Find Lawyers in North Carolina, United States for Mergers and Acquisitions Law
Practice Area Overview
A merger or large acquisition is a significant event in the life of a company and its numerous constituencies. It can affect everyone from shareholders, directors and managers to employees, customers and communities.
Mergers and acquisitions lawyers play critical roles in how M&As are evaluated, structured and implemented. Also called business acquisition lawyers and acquisition attorneys, these legal professionals provide useful guidance throughout this complex process.
- M&As in the United States are governed by a dual regulatory regime, consisting of state corporation laws (e.g., the Delaware General Corporation Law) and the Federal securities laws (primarily, the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934).
There are three primary types of M&A transactions:
- A merger, which is the legal combination of two separate entities under state law.
- “Stock deals,” which are the purchase of a business through the purchase of the owner or an interest in the owner of the business.
- “Asset deals,” which are the purchase of a business through the purchase of assets. Transactions can involve public or private companies. They may be on a hostile or friendly basis and may entail acquisition of 100% ownership, a controlling interest or a minority stake.
The legal environment for the public company merger and acquisition activity in the United States has changed dramatically over the last several years. This process of change continues apace.
M&A lawyers advise their clients to ensure the transaction is in compliance with federal and state laws. We work with our clients to evaluate the strategy and tactical advantage of a friendly versus hostile transaction.
M&A law firms represent their clients in negotiations on the structure of the deal, perform due diligence and assist with the terms of the contract. An M&A attorney has responsibilities that extend beyond merely negotiating the terms of the agreements. They play a key role across the entire process by which board decisions are made.
This includes board and management counseling throughout the process on legal obligations, evolving corporate governance standards and shareholder relations.
Understanding Mergers and Acquisitions
The mergers and acquisitions M&A practice area relates to two distinct processes that ultimately produce similar results. Namely, the consolidation of two organizations into a single entity.
Mergers refer to the coming together of two previously separate organizations. These combined companies establish a single business name and legal entity that represents their new structure.
Acquisitions involve one business purchasing another. The purchased business may eventually cease to exist as a distinct entity. It is absorbed by the organization that acquired it.
A hostile takeover is an example of an acquisition. However, acquisitions are not always adversarial.
There are a number of reasons why M&As occur. Businesses may want to gain access to innovative technology or intellectual property, among many other objectives.
Acquisitions are more common than mergers. However, the term merger is often used to refer to both processes in casual settings. Acquisitions are sometimes thought of as an aggressive or negative process.
Regardless of which definition applies to your company’s situation, an M&A lawyer can share their knowledge and provide support throughout the process.
The Potential Complexity of Mergers and Acquisitions
M&As involve due diligence, contract preparation and many other often complex processes. Negotiation can also require a significant investment of time and effort.
For very large businesses, the agreement may need to be reviewed by state or federal agencies. On the federal level, the Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Justice regulate this activity.
Similarly, international M&As can add additional layers of complexity to the process.
M&As are not common events for many business owners or decision-makers. However, these activities have very important stakes. They often involve significant financial transactions and substantially change the companies involved.
The best M&A law firms provide guidance throughout this complex workflow. They can offer support and guidance, from reviewing the initial letter of intent to assisting with the post-closing process.
Mark I. Greene, Partner Cravath, Swaine & Moore
Corporate Law & Commercial Litigation Legal Guide 2023
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Mr. Allison is a partner in the Charlotte office and represents clients in a variety of complex transactions, including mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, and joint ventures. As the operations of his clients have spread overseas, he has also been involved in international projects. Mr. Allison has experience handling international matters in over 30 foreign countries that involved issues relating to the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, U.S. export control laws, antiboycott laws, bank guarante...
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 h...
Rick Bange is a member of Moore & Van Allen’s Corporate group. The focus of Rick’s practice is representing private equity sponsors and public and private companies in evaluating, structuring and negotiating mergers and acquisitions and investment transactions, including leveraged buyouts, growth equity investments, mergers, stock and asset acquisitions and sales, mezzanine investments and recapitalizations. In addition to his work in the areas of private equity, venture capit...
Tony Barwick regularly assists clients in successfully structuring, negotiating and completing a wide variety of complex transactional matters. His experience includes advising financial institutions and corporate clients in multiple industries related to their financings, joint ventures and complex real estate acquisitions and dispositions. He works with clients to structure, negotiate and close complex commercial transactions including representing clients through strategic asset acquisitio...
