Morrison & Foerster is pleased to announce that Justin Stock, a leading corporate partner  with broad experience in mergers & acquisitions, private equity and joint ventures, has joined the firm’s London office as a partner in the Corporate Group.

Mr. Stock has advised on cross-border acquisitions and disposals for trade buyers and portfolio companies that serve large European and international businesses in the technology, financial institutions, energy and life sciences sectors. He is experienced in both public-to-private transactions and private mergers, as well as large IPOs, placings, secondary issues and convertible debt issues. His clients have included Discovery Holdings Limited, RIT Capital Partners plc, Government of Singapore Investments Pte (GIC), Goldman Sachs (PIA), Microgaming Software Systems, Apple Inc. and The Palace Group. 

“A core element of our strategy is the continued growth and development of our Corporate and Capital Markets practices, particularly in London.  The addition of Justin advances our ambitions for Corporate practice growth nationally and internationally and represents an important expansion of our strong M&A and private equity capabilities across the firm,” said Keith Wetmore, Chair of Morrison & Foerster. “We are delighted to have Justin join us.  He is a fine lawyer with a well-deserved reputation.  Given our strengths in the financial capitals of New York, London, Tokyo and Hong Kong, we are able to serve the corporate needs of our clients everywhere around the world.”

Ed Lukins, head of the London Corporate Group added: “With the deal economy showing signs of a rebound, this is a great time to welcome Justin to our Corporate Practice. He adds a critical strategic piece to our practice and will be invaluable in expanding our London presence. His distinguished experience in cross-border investment and M&A transactions enhances our corporate and securities capabilities throughout the U.S., Europe and Asia.”

Justin Stock added, “MoFo is a perfect fit for me as I look to build my practice across Europe and internationally. The firm has a collegial culture, first-class lawyers and a fabulous global client base across the sectors that are ripe for investment and M&A, especially technology companies and financial institutions.”

Following is a sample of Mr. Stock’s notable transactions:

• Acting for GIC (Government of Singapore) as lead investor into Glencore $2.2 billion convertible debt issue; 
• Acting for Coller Capital on the formation of a secondaries fund and acquisition of a portfolio of companies from a global bank into the fund; 
• Advising London Stock Exchange plc in relation to takeover proposals by Deutsche Börse and Euronext; 
• Advising on the formation and joint venture arrangements of J. Rothschild Creat Partners, a first-of-its-kind joint venture fund management company allowing Chinese investors to invest in private equity transactions internationally; 
• Acting for The Rank Group plc on the sale of Deluxe Film to McAndrews & Forbes; 
• Advising two large private equity sponsors in relation to a bid for Shell’s liquid petroleum gas operations; and 
• Acting for Compass Group PLC on the £1.8 billion sale of its travel concessions catering operations to Macquarie Bank and EQT.

Mr. Stock graduated from University of Cape Town, South Africa with a Bachelor of Business Science (Honors) and earned his LLB at University of Cape Town, South Africa.