About
John Kanan serves as lead counsel on mergers, acquisitions, and sales for public and private companies. He counsels those companies and their owners and directors. He guides clients on private equity and debt offerings. He also advises on forming private equity funds and other funds. Companies based in China, Japan, and India hire him to acquire US businesses. He earned his J.D. from the University of Notre Dame Law School. He counsels companies based in China on forming US subsidiaries and represents US operations of companies headquartered abroad, work that often leads into their acquisitions of US businesses.
Who is a good fit for John Kanan
- Owners of private companies preparing to sell the business.
- Directors of public companies considering a merger.
- Companies in China, Japan, or India acquiring a US business.
Education and admissions
- Education
- University of Notre Dame Law School, J.D.
- University of Michigan, A.B. in Communications and English Literature
- Bar admissions
- Michigan
Recognition
- The Best Lawyers in America, 2018-2027, Recognized in practice areas of: Corporate Law; Mergers & Acquisitions Law; International Mergers & Acquisitions
- Law Bulletin Media, Leading Lawyers, Closely & Privately Held Business Law, 2023-2024; Leading Lawyers, Publicly Held Corporations Law, 2023-2024
- Detroit International Mergers and Acquisitions "Lawyer of the Year," 2021, 2023
- Detroit Mergers & Acquisitions "Lawyer of the Year," 2023
- Michigan Super Lawyers, 2012-2022
- DBusiness, Top Lawyers, 2010-2011, 2019, 2022-2024, and 2026
- Martindale-Hubbell AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated
- Legal 500 Elite City Focus Detroit Recognition, Corporate and M&A, 2026
Specialties
Buy-side M&A representationSell-side M&A representation
Deal profile
- Typical deal size
- Any deal size
- Remote work
- In-person / regional
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. He advises on international business transactions, including acquisitions and divestitures, and represents Chinese, Japanese, and Indian companies buying businesses in the US.