Andrew Varner is co-head of the firm's Mergers & Acquisitions practice. He represents clients in mergers, stock and asset purchases, divestitures, minority investments, carve-outs, leveraged buyouts, tender offers, and joint ventures. His work includes the representation of multinational corporations, based in the U.S., Asia and Europe, as well as private equity firms.
He has worked in a variety of industries, including technology, healthcare, and consumer packaged goods. He has particularly deep experience in the aerospace, defense and government contracts industry.
Mr. Varner regularly handles cross-border transactions. He advises on corporate governance and securities disclosure issues and consults, together with others at the firm, on issues relating to foreign investment in the US, including CFIUS and FOCI mitigation.
Experience
- Kongsberg Discovery, in its acquisition of Sonatech, a leading undersea acoustics engineering and manufacturing firm (pending).
- McCormick & Co, Inc., in its sale of Kitchen Basics, a line of ready-to-use stocks and broths, to Del Monte Foods, Inc.
- A leading global information technology consulting firm in multiple acquisitions of U.S.-based providers of IT services to the U.S. federal government.
- A global electric battery manufacturer in the establishment of a multi-billion dollar joint venture to produce EV batteries.
- Homesnap Inc., a software platform for residential real estate, in its $250 million cash sale to CoStar Group, Inc.
- Kongsberg Gruppen ASA in its sale of Hydroid, Inc., a leading supplier of small and autonomous underwater vessels, to Huntington Ingalls Industries for $350 million.
- Multi-national conglomerate in formation of $600 million global joint venture with Japanese conglomerate.
- Capital One in its acquisition of Wikibuy, a fintech company.
- WorldStrides in its acquisition of educational travel brands Brightspark US, Brightspark Canada, World Class Vacations, Jumpstreet, and Educatours from Travelopia.
- Asahi Holdings Inc. in its acquisition, pursuant to Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code, of substantially all of the assets of Republic Metals Corporation and Republic Carbon Company LLC.
- Koepon Holding BV in its combination with Cooperative Resources International, forming URUS (a global holding company with cooperative and private ownership).
- Ultra Electronics Holdings plc in its announced acquisition of Sparton Corporation for approximately $235 million. (terminated)
- RLJ Equity Partners in the acquisition of Phase One Consulting Group, a provider of IT consulting services to federal agencies, and Phase One and RLJ Equity Partners in the subsequent sale of Phase One to Accenture Federal Services, the US federal contracting subsidiary of Accenture plc.
- American Capital and Paradigm Precision Holdings, a precision aerospace components manufacturer, in its sale to Dynamic Precision Holdings.
- American Capital and Pan Am International Flight Academy, a leading pilot training academy, in its sale to ANA Holdings.
- American Capital and Service Experts, a national HVAC service and installation company, in the $341 million sale of Service Experts to Canada-based Enercare, named by Buyouts as "Turnaround Deal of the Year" for 2017.
- KOSÉ Corporation in its acquisition of Tarte Cosmetics.
- National hospital company in $1.125 billion acquisition of nonprofit hospital system.
- National hospital company in formation of multi-hospital joint venture with prestigious academic institution.
- Global insurer in sale of its dental business.
- Public sporting goods company in $360 million sale by tender offer to another public sporting goods company.
- Revolution Living in various transactions relating to Zipcar (NASDAQ: ZIP), including, as largest shareholder, in sale of Zipcar to Avis Budget Group (NASDAQ: CAR) for approximately $500 million.
- Fintech company in its $300 million sale to a global financial services company.
- Private equity sponsored medical device company in its $180 million sale to publicly traded precision products manufacturer.
- Private equity firm in its $370 million take-private of a lodging company.
Perspectives
May 14, 2025
Treasury Announces Development of Fast-Track Pilot Program to Streamline Foreign Investments From Allies and Partners
Enforcement Edge: Shining Light on Government Enforcement
January 27, 2025
Commerce Department Imposes Sweeping Global Restrictions on AI Technologies
Advisory
December 24, 2024
Arnold & Porter Advises Bessemer Venture Partners on Securing US$113 Million Funding for Aiwyn
More
Recognition
Chambers USA
Corporate/M&A & Private Equity (Washington, D.C.) (2015-2025)
The Legal 500 US
Private Equity Buyouts (2021)
M&A/Corporate and Commercial: M&A Middle-Market (sub-$500m) (2011, 2013-2014, 2016-2019)
M&A/Corporate and Commercial:Private Equity Buyouts (2018-2019)
M&A/Corporate and Commercial:Corporate Governance (2018)
M&A/Corporate and Commercial: M&A Middle-Market (sub-$500m) (2011, 2013-2014, 2016-2019)
M&A/Corporate and Commercial:Private Equity Buyouts (2018-2019)
M&A/Corporate and Commercial:Corporate Governance (2018)
Washington Business Journal
"Top Washington Lawyers" Young Guns (2007)
Credentials
Education
- J.D., University of Chicago Law School, 1997, with honors
- Inter-University Center for Japanese Studies, 1995
- B.A., University of Michigan, 1993, with honors
Admissions
- District of Columbia
- New York