Carolyn Meade - Lawyer in Charlotte, NC

Carolyn Meade has 20 years of experience serving as corporate counsel, helping partners negotiate the terms of their ventures, shepherding investments for sponsors, high net worth individuals and private equity, and advising founders from the day-to-day through an exit. Carolyns steady hand, market knowledge, and ability to drive successful outcomes have made her a trusted ally to her clients.

Carolyns practice encompasses a wide range of corporate transactional matters, with a focus on mergers and acquisitions, equity investments, and general corporate matters. Carolyn has extensive experience in the formation, structuring, and governance of privately held business entities, drafting and negotiating commercial contracts and operating agreements, and providing advice on operational conflicts.

Her clients include serial entrepreneurs and investors, sponsors focused in the areas of real estate, logistics, and manufacturing, high growth technology businesses, real estate developers, original equipment manufacturers and mid-market businesses in sectors ranging from retail merchandising to commercial interiors to bridal boutiques.

Representative Experience

• Represented founder and owners of commercial business interiors firm in positioning business for sale through restructuring and multi-entity merger, followed by sale to family office at an enterprise value of $60 million, including cash and rollover equity. Negotiated governing documents for go-forward holding company. Continued representation of founder and firm for purposes of estate planning, commercial contracting, litigation, and incentive equity
• Represented Southeastern real estate developer in $390 million sale of multifamily, residential, homebuilding, and commercial divisions to U.S. affiliate of Japanese corporation. Continue to serve as outside corporate counsel
• Represented investors in purchasing 50 percent of start-up entity providing secure, HIPAA-compliant, text-based communications between patients and doctors. Negotiate terms for senior officers, including profits interest awards. Lead company through venture capital raise and private placement. Ongoing representation with respect to capital structure, employment, and intellectual property licensing issues
• Represented web-based investor management platform in $57 million merger with NASDAQ-listed technology solutions company
• Represented sponsor in offerings for initial and follow-on funds targeting participation with state pension funds in core plus and value add real estate investments. Prepared private placement memoranda and subscription documentation, completed Form D and state level securities filings
• Represented software platform provider powering off campus housing listings at U.S. universities from founding through expansion to over 130 schools and ultimate sale to apartments.com
• Represented owners in $300 million equity sale of coal ash management and recycling company to energy-focused private equity fund. Complete pre-closing F reorganization to convert S corporation to LLC. Ongoing representation of successor entity including profits interest plan, refinancing, and $35 million add-on acquisition
• Represented founder owners of lawn care franchisor in Series A financing round purchased by an international strategic buyer
• Represented specialized mold/mildew and air control cleaning franchisor in $40.5 million sale to national provider of home services businesses. Assessed rollover equity terms and benefits
• Negotiated divorce between business owners, including buy-out, settlement, and restrictive covenants
• Represented owners in decision making process on roll-up vs. sale of southeastern fitness locations. Negotiated transaction documents