A recognized leader in his field and in the community, Tom’s practice includes corporate law, mergers and acquisitions and securities.  With an emphasis on emerging growth companies, Tom’s clients benefit from his experience representing companies in their full life cycle of business transactions.  He works with closely held and middle-market companies in helping them to build prosperous futures.

Tom’s experience includes representing privately held companies in domestic and international transactions, assisting technology companies with licensing, development and service agreements, and serving as outside general counsel to various companies.  His industry experience includes: financial services; technology; life sciences; warehouse/distribution; and manufacturing/sales.  Tom is also a frequent speaker on issues ranging from mergers and acquisitions to corporate governance and limited liability companies.

Business North Carolina magazine recognized Tom in the 2008 Legal Elite edition in the area of Business Law and also in the Young Gun category which recognizes North Carolina’s best lawyers under the age of 40.  Tom has also been selected for inclusion in North Carolina Super Lawyers in 2006, 2007 and 2008 in the areas of Mergers & Acquisitions and Corporate Law.  He received the “40 Under 40” award in 2003 from the Triangle Business Journal for his contributions to the community and his business leadership.  Tom is a 2002 graduate of the Leadership Raleigh program operated by the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce.

• Serves as outside general counsel for companies in various industries, including internet infrastructure, software, life sciences, manufacturing, distribution, finance and service related businesses.
• Represents companies and investors in connection with debt and equity securities offerings.
• Represented managed hosting company in a $140 million dollar sale to a private equity company.
• Represented advanced control product manufacturer in formation, early stage equity financing and sale to a publicly traded technology company.
• Represented local technology company in its sale to a publicly traded Japanese company.
• Represented distribution company in connection with the sale of Caribbean operations.
• Assists technology companies with implementation of licensing agreements, software development agreements and service agreements.
• Represented managed hosting company in the acquisition of competitors in North Carolina and Massachusetts.
• Represented holding company in the acquisition of a robotics company, early stage equity financing, and the financing of its worldwide operations through U.S. and U.K. lenders.
• Represented plastics company in the acquisition of a division of competitor, and the debt financing of its acquisition.
• Assisted ATM leasing and placement company with the sale of division to private equity-backed buyer.
• Represented health care system in connection with high profile joint venture.
• Assisted investment group in the acquisition of advanced automation company for the drug discovery industry.
• Assists wineries, breweries, wholesalers and retailers with state and federal regulatory, contract, finance and acquisition matters.

• American Bar Association
  • Business Law Section
• Council for Entrepreneurial Development
• North Carolina Bar Association
  • Business Law Section
• Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce
  • Graduate of Leadership Raleigh (2002)

• Band Together
  • Co-Founder
  • Board of Directors (2001-present)
  • Chairman (2005-2006)
  • Treasurer (2004-2005)
  • Vice President (2006 - present)
• Goodwill Community Foundation
  • Board of Directors (2005-present)
  • Secretary (2006-present)
• Goodwill Industries of Eastern North Carolina
  • Board of Directors (2005-present)
  • Secretary (2006-present)
• Boys & Girls Club of Wake County 
  • Board of Directors (2006-present)
  • Annual Fund Co-Chair (2004)
  • 2nd Century Leader (2004-2005)
  • Volunteer (1999-present)
• Church of the Apostles
  • Leadership Council (2006-present)

Publications / Presentations

• "Introduction to LLC's," presented to NC Bar Association, LAD Annual Meeting, May 2008
• "Drafting LLC Agreements,” presented to National Business Institute, April 2008
• “Buying and Selling a Business,” presented with Arena Capital, Business Appraisal Services and Insight Business Valuation, September 2007
• "Fully Utilizing the Advantages of Limited Liability Companies in North Carolina," presented to National Business Institute, Raleigh, NC, September 2006
• "Letters of Intent: Considerations Before You Sign the Dotted Line," Triangle Tech Journal, September 2005
• “Addressing Corporate Governance Reforms in North Carolina," with Aon Financial Services, Hughes Pittman & Gupton, Grant Thornton and Intersouth Partners, May 2004
• “Representing the Small Business,” presented to Wake Forest University School of Law, February 2004
• "Closely Held Corporations: Tax Issues & Planning in North Carolina," presented to Lorman Education Services, Raleigh, December 2003
• “Guidebook for Boards of Directors of North Carolina Nonprofits,” N.C. Center for Nonprofits, Business Law Section of NC Bar Association, co-author, 2003
• "Buying and Selling a Business in North Carolina," presented with Dixon Odom and Sabre Capital, Raleigh, August 2002