Thomas I. Lyon
Position: Shareholder
Direct: (919) 510-9289
Phone: (919) 787-8880
Fax: (919) 325-4615
Email: tlyon@manningfulton.com
Vcard: Download
3605 Glenwood Avenue, Suite 500
Raleigh, NC 27612
A recognized leader in his field and in the community, Thomas I. Lyon is a member of Manning Fulton's corporate section. His practice includes mergers and acquisitions, corporate law, corporate finance and securities. With an emphasis on emerging growth companies, Tom’s clients benefit from his experience representing companies in their full life cycle of business transactions. He works with privately held and middle-market companies in helping them to build prosperous futures.
Tom’s experience includes representing privately held companies in domestic and international transactions, assisting technology companies with licensing, development and service agreements, and serving as outside general counsel to various companies. His industry experience includes: financial services; technology; life sciences; warehouse/distribution; and manufacturing/sales.
Tom has been listed in Business North Carolina magazine's Legal Elite (2006, 2008, 2012) and North Carolina Super Lawyers (2006-2008). He is a frequent speaker and writer on issues ranging from mergers and acquisitions to corporate governance.
Education
- University of Kentucky, J.D., cum laude, 1998
- University of North Carolina, B.S., B.A., with distinction, 1995, Beta Gamma Sigma
Admitted to Practice
- State of North Carolina
Specific Matters
Corporate Law, Corporate Finance and Securities
- Serves as outside general counsel for companies in various industries, including internet infrastructure, software, manufacturing, distribution, finance, service and defense contracting related businesses
- Represents companies in connection with debt and equity securities offerings
- Represents investment groups and high net worth investors in connection with debt and equity investments
- Assists technology companies with implementation of licensing agreements, software development agreements, service agreements and joint ventures
- Represented New York-based investment group in its $30,000,000 investment in a Texas technology company
- Represented stormwater management company in connection with investment by private equity fund
- Represented New York-based investment group in its investment in a Florida technology company
- Represented software company in connection with investment by private equity fund
Mergers & Acquisitions
- Represents buyers, sellers and investors in complex buyout and strategic transactions
- Represented managed hosting company in the acquisition of competitors in North Carolina and Massachusetts, the debt financing of operations and acquisitions, and the $140,000,000 sale to a private equity fund and ultimate $310,000,000 sale to a publicly traded company
- Represented advanced control technology company in formation, early stage equity financing and sale to a publicly traded technology company
- Represented distribution company in connection with the sale of Caribbean operations
- Represented pharmaceutical services company in $56,000,000 sale to private equity fund
- Represented Northern Virginia technology company in its sale to a West Coast venture-backed company
- Represented holding company in the acquisition of a robotics technology company, early stage equity financing, the financing of its worldwide operations through U.S. and U.K. asset-based lenders and sale to a publicly traded Japanese company
- Represented investment group in its acquisition of restaurant equipment distributor and the debt financing of its acquisition
- Assisted ATM leasing and placement company with the sale of division to private equity-backed buyer
- Represented health care software company in its sale to a publicly traded technology company
- Represented distribution company and its affiliates in connection with strategic acquisitions and its tax deferred spin off of non-core operations
- Represented waste management company in its sale to Goldman Sachs-backed private company
- Represented European-based conglomerate in the acquisition of manufacturing companies and intellectual property assets in the U.S., Nicaragua and Honduras
Professional Activities
- Association for Corporate Growth, RTP Chapter
- Judge, 2010, 2011 ACG Cups (investment banking competition at Kenan-Flagler Business School)
- American Bar Association
- Business Law Section
- North Carolina Bar Association
- Business Law Section
- Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce
- Graduate of Leadership Raleigh (2002)
- “Legal Elite” and “Young Gun” (Corporate Law), Business North Carolina, 2006, 2008, 2012
- North Carolina Super Lawyer (Corporate Law, Mergers & Acquisitions), 2006-2008
- “40 Under 40” award from Triangle Business Journal in 2003 for business and community leadership
Community Activities
- Band Together
- Co-Founder
- Board of Directors (2001-present)
- Chairman (2005-2006)
- Treasurer (2004-2005)
- Vice President (2006 - present)
- Goodwill Community Foundation
- Board of Directors (2005-present)
- Secretary (2006-present)
- Boys & Girls Club of Wake County
- Board of Directors (2006-present)
- Annual Fund Co-Chair (2004)
- 2nd Century Leader (2004-2005)
- Volunteer (1999-present)
- Previous Community Activities and Leadership Roles
- Church of the Apostles (Officer, Leadership Council)
- Stop Hunger Now (Director)
- Prison Match (Director)
