Sell-Side Strategies: Navigating Today's M&A Market

A seasoned corporate attorney with more than 30 years of experience, Howard Lamar helps clients navigate significant corporate events, including mergers and acquisitions, various types of corporate finance transactions and corporate governance issues, including challenges from activist shareholders. He works with boards of directors, senior management of public and private companies, entrepreneurs, family offices, and early-stage growth companies.

Howard’s practice includes:

Corporate Governance – Counseling companies on a variety of corporate and securities matters, including boards of directors on governance, public company disclosure matters, strategic analysis, special committees and activist shareholders.
Mergers & Acquisitions – Advising on equity and asset acquisitions, mergers and other business combinations, including transactions involving publicly traded companies, restructuring transactions, workout transactions involving financially distressed or bankrupt providers, and sell-side dispositions of businesses and carveouts.
Corporate Finance – Assisting issuers and underwriters in debt and equity transactions, including initial public offerings, follow-on offerings, and Rule 144A and institutional private placements.
Prior to attending law school, Howard spent three years with Bank of America (formerly, and during the time he was there, NCNB) where he was a corporate lending officer in NCNB’s Corporate and International Banking Group.

A recognized leader within the Greater Nashville technology and entrepreneur community, John serves on the Board of Directors for the Greater Nashville Technology Council (NTC), is an advisor and co-creator of the NTC’s Emerging Leaders in Tech and Engineering (ELITE) Program, and serves as an Entrepreneur-in-Residence for the Nashville Entrepreneur Center - Inflight Program.
 
He has been recognized for his contributions with awards such as the NTC’s 2020 Champion of the Year, as a 2019 INC 5000 recipient, named as one of the Top 101 Technology Advisors in the nation by Channel Futures Magazine, and as an honoree of the 2025 Nashville Dealmakers of the Year Awards from Smart Business Dealmakers.

Jessica Ginsberg is a Managing Director at LFM Capital, a manufacturing-focused lower middle market private equity firm based in Nashville, where she leads business development, including deal sourcing and firm marketing efforts. Prior to joining LFM, Jessica held various roles in private equity, banking and investment management. Jessica graduated from Georgetown University's McDonough School of Business with a BSBA in Finance and Accounting.

Michael Johnson, Managing Director at Hyde Park Capital, advises mid-market companies on M&A, capital raises, and strategic transactions. He co-founded CAVU Capital, later acquired by Hyde Park in 2022. With experience as a CFO, board member, and investment banker, he brings expertise in strategy, finance, and deal execution, driving value through collaboration and innovative solutions.

Shalin Tejani, co-founder and CEO of Legacy Dental Group (LDG), is revolutionizing dentistry in East Tennessee. He focuses on doctor support, staff culture, patient care and has ambitiously grown LDG by acquiring six practices in four years. A serial entrepreneur, Shalin's background also includes over $1.5 billion in commercial real estate financing, owning and managing a significant e-commerce retailer, and founding a hospitality equity fund. He is passionate about building relationships and fostering growth. Shalin, married to Niti Tejani, enjoys family life with their three children in Chattanooga, TN.