Announcement - New member of The Lawyer Network in Maine

John Upton advises both small and large businesses in all facets of their operations. He has extensive experience in mergers and acquisitions, petroleum distribution, bank financing, venture capital transactions, negotiation of contracts, and general business advice. Recent Representative Transactions: • Lead counsel to purchasers in an asset acquisition of a food processing division of a publicly traded seller. • Lead counsel to shareholders of a regional equipment distributor in the sale of its stock to a publicly traded international competitor. Advised client on assignment of distribution rights, noncompetition agreements, and employment issues. • Advised Maine-based medical device manufacturer in the sale of a minority stock interest to a Fortune 500 investor and in related long term supply and distribution arrangements. • Negotiated joint venture agreement between co-owners of a marine storage terminal. • Drafted multi-party shareholder agreements for owners of corporations in Maine and Virginia. • Drafted restricted stock plan for privately held manufacturing company. • Advised fast growing natural food producer on multiple stages of equity and debt financings. • Represented shareholders of a consulting corporation in a tax advantageous stock sale of the business to a national competitor, including advice on employment agreements, noncompetition covenants, and tax treatment of installment sale payments. • Negotiated asset acquisition of a marine terminal and petroleum pipeline. • Negotiated contracts for CNG and LNG supply by truck to commercial and industrial end-users. • Lead counsel to Canadian corporate purchaser of a forest products mill located in Northern Maine.