Waldrep Wall Babcock & Bailey PLLC

14 Best Lawyers awards

Waldrep Wall Babcock & Bailey PLLC logo

Awarded Practice Areas

Commercial Transactions / UCC Law Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships) Commercial Finance Law Corporate Law Health Care Law Mergers and Acquisitions Law Tax Law
*Named the "Lawyer of the Year" in this practice area in the 2026 edition in Triad.

Biography

John Babcock has extensive experience in corporate and tax law matters, mergers and acquisitions and general business transactions, as well as commercial loan transactions where he represents both borrowers and lenders.

John represents clients regarding all aspects of entity formation, debt and private equity financing, corporate governance, shareholder disputes, mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, and commercial business and loan transactions. He also devotes a significant portion of his time advising clients on a wide range of tax matters, focusing primarily on partnership and S corporation tax issues.

John has served as an adjunct professor of law at Wake Forest University Law School for many years, where he has taught courses in business planning, partnership taxation, and corporate taxation.

John graduated from the University of Michigan-Dearborn in 1982, with distinction, with a bachelor of science in administration. He received his J.D. in 1985 from Wake Forest University, where he graduated magna cum laude, and an LL.M. in Taxation from New York University in 1987.

Waldrep Wall Babcock & Bailey PLLC

14 Best Lawyers awards

Waldrep Wall Babcock & Bailey PLLC logo

Overview

  • English

  • New York University, LL.M. Taxation, graduated 1987
  • Wake Forest University, J.D,, graduated 1985
  • University of Michigan – Dearborn, B.S.A. Finance, graduated 1982

  • North Carolina, North Carolina Bar Association, 1986

  • American Bar Association - Member, LLC’s, Partnerships and Unincorporated Entities Subcommittee
  • American Bar Association - Member, Business Law Section
  • North Carolina Bar Association - Member, Tax and Business Law Sections
  • English
  • North Carolina, North Carolina Bar Association, 1986
  • American Bar Association - Member, LLC’s, Partnerships and Unincorporated Entities Subcommittee
  • American Bar Association - Member, Business Law Section
  • North Carolina Bar Association - Member, Tax and Business Law Sections
  • New York University, LL.M. Taxation, graduated 1987
  • Wake Forest University, J.D,, graduated 1985
  • University of Michigan – Dearborn, B.S.A. Finance, graduated 1982

Client Testimonials

I have used John Babcock of Wall Esleeck Babcock for numerous legal (business) issues over the past five years and have had nothing but positive experiences in my dealings with him.

Greg Carter (Carter Millwork)

Linwood, NC

Mr. Babcock is one of the best corporate and tax law attorneys that we have worked with on transactions. His unique skillsets, especially tax, helped us to quickly reach agreement with a third party and close our transaction in a timely manner. He was always responsive to our needs even when our requests came at his busiest time or when it conflicted with his other clients. I highly recommend John Babcock.

We have chosen to work with John W. Babcock since the inception of Advanced Battery Technologies Inc. over 10 years ago. Knowing John on a personal as well as a professional level, we have the utmost respect for and trust in him. John is accessible, extremely knowledgeable, and to-the-point as well as enjoyable to work with. We have complete confidence in his analysis and recommendations, and trust him with all our legal business matters.

Kenneth Fearn (Advanced Battery Technologies, Inc.)

John Babcock is very responsive and, more importantly, very knowledgeable in matters related to corporate law and organizational issues. John has advised a number of my firms on legal matters and comes into each situation with a focus on careful listening, articulate and informed advice, and excellent follow through. I have recommended John Babcock to a number of associates and will continue to do so. He is a consummate professional and an excellent legal strategist. Furthermore, he is a committed parent, community activist, and was recently recognized as a 2010 North Carolina Youth Soccer Association (NCYSA) Coach of the Year.

Read deButts (OTM Partners, LLC)

Arlington, VA

Awards & Focus

Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2026 - Commercial Transactions / UCC Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2025 - Commercial Finance Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2025 - Corporate Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2022 - Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships) Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2021 - Mergers and Acquisitions Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2019 - Mergers and Acquisitions Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2017 - Mergers and Acquisitions Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2016 - Corporate Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2010 - Corporate Law
Named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers® for:
  • Commercial Transactions / UCC Law, Triad (2026)
  • Commercial Finance Law, Triad (2025)
  • Corporate Law, Triad (2025)
  • Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Triad (2022)
  • Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Triad (2021)
  • Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Greensboro (2019)
  • Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Greensboro (2017)
  • Corporate Law, Greensboro (2016)
  • Corporate Law, Greensboro (2010)
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2026 for work in:
  • Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships)
  • Commercial Finance Law
  • Commercial Transactions / UCC Law
  • Corporate Law
  • Health Care Law
  • Mergers and Acquisitions Law
  • Tax Law
Awards:
  • Legal Elite®, as rated by Business North Carolina magazine, multiple years

  • Legal Elite® Top Rated Lawyer for Business Law, 2018

  • Legal Elite Hall of Fame, 2019

  • Super Lawyers®, 2007-2017, 2019-present

  • AV® Preeminent™ 5.0 out of 5 rating in Martindale-Hubble

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