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Stephen K. Rhyne

Partner
+1.704.331.7441
Fax +1..704.353.3141

Mr. Rhyne focuses his practice in the business and corporate finance area, including mergers and acquisitions, private equity funds, and general corporate representation. He has represented clients in a wide variety of transactions, ranging from the purchase or sale of public and private companies, recapitalizations, "roll-ups," acquisition of controlling interests in private companies, and establishment of private equity or buyout funds. The industries involved have varied from telecommunications and internet companies, to paper manufacturers and timber companies.

Mr. Rhyne represents boards of directors and special committees of public and private companies. These engagements have included the consideration of strategic alternatives, including sale of the company, and of defensive measures, including the adoption or amendment of shareholder rights plans (poison pills), and other corporate matters.

He also is an active member of our energy and climate change practices. He advises energy companies about general and specific policy matters and regularly speaks and writes on energy, sustainability and climate change disclosure. He also holds two U.S. patents in the energy field.

Professional Background

Before joining the firm, Mr. Rhyne served as law clerk to the Honorable Roger Robb, United States Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, 1977-1978 and as a captain in the United States Army in Europe and the Republic of Vietnam.

Achievements

  • Best Lawyers in America, Corporate Governance and Compliance Law, Corporate Law, 2005-2012, Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law and Mergers & Acquisitions Law, 2010-2012
  • North Carolina Super Lawyers, Mergers & Acquisitions, Securities & Corporate Finance, Business/Corporate 2010-2012, Mergers & Acquisitions Law, 2007-2009
  • Chambers USA: America's Leading Business Lawyers, Corporate/M&A, 2008-2012

Professional/Civic Activities

  • Member, American Bar Association and its Committees on Mergers & Acquisitions, Private Equity, Climate Change and Sustainable Development, Renewable Energy Resources, Nuclear Power and Environmental Disclosure
  • Member, American Nuclear Society and its Special Committee on Generic Licensing Issues for Small Modular Reactors
  • Chair, Public Policy Task Force, Carolinas Nuclear Cluster
  • Member, American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
  • United Family Services and Agencies (Legal Counsel, 1979-2008)
  • McColl Center for Visual Art (Board of Directors, 2005-2008)

Speaking Engagements

  • Panelist, Roundtable on Export Markets and Export Challenges of  Small Modular Reactors, Columbia, South Carolina, April 2011
  • Moderator, panel on "Traditional Energy as an Economic Driver in the Charlotte Region," Charlotte Chamber of Commerce's Energy Summit: The Business of Sustainability & Growth, November 2010
  • Speaker, "SEC Climate Change Disclosure Requirements," American Gas Association Legal Forum, Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, July 2010
  • Speaker, "Climate Change Implications", Leadership Charlotte: Sustainable Charlotte Day, Charlotte, North Carolina, April 2010
  • Panelist, "Strategies for Maximizing Renewable Energies," Transatlantic Climate Change and Renewable Energy Conference, Charlotte, North Carolina, November 2009
  • Speaker, "Special Issues in Mergers & Acquitions - Private Equity Considerations," 2008 Business Law Section and Corporate Counsel Section - Joint Annual Meeting, February 2008
  • Acquisition by public manufactured housing company of another public manufactured housing company.   
  • Stock-for-stock sale by the majority equity holder of an 18-station radio broadcaster to a publicly traded broadcast company.   
  • Roll-up acquisition of eleven medical product distributors to form national distributor of critical care products.   
  • Formation and operation of one of the Southeast's largest leveraged buyout funds, including formation of its successor fund.   
  • Acquisition by bank holding company subsidiary of subordinated notes and adjustable common stock warrants issued by public company providing interactive selling solutions.