Overview
Francis is a Member in McDonald Hopkins' Business Department and a key part of the firm's Mergers and Acquisitions team. He counsels both buyers and sellers throughout the entire M&A process—from initial structuring and due diligence to negotiation, risk allocation, and closing. With experience on both the buy-side and sell-side, Francis provides comprehensive guidance tailored to each client’s unique objectives.
Francis has a proven track record advising on complex transactions across a range of industries, including healthcare, technology, and government contracting. He regularly represents clients in private equity and venture capital financings, including multi-million dollar preferred equity rounds and convertible debt and SAFE issuances. His experience includes advising on sophisticated deal structures, regulatory compliance, and the unique challenges that arise in fast-paced, high-stakes transactions.
A significant portion of Francis’s practice is dedicated to the government contracts sector. He is highly experienced in advising on the acquisition and sale of government contractors. Francis is adept at navigating the unique regulatory and contractual challenges these transactions present, such as novation of government contracts, sovereign immunity waivers, and compliance with small business and set-aside requirements.
In addition to transactional work, Francis regularly advises startups and established companies on formation, financing, growth strategies, and ongoing corporate governance. He is skilled in structuring equity incentive plans and negotiating a wide range of commercial agreements, helping clients position themselves for long-term success and future fundraising opportunities. Francis takes pride in building strong, lasting relationships with his clients, earning their trust as a collaborative advisor and resource throughout each stage of their company’s growth. He truly enjoys the opportunity to support clients in building their businesses and helping them achieve strategic goals.
Francis’s broad industry experience and practical, solutions-oriented approach make him a trusted advisor for companies at every stage of growth.
Representative Cases & Matters
- Represented a Virginia-based kidney care and population health services company in a private offering of Series E Convertible Preferred Stock and simultaneous secondary redemption of founders’ common stock. The transaction, resulted in a raise of over $325,000,000 resulting in a valuation of the company of over $2.5 billion.
- Represented a Virginia-based technology company in a private offering of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock.
- Represented an acquirer in the acquisition of a Florida-based IT government contractor.
- Represented a Kentucky-based multi-channel contact center and its ownership group in the sale of 100% of the outstanding equity to a private equity group. The transaction, valued at $110,000,000, involved Hart-Scott Rodino (HSR) compliance analysis and filings, a pre-closing subchapter F reorganization, and significant tax considerations.
- Advised an Alaskan Native Corporation (ANC) in its acquisition of 100% of the outstanding equity of a Georgia-based engineering, IT, and security systems government contractor.
- Represented a Virginia-based government contractor and its ownership group in the sale of all of its equity interests to a private equity firm in a transaction valued at $21,000,000.
- Represented a government contractor and tribally owned entity in the intelligence and defense industry and its ownership group in the sale of all of its equity interest to a portfolio company of a private equity firm. The transaction, valued at $5,000,000 involved negotiated waivers of sovereign immunity by the tribal entity owners and significant intellectual property and government contracting considerations.
- Represented an independent sponsor in the acquisition of a home improvement advertising publications business.
- Represented an independent sponsor in the acquisition of a manufacturer of oil and gas operations equipment.
- Represented a Delaware-based cardiology and vascular care practice in its sale to a private equity-backed platform.
- Represented a Kansas-based pathology group in the sale of its clinical testing pathology business.
Credentials
Education
American University Washington College of Law
George Washington University Law School
University of Pittsburgh
Admissions – State
- District of Columbia
- Pennsylvania
- Virginia