J. Benjamin English - Attorney

J. Benjamin English - Attorney

 

Ben English helps growing companies develop practical solutions to legal issues. Ben brings to client relationships a wealth of experience to help clients evaluate strategic opportunities, think creatively, and manage risk while preserving opportunity. He works closely with company management to understand their business strategy and ensure that legal strategy serves the business strategy. He advises clients in structuring business entities, providing advice on business plans, capital structure, financing, shareholder agreements, employee compensation and benefits and intellectual property matters. He assists clients with relationships and transactions that contribute to their growth, such as private equity and venture capital financings, mergers and acquisitions, technology licensing and strategic partnerships for product development and distribution. He also advises clients on a wide variety of business succession strategies ranging from transition of management and ownership to the next generation in a family business to the sale of a company to a financial or strategic buyer.

Relevant Experience:

  • Represented the Seller of a government contracting business in the sale of its assets to a strategic buyer, including compliance with federal acquisition regulations.
  • Represented private equity investor in a management buy-out of a manufacturing services business, with financing provided by a senior lender, two mezzanine lenders, investors in convertible preferred stock and management investment in common stock
  • Represented a specialized chemical manufacturing company in a leveraged recapitalization with senior and subordinated debt, which enabled the owners to liquidate a portion of their company ownership while continuing to participate in company management and growth of equity value.
  • Advised an online broker of business services in developing its national business model of partnerships with exclusive representatives, including resolving regulatory issues, developing and negotiating agreements, securing convertible debt financing and selling a business division. Reorganized the company from a C corporation to an LLC to reduce taxes and preserve value for shareholders.
  • Negotiated a strategic partnership arrangement between a government contractor and an industry partner, identifying and resolving issues of control over the joint venture business, segregation of markets, intellectual property rights, competitive activities and buy-sell rights and obligations. Instrumental in identifying and assisting the parties in resolving numerous business issues essential to the long-term viability of the partnership.
  • Served as issuer's counsel in a reorganization and $92 million spin-off IPO of a medical supply company. After the IPO, served as outside general counsel, handling several strategic acquisitions, strategic partnerships, and employee compensation and benefits.
  • Represented numerous early-stage technology companies (principally in software and information technology) in connection with organizational and start-up matters, venture capital and strategic financings, strategic partnerships, employment agreements and a wide variety of other matters.

Education:

  • University of Virginia School of Law, J.D.
  • Yale University, B.A.

Published Works/Speaking Engagements:

  • Numerous Lectures on Financing and Growth of Entrepreneurial Companies
  • Speaker, Raising Capital in a Troubled Market, Virginia CLE
  • Speaker, Business Succession Planning, Financial Planning Association of Central Virginia 
  • Program Chair, Virginia Annotated Business Documents, Virginia CLE
  • Speaker, 2007 Scott Risk Briefing

Pro Bono/Community Service:

  • Leadership Metro Richmond
  • Small Business Committee, Virginia Chamber of Commerce
  • Greater Richmond Chamber of Commerce, General Counsel
  • Advisor to Small Business Initiative, Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade
  • Past Chair, Charlottesville Venture Group (CVG)

Recognition:

  • Included in Best Lawyers in America 
  • CVG Golden Angel Award, for service to the entrepreneurial business community

Memberships:

  • Virginia Bar Association
  • American Bar Association
  • Virginia Chamber of Commerce - Small Business Committee
  • Charlottesville Venture Group - Past Chairman
  • Greater Richmond Technology Council - Past Director
  • Leadership Metro Richmond

Bar Admission:

  • Massachusetts, 1988
  • Virginia, 1993