Member
PRACTICE AREAS
General Corporate | Private Equity | Lending and Finance
Tom Watkins’s practice focuses primarily on closely held businesses and investment vehicles. He has extensive experience in representing investors, borrowers and lenders in a broad range of complex transactions, including debt and equity investments, financings, mergers and acquisitions and restructurings. Mr. Watkins spends significant time representing private equity funds and other investors in connection with their investments and related matters, including negotiating investment terms, exit transactions and private equity fund management. His private equity clients have been involved in transactions throughout the United States and internationally.
Mr. Watkins represents clients in a broad range of industries. His clients, for example, include private equity investors in the real estate, energy and technology fields and the owner of a regional portfolio of radio stations. He is frequently involved in structuring relationships among business owners and is often engaged in connection with limited liability company operating agreements and other stakeholder arrangements. He also regularly provides advice on a broad range of contractual matters.
Mr. Watkins's practice includes the area of New Markets Tax Credits (NMTC's). His representations include an NMTC allocatee that has participated in NMTC transactions on a national basis.
Mr. Watkins has spent significant time over the years with the North Carolina Bar Association and is a past member of its Board of Governors. He is a past Chair of the Bar Association's Business Law Section.
Mr. Watkins serves as Chairman of Schell Bray’s Executive Committee.
Mr. Watkins is married and has three grown daughters and five grandchildren. He enjoys salt water activities and golf and is an avid fan of college sports. He is also actively involved in a variety of civic and charitable activities.
University of North Carolina, B.S., 1973, Beta Gamma Sigma
University of North Carolina, J.D., with honors, 1978, North Carolina Law Review
North Carolina Bar Association, Board of Governors, past member
North Carolina Bar Association, Business Law Section, past Chair
Piedmont Triad Charitable Foundation (Wyndham Championship), member of the Board of Directors (PGA Tour Event)
Greensboro Country Club, President 2017-2018
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, past member of the Board of Visitors
Board of Visitors, UNC Children's Hospital and UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center
Greensboro Sports Council, President and Chairman, 2011-2013
First Tee of the Triad, past member of the Board of Directors
Greensboro Rotary Club, past member of the Board of Directors
Wheels4Hope, member of the Board of Directors
Woodward/White, Inc., The Best Lawyers in America, Greensboro Banking and Finance Law "Lawyer of the Year", 2013
Woodward/White, Inc., The Best Lawyers in America, banking and finance, corporate 2001-2020
Business North Carolina, Legal Elite, business law, 2003-2008, 2010, 2012-2015, 2019
North Carolina Super Lawyers, business/corporate law, 2006-2014
Chambers USA, Corporate/M&A, 2012, 2015, 2018
Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated