JOHNATHAN SARGENT focuses his practice on shareholder activism defense, corporate governance, private equity transactions, and mergers and acquisitions. As a regular member of Sidley’s Shareholder Activism and Corporate Defense practice, he has represented public companies facing proxy contests, as well as advised on issues related to corporate governance practices, shareholder activism preparedness, and takeover defenses.
Prior to joining Sidley, Johnathan served as a staffer for various Members of Congress, including as a legislative aide for a senior member of the U.S. House Committee on Financial Services. He also served as a legal intern for Charter Communications, and as a law clerk for the U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary.
Johnathan holds a J.D. from the University of Pennsylvania Law School, where he served as editor-in-chief of the University of Pennsylvania Journal of Business Law, and received the “Outstanding Pro Bono Service Award” for his pro bono work. He also received a Certificate in Management from the Wharton School. While attending law school, he served as a student counselor for the Penn Law Entrepreneurship Legal Clinic, where he provided free legal services to for-profit and non-profit businesses in Philadelphia, PA. Additionally, Johnathan holds a B.A. in history and political science from the University of Pennsylvania.
Associate
Johnathan F. Sargent
- Emerging Companies and Venture Capital
- M&A
Experience
- Representative Matters
- Memberships and Activities
Representative matters and transactions include:
- Represented WestCap Management, LLC, as lead investor, in the $64 million Series B financing for Sharegain.
- Represented WestCap Management, as lead investor, in the $100 million Series B funding for Found Health.
- Represented WestCap Management, as lead investor, in the $100 million growth funding for HUMAN Security, Inc.
- Represted Enhabit, Inc. in its proxy contest defense against Cruiser Capital and Harbour Point Capital Management.
- Represented Box, Inc. in its successful proxy contest against Starboard Value L.P.
- Represented Rogers Corporation in its settlement agreement with Starboard Value L.P.
- Represented Achieve Partners in its acquisition of a majority stake in Boclips.
- Represented LivePerson, Inc. in its proxy contest defense and related settlement agreement with Starboard Value L.P.
- Represented SpartanNash Company in its successful proxy contest against Macellum Capital Management and Ancora Holdings Group.
- Represented US Foods Holding Corp. in its proxy contest defense and related cooperation agreement with Sachem Head Capital Management.
- Represented PRO Unlimited in its acquisition of outsourced workforce management provider Geometric Results, Inc.
- Represented Athene and Donlen in the US$5 billion combination of Donlen and Wheels.
- Represented CytoDyn, Inc. in its proxy contest defense against the Rosenbaum group.
Johnathan is a member of the firm’s Associate Relations Committee. He is also a Young Fellow at the Morgan Library & Museum and an Associate Board member of Community-Word Project.
Capabilities
SERVICES AND INDUSTRIES
News & Insights
Credentials
Admissions & Certifications
- New York
Education
- University of Pennsylvania Law School, J.D., 2021 (Editor-in-Chief, University of Pennsylvania Journal of Business Law)
- University of Pennsylvania, B.A., 2016