MIAMI – June 2, 2021 – As South Florida’s stature as a technology and finance hub continues to grow, global law firm Greenberg Traurig P.A. is expanding its Corporate Practice in Miami to meet increased client demand with the addition of John D. Owens III as a shareholder.
Owens, who joined Greenberg Traurig from K&L Gates LLP in Miami, focuses his practice on representing venture capital funds, hedge funds, angel investors, and family offices seeking investment opportunities in emerging and established industries. Owens also represents entrepreneurs and start-ups in numerous industries, including technology, telecommunications, media, international shipping/logistics, e-sports, e-commerce, cyber-security, manufacturing, and consumer products. He advises these companies on formation, initial- and later-stage public or private financing, mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, and ongoing corporate governance and regulatory compliance.
“With the increasing number of venture capital firms and hedge funds establishing a foothold in Miami and South Florida, John’s extensive hedge fund and EC/VC practice is a huge win for the firm and the Miami office,” said Jaret L. Davis, co-managing shareholder of Greenberg Traurig’s Miami office. “The timing is perfect given the recent surge in financing and private and public investment deals done in Miami. That growth is only going to escalate in the coming year, as Miami continues its journey as the #1 city in the nation for start-up and scale-up activity.”
Owens is active in the South Florida venture capital community, having advised dozens of start-up and emerging companies, as well as investors, in raising or funding over $100 million in seed, private, and public venture capital transactions. In addition, he represents issuers in public and private securities offerings, as well as hedge funds and alternative investment firms.
In just the last two years, he has advised on securities offerings totaling over $1 billion and in more than 50 PIPE and Equity Line transactions, giving Owens a deep understanding of the lifecycle of emerging companies from founding through venture capital raising and subsequent senior rounds and exit transactions. Owens has also advised clients on significant mergers and acquisitions transactions, including the $1.26 billion sale of a technology services company to a private equity buyer and the $200 million acquisition of a healthcare services provider.
“Greenberg Traurig is a natural fit for my focus because the firm has an impressive local presence as well as a global reach that will enable me to continue to grow my practice in Florida, nationally, and internationally,” Owens said. “With offices in established and emerging tech hubs like Silicon Valley, Austin, and Miami, in addition to cities like New York, Atlanta, Washington D.C., and key international cities, I can support investment clients regardless of where they reside and want to invest, and can reach an expansive pool of entrepreneurs.”
Owens’ addition to the Greenberg Traurig team is part of an ongoing expansion of the firm’s private equity, financing, and investment capabilities in South Florida and beyond. Cynthia A. Marian joined the firm’s New York Corporate Practice this month, where she is part of Greenberg Traurig’s Private Funds Group, a multidisciplinary group of attorneys who provide investment fund clients with legal services in all areas of private investments.
Marian, previously at Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson, LLP, has worked closely with large, complex, well-known asset managers, private equity fund sponsors, and hedge fund managers on the formation, structuring, and offering of private funds globally. She also has extensive private fund manager experience, honed during her years in-house as general counsel and chief compliance officer with three investment management firms. She will represent clients globally, working from the firm’s Miami office. Marian is admitted to practice in New York and New Jersey, and not admitted to practice in Florida.
“Adding experienced attorneys like John and Cynthia who have proven track records of working with fund investors, as well as companies seeking funding for their activities, will bolster our already strong teams in the areas of private equity and capital markets,” said Bruce March, co-chair of the firm’s global Corporate Practice and a Fort Lauderdale office shareholder.
Given his focus on advising companies at various stages of their development, Owens is actively involved with several local organizations that support entrepreneurs as their companies grow and mature. He is a founding member of South Florida Chapter of the Exit Planning Exchange, a multi-disciplinary community of professional advisors, including bankers, wealth planners, and M&A intermediaries, that provides resources to assist owners to build valuable businesses. He has worked closely with Venture Café Miami to provide programming to connect local entrepreneurs and the South Florida VC and angel investor community. He has also worked collaboratively with Culture Shift Labs to curate events that aim to narrow the inequality gap in Black and Latinx venture capitalists. In addition, Owens is a former registered agent for the National Football Player Association and often works with professional athletes and entertainers on investment and entrepreneurship opportunities.
Owens is very active in the South Florida community. He sits on the board of trustees of Florida Memorial University. He is also committed to mentoring high-need youth to help provide opportunities that were not available in the area of Central Virginia where he grew up. He participates in mentoring activities with 100 Black Men of South Florida. He also participates in community service and mentoring activities in connection with the Beta Beta Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated, of which Owens is a Life Member. He is also a member of the Princeton Club of South Florida.
Owens, a member of the Florida Bar, received his J.D. and M.B.A. from the College of William & Mary and his B.A. cum laude from Princeton University. While at Princeton, he was a member of the varsity football team.
About Greenberg Traurig: Greenberg Traurig, LLP (GT) has approximately 2200 attorneys in 40 locations in the United States, Latin America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. GT has been recognized for its philanthropic giving, diversity, and innovation, and is consistently among the largest firms in the U.S. on the Law360 400 and among the Top 20 on the Am Law Global 100. The firm is net carbon neutral with respect to its office energy usage and Mansfield Rule 3.0 Certified. Web: www.gtlaw.com