John Beltz represents foreign and domestic, public and private business entities, majority and minority equity holders, financial sponsors, founders, and governing boards. With over two decades of experience, John’s clients trust his extensive legal experience, business acumen, sophistication, calm demeanor, and creativity to achieve positive outcomes. John advises corporations and other business entities on a broad array of transactions, including cross-border transactions, mergers, ac...
Marc Bishop's practice is concentrated in corporate law, mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance, and general business representation. He represents operating businesses, business owners, entrepreneurs, borrowers, lenders, issuers and investors. Further, he has handled over 150 mergers and acquisitions and over 100 private equity investments, ranging from purchases and sales of small, closely held and family owned businesses to complex transactions for private and public companies involvi...
Libby Brewington's practice is concentrated in business law and corporate transactions. Libby represents clients in commercial loan transactions, purchases and sales of businesses, entity formation and business reorganizations, and other corporate legal issues that arise in business operations. Libby represents mezzanine lenders, venture capital funds and other investors in complex financing transactions and in making investments at every level of a company's capital structure. Libby has exte...
John Cross is a corporate attorney and business adviser, often serving as the outside general counsel for companies not large enough to have an in-house legal department. He assists clients in general business and transactional matters, contracts, mergers and acquisitions, securities, franchises, and real estate. John works with individuals and businesses on various corporate and transactional matters, including formation, organization and choice of entities, shareholder agreements, LLC agree...
Mark Davidson plans, negotiates and documents a wide variety of business transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, private equity, organization, governance, debt and equity financing, executive compensation, partnership and corporate taxation, and management/ownership succession. Mark focuses his practice on the planning, negotiation and documentation of a wide variety of transactions in the life of a business, including mergers and acquisitions, private equity, organi...
Mike Drye's practice focuses on business transactions, corporate finance and securities, mergers and acquisitions, commercial contract matters and general corporate law. Prior to joining the firm, Mike was a partner at Wall Babcock LLP and previously, Mike was an associate and a partner with two large international law firms. He received a J.D. degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1990 and a B.S. in Business Administration (concentration in accounting) degree from th...
Mr. Durham focuses his practice on private equity and mezzanine finance transactions, mergers and acquisitions, and corporate law matters. He has represented clients in a variety of complex business transactions, including the purchase and sale of private companies and divisions of public companies, recapitalizations, equity and mezzanine debt investments, the establishment of joint ventures and other strategic and corporate matters.
Mr. Erwin focuses his practice on mergers and acquisitions, biotechnology and health care. Mr. Erwin's clients include both foreign and domestic businesses in the industrial and service sectors, as well as technology companies and health care providers. He regularly serves as counsel and legal advisor to corporations, other businesses and health care providers on a variety of issues, including: Stock and asset purchases and sales, mergers, acquisitions and similar transactions, Strategic join...
Mr. Giovannelli is a partner in the Charlotte office and focuses his practice on private equity, mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance, including senior debt, mezzanine debt and growth equity, and general corporate matters. Mr. Giovannelli regularly represents equity sponsors, mezzanine debt and growth equity investors and other participants in complex buyout, recapitalization and financing transactions. He also represents other companies on a variety of strategic, financing, and corpor...
William B. Gwyn, Jr., is a member of the firm’s corporate practice. Bill has over thirty years of experience counseling and serving clients in corporate law, mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance, private equity, international transactions, joint ventures, licensing and commercial transactions. His industry experience includes software, biotechnology, communications, electronics, financial institutions, agribusiness, distribution and manufacturing, among others. He has represented...
Bryan Ives is co-chair of the Firm’s Corporate Transactions & Securities Group and has recently concluded a 4-year term on the Firm’s management committee and service as the Firm’s Financial Partner. Bryan has deep experience in a wide range of areas, including mergers and acquisitions, private equity, taxation and corporate governance, and debt and equity financing. Bryan began his career as a tax lawyer and is a member of the American College of Tax Counsel. Using his ...
Patrick Johnson is a business and transaction lawyer. For more than twenty years, including eight years with large New York and international law firms, he has counseled clients on M&A, securities, financing and commercial matters. Patrick has extensive experience representing clients in the sale or purchase of a business. He negotiates and advises on deal terms, representations and warranties, covenants, indemnification and survival provisions, exclusivity arrangements, and other key ter...
