John P. Cleary

Law School
University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law

Major Cases
I have participated in early seed-stage financings for companies that have gone on to great success, both as operating business and as merger/acquisition targets. I’ve also had the pleasure of working on business acquisitions for both Fortune 500 companies and very small mom-and-pop operations. Each has its rewards. In representing public company clients, I have advised on public offerings and complex securities offerings.

Professional Background
I started my career as a securities class action defense litigator, and transitioned to corporate and securities work in 1999. I spent three years as in-house securities counsel for a NASDAQ-listed company before I came back to private practice to represent public and private companies in capital raising, mergers and acquisitions, public offerings and SEC compliance.

Professional Affiliations
In my current role as leader of Procopio’s Business and Transactional Team, I oversee 25 lawyers in addition to paralegals and staff covering practice areas including corporate and securities, mergers and acquisitions, and emerging growth and technology transactions.

Personal Affiliations
I previously served as chairman of the board for The McAlister Institute, which is a nonprofit providing substance abuse treatment to nearly 7,000 individuals in San Diego and Napa County. I am also active in the San Diego Chapter of the Betty Ford Center Alumni Association, and I work with new alumni throughout Southern California to help them in transitioning their lives and careers.

Personal Background
I was born and raised in Kansas City, Mo., and received a B.A. in English literature from the University of Kansas. After graduating from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law in 1994, I came to San Diego and began my private practice. I have been married for 12 years, and have three daughters, ages 10, 8 and 2. When not working I am either playing golf or taking my daughters to the beach, gymnastics practice or the Fleet Science Center.