Rick Giovannelli is the co-chair of the Management Committee and a leader of the global Corporate practice. Based in Charlotte, North Carolina, Rick is a seasoned corporate lawyer who has advised clients for nearly three decades in mergers and acquisitions (M&A), private equity transactions, and corporate finance, including senior debt, mezzanine financing, and growth equity investments.
Rick represents both strategic buyers and sellers as well as financial sponsors in complex buyouts, recapitalizations, and growth investments. His clients span multiple industries, including manufacturing, healthcare, life sciences, financial services, technology, media, and retail.
Since joining the firm in 1996, Rick has become widely recognized as a trusted adviser to private equity firms, corporate boards, and entrepreneurs. He has served on the firm’s Management Committee since 2014, and since 2021 has led global practice and industry strategy initiatives. In 2025, he was named co-chair of the Management Committee, and he is slated to become chair of the firm in 2026.
Rick has been honored six times as “Lawyer of the Year” by The Best Lawyers in America® for his transactional work in Charlotte. He has also been consistently recognized in both Chambers USA and The Legal 500 for his leadership in M&A, private equity, and corporate finance. These independent rankings highlight his reputation for excellence and his track record of guiding clients through complex, high-value transactions.
In addition to his client work, Rick frequently speaks on topics involving private equity trends, M&A strategy, and capital markets, and has been featured in publications such as The Deal, AFR, and Bloomberg. He is also active in mentoring young lawyers and fostering innovation in the Charlotte private equity and venture capital ecosystem.
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, 2020-2025
- Recognized by The Legal 500 United States as a Recommended Lawyer, 2024-2025
- M&A: Middle-Market (US$500m-999m)
- Private Equity Buyouts: Middle-Market (Up to US$500m)
- 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® for Corporate Law in Charlotte, 2024
- Named to The Best Lawyers in America® for Mergers and Acquisition Law, Corporate Law, Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law, Venture Capital Law, 2007-2017, 2019-2024
- Named "Lawyer of the Year" by The Best Lawyers in America® for Venture Capital Law in Charlotte, 2015 and 2018
- Named "Lawyer of the Year" by The Best Lawyers in America® for Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law in Charlotte, 2012 and 2017
- Listed in North Carolina Super Lawyers for Business/Corporate Law, 2006-2013
- “Mover and Shaker” award from Business Leader Magazine, 2008
- “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
- “Financial Due Diligence for Business Lawyers,” CLE Presentation, 2016, 2010, 2002
- “Three-Handed Poker, Counselling the Various Constituencies in Leveraged Buyout Transactions,” North Carolina State Bar Association, Business Law Institute, February 2015
- “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
- 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
- “New players, structures reshape LBO financing,” Charlotte Business Journal, November 2006
- 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
- “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
