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Gerry Williams

Gerry Williams

Partner
Co-US Managing Partner
Vice Chair, Private Equity Group, Southeast
Named among Georgia's Legal Elite by Georgia Trend magazine
About

Gerry Williams is DLA Piper's Co-US Managing Partner. In his role as Co-US Managing Partner, he is responsible for the day-to-day management of the firm in the US and assisting to direct the firm's US strategy.

Williams represents private equity funds, Fortune 1000 corporations, and Special Purpose Acquisition Corporations (SPACs) in domestic and cross-border mergers and acquisitions, and securities, finance, and corporate governance matters. He has counseled his clients in connection with transactions involving aggregate consideration exceeding US$20 billion in the last five years. 

Gerry also serves as a member of the firm's Global Board and the US Management, Executive and Policy Committees, and he is former managing partner of the Atlanta office.

Bar admissionsGeorgia

EXPERIENCE

Private Equity
  • DC-based RLJ Equity Partners and its portfolio companies in transactions involving LAI International, Fleischmann’s Vinegar, MediaSource, MarketCast, Thompson Trucking, EnviroVac, ProVac, Native Maine, CrossFuze, Naylor, Ogle School, Growers House, Flow Services and numerous other transactions that were not closed
  • A LA-based private equity fund with US$1.5 billion under management in multiple M&A and finance transactions
  • A New York-based private equity fund with US$2.6 billion under management and its portfolio companies in multiple transactions involving consideration in excess of US$1.5 billion
  • A Boston-based private equity fund with US$100 million under management and its portfolio companies in transactions in the franchising industry involving consideration in excess of US$500 million
  • A private equity fund in the acquisition of a government-owned beverage company based in Beijing
  • Multiple independent sponsors in connection with significant M&A and finance transactions
SPACs/CORPORATE
  • Athena Technology Acquisition Corporation in its initial business combination with a US$2.0 billion enterprise value
  • Armanda Acquisition Corporation in its initial business combination with a US$1.75 billion enterprise value
  • Legacy Acquisition Corporation in its initial business combination
  • ShoulderUp Technology Acquisition Corporation in its initial public offering of US$300 million
  • A US$1.2 billion Taiwan-based public company in connection with M&A transactions and general corporate matters
  • A US$1 billion Florida-based public company in multiple M&A transactions in the transportation and logistics industry
  • A US$1 billion publicly-traded business development company and its portfolio companies in multiple M&A and finance transactions
  • A China-based public company in the leveraged acquisition of a consumer electronic products company with revenue of US$150 million
  • A US public company in the acquisition of a staffing company based in Shanghai, China
Education
  • J.D., Indiana University Maurer School of Law 1995
  • B.B.A. / M.I.S., University of Georgia 1992

Awards

Chambers USA

  • Band 4, Georgia Corporate/M&A (2024)

The Legal 500 United States

  • Recommended, Private Equity Buyouts: Middle-Market (up to $500M) (2024)
  • Recommended, Private Equity Buyouts (2023)
Additional Awards
  • Named an On the Rise Attorney by the Fulton County Daily Report
  • Named a Georgia Super Lawyers Rising Star

Pro Bono

  • Pro Bono Partnership of Atlanta, Former member of the Advisory Committee

Seminars

  • Representation and Warranty Insurance Roundtable, September 4, 2024
  • Presenter, Roll Up Strategy in Private Equity, M&A Science Podcast, Episode #293, April 15, 2024
  • Presenter, Deal Sourcing, Financing and Closing Strategies for Independent Sponsors, July 25, 2019 (Expert Webcast)

Memberships And Affiliations

  • American Bar Association
  • Georgia Bar Journal, Editorial Board
  • Georgia SBA Network, Member, Advisory Council
  • Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce: Economic Development Committee and Global Commerce Council
  • National Bar Association
  • National Association of Corporate Directors

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