      Connecticut Business & Industry Association
      Board of Directors (2010 - present)

      Connecticut Bar Foundation
      James W. Cooper Fellow (2011)

      Lawyers Collaborative for Diversity
      President-elect (2018 - 2019)
      Board of Directors (2017)

      U.S. Law Firm Group
      Trustee
      Member of Diversity Committee
    • Honors + Awards

      Honors + Awards

      Ranked in Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business in the State of Connecticut in the area of Corporate/Mergers & Acquisitions for 2011 - 2014

      Selected to the Connecticut Super Lawyers list from 2006 to 2017.

      Named the Best Lawyers® 2020 Mergers and Acquisitions Law "Lawyer of the Year" in Hartford

      Selected by his peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© in the areas of Corporate Law since 2007 and Mergers and Acquisitions Law since 2012.

       Robinson+Cole Mentor of the Year Award, 2016

      Selected as a finalist for the Diversity Initiative Award by the Connecticut Law Tribune, 2021

      Robinson+Cole Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Award Recipient, 2021

    • Community Involvement

      Community Involvement

      Hartford Stage Company
      Board of Directors (2010 - 2016)

      Leadership Greater Hartford

      MetroHartford Alliance
  • NEWS + PRESS
    • Publications

      Publications

      "Agreements Among Stakeholders," published in A Practical Guide to Organizing a Business in Connecticut, co-authored with Taylor A. Shea (8/8/13)

    • Presentations

      Presentations

      "The Art & Science of Buying & Selling an Oilheat Business," at the 2003 New England Fuel Institute Convention, co-presented with Gray, Gray & Gray LLP (2003)

      "Creative Credit Lines for Dealers," at the 1999 Convention of the New England Fuel Institute (1999)

      "How to Get a Good Deal: Buying, Selling or Financing an Oil Business," at the 14th Annual Oil Heat Conference (1996)

    • News

      R+C in the News

      • January 5, 2022

        Business Transactions Team Represents Hydrofera, LLC in Sale to Essity

      • July 30, 2021

        Robinson+Cole Presents Annual Awards for Outstanding Contributions

        • » more info
      • June 7, 2021

        Steve Goldman and John Lynch featured in Connecticut Law Tribune's Coverage of Connecticut Legal Awards

        • » more info
      • May 13, 2021

        Connecticut Law Tribune Honors Seven Robinson+Cole Lawyers During Connecticut Legal Awards

        • » more info
        • View article
      • August 20, 2018

        52 Robinson+Cole Lawyers Listed in The Best Lawyers in America© 2019

        • » more info
        • View article
      • July 17, 2018

        John Lynch Named President-elect of the Lawyers Collaborative for Diversity

        • » more info
        • View article
      • June 6, 2016

        Robinson+Cole Sponsors George W. Crawford Black Bar Association's 2016 Annual Dinner

      • June 11, 2014

        Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation Recognizes Robinson+Cole for Sponsoring Home Run for Heroes

        • » more info
      • September 30, 2013

        Hartford Lawyers Co-Author Chapter in MCLE Practice Manual

        • » more info
      • June 18, 2013

        Robinson & Cole Lawyers Support The Stowe Center

        • » more info
      • June 6, 2013

        John Lynch Appointed to GHAC's 2013 Corporate Campaign Cabinet

        • » more info
      • May 30, 2013

        Robinson+Cole Sponsors Hartford Stage Annual Gala

        • » more info
      • May 28, 2013

        Robinson+Cole Sponsors Crawford Annual Dinner

        • » more info
      • May 23, 2013

        Robinson+Cole Sponsors NCCJ Annual Dinner

        • » more info
      • February 15, 2012

        New Partners Featured in Connecticut Law Tribune

      • October 20, 2011

        Managing Partner Encourages Pro Bono Work at Summit

        • » more info
      • June 29, 2011

        Three Robinson & Cole Attorneys Elected James W. Cooper Fellows

        • » more info
      • October 28, 2010

        Robinson & Cole Managing Partner Joins Board of Connecticut Business & Industry Association

