John Lewis II

John is a trusted advisor to business owners, high net worth clients, and private equity firms, with a practice focused primarily on mergers and acquisitions. He represents clients in the purchase and sale of businesses across multiple industries, with particular depth in financial services, and regularly advises on all phases of the transaction process. 

Clients most often describe John as practical and strategic, and he prides himself on quickly guiding clients to the right solution. In addition to running M&A transactions, John counsels business owners on the full range of ownership and transition issues that arise before a sale. He helps clients prepare for sale, address estate and tax planning considerations, evaluate and select investment bankers and other advisors, and assemble and quarterback the sale process to position businesses for successful outcomes.

John’s M&A practice has involved more than 250 transactions spanning multiple industries, including more than 40 transactions in the financial services industry. His experience includes the sale and acquisition of wealth management firms, trust companies, ETFs, and other financial services sector businesses, and he also represents multiple private equity firms in acquisitions and related transactions.

John also advises closely held businesses and high net worth families on succession planning, wealth preservation, and business ownership structuring. His work in this area often includes solving complex ownership and succession issues, coordinating estate, tax, and insurance planning, and working closely with the firm’s Tax Trusts & Estates practice on family partnerships, trusts, and other planning vehicles.

John has served as a member of the board of directors of multiple privately owned companies and is an active private equity investor. He also serves on the board of BEAM Collaborative, a nonprofit focused on supporting underserved Black entrepreneurs, and has served on the boards of six nonprofits, including as board chair of two.