Ben focuses his practice on Corporate/LLC Law, Securities Law, Mergers and Acquisitions and Business Planning and Operations. He has served multiple tenures on the Mississippi Secretary of State’s Business Law Reform Committees for LLCs, Corporations and Securities Laws.
Overview
Ben focuses his practice on Corporate/LLC Law, Securities Law, Mergers and Acquisitions and Business Planning and Operations. He has served multiple tenures on the Mississippi Secretary of State’s Business Law Reform Committees for LLCs, Corporations and Securities Laws.
Practice Areas
Experience
- Formation of complex LLCs in private equity transactions.
- Representation of investment funds and related compliance work under federal and state securities laws.
- Numerous private placement offerings.
- Representation of shareholders of Chain Electric Company in a transaction with Cotton Creek Capital Partners II, L.P., recapitalizing the company. Based in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, Chain Electric is a leading regional provider of power line installation and maintenance services with operations in 15 states.
- Representation of regional professional services firm in its reorganization from professional corporation to LLP and in several major acquisitions.
- Reorganization of academic medical centers seventeen-physician practice plans to a 400-physician multi-specialty PLLC.
- Sales and acquisitions of privately-held businesses in a variety of industries.
- Representation of numerous private businesses in formation, business strategy and business planning.
Distinctions
- Chambers USA, America's Leading Lawyers for Business
- Corporate/Commercial – Mississippi, 2021-2024
- Best Lawyers in America®
- Lawyer of Year, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, 2022
- Corporate Law, 2011-2025
- Mergers and Acquisitions Law, 2013-2025
- Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), 2018-2025
- Mississippi Secretary of State, Business Law Reform – Crowdfunding Study Group, 2015
- Mississippi Secretary of State, Business Law Reform – Series LLC Study Group, 2014
- Mississippi Secretary of State, Business Organizations Study Group, 2013
- Mississippi Secretary of State, Business and Reform Committee for Corporations, 2010
- Mississippi Secretary of State, Business and Reform Committee for LLCs and Partnerships, 2008-2009
Bar Admissions
- Mississippi, 1997
Education
- University of Edinburgh, LL.M., Legal History, magna cum laude, 1995
- Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholar, Edinburgh 1994-95
- Vanderbilt University Law School, J.D., 1997
- Student Notes Editor, Vanderbilt Law Review
- Reformed Theological Seminary, Certificate in Theology, 1993
- University of Mississippi, B.A., History, summa cum laude, 1991
Associations
- American Bar Association
- Business Law Section
- State Regulation of Securities Committee
- LLC’s, Partnerships and Unincorporated Entities Committee
- Business Law Section
- Mississippi Bar
- Business Law Section
- Chair, 2002-2003
- Real Estate Section
- Business Law Section
- Capital Area Bar Association
Papers, Presentations & Publications
- Co-Presenter, “Limited Liability Company and The Individual Debtor: One in Spirit But Not in Truth (or Bankruptcy),” (Mississippi Bankruptcy Conference 2013 Annual Seminar, 2013).
- Presenter, “Is an LLC Right for You? Compliance Under State Law and Practical Operating Procedures,” (NBI, 2006).
- Presenter, “Limited Liability Companies and Limited Liability Partnerships in Mississippi: Compliance Under State Law,” (NBI, 2003).
Civic Involvement
- Reformed Theological Seminary, Board of Trustees
- First Presbyterian Church of Jackson, Elder
- Jackson Preparatory School, Board of Trustees, Former Member
- Mississippi Symphony Orchestra, Board of Directors, Former Member