Mr John Welge > Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner > St Louis, United States > Lawyer Profile

Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner Offices

Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner
ONE METROPOLITAN SQUARE
211 NORTH BROADWAY, SUITE 3600
ST LOUIS, MO 63102-2750
MISSOURI
United States
Visit website 1 314 259 2000 1 314 259 2020

Mr John Welge

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+1 314 259 2545 [email protected] View profile

Work Department

Corporate Transactions

Position

Partner – Corporate and Finance Transactions

Career

With over 30 years of experience advising on corporate law, John’s practice focuses on leading middle-market mergers and acquisitions for individuals and corporate clients buying and selling businesses in the U.S. and across the world. He also advises his clients on a broad range of business law matters including corporation and limited liability company structure and formation, corporate reorganizations and restructurings, venture capital and private equity investments, leveraged buy-outs, private stock offerings, joint ventures, commercial agreements, and statutory matters under Missouri and Delaware corporate law. To obtain the best business, financial, and legal outcome for his clients, John also leverages his prior experience as a CPA with Big 4 and national accounting firms.

CIVIC INVOLVEMENT & HONORS

  • Missouri Lawyers POWER List in top Missouri Merger & Acquisition Attorneys
  • Chambers USA, Corporate/M&A, 2023
  • The Best Lawyers in America®, 2018-2020
  • The Legal 500 United States 2017-2018: M&A: middle-market (SUB-$500M)

John has led deal teams on significant, multimillion-dollar transactions for several global clients, including Emerson Electric, Bayer, Energizer, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Anheuser-Busch InBev, Schnitzer Steel, AstenJohnson and Watlow Electric. His extensive experience in leading all aspects of cross-border transactions includes the structuring, negotiation, due diligence and document preparation and review for transactions in England, Germany, France, Italy, Denmark, Norway, Romania, China, Israel, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Chile, and India. His clients span a broad range of industries including industrial manufacturing, food manufacturing, auto recycling, telecommunications, high fashion retail, community banking, and healthcare.

 

A trusted business advisor, John develops long-term relationships with his clients by gaining a deep understanding of their businesses and their concerns, and taking a pragmatic business and client service-oriented approach to solving their legal issues. Many of his clients have turned to John as their go-to counsel for decades.

Outside of his legal practice, John has served as the board treasurer and board member of Operation Food Search, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization in St. Louis that operates a food bank to nourish and educate those in need.

Prior to joining the firm in 1994, John was an associate with an international law firm in Houston, Texas.

A trusted business advisor, John develops long-term relationships with his clients by gaining a deep understanding of their businesses and their concerns, and taking a pragmatic business and client service-oriented approach to solving their legal issues. Many of his clients have turned to John as their go-to counsel for decades.

Outside of his legal practice, John has served as the board treasurer and board member of Operation Food Search, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization in St. Louis that operates a food bank to nourish and educate those in need.

Prior to joining the firm in 1994, John was an associate with an international law firm in Houston, Texas.

Lawyer Rankings

United States > M&A/corporate and commercial > M&A: middle-market (sub-$500m)

Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner continues to increase its market share of prominent corporate transactions, with the team handling an impressive volume of cross-border, high-value acquisitions during 2023/24. Acting for a diversified roster of public and private companies and private equity funds, the group is well versed in sell-side representations, carve-outs, minority investments, and governance matters. The overarching corporate and finance transactions practice is co-led from St Louis by regional leader Joel Lander and global head Todd Kaye; both contribute extensive experience in advising companies and private equity clients on domestic and cross-border acquisitions and disposals. Other key contacts in St Louis include seasoned partner John Welge, whose recent work spans technology and energy transactions; Stephanie Hosler, who is noted for her expertise in the telecoms, banking, consumer goods, and life sciences spheres; and Kristin Yemm, who routinely acts for mid-market companies on both buy and sell-side mandates. In Atlanta, Amy Wilson is recognized for her record in structured deals, including cross-border M&A and SPAC transactions, while Olivia Weber is a talented rising star. In Washington DC, Jonathan Nesher led on several matters worth over $500m during 2024. Seth Frederiksen left the firm in May 2024.

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