EXPERTISE
John is a Partner on the Corporate team. His practice areas currently are primarily private company M&A, venture capital, company law generally and partnership law.
He has previously advised in relation to capital markets, in particular, debt capital markets, MTN programmes, commercial paper programmes, standalone debt issuance, and he has advised on equity capital market issuances by Irish companies. He has also advised on equity fundraisings and on public company take-overs.
In the area of venture capital he has advised on the establishment and marketing of venture capital funds, ongoing relationships between the general partner and limited Partners and investments by venture capital funds. He has acted for Seroba Life Sciences, one of the two leading Irish life science venture capital funds since the establishment of the first fund in 2001, and most recently in relation to the establishment of the €100 million + Seroba Life Sciences Fund IV in December 2021.
Recent Experience includes advising:
- Seroba Life Sciences on the establishment of each of Funds I to IV since 2001 and on more than 30 separate transactions relating to either investment or exit
- EIIS Management Ltd the manager of the Goodbody EIIS Funds on the establishment of the first such fund in 2016 and on Fund investments and exits since then
- Earlybird Health the German VC Fund on its seed Investment in Perfuze an Irish neurovascular devise company and subsequently advising EarlyBird, EQT Life Sciences, Seroba and SV Health Investors on the $25m Series A round by Perfuze
- The shareholders of Walsh Whiskey on the equity joint venture with Illva Sarrono in 2013, the demerger and refinancing in 2018 and the sale of the company in 2021 to Amber Beverages Group
- Columbia Ventures Corporation in relation to the sale of Magnet Networks Limited to Speed Fibre Group in 2020 having advised Magnet in the acquisition of the B2B telephony division of Imagine Telecommunications Group in 2016 and on subsequent roll up acquisitions
- Testimonials
"He is excellent: very knowledgeable and a pleasure to work with. He focuses on getting the job done…John is good at giving general counsel without going over the top.
Chambers Europe, 2024"John is a commercial lawyer who is focused on assisting his clients to reach solutions to complex issues…he is very experienced and responsive."
Chambers Europe, 2024"John handles all situations efficiently."
Chambers Europe, 2023“John - the wisest of counsel all the way – remaining impartial and assured in his legal advice.”
Legal 500 EMEA, 2022“John is approachable, always available and listens to the client. He looks at the problem at hand and is always measured in his approach.”
Chambers Europe, 2022“John Olden and his team are very attentive and give practical advice. They are always available and have never failed to meet a deadline.”
Legal 500 EMEA, 2021“John is technically very strong and practical.”
Chambers Europe, 2021“John is very attentive to detail…he considers other issues that are not apparent but which may be linked.”
Chambers Europe, 2020"John is very experienced corporate negotiator who is technically excellent."
Chambers Europe, 2019“John is a calm and able negotiator.”
Legal 500 EMEA, 2018- Professional Memberships
He has served as a member of the Business Law Committee of the Law Society of Ireland for a number of years and was chairman of the Committee. He has previously served as the Law Society’s representative on the Company Law Reform Group.
- Education
- Admitted as a solicitor in 1987.
- BCL(1983) & LLB (1984) University College Cork.
- Diploma Arbitration (2012) University College Dublin