Mr. Jones is Administrative Partner in the Charlotte office and focuses his practice on securities, mergers and acquisitions, and corporate law. He represents a broad range of public and private companies in a variety of securities, merger and acquisition, and corporate governance matters. He also represents private equity investors in connection with their formation and investment in portfolio companies.
Mark Kelly is a member of the Corporate Transactions & Securities Group in the firm’s Charlotte office. He concentrates his practice in the areas of public offerings, private financings, mergers and acquisitions and general corporate matters. Mr. Kelly leads the firm’s private equity practice and has worked with private equity firms and their portfolio companies since the late 1980s in equity and debt financings, leveraged buyouts and exit transactions, including mergers with ...
Hal Levinson is one of the firm’s senior corporate and transactional lawyers, having focused his career on complex mergers, acquisitions, and joint ventures. Hal is known for bringing experienced and practical business oriented legal advice to each transaction. Hal is counsel of choice for many business owners, including those owned by generations of family members, entrepreneurs, and strategic companies that have decided to sell their business. Hal’s extensive transactional exper...
Michael Myers practices in the areas of commercial real estate , banking and financial services , creditors' rights and general business law . Michael has practiced law since 2006. Michael began his legal career in Wilmington, North Carolina with the law firm of Rountree, Losee & Baldwin. Prior to becoming an attorney, Michael worked for two large commercial real estate firms in Charlotte, Trammell Crow and Faison Enterprises, Inc., where he focused on due diligence, acquisitions and disp...
Kevin Prakke focuses his practice on the areas of corporate law, corporate finance and securities law. He has 20+ years of experience representing corporations, entrepreneurs and investors in a broad range of transactions, including business organizations, venture capital financings, private placements and public offerings of both debt and equity securities, mergers and acquisitions, contract drafting and negotiation, corporate governance, securities regulatory compliance, and private equity ...
A seasoned litigator and counselor, Mark represents businesses and trade associations, with particular expertise in media and communications law. For some clients, he provides specialized regulatory, legislative, corporate, or litigation work. For others, he serves an outside general counsel role. Throughout his career, Mark has developed a capacity for solving complex problems that have stymied others. Mark’s principal clients are media and communications enterprises, such as digital m...
Bob Singer has more than 40 years of experience representing financial institutions and public companies on key legal issues, and is widely recognized as a leader in banking and finance law. He also focuses his practice in mergers and acquisitions, securities, corporate finance law and family offices. He spends the majority of his time representing financial institutions on a myriad of corporate, regulatory and operational issues. He also advises clients on strategic and related initiatives. ...
Elizabeth Spainhour represents media, communications, and technology companies in a variety of regulatory and business matters. She also provides counsel to businesses on key issues involving privacy, digital marketing, and the rapidly changing digital environment. Elizabeth is a Board Certified Specialist in Privacy and Information Security Law from the North Carolina Board of Legal Specialization. Media With a focus on companies in the media and technology industries, Elizabeth provides com...
Mr. Stichter is a partner in the Charlotte office. His practice focuses on corporate transactions, such as mergers and acquisitions, private equity, venture capital, and equity and debt financings. He is often involved in cross-border transactions, involving parties and operations in multiple countries and related international issues. He also advises clients on general corporate matters, corporate governance and commercial contracts. In addition, he serves as outside general counsel to vario...
A partner at Manning, Fulton & Skinner, P.A., Ritchie W. Taylor focuses his practice on corporate law, with a particular emphasis on franchising. From the firm's offices in Raleigh, North Carolina, he represents companies and individuals throughout the area, including Chapel Hill, Durham, Greensboro, Winston-Salem, Asheville, Charlotte, Wilmington, and other parts of the state. In his practice, Mr. Taylor provides advice and counsel on mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, debt and eq...
A noted attorney with more than three decades of experience in complex business transactions, Reich Welborn handles mergers and acquisitions for both sellers and buyers and works with closely-held businesses in family succession, business protection and exit strategies. He has extensive knowledge in representing lenders, developers and tenants in a broad variety of financing and real estate transactions. Reich also advises corporate clients on major relocations, including site selection, acqu...
Mr. Womble is a partner in the Raleigh office and focuses his practice on business, tax and transactional matters including debt and equity finance, joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions, and acting as primary outside counsel. Many of these matters have an inbound or outbound international component. He has significant experience with the organization, capitalization and operation of foreign branches and subsidiaries of United States based companies, exempt organizations, and public and pr...
