Partner
John Babcock
Specialities
Corporate, Tax
Contact
Winston-Salem, NC
Bio
John Babcock has over 35 years of experience in corporate and tax law matters, mergers and acquisitions, and general business and financing transactions.
John represents clients regarding all aspects of entity formation, corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, and commercial business and lending transactions.
John graduated from the University of Michigan-Dearborn in 1982. He received his J.D. in 1985 from Wake Forest University, where he graduated magna cum laude, and an LL.M. in Taxation from New York University in 1987.
John has served for many years as an adjunct professor of law at Wake Forest University Law School, where he has taught courses in business planning, partnership taxation, and corporate taxation. He is also the current Chair of the North Carolina Business Law Section’s Subcommittee on LLC’s, Partnerships and Unincorporated Entities and a member of the Board of Directors of Lawyers Mutual Liability Insurance Company.
- LL.M. Taxation 1987 New York University Law School
- J.D. 1985 Wake Forest University School of Law; Magna Cum Laude
- B.S.A. Finance 1982 University of Michigan-Dearborn; With Distinction
- North Carolina, 1986
- American Bar Association, Member, Business Law Section
- American Bar Association, Member, LLC’s, Partnerships and Unincorporated Entities Subcommittee
- North Carolina Bar Association, Chair of the LLC’s, Partnerships and Unincorporated Entities Subcommittee, Business Law Section; Past Secretary and Treasurer and two-time council member of the North Carolina Business Law Section
- North Carolina Bar Association, Member, Tax and Business Law Sections
- Current Member – Board of Directors for Lawyers Mutual Liability Insurance Company
- Volunteer – served on Local Board of Directors for the William G. White YMCA
- Executive Vice-President – North Carolina Youth Soccer Association, 2012-2015
- Represented stakeholders in a complex cross-border transaction involving the sale of a large portfolio of international companies, coordinating with multiple parties to negotiate transaction terms, allocate sale proceeds, and address regulatory and tax considerations across multiple jurisdictions.
- Represented the sellers in a multimillion-dollar membership interest sale involving a medical device contract manufacturing company acquired by a subsidiary of an international public company.
- Represented a business owner in the sale of a controlling interest in a company providing specialized infrastructure and hospitality solutions for professional sporting events.
- Advised a manufacturing and distribution company in the acquisition of an Ohio-based business, including the purchase of related real estate, to support strategic expansion into new markets.
- Represented the seller in a multimillion-dollar asset purchase transaction involving the transfer of business operations and assets to a strategic acquirer.
- Advises business owners, investors, lenders, and corporate clients on mergers and acquisitions, private equity investments, corporate governance matters, commercial financing transactions, and business succession planning.
- Represents borrowers, investors, and lenders in commercial loan transactions, capital raises, and other corporate finance matters.
- Serves as outside counsel to privately held businesses across a variety of industries, providing strategic guidance on entity formation, governance, contract negotiation, and growth initiatives.
Chambers USA (Corporate/M&A, Band 3), 2024-present
Legal Elite®, as rated by Business North Carolina Magazine, multiple years
Legal Elite® Top Rated Lawyer for Business Law, 2018
Legal Elite Hall of Fame, 2019
Best Lawyers in America, 2006-present
Best Lawyers®, Lawyer of the Year, Corporate Law, 2010, 2016, 2025
Best Lawyers®, Lawyer of the Year, Mergers and Acquisitions, 2017, 2019, 2021
Best Lawyers®, Lawyer of the Year, Business Organizations (Including LLCs and Partnerships), 2022
Best Lawyers®, Lawyer of the Year, Commercial Finance Law, 2026
Best Lawyers®, Lawyer of the Year, Commercial Transactions / UCC Law, 2026
Super Lawyers®, 2007-2017, 2019-present
AV® Preeminent™ 5.0 out of 5 rating in Martindale-Hubble
Awards & Recognition:
- Chambers USA (Corporate/M&A, Band 3), 2024-present
- Legal Elite®, as rated by Business North Carolina Magazine, multiple years
- Legal Elite® Top Rated Lawyer for Business Law, 2018
- Legal Elite Hall of Fame, 2019
- Best Lawyers in America, 2006-present
- Best Lawyers®, Lawyer of the Year, Corporate Law, 2010, 2016, 2025
- Best Lawyers®, Lawyer of the Year, Mergers and Acquisitions, 2017, 2019, 2021
- Best Lawyers®, Lawyer of the Year, Business Organizations (Including LLCs and Partnerships), 2022
- Best