Rick Giovannelli
Rick Giovannelli is a partner in the Charlotte office and he focuses his practice on mergers and acquisitions, private equity, corporate finance, including senior debt, mezzanine debt and growth equity, and general corporate matters.
Rick regularly represents both strategic and financial buyers and sellers of businesses, debt and growth equity investors and other participants in complex buyout, recapitalization and financing transactions. He also represents other businesses on a variety of strategic, financing, and corporate matters.
Rick has extensive experience in transactions in many industries, including manufacturing and distribution, telecommunications, health care, life sciences, financial services, technology, media, retail, and services.
Prior to joining the firm, Rick worked in the general counsel’s office of VNU Business Information Services, Inc. in Alexandria, Virginia and in New York.
- Recognized by Chambers USA for Corporate/M&A in North Carolina: Charlotte & Surrounds, 2020-2024
- Recognized by The Legal 500 United States as a Recommended Lawyer for M&A: middle-market ($500m-999m) and Private equity buyouts: middle-market (Up to $500m), 2024
- Recognized in The Legal 500 Private Practice Powerlist for M&A in the United States, 2024
- Named "Lawyer of the Year" by The Best Lawyers in America®, 2024, Corporate Law - Charlotte
- Named "Lawyer of the Year" by The Best Lawyers in America®, 2017 and 2012, Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law - Charlotte
- Named "Lawyer of the Year" by The Best Lawyers in America®, 2015 and 2018, Venture Capital Law - Charlotte
- The Best Lawyers in America®, Mergers and Acquisition Law, Corporate Law, Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law, Venture Capital Law, 2007-2017, 2019-2024
- “Mover and Shaker” award from Business Leader Magazine, 2008
- North Carolina Super Lawyers, Business/Corporate Law, 2006-2013
- “40 Under 40” award from Charlotte Business Journal for outstanding achievements in both business and community involvement, 2004
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Association for Corporate Growth (Carolinas Chapter, Board Member, 2003-2008; President, 2006-2007)
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Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (Charlotte Chapter, Board Member)
- “The Definitive Guide (For Now) to PPP in M&A Transactions,” ABA Business Law Section Virtual Spring Meeting, 23 April 2021
- "Strategic Partnerships: Legacy Technology to New Age Innovation,” Moderator, Lendit Fintech USA, 2018
- “Winning the Deal without Overpaying”, Panelist, ACG Carolinas Deal Crawl, September 2016
- “The Current Market for Bids, including Rep & Warranty Insurance,” Moderator, National ACG Intergrowth Conference, 2016
- “Three-Handed Poker, Counselling the Various Constituencies in Leveraged Buyout Transactions,” North Carolina State Bar Association, Business Law Institute, February 2015
- “Financial Due Diligence for Business Lawyers,” CLE Presentation, 2016, 2010, 2002
- Private Equity and Mezzanine Finance Annual Conference, Conference Co-Chair and Moderator of State of the Private Equity Market Panel, 2002-2011
- “Mezzanine Investments: The View from the Balcony,” Annual Seminar, 2000-2011
- “Private Equity Activities of Leading Money-Center Banks,” November 2007
- “Fiduciary Duties of Corporate Directors,” CLE presentation, October 2007
- “Private Equity 101,” Series of Annual Training Presentations to associates, analysts, principals and partners of several private equity, strategic investing and investment banking clients, 1998-2014
- Business Innovation and Growth Council Annual Conference, Moderator of Growth Capital and Restructurings Panel, January 2004
- “Duties of Investors Serving as Directors of Venture Backed Companies,” Research Triangle Park Conference on Venture Capital Financing, February 2002
- “Investors in the Boardroom,” Spring Venture Conference, May 2000
- “New players, structures reshape LBO financing,” Charlotte Business Journal, November 2006
- “Fintech Guide Overview,” Chambers & Partners, 2019
- “Removing Directors in Private Companies by Written Consent,” Harvard Law School Forum on Corporate Governance and Financial Regulation, 30 April 2018
- “New players, structures reshape LBO financing,” Charlotte Business Journal, November 2006
- Mentioned, "Angeles Equity Acquires Logistics Provider Custom Goods," The Deal, 2 August 2023
- Mentioned, "SPX Adds Industrial Growth Partners’ Aspeq," The Deal, May 2023
Named Corporate Law Firm of the Year
