John Wambold

John D. Wambold

Partner
Minneapolis

John Wambold is a partner in Ballard’s Minneapolis office, where he practices in the Business & Transactions group. John’s focus is on Private Equity mergers and acquisitions.

John advises Private Equity firms in connection with the structuring, negotiation and implementation of leveraged acquisitions, management buy-outs, growth equity investments and dispositions of privately held businesses. He represents clients throughout the middle-market across a wide range of industries, including business-to-business services, industrial components, executive recruiting, software as a service, foodservice equipment, and other manufacturing, distribution, services and technology. John’s representative private equity clients include Shoreview Industries, Norwest Equity Partners, Stone Arch Capital and Tonka Bay Equity Partners.

John also has extensive experience advising a variety of privately and publicly owned companies on all aspects of complex merger and acquisition transactions, general corporate matters, joint ventures, and restructurings.

Experience 

Representative Matters

  • Representing a private equity sponsor in the roll-up acquisition of four leading executive search firms operating in the Education, Nonprofit, Healthcare Services and Life Sciences industries
  • Representing a private equity sponsor in the acquisition of a manufacturer and designer of elevator control systems and related products based in New York City
  • Representing a publicly-owned company in its acquisition of a designer and manufacturer of electrical cabling and fastening systems

Professional Highlights

Recognition & Accomplishments

The Best Lawyers in America, Mergers and Acquisitions Law (Minneapolis), 2020-2025

Chambers USA, Corporate/M&A (Minnesota), 2024

Speaking Engagements

Middle Market Mergers & Acquisitions, Webcasts, October 7, 2013

Minnesota Venture & Finance Conference Panel: Exit Strategies, October 11, 2012

Credentials 

Education

University of Chicago Law School (J.D. 1997, with honors)

Carlson School of Management, University of Minnesota (M.B.A. 1994)

University of Wisconsin-Madison (B.B.A. 1992, with honors)

Admissions

Minnesota