Thomas Watkins Bio

Tom Watkins’ 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’ current practice includes the area of Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) law as it affects collegiate student athletes and related NIL organizations. This is a developing area of the law involving corporate, tax and regulatory issues. 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. In 2024 he received the Business Law Section’s highest honor, its Distinguished Service Award, which recognizes extraordinary service to the Business Law Section, the legal profession and the public. Three grown daughters and five grandchildren keep Tom Watkins quite busy in his spare time. He enjoys saltwater activities and golf with his wife and friends and is an avid fan of college sports. He is also actively involved in a variety of civic and charitable activities.