news
People
Thomas I. Lyon
Share
As head of the Firm’s Mergers & Acquisition practice group, Tom assists companies with Mergers and Acquisitions and other strategic Corporate Transactions.
He works with clients to implement their growth and development strategies by structuring, negotiating and closing complex business transactions.
About
With more than 25 years of experience, Tom has extensive experience in helping companies grow through domestic and international mergers and acquisitions, private equity investments and strategic business transactions. He often serves in the capacity as outside general counsel to his clients; advising boards, executive management, private equity funds, and family offices on a variety of business and legal issues. He has experience representing clients in a broad range of industries, including the software, cloud computing, e-commerce, business services, manufacturing, and distribution industries.
Credentials
Education
- University of Kentucky – J.D. – 1998 – Cum Laude
- University of North Carolina – B.S. in Business Administration – 1995 – With Distinction – Beta Gamma Sigma
Admitted to Practice
- North Carolina
Professional Memberships & Activities
- Association for Corporate Growth – 2007 to Present
- Member
- RTP Chapter Judge, 2010, 2011 ACG Investment Banking Cups
- American Bar Association Business Law Section, Member
- North Carolina Bar Association Business Law Section, Member
- Wake County Bar Association Member
- Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce
- Leadership Raleigh (2001 to 2002)
- Recognized in “Legal Elite” and “Young Gun” (Corporate Law), Business North Carolina (2006, 2008, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2022-2026)
- Recognized by North Carolina Super Lawyers (Corporate Law, Mergers & Acquisitions) (2006-2008, 2019-2026)
- Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America for the practice areas for Business Organizations, Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law and Corporate Law (2019-2027)
- “40 Under 40” award from Triangle Business Journal (2003) for business and community leadership
- Recent Speaking Engagements
- Manning Fulton’s Executive Speaker Series – “Decoding the Deal: Understanding Buyer Perspectives in M&A” – November 12, 2025
- Manning Fulton’s Executive Speaker Series – “Decoding the Deal: Understanding Buyer Perspectives in M&A” – October 31, 2024
- Guest on the Trust Company Talks podcast “Navigating the M&A Landscape: A Conversation with Tom Lyon and Mark Phillips” with Trust Company of the South on May 8, 2024
- Manning Fulton’s Executive Speaker Series – “M&A From a Buyer’s Perspective: What Every Seller Should Know. Thinking about selling your business? Learn what every seller should know from strategic buyers and private equity investors” – September 26, 2023
- M&A Panel, 2022 Franchise Success Summit, November 16, 2022
- Manning Fulton’s Executive Speaker Series – “M&A From a Buyer’s Perspective: What Every Seller Should Know. Thinking about selling your business? Learn what every seller should know from strategic buyers and private equity investors” – September 29, 2021
- ‘Flash Briefings’ by Manning Fulton – “M&A in a COVID-19 World – 2020 M&A Trends from a Buyer’s Perspective” – October 28, 2020
- Manning Fulton’s Executive Speaker Series – “M&A From a Buyer’s Perspective: What Every Seller Should Know. Thinking about selling your business? Learn what every seller should know from strategic buyers and private equity investors” – June 13, 2019
- Manning Fulton’s Executive Speaker Series – “M&A From a Buyer’s Perspective: What Every Seller Should Know. Thinking about selling your business? Learn what every seller should know from strategic buyers and private equity investors” – May 24, 2017
Representative Transactions
2024 Transaction Highlights:
- Portfolio company of private equity fund in multiple buy-side acquisitions
- International technology company with significant operations in Raleigh in $60,000,000 sale to private equity fund
- Triangle-based multi-state construction company in $25,000,000 management buyout
- Raleigh-based strategic buyer in $18,000,000 buy-side acquisition in construction business
- Raleigh-based franchisee in $75,000,000 sale to publicly traded franchisor
- Buy-side acquisition of real estate and operations of Triangle-based retail company
- Raleigh-based services company in financial industry in $21,000,000 sale to publicly traded company
Other Representative Transactions:
- Lead counsel in typically $300,000,000 – $500,000,000 in M&A transactions per year
- Raleigh-based managed hosting company in the acquisition of multiple competitors, $140,000,000 sale to private equity fund, and ultimate $310,000,000 sale to publicly traded company
- Research Triangle Park-based pharmaceutical services company in $56,000,000 sale to private equity fund
- Raleigh-based distribution company in $110,000,000 sale to strategic purchaser
- Triangle-based services company with international operations in $50,000,000 sale to private equity fund
- 15 location Raleigh-HQ retail company in $70,000,000 sale to private equity fund
- Eastern North Carolina-based distribution company in sale to strategic purchaser for approximately $300,000,000
- North Carolina-based multistate electronic components company in $50,000,000 sale to private equity fund
- High-profile consumer products company in $75,000,000 sale to North Carolina private equity company
- Carrboro-based franchisor with more than $100,000,000 in annual system sales to North Carolina family office
- High-profile Durham-based consumer products company in $50,000,000 sale to West Coast private equity company
- Raleigh pharmaceutical services company in $75,000,000 sale to private equity fund
- Raleigh-based telecommunications provider to hospitality industry in $110,000,000 sale to West Coast private equity fund
Community Engagement
Band Together– 2001 to Present
- Co-Founder
- Board of Directors- 2001 to 2012
- Co-Chair – Advisory Board – 2012 to 2017
- Community Board Member – 2017 – Present
Camber Foundation/Goodwill Community Foundation – 2005 to Present
- Board of Directors- 2006 to Present
- Vice Chairman- 2023 – 2024
- Audit Committee Chairman- 2023 to present
- Secretary- 2006 to 2021
Raleigh Young Life – 2021 to Present
- Committee Member – 2021 to Present
Previous Community Activities and Leadership Roles
- Church of the Apostles (Officer, Leadership Council)
- Goodwill Industries of Eastern North Carolina (Director, Officer)
- Boys & Girls Club of Wake County (Director)