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Wayne Bradley
Partner
Wayne Bradley advises domestic and global, public and private companies in a variety of strategic transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, divestitures and joint ventures. His practice spans the additional areas of corporate finance, distress and commercial contracts.
A skilled negotiator, clients recognize Wayne for his service and responsiveness. Clients also appreciate his ability to quickly get to the “commercial crux of a transaction.” He is a trusted adviser and creative problem solver who develops strategies based on his understanding of the client’s business goals, their unique challenges and his exceptional knowledge of the dynamics of several key industries.
Wayne has extensive experience across industries, including paper and corrugated packaging, aviation, manufacturing, industrial, retail, and food and beverage. A significant portion of his experience is in representing non-US companies in their operations, financial transactions and acquisitions in the US, and in representing global companies in transactions and other matters across multiple jurisdictions. In addition, he often works with private equity groups, representing them in buying and selling portfolio companies, or negotiating with private equity groups on behalf of other clients.
- Represented a US airline with the sale of its private jet business, and the simultaneous purchase of a substantial equity ownership position in the buyer. Represented the airline in the sale of its ground handling business and the simultaneous formation of a joint venture to provide ground handling services around the globe. Also represented the airline in connection with the formation of a global cargo alliance, including airlines in France and Korea, to focus on cargo being shipped from the US to locations throughout the world. Other representations include advising on supply agreements, outsourcing agreements, marketing agreements, technology agreements and contract disputes, as well as operations outside the US.
- Represented a global leader in the design, manufacture and supply of wire and cable products in connection with a number of transactions, including the formation of a global joint venture with a large Japanese conglomerate, spanning 12 countries and three continents, combining numerous manufacturing locations, and including cutting-edge technology. Also represented the company in the sale of its enamels business in Europe and China, the acquisition of a Malaysian manufacturing business and the sale of its US energy business unit.
- Represented the world's largest publicly listed independent provider of claims management solutions to insurance companies and self-insured entities in its acquisition of a majority interest in an online and mobile collaborative economy platform headquartered in Oklahoma City.
- Advised a UK-based plastic packaging company in connection with a number of transactions, including the sales of several of its US-based plastic packaging businesses, certain of its South American operations, its materials handling business, and its corrugated packaging business.
- Represented a division of an information services company in connection with numerous acquisitions, divestitures and joint ventures.
- Represented numerous global businesses and funds in connection with the US aspects of cross-border transactions.
- Represented a Switzerland-based leading manufacturer of conveyor belts in its tender offer for a publicly listed diversified manufacturer and in its acquisition of two conveyor belt companies, located in New York and Connecticut.
- Represented a paper company in connection with financing for paper mills in Louisiana, Georgia, New York and Indiana, as well as acquisitions in a number of US states.
- Represented an Atlanta-based private equity fund in connection with numerous transactions, including the purchase and subsequent sale of two aviation businesses, purchase of certain assets of a home décor company, purchase of an industrial adhesives company, purchase of an auto parts manufacturer, purchase of a pool supplier, sale of a healthcare company, sale of a manufactured homes company and purchase of a consumer crafts company.
- Represented a home improvement company in connection with its acquisition of providers of measurement and quote-building services and its acquisition of a home improvement retail chain in California.
- Served as corporate counsel during the bankruptcy of a US poultry company, representing it with respect to the negotiation of a debtor-in-possession credit facility and the sale of an Arkansas-based division, its Delaware headquarters and a North Carolina division to a subsidiary of a Ukraine-based conglomerate. The credit facility allowed the company to continue operations during the bankruptcy process, paving the way for the sale transactions pursuant to which the operating divisions were sold as going concerns.
- Advised the shareholders of a family-run Arkansas poultry company in the sale of the business to the leading poultry firm in Mexico.
- Represented an Atlanta-based global manufacturer of engineered products, with operations in China and Vietnam, in connection with the sale of preferred units of the company representing a significant minority interest to affiliates of private equity groups and the redemption of a minority shareholder, as well as in connection with a related refinancing of the company's credit facility. This transaction was a 2017 ACG Atlanta Deal of the Year winner.
- Represented a leading manufacturer of ice making equipment in connection with its acquisition of a major manufacturer of beverage dispensing equipment.
- Represented an asset management business in its sale of a controlling interest of its registered investment advisor subsidiary.
- Represented a leading collegiate and custom apparel supplier in the US and internationally in the sale of a controlling equity interest to a private equity firm. This transaction also required the transfer of an entity formed pursuant to Hong Kong law.
- Represented a private equity firm based in Winnipeg, Manitoba in connection with the sale of one of the world's largest manufacturers of bar soap to an India-based conglomerate.
- Represented a Germany-based leading manufacturer of pumps and valves in the divestiture of the business activities of its subsidiary located in Houston, Texas.
- Advised a Georgia-based metal recycling company in the sale of substantially all of its assets to an Oregon-based steel company.
- Represented a poultry products company in connection with the acquisition of a poultry processing company and several of its affiliates, as well as related financing.
Education
- Emory University School of Law, J.D., with distinction, 1990
- Rutgers College, B.A., 1983
Admissions
- Georgia, 1991
Memberships and Affiliations
- Past secretary and director, Association for Corporate Growth, Atlanta Chapter
- Past board member, Atlanta Bar Association, Business and Finance Section
- Past board member, British American Business Group
- Past member, Board of Directors, General Counsel Forum, Atlanta Chapter
- Member, Corporate Code Committee, State Bar of Georgia
- Member, Board of Directors, Thione International, Inc.
- Member, Board of Advisors, Cox Family Enterprise Center
- Past member, Board of Directors, Georgia Cancer Foundation
- Past officer and board member, OnBoard
- Past board member, Hands On Georgia
- Named Best Lawyers 2019 Lawyer of the Year for Mergers and Acquisitions Law in Atlanta
- Highly regarded in IFLR1000 2019 for M&A in Georgia
- Listed in IFLR1000 Elite Dealmakers 2018 for M&A
- Recognized by Chambers USA for Corporate/M&A in Georgia since 2006
- Listed for Corporate Law and Mergers and Acquisitions Law, The Best Lawyers in America since 2008
- Recognized by Georgia Super Lawyers as a Top Rated Mergers & Acquisitions Attorney in Atlanta
- Recommended as an elite Leading Lawyer for middle-market M&A nationwide by The Legal 500
- One of the top 100 lawyers in Georgia, Atlanta magazine
- Member of Georgia’s Legal Elite, Georgia Trend magazine
- Speaker, "From Trump to Brexit and Beyond: Investing Around the World in Uncertain Times," International Bar Association (IBA) Annual Conference, Sydney, Australia, October 2017.
- Author, "A buyer's guide to representation and warranty insurance,” North American Regional Forum News, March 2016.
- Author, "A valuable alternative to the purchase price adjustment: the locked box method,” North American Regional Forum News, September 2014.
- Speaker, "Advising Foreign Clients on US Acquisitions," The Emory Law Mergers and Acquisitions Workshop Series, February 6, 2009.
- Author, "Inbound US M&A Roundtable,” Financier Worldwide, September 2008.
- Author, "Inbound US M&A: The Decline of the Dollar Attracts Foreign Buyers,” Financier Worldwide, May 2008.
- Co-author, "Drafting and Negotiating Purchase Agreements to Meet Challenges,” Financier Worldwide, International Mergers & Acquisitions: Creating Value in an Increasingly Complex Corporate Environment, 2008.
- Author, "When the Lights Go Out,” Financier Worldwide, December 2007.