John J. Zak

Corporate & Business

Mergers & Acquisitions

Securities Regulation & Corporate Compliance

Private Funds

Canada-U.S. Cross-Border

Investment Management & Compliance

Oil & Gas

Aerospace & Defense

Banking & Finance

Corporate Governance

Energy

Family Business & Succession Planning

Manufacturing

Professional Services

Renewable Energy

John Zak is Co-Chair and a Partner at Hodgson Russ and concentrates his practice in U.S. securities regulation, mergers and acquisitions, and corporate governance. He leads the firm’s Securities Regulation & Corporate Compliance and Investment Management & Compliance Practices and co-leads the Mergers & Acquisitions Practice.

John advises public and private companies, investment managers, and international clients – particularly Canadian businesses – on U.S. securities law, corporate structuring, acquisitions and dispositions, and regulatory compliance. His work includes public and private securities offerings, venture capital and private equity transactions, and executive compensation arrangements.

He has substantial experience advising on shareholder disputes and related litigation, including appraisal actions and dissolution proceedings under New York Business Corporation Law 1104 and 1104-a. His litigation experience complements his transactional practice, offering clients a “real world” approach to corporate risk management.

John is also active in cross-border matters, regularly counseling Canadian and other international entities on U.S. securities and investment management issues. He is a co-author of the Practical Law Company module on New York business corporation law.

His ongoing recognition by top legal directories, including Legal 500 (NYC Elite Corporate and M&A), Best Lawyers in America (Corporate Law, 2009–2026), and Chambers USA (Corporate and M&A, 2019–2026), testifies to his dedication to client success and his ability to navigate complex corporate matters.

• New York State Bar Association Business Law Section Securities Law Subcommittee

• American Bar Association Section on Corporation, Banking, and Business Law

University at Buffalo

B.A.

Cornell Law School

J.D.