Van M. Jolas

Van assists a broad range of clients with mergers and acquisitions, stock and asset acquisitions and dispositions, joint ventures, public and private securities offerings, and securities law reporting and compliance. He also advises clients on corporate planning, business organization formations, restructurings, business and commercial contractual arrangements, antitrust counseling, corporate governance, and general corporate matters.

In addition to his significant transactional, commercial, and general corporate experience, Van also advises clients on the antitrust implications of proposed transactions and other business activities, including the compliance and reporting requirements under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976. He represents clients in government investigations and merger reviews with the Federal Trade Commission, Department of Justice – Antitrust Division, and state antitrust enforcement agencies (including voluntary requests for information, second requests, and consent agreements and settlements). Van also provides consultation, analysis, and advice regarding the antitrust implications of various business arrangements and commercial relationships.

Public Companies

• Represented a publicly traded Delaware corporation in consummating a reincorporation merger to become a publicly traded Texas corporation.
• Guided a publicly traded company in consummating a spin-off transaction of one of its wholly owned subsidiaries as a separate publicly traded corporation.
• Advised several public companies in the preparation and filing of registration statements for their employee benefit plans, stock purchase plans, and dividend reinvestment plans.
• Represented the family members of a founder of a publicly traded master limited partnership relating to the founder’s right to appoint a representative to the company’s board of directors.

Media

• Represented publicly traded broadcast television companies in multiple acquisitions and divestitures of broadcast television stations.
• Advised newspaper publishing companies in multiple acquisitions and divestitures of newspaper publications.
• Assisted a media company in its acquisition of several digital media companies.
• Counseled a consortium of eight newspaper companies in the creation of a national advertising platform in the 30 largest designated market areas of the U.S.
• Represented a video game development company in connection with its capital restructuring.
• Assisted a video game development company in its sale to a publicly traded video game development company.

Energy

• Represented a publicly traded midstream company in its acquisition of another midstream company for approximately $1.5 billion.
• Represented Lucid Energy Group II, LLC, in the purchase of certain assets of Agave Energy Company and the acquisition of all of the outstanding stock of Agave Energy Holdings, Inc.
• Represented an oil and gas production company in its $300 million acquisition of equity interests of two subsidiaries of BHP Billiton Ltd.
• Advised an oil and gas company in its acquisition of offshore-producing oil and gas leases and wells located in the Gulf of Mexico.
• Represented a publicly traded midstream company in the establishment of a joint venture arrangement to build and operate a 52-mile gas gathering pipeline.
• Represented a chemical manufacturing client in its acquisition of the assets of a company that designs, develops, and manufactures specialty chemicals and polymers for oil and gas exploration companies.
• Represented an ethanol refining client in negotiating various contracts.
• Represented a client in the negotiation of several agreements for construction and maintenance services for wind and solar projects.

Other Transactions

• Guided a private equity-backed building products company in multiple acquisitions preceding its initial public offering.
• Counseled a private investor in consummating more than 25 equity investment transactions in multifamily housing properties located throughout the U.S.
• Advised a publicly held company in the acquisition of a privately held technology company.
• Represented the manufacturer of oilfield chemicals in the sale of a manufacturing facility.
• Represented a regional cement manufacturer in a financing and structuring transaction.
• Represented a professional services company in asset acquisition and disposition transactions.
• Represented an agricultural client in acquisitions of cattle feed yards and a private investor in the acquisition of an animal feed manufacturer.
• Represented a client in the formation of a joint venture to develop, construct, own, and operate a cement terminal facility.
• Represented a client in the construction of a chemical production facility and related supply agreements.
• Represented a civil, structural, and electrical engineering services company in the sale of its business.
• Represented founders of a real estate investment partnership in a complicated corporate divorce involving many entities.

Recent Second HSR Requests

• Represented a privately held natural gas pipeline company in the entry into a consent agreement and settlement of an investigation brought by the FTC challenging the non-compete provision contained in the acquisition agreement.
• Counseled a privately held retail fuel station and convenience store company in the entry into a consent agreement and settlement of an investigation brought by the FTC challenging the sale of its business, resulting in the required divestiture of two retail fuel locations.
• Represented a privately held pasta manufacturer in the sale of most of its pasta brands and physical assets to a large competitor, working with buyer’s counsel in structuring the transaction to mitigate possible antitrust concerns that might be raised by the federal antitrust enforcement agencies, and addressing issues raised by the DOJ in its investigation of the proposed transaction, resulting in the granting of early termination of the HSR waiting period.

• Best Lawyers in America®: Corporate Law and Mergers and Acquisitions Law (2015-2026)
• D Magazine, Best Lawyers in Dallas, Corporate Law: Mergers & Acquisitions (2022, 2024-2026)