- Represented a NSYE-listed distribution company in a $2.4 billion take private by a Tier 1 PE sponsor.
- Represented an Italian food equipment manufacturer in a $3.5 billion take private acquisition and topping bid of an NYSE-traded competitor, including a $1.6 billion antitrust divestiture division carve-out.
- Represented a building products manufacturer in a two-stage division sale and subsequent PE “take private.”
- Represented a NYSE-listed building products manufacturer in multiple acquisitions.
- Represented a privately-owned pharmaceutical software company in its sale to a Tier 1 PE sponsor for $400 million.
- Represented a NYSE-listed fintech company in its acquisition of a privately held eCommerce solutions provider.
- Represented a leading provider of paperboard packaging in a transformational combination with a division of a Fortune 100 competitor using an Up-C partnership structure.
- Represented a worldwide technology systems integration services company in the acquisition of a distressed public company via a tender offer structure.
- Represented a NYSE-listed REIT in forming a joint venture with a consortium of institutional investors to acquire 1.1 million acres of prime East Texas timberlands for $1.39 billion.
- Represented a leading Scandinavian aluminum manufacturer as the successful bidder in a Section 363 auction that doubled the size of the company.
- Represented multiple REITs in mergers, internalizations, and other strategic liquidity transactions.
Partner,
- Phone: +1 404 881 7758
- Email: justin.howard@alston.com
Justin helps both domestic and international clients transform their businesses and industries through high-profile, complex M&A, and capital-raising transactions.
- Represented a publicly traded telecommunications firm in a $2.6 billion leveraged buyout by an affiliate of the Carlyle Group.
- Represented a publicly traded biometric security company in a $400 million sale to the world's largest technology company.
- Represented a leading agricultural company in several transactions, including the defense of a hostile takeover and a subsequent negotiated sale for $1.25 billion, a $200 million high-yield debt offering, and a $600 million conversion/recapitalization from a cooperative association to a for-profit company and the related $150 million initial public offering.
- Represented a publicly traded casual dining restaurant chain in its sale for more than $1.3 billion.
- Represented a specialty pharmaceutical company in its sale for more than $2.2 billion.
Justin Howard represents public and private companies across a variety of industries in all types of complex mergers and acquisitions, including leveraged acquisitions and dispositions of portfolio investments by private equity funds. He has represented issuers and underwriters in dozens of public and private offerings of debt, equity, and convertible securities and advises public companies on a variety of corporate governance matters. Justin is a member of the firm’s Partners Committee, having previously led its Corporate and Mergers & Acquisitions Practice.
Justin is listed in Chambers USA and The Best Lawyers in America®. Justin was previously an adjunct professor at the University of Georgia School of Law, teaching a course on mergers and acquisitions.
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Press Release June 6, 2025Alston & Bird Represents Seacoast Banking Corporation of Florida in $710.8M Acquisition of Villages BancorporationAlston & Bird represented Seacoast Banking Corporation of Florida, the holding company for Seacoast National Bank, in its $710.8 million acquisition of Villages Bancorporation, parent company of Florida-based Citizens First Bank. The transaction structure includes a unique combination of cash, common stock, and non-voting preferred stock and represents Seacoast’s largest transaction to date.Press Release June 6, 2025Alston & Bird Represents Seacoast Banking Corporation of Florida in $710.8M Acquisition of Villages BancorporationAlston & Bird represented Seacoast Banking Corporation of Florida, the holding company for Seacoast National Bank, in its $710.8 million acquisition of Villages Bancorporation, parent company of Florida-based Citizens First Bank. The transaction structure includes a unique combination of cash, common stock, and non-voting preferred stock and represents Seacoast’s largest transaction to date.
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Press Release June 5, 2025Alston & Bird Continues to Increase Rankings in Chambers USA 2025Alston & Bird has received significant recognition in the 2025 edition of Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, with 77 practice rankings and 164 leading lawyer listings.Press Release June 5, 2025Alston & Bird Continues to Increase Rankings in Chambers USA 2025Alston & Bird has received significant recognition in the 2025 edition of Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, with 77 practice rankings and 164 leading lawyer listings.
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Press Release January 14, 2025Alston & Bird Bolsters M&A and Private Equity Practice with Two Partners in New YorkAlston & Bird has strengthened its leading Mergers & Acquisitions and Private Equity teams with the addition of two partners in the firm’s New York office.Press Release January 14, 2025Alston & Bird Bolsters M&A and Private Equity Practice with Two Partners in New YorkAlston & Bird has strengthened its leading Mergers & Acquisitions and Private Equity teams with the addition of two partners in the firm’s New York office.
