W. Scott Cooper

Scott Cooper assists entrepreneurs in growing their businesses from the initial stage of formation to the growth stage of acquisition and financing to the final stage involving the sale of businesses. Mr. Cooper provides advice on how ownership and management of the business should be organized and how to structure contracts for the sale of services and products. He has specific experience in advising entrepreneurs on acquiring capital for the growth of their businesses through loans or equity instruments. Mr. Cooper began his career with the Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington and has broad expertise in matters of securities regulation affecting public companies and their shareholders, directors, and executive officers, broker dealers, investment advisors, mutual funds, and the public and private offering of securities. He is rated “AV® Preeminent™” by Martindale Hubbell Peer Review Ratings.

HONORS AND AWARDS

Business North Carolina magazine’s “Legal Elite” (Antitrust), 2012; (Corporate), 2022-2023; (Business) 2021, 2024

North Carolina Super Lawyers (Business/Corporate, Mergers & Acquisitions, Securities & Corporate Finance), 2013, 2017-2021; (Business/Corporate) 2022; (Business) 2024

North Carolina’s Top Rated Lawyers, 2013-2015

Martindale-Hubbell, AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated

REPRESENTATIVE MATTERS

Our regular clients are engaged in a variety of industries and services: retailing, digital advertising and communication, manufacture of industrial products, distribution of trucks and other vehicles as well as industrial products, restaurants, and food services, financial services, consulting services for various industries, and real estate development. We also provide representation to management, boards of directors, equity owners, and other participants in financial transactions that often involve change of control events. In addition, we often provide opinions under North Carolina law or Federal Securities laws in connection with financial transactions.

Recent transactions for which Mr. Cooper had primary responsibility include:

Represented a foreign ownership group in the acquisition of a 150+ store retail chain and subsequent business activity including commercial leasing.

Represented a majority shareholder in the sale of a multi-location automotive repair business.

Represented an e-commerce software company providing point of sale technology solutions.

Represented an ownership group in the acquisition of a specialty hardwood distribution business.

Represented a foreign lender and investor in the acquisition of a U.S.-based distribution business.

Represented an ownership group in the formation and the acquisition of financing for an equity capital investment business.

Represented a commercial warehouse developer in leasing of warehouse properties and financing transactions.

Represented a commercial truck dealer in the acquisition of two new dealerships.

Represented a distributor of audio diagnostic equipment in the sale of its assets.

Represented an equipment leasing company in a multi-million dollar financing of new and amended loans.

Represented a travel consulting company in a corporate restructuring and a strategic acquisition.

Represented a financial services firm in the placement of preferred stock.

Represented a real estate developer in a private offering of equity.

Represented an industrial products manufacturer in a multi-million dollar cash merger with a European acquirer.

Represented a real estate developer in negotiation and refinance of multi-million dollar real estate portfolio with a major U.S. bank.

Represented executives in several companies in new or amended employment and benefit agreements as well as severance agreements.

The cases mentioned above are illustrative of the matters handled by the firm. Case results depend upon a variety of factors unique to each case. Not all results are provided, and prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

ASSOCIATIONS AND MEMBERSHIPS

Business Law Section, American Bar Association

Business Law and Real Estate Law Sections, North Carolina Bar Association

North Carolina Limited Liability Company Act Task Force, 2008-2013

Treasurer Business Law Section Council, 2005-2007

Chairman, Securities Regulation Committee, 1993-1995

Association of Securities and Exchange Commission Alumni, Inc.