Mr. Johnson’s recent work includes:
Proxy Contests and Other Shareholder Activism Matters
- LaSalle Hotel Properties in its defense of activist campaigns in connection with a hostile takeover
- Monotype in its successful defense of a threatened proxy contest by Starboard Value
- Cognizant in the negotiation of a cooperation agreement with Elliott Management
- PAREXEL in its defense of activist campaigns led by Corvex and Starboard Value
- Leaf Group in its successful defense of a threatened proxy contest by Osmium Partners
- iRobot in its successful proxy contest concerning board representation against Red Mountain Capital
- Brightcove in its entry into a cooperation agreement with, and subsequent successful defense of a threatened proxy contest by, Tenzing Global
- Progress Software in its successful defense of a threatened proxy contest by Starboard Value
- Cedar Realty Trust in the negotiation of a cooperation agreement with Snow Park Capital
- CPS Technologies in its successful defense of a threatened proxy contest and “vote against” campaign by the Horton Group
- Relmada Therapeutics in its proxy contest and related litigation against Laidlaw, which sought unsuccessfully to replace a majority of the company’s board
- Lionbridge in its response to, and entry into a cooperation agreement with, Glen Capital Partners
- LoJack in its response to, and entry into a cooperation agreement with, Engine Capital
- Mac-Gray Corporation in its proxy contests against Moab Partners
- Invesco Closed-end Funds trustees in response to shareholder proposals and nominations from, and entry into standstill agreement with, Saba Capital
Mergers & Acquisitions
Mr. Johnson has substantial experience in the merger and acquisition area representing both buyers and sellers, including:
- LaSalle Hotel Properties in its response to unsolicited public acquisition proposals from Pebblebrook Hotel Trust, leading to its proposed $4.8 billion sale to Blackstone in a “going private” transaction, and subsequent acceptance of topping bid from, and $5.2 billion cash and shares acquisition by, Pebblebrook Hotel Trust
- Control4 in its $680 million sale to SnapAV, a portfolio company of Hellman & Friedman
- Monotype in its $825 million sale to HGGC
- Imprivata in its $544 million sale to Thoma Bravo in a “going private” transaction
- Millennial Media in its $248 million sale to AOL
- Covidien in its $250 million acquisition of Somanetics
- Ansys, Inc. with its acquisitions of Ansoft Corporation, Apache Design Solutions, Inc., Fluent, Inc., Reaction Design Corporation and Space Claim Corp