Bill Zimmern provides strategic leadership and practical, business-oriented advice on a broad range of mergers and acquisitions transactions, with substantial experience involving financial sponsors, large corporations, and the representation of founders and long-time owners. He also assists clients with securities and general corporate matters. Bill has worked for sophisticated clients across a number of industries, including in the healthcare, information technology, financial services, bus...
Zachary Ainsztein focuses his practice on mergers and acquisitions, investment transactions, corporate governance, and other corporate matters. He works with domestic and international private equity sponsors, venture capital investors, and publicly listed and privately held companies. Zachary has substantial experience representing strategic and financial buyers and sellers in evaluating, structuring and negotiating complex business transactions, including mergers, acquisitions, leveraged bu...
Melissa is a corporate transactional lawyer, representing clients in general business and transactional matters of all types, including mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, lending transactions, and financing transactions. She also assists start-up businesses with entity formation, including articles of organization, financing concerns, and liability issues. Melissa also uses her background in the mortgage industry to represent both buyers and sellers of commercial real estate in every aspect...
Craig Harasimowicz is a corporate attorney in Holland & Knight's Charlotte office. Mr. Harasimowicz represents private equity and venture capital firms, independent sponsors, search funds, strategic acquirers and companies in evaluating, structuring and negotiating mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and investment transactions, including leveraged buyouts, growth equity investments, mergers, stock and asset acquisitions and sales, as well as divestitures and recapitalizations. In addition...
Haniya Mir is a transactional lawyer, representing businesses of all sizes on a wide range of corporate matters, including securities law, mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance and equity and debt financing. She advises clients on public and private securities offerings. She also counsels public companies on securities law reporting requirements under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as well as compliance with the listing requirements of the major U.S. exchanges. Haniya also repr...
Kyle Navarro represents companies and private equity firms in corporate and transactional matters, priding himself on using practical business approach to get a deal done. A partner in the Corporate & Business Transactions Group, Kyle counsels private equity sponsors and their portfolio companies in domestic and cross-border acquisitions and dispositions, including mergers, leveraged buyouts, recapitalizations, and the purchase and sale of securities, assets, and business units.
Joey Norman has a diverse corporate, commercial, and transactional law practice, employing a value-driven approach to his practice particularly focusing on appraising and addressing risk from a business operations and efficiency view point, while accomplishing legal goals and helping his clients maximize return. Joey has a broad-based transactional and corporate law practice. He acts as outside counsel addressing day to day general corporate, operational, and commercial legal matters, includi...
Cowden Rayburn’s practice focuses on a variety of transactional fields, including complex commercial transactions, public and private mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance, and general business issues. Cowden’s practice also includes drafting and updating corporate governance documents for public and private companies, commercial contracts, and acquisition agreements. Cowden has represented a variety of companies in complex mergers and acquisitions, including Fortune 150 ...
Dan Rowe draws on his transactional experience across multiple industries, including technology, logistics, health care, and energy, to efficiently serve the needs of his clients and close the deal. A partner in Alston & Bird’s Corporate & Business Transactions Group, Dan advises public and private clients, including private equity investment firms and their portfolio companies, on mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures, and general corporate matters.
Michael Tarwater represents foreign and domestic companies with their general corporate needs. Michael Tarwater is an associate in the Global Services group in Moore & Van Allen’s Charlotte office. His practice involves a broad range of corporate matters, with a focus on general corporate representation, mergers and acquisitions, and the implementation of Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs). Michael also assists his corporate clients in their commercial real estate transactions.
Seth Walker primarily represents private equity sponsors, independent sponsors, fundless sponsors, family offices, venture capital investors, SBICs, BDCs, banks, and privately held companies in a variety of their investment and finance transactions. Seth’s practice focuses on evaluating, structuring, and negotiating mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, leveraged buyouts, minority and control equity investments, carve-outs, and cross-border transactions. Seth also has extensive experi...
Ben Weadon advises private equity firms and their portfolio companies located across the country. Ben Weadon is an associate in Moore & Van Allen's Corporate group. He advises private equity firms and their portfolio companies located across the country on leveraged buyouts, growth equity investments, merger and acquisition transactions, and general corporate matters. Ben helped lead the biggest U.S. leveraged buyout announced in 2015 and the largest solo private equity purchase of U.S. a...
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