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In the News January 13, 2025Daily Report | Alston & Bird, Eversheds Sutherland Ranked Among Top Firms Globally for M&A Deals in 2024Alston & Bird is noted for ranking among the top 25 law firms worldwide for the number and value of M&A deals achieved in 2024.In the News January 13, 2025Daily Report | Alston & Bird, Eversheds Sutherland Ranked Among Top Firms Globally for M&A Deals in 2024Alston & Bird is noted for ranking among the top 25 law firms worldwide for the number and value of M&A deals achieved in 2024.
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Press Release December 13, 2024Alston & Bird Advises Veritiv on Sale of Rigid-Packaging BusinessAlston & Bird advised Veritiv Operating Company, a leader in specialty packaging distribution, on the sale of Veritiv Containers, the company’s rigid-packaging business, to TricorBraun, a global packaging leader. Pending regulatory approval, the sale is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2025.Press Release December 13, 2024Alston & Bird Advises Veritiv on Sale of Rigid-Packaging BusinessAlston & Bird advised Veritiv Operating Company, a leader in specialty packaging distribution, on the sale of Veritiv Containers, the company’s rigid-packaging business, to TricorBraun, a global packaging leader. Pending regulatory approval, the sale is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2025.
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Press Release October 2, 2024Alston & Bird Advises Americold on $500 Million Public Notes OfferingAlston & Bird advised Americold on an underwritten public notes offering of $500 million of its 5.409% senior unsecured notes due September 12, 2034. Based in Atlanta, Americold is a global leader in temperature-controlled logistics, real estate, and value-added services.Press Release October 2, 2024Alston & Bird Advises Americold on $500 Million Public Notes OfferingAlston & Bird advised Americold on an underwritten public notes offering of $500 million of its 5.409% senior unsecured notes due September 12, 2034. Based in Atlanta, Americold is a global leader in temperature-controlled logistics, real estate, and value-added services.
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Press Release September 9, 2024Alston & Bird Advises EverBank Holdings on $150 Million Private OfferingAlston & Bird advised EverBank Holdings on a $150 million private offering of its 8.375% fixed-to-floating rate subordinated notes due 2034. A Florida-based bank holding company, EverBank Holdings conducts its banking operations through its wholly owned subsidiary, EverBank N.A.Press Release September 9, 2024Alston & Bird Advises EverBank Holdings on $150 Million Private OfferingAlston & Bird advised EverBank Holdings on a $150 million private offering of its 8.375% fixed-to-floating rate subordinated notes due 2034. A Florida-based bank holding company, EverBank Holdings conducts its banking operations through its wholly owned subsidiary, EverBank N.A.
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In the News July 10, 2024Daily Report | Troutman Pepper, Alston & Bird, Nelson Mullins Rise in M&A RankingsJustin Howard is quoted on Alston & Bird’s rise in six M&A categories of the London Stock Exchange Group’s rankings of top 25 firms.In the News July 10, 2024Daily Report | Troutman Pepper, Alston & Bird, Nelson Mullins Rise in M&A RankingsJustin Howard is quoted on Alston & Bird’s rise in six M&A categories of the London Stock Exchange Group’s rankings of top 25 firms.
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Press Release June 6, 2024Alston & Bird Increases Practices and Attorneys Recognized in Chambers USA 2024Alston & Bird has received significant recognition in the 2024 edition of Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, with 73 practice rankings and 153 leading lawyer listings.Press Release June 6, 2024Alston & Bird Increases Practices and Attorneys Recognized in Chambers USA 2024Alston & Bird has received significant recognition in the 2024 edition of Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, with 73 practice rankings and 153 leading lawyer listings.
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In the News April 9, 2024Daily Report | Alston Makes Major Leap in Latest M&A League TablesJustin Howard is quoted on Alston & Bird’s ranking among the top 25 M&A firms in the first three months of 2024.In the News April 9, 2024Daily Report | Alston Makes Major Leap in Latest M&A League TablesJustin Howard is quoted on Alston & Bird’s ranking among the top 25 M&A firms in the first three months of 2024.
Bar Admissions
- Georgia
Education
- University of Georgia (J.D., 1999)
- University of Georgia (B.B.A., 1996)