Robert Womble is a partner in the Raleigh office and focuses his practice on business, tax and transactional matters including debt and equity finance, joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions, and acting as primary outside counsel. Many of these matters have an inbound or outbound international component. He has significant experience with the organization, capitalization and operation of foreign branches and subsidiaries of United States based companies, exempt organizations, and public and private educational institutions, in matters involving tax planning and compliance, company law, exchange controls, export controls and foreign investment limitations, US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and UK Anti-Bribery Act compliance, and global employee mobility planning and structuring.
Robert has extensive experience in the representation of public and private colleges and universities in matters involving their supporting organizations, for-profit subsidiaries, joint ventures, technology transfer efforts, and international activities, as well as with respect to tax planning and compliance matters.
Robert has significant experience in the representation of charitable and non-charitable exempt organizations in matters including corporate governance, supporting organizations, for-profit subsidiaries, joint ventures, and political activities including organizational and compliance matters with respect to affiliated IRC Section 527 political organizations.
Robert has extensive experience in the representation of all types of investment funds in their formation, internal governance, and investment activities. Among the funds he has represented are institutional, bank, corporate, university, angel, and family funds engaged in a variety of investment activities including venture capital, mezzanine finance, buyouts, real estate, entertainment, and investments in other funds. Robert has also represented Small Business Investment Companies in their licensing, formation, and investments.
- Best Lawyers in America, Corporate Law, Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law, Private Funds Law, 2007 - 2021
- Best Lawyers in America, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Venture Capital Law, 2019 - 2021
- North Carolina Super Lawyers, Business/Corporate Law, Tax Law
- Legal Elite, Business North Carolina Magazine, Business Law
- Council for Entrepreneurial Development
- Board of Advisors, 1998-present
- Board of Directors, 1993-1997
- Executive Committee, 1994-1995
- Venture Conference, Chair, 2000
- Streak Program, Chair; 2001
- Conference on Entrepreneurship, Chair; 2004
- Infotech Conference, Co-Chair
- North Carolina Commission on Business Laws and the Economy (Member, 2003-present)
- North Carolina Entrepreneurial Development Board (Member, 1994-2000)
- North Carolina Tax Policy Study Commission (Member, 2000-2003)
- North Carolina Chamber, Tax Policy Committee Chair (2008-2012)
- Washington and Lee University (Parents’ Leadership Council, 2008-2010)
- Needham Broughton High School Foundation (organizer, Founding Director, Secretary, Treasurer, and President 2004-present2013)
- Daniels Middle School PTA (Legislative Committee, Chair, 2000-2001; Technology Committee, Chair, 2002-2004)
- Frances Lacy Elementary PTA (President-elect, 1998-1999; Co-president, 1999-2000)
- Frances Lacy Elementary School Foundation (Organizer, Founding Director and Secretary, 2001-2002)
- YMCA of the Triangle Area,
- Board of Advisors of Camps Sea Gull and Seafarer, 1997-2008, Chair 2002-2008
- Camps Sea Gull and Seafarer Scholarship Committee, Chair, 1997-1999 Camps Sea Gull and Seafarer "We Build People Campaign," Chair, 1999-2001
- Arapahoe Nation Indian Program Longbow Council, 1998-2000
- Youth Basketball Coach
- “More Than a Casual Encounter: Inadvertently Creating a Permanent Establishment,” National Association of College and University Attorneys Annual Conference, June 2014
- “Globalization of Colleges and Universities,” Stetson National Conference on Law and Higher Education, February 2014
- “Political and Lobbying Activities of IRC §501(c)(3), §501(c)(4), and §501(c)(6) Exempt Organizations,” North Carolina Association Executives, November 2013
- “10 Questions for US Companies Doing Business in Foreign Jurisdictions,” Triangle Business Journal Global Business Symposium, September 2013
- “The Legal Challenges of Maintaining a Mobile and Cross-Border Workforce,” North Carolina Chamber, May 2012
- “International Activities of Colleges and Universities,” March 2011
- “International Permanent Establishments,” February 2011
- “Doing Business in International Markets - Traps for the Unwary,” Duke University Fuqua School of Business, December 2009
- "Trends in What Limited Partners Expect from Venture Funds," Venture Capital Financing: Structuring and Negotiating Successful Deals, CLE International, February 2008
- "Selecting and Leveraging Your Board," Conference on Entrepreneurship, Council for Entrepreneurial Development, 2003
- "Employee Issues," Conference on Venture Capital Financing, CLE International, 2003
- "Financing Strategy: Different Objectives for Different Rounds," Council for Entrepreneurial Development, 2001
- The Venture Capital Legal Handbook, Aspatore Books, 2004
