Bio

John Willding has more than 20 years of corporate and securities experience, including significant experience advising boards of directors with respect to corporate governance and fiduciary duties. He frequently serves as lead counsel for buyers and sellers in mergers and acquisitions, often as part of a private equity recapitalization. John regularly assists clients with the establishment and operation of private investment funds, including private equity funds, hedge funds, venture capital funds, credit funds and real estate funds. He has extensive experience representing the investment managers and sponsors of these funds, as well as institutional investors, seed investors and joint venture partners. John frequently advises prospective and existing investment advisors with respect to their compliance obligations under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as well as assisting them with U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and state-level registrations, qualifying for available exemptions from registration as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, preparing Form ADV (Part 1A and Parts 2A and 2B), along with the review of internal compliance policies and manuals. John regularly advises real estate developers and their capital partners in the negotiation of joint venture agreements, often working with an interdisciplinary team of real estate, tax and lending lawyers to achieve an optimal result for clients. Throughout his career, John has represented entrepreneurs and venture capitalists. He frequently structures and negotiates preferred stock offerings, along with other common investment structures, such as convertible promissory notes and simple agreements for equity “SAFE Agreements.” John also structures equity incentive plans, including profits interest plans. John also has a substantial and distinguished history of public service. He served for 12 years in the United States Army, including Reserve Duty, where he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal among other commendations. After law school, John continued his public service by serving as a judicial law clerk for two federal judges. Then, in 2016, he was selected for Leadership Dallas, a one-year leadership training program sponsored by the Dallas Regional Chamber. From 2017-2020, John served by appointment on the Southwest Regional Selection Committee for The White House Fellows Program. Outside of work, John enjoys spending time with his wife and family. He is a member of the Highland Park United Methodist Church, and lives in the Swiss Avenue Historic District, which was the first residential community established in the City of Dallas.