John D. Owens, III focuses his practice on four key areas: (1) representing investors that finance and/or acquire growth stage and emerging companies, including venture capital firms, family offices, private equity firms and other corporate investors, (2) assisting entrepreneurs, early stage businesses, and emerging businesses in assessing, strategically planning, and managing their overall legal needs as they progress through critical periods of growth and challenge, (3) representing hedge funds, family offices, and other alternative investment funds in their direct capital market transactions with public companies, and (4) providing general counsel regarding compliance with federal securities laws.
John also provides guidance and transactional support to entrepreneurs, executive management and boards of privately held and public companies in relation to corporate governance practices, including public disclosure requirements, as well as conducting securities offerings and raising capital, national exchange uplistings, and negotiating and documenting corporate and commercial transactions. His experience includes seed and venture capital financings, mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, divestitures, public offerings, and transactional work in various industries, including FinTech, medical technology, media, international shipping and parcel delivery, e-sports, e-commerce, financial services, health care, manufacturing, retail, agriculture, beverages, opportunity zones, hospitality, sports, music, reality television, and entertainment. John also advises on cross-border transactions, including assisting foreign companies investing in ventures and conducting business in the U.S., and representing domestic clients planning to engage in business abroad, particularly in emerging markets in Africa, Asia and Latin America.
He enjoys building long standing relationships with investors and companies beginning at their earliest stages and assisting them through the development process.
Concentrations
•Emerging growth and venture capital
•Private equity transactions
•Equity line transactions
•Buyout or leveraged buyout transactions
•Roll-up strategy acquisitions
•PIPE transactions
•Securities
•Sports and entertainment transactions
Recognition & Leadership
Awards & Accolades
•Member, Team receiving Metropolitan Top-Tier Ranking in the 2023 U.S. News - Best Lawyers “Best Law Firms” report for Venture Capital Law
•Member, Team receiving Metropolitan Top-Tier Ranking in the 2023 U.S. News - Best Lawyers “Best Law Firms” report for Technology Law
•Listed, The Legal 500 United States, M&A/ Corporate and Commercial - Venture Capital and Emerging Companies, 2022 and 2024-2025
•“Other Key Lawyer,” 2022
•Listed, South Florida Legal Guide, “Top Up and Comers,” 2017-2021
•Listed, Florida Super Lawyers Magazine, Florida Super Lawyers, “Rising Stars,” 2018-2019
•Finalist, South Florida Business and Wealth Journal, “Up and Comer” Awards, 2017
•Listed, Daily Business Review, “Rising Star,” 2016
•Listed, Legacy Miami Magazine, “40 Under 40 Black Leaders of Today and Tomorrow,” 2014
•Recognized, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, “40 Under 40 Outstanding Lawyers of Miami-Dade County,” 2012