Areas of Focus
“Answer every question. Examine every issue. Make sure nothing is overlooked that might become a problem down the road.”
Overview
Ralph Norton counsels clients through every stage of the business life cycle. From initial organization and management arrangements to capital formation, acquisitions, customer, vendor and employee relationships through exit planning, he addresses — and anticipates — what a business needs to support its ongoing success. A partner in the Corporate + Transactions Practice Group, Ralph works with clients that range from large multinational companies to small family-owned businesses.
Committed to understanding all the dynamics of a client’s business, including its industry landscape, Ralph gives practical, results-oriented advice on transactions and general business issues. His clients represent industries including marketing communications, broadcast television and consumer products.
In purchase and sale transactions, Ralph takes a long view in addressing immediate concerns consistent with his client’s ultimate goals. He unpacks each potential obstacle and addresses it proactively to streamline the final transaction and close the deal on time. His involvement in a transaction starts with top-level strategy and extends through leadership of negotiations and final review.
Ralph’s experience working inside the SEC affords valuable insight about how the agency applies its rules to businesses of all sizes, and helps him represent clients productively with government regulators. In a business environment characterized by uncertainty, he maintains a sharp focus on his clients’ business goals and effectively protects their rights and interests for the long term.
Representative Experience
Guided the owners of a culture-driven, creative agency on noncompete and compensation issues in the sale of its majority ownership interest to one of the largest global advertising and communications groups.
- Represented a leading U.S. developer, manufacturer, distributor and seller of nutritional supplements and wellness products in its sale and business combination with a commercial provider of weight loss products.
Represented a holding company of independent agencies across the marketing services spectrum in its purchase of a PR, digital marketing and crisis communications agency.
- Represented a full-service recruitment advertising agency in structuring its sale to a Los Angeles-based private equity firm specializing in media and communications.
Advised a CEO and stockholder of a public company in connection with an ongoing private transaction.
Represented a digital branding and consulting agency in its acquisition of a marketing technology consultancy.
Insights + Events
Credentials
Education
- St. John's University (J.D., cum laude, 1986)
- St. Thomas More Scholar
- University of Pennsylvania (B.A., 1981)
Bar Admissions
- New York
- Connecticut
Associations
Member, Davis+Gilbert Legal Opinion Committee