        • » more info
      • December 18, 2009

        Robinson & Cole Becomes New Business Partner of the New England Air Museum

        • » more info
      • March 27, 2009

        John Lynch Named Managing Partner of Robinson & Cole

        • » more info
      • September 15, 2008

        Robinson & Cole Partner Elected to Hartford Stage Board of Directors

        • » more info

      R+C News Releases

      • August 17, 2023

        78 Robinson+Cole Lawyers Listed in The Best Lawyers in America© 2024

        • » more info
        • View article
      • August 18, 2022

        74 Robinson+Cole Lawyers Listed in The Best Lawyers in America 2023

        • » more info
        • View article
      • August 19, 2021

        65 Robinson+Cole Lawyers Listed in The Best Lawyers in America© 2022

        • » more info
        • View article
      • August 20, 2020

        61 Robinson+Cole Lawyers Listed in The Best Lawyers in America© 2021

        • » more info
        • View article
      • August 15, 2019

        57 Robinson+Cole Lawyers Listed in The Best Lawyers in America© 2020

        • » more info
        • View article
      • October 17, 2017

        Robinson+Cole Lawyers Recognized by Super Lawyers®

        • » more info
        • View article
      • August 15, 2017

        Fifty-Nine Robinson+Cole Lawyers Listed in The Best Lawyers in America© 2018

        • » more info
        • View article
      • July 5, 2017

        John Lynch Elected to Lawyers Collaborative for Diversity Board of Directors

        • » more info
        • View article
      • October 18, 2016

        Robinson+Cole Lawyers Recognized by Super Lawyers®

        • » more info
        • View article
      • September 13, 2016

        Robinson+Cole Presents Annual Awards for Dedication and Outstanding Contributions

      • August 15, 2016

        Robinson+Cole Receives Top Listing in Connecticut Lawyer Count in The Best Lawyers in America® 2017

        • » more info
        • View article
      • October 19, 2015

        Robinson+Cole Lawyers Recognized by Super Lawyers®

        • » more info
        • View article
      • August 18, 2015

        Robinson+Cole Receives Top Listing in Connecticut Lawyer Count in The Best Lawyers in America® 2016

        • » more info
        • View article
      • October 17, 2014

        Robinson+Cole Lawyers Recognized by Super Lawyers

        • » more info
        • View article
      • August 19, 2014

        Robinson+Cole Receives Top Listing in Connecticut Lawyer Count in Best Lawyers National Peer Review Survey

        • » more info
        • View article
      • May 29, 2014

        Robinson+Cole Earns Rankings in Chambers USA 2014 in all Connecticut Practice Areas

        • » more info
        • View article
      • August 16, 2013

        Robinson & Cole Receives Top Listing in Connecticut Attorney Count in Best Lawyers National Peer Review Survey

        • » more info
        • View article
      • June 10, 2013

        Chambers USA Ranks Robinson & Cole in Five Practices, Names 17 Attorneys as Leading Lawyers

      • October 22, 2012

        Super Lawyers® Names 49 Robinson & Cole Attorneys to 2012 List and Recognizes 26 as Rising Stars

        • » more info
        • View article
      • August 28, 2012

        Robinson & Cole Receives Top Listing in Connecticut Attorney Count in Best Lawyers National Peer Review Survey

        • » more info
        • View article
      • June 7, 2012

        Chambers USA Ranks Robinson & Cole in Five Practices, Names 16 Attorneys as Leading Lawyers

        • » more info
        • View article
      • March 22, 2012

        Robinson & Cole LLP Shows Commitment to Community, Diversity, and Education at Special Whipping Man Reception at Hartford Stage

        • » more info
        • View article
      • September 12, 2011

        Robinson & Cole Receives Top Listing in Connecticut Attorney Count in Best Lawyers National Peer Review Survey

        • » more info
        • View article
      • June 17, 2011

        Chambers USA Ranks Robinson & Cole in Six Practices, Names 12 Attorneys as Leading Lawyers

      • December 3, 2009

        Robinson & Cole Becomes a Business Partner of the New England Air Museum

        • » more info
        • View article
      • March 30, 2009

        John Lynch Named Managing Partner of Robinson & Cole

        • » more info
        • View article