Seyfarth Continues to Bolster Transactional Practices in Southern California with Addition of John Babala in Los Angeles

May 28, 2025 -  Seyfarth Shaw LLP has further boosted its rapidly expanding Corporate department with the addition of John Babala as a partner based in the firm’s Los Angeles (Century City) office.

Babala brings to Seyfarth three decades of high-level experience, focusing on significant transactions and complex financings, based in Southern California, including Orange County.

“John has the established practice and vision which are essential to our growing Corporate and Mergers & Acquisitions practices,” said Andrew Lucano, chair of Seyfarth’s Corporate department and co-chair of the M&A practice. “His track record guiding sophisticated transactions and high performance over many years of practice align seamlessly with our strategy for continued growth in complex corporate works. John will be an outstanding addition to our firm with his excellent credentials and proven success.”

Babala provides legal services for clients on sophisticated corporate transactions, strategic financing, high-stakes disputes, and complex regulatory matters, counseling companies on M&A transactions, equity/debt financings, joint ventures, licensing, and cross-border matters.

His practice includes a strong international element, which incorporates advising both inbound and outbound transactions. His global reach includes representing parties from, or transactions in, Africa, Australia, Canada, China, France, Japan, Mexico, Singapore, and the United Kingdom.

“I have the highest regard for Seyfarth and am inspired by the opportunity to help expand its core corporate practice areas especially in California,” said Babala. “I am looking forward to combining my experience with Seyfarth’s innovative culture and global reach to enable our clients to meet their forward-looking challenges.”

Babala offers substantial experience serving as outside general counsel to entrepreneurs, emerging growth businesses, international investment firms, and public companies. Many of his clients operate in regulated industries, such as aerospace and defense, beverage, alcohol, energy, finance, healthcare, and hospitality.

“John Babala will help to grow our Corporate presence in Los Angeles, specifically adding M&A and finance experience and expanding our practice in California,” said Nicholas Waddles, co-managing partner for Seyfarth in Los Angeles. “John’s middle-market and entrepreneurial client base, particularly in the M&A space, is a strong strategic fit for us. He will be a valuable addition to the Corporate Department as well as the Los Angeles (Century City) office and extends our ability to service our clients in Orange County.”

Babala earned his JD from the University of Michigan Law School and his BA from Alma College.

Seyfarth’s Corporate Department has more than 100 lawyers across the firm’s offices in the US and internationally. The firm’s Corporate attorneys are experienced in every phase of the business lifecycle, and represent clients with respect to negotiating commercial contracts, corporate finance, joint ventures and mergers and acquisitions. They provide counsel to privately and publicly held companies, including private equity portfolio companies, family owned and entrepreneurial driven enterprises.

About Seyfarth

With more than 900 lawyers across 18 offices, Seyfarth Shaw LLP provides top-tier advisory, litigation, and transactional legal services to clients worldwide.