R. Alec Dawson counsels both private and publicly held companies in US and international transactional matters. He structures and negotiates mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and joint venture transactions for strategic and financial acquirers. With an extensive private equity, public company, and financial services client list, Alec is a trusted advisor to corporations and their general counsel, executive leadership, and boards of directors as they navigate business transactions and ongoing legal and regulatory challenges. He co-chairs the firm’s financial services M&A initiative and Special Purpose Acquisition Company (SPAC) Task Force, and is a former deputy leader of its global corporate and business transactions practice.
Alec provides private equity clients with full-spectrum representation, including advice in connection with leveraged acquisitions, exits, and material portfolio company and fund-level legal issues.
In financial services matters, he navigates applicable regulatory approvals and requirements, including those imposed by the Bank Holding Company Act (BHCA) and False Claims Act (FCA), the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), and US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and broker-dealer and investment advisor regulations, as well as related customer, employee, and third-party contractual and consent issues.
Alec formerly worked as an account supervisor in the New York office of a US advertising agency. He also served as a law clerk for US District Judge Cameron Currie.
Public Company Matters
SPAC Matters
Financial Services Matters
Fund-Related Matters
Consortium Matters
Morgan Lewis Matters
Ranked, Corporate/M&A (International & Cross-Border), USA, Chambers Global (2021–2024)
Ranked, Corporate/M&A, USA, Chambers Global (2010–2013, 2016–2020)
Ranked, Private Equity: Buyouts, USA, Chambers Global (2018–2020)
Ranked, Corporate/M&A, New York, Chambers USA (2007–2024)
Ranked, Private Equity: Buyouts, Nationwide, Chambers USA (2007–2019)
Recommended, M&A: large deals ($1bn+), The Legal 500 US (2024)
Recommended, Media, technology and telecoms: Fintech, The Legal 500 US (2020)
Recommended, M&A/corporate and commercial: Private equity buyouts, The Legal 500 US (2006–2008, 2011–2019, 2024)
Notable Practitioner, IFLR1000 Financial and Corporate (2018–2023)
Notable Practitioner, IFLR1000 United States (2018, 2020)
Ranked, Top Mid Cap M&A Lawyers in North America, MergerLinks (2022)