Overview
Thomas (Tom) P. Conaghan represents public and private companies, underwriters and other sources of capital, corporate boards and board committees, and corporate executives. He advises US- and foreign-based public companies on issues relating to mergers and acquisitions (M&A), joint ventures, strategic investments, spin-offs, public and private offerings of securities (including initial public offerings (IPOs)), disclosure, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) reporting, corporate governance, executive compensation, and the stock exchange-listed company rules. Tom is co-head of the Firm’s Capital Markets and Public Companies Group, and partner-in-charge of the Corporate Group in the Firm’s Washington, DC office.
Tom is rated in Chambers USA and The Legal 500 for his M&A work, and is cited for being a “strong M&A lawyer who anticipates clients’ needs, exhibits strong management over deals, and translates his breadth of knowledge in a way that clients can easily understand and use.” Tom has led several M&A transactions for alcohol beverage clients in conjunction with the Firm’s Chambers USA top-rated beverage practice.
Tom represents real estate investment trusts (REITs) in connection with IPOs and M&A transactions. He also advises clients on large-scale global corporate reorganizations and spin-offs. His experience includes advising Tyco International (NYSE: TYC) in connection with is spin-offs of Covidien, TE Connectivity and The ADT Corporation.
Results
- Represented entrepreneur Eugene Kashper in the acquisition of Pabst Brewing Company, maker of iconic American beer brands
- Represented global sports apparel and footwear company, Fila, and leading Korean private equity firm, Mirae Asset, in the $1.225 billion acquisition of Acushnet Company, the leading golf equipment company (Titleist and Footjoy) from Fortune Brands (NYSE: FO)
- Represented The ADT Corporation (NYSE: ADT) in the acquisition of Devcon Security from Golden Gate Capital for $148.5 million
- Represented Duvel Moortgat N.V., Belgium’s second-largest brewing company, in its acquisition of Boulevard Brewing Company, a Kansas City-based craft beer company
- Represented Merge Healthcare (NASDAQ: MRGE) in an aggregate of $252 million Rule 144A private placements and SEC-registered exchange offers for senior guaranteed notes
Recognitions
- M&A Advisor, Consumer M&A Deal of the Year, for representation of Dogfish Head Brewery in its $300 million merger with the Boston Beer Company (2019)
- M&A Advisor, Consumer M&A Deal of the Year, for representation of Fila Korea and Mirae Asset Private Equity in the $1.225 billion acquisition of Acushnet Company (Titleist Golf) from Fortune Brands, Inc. (2011)
- Chambers USA 2019, Recognized Practitioner in District of Columbia, Corporate/M&A & Private Equity
- The Legal 500 US 2012 to 2019, M&A
Community
- Greater Washington, DC Board of Trade, Legal Task Force for the Greater Washington Smart Region Movement
- Capital Lacrosse Club, president
Credentials
Education
University of Notre Dame Law School, JD, cum laude, 1995
University of Notre Dame, BA, 1992
Admissions
District of Columbia
Maryland
Languages
English
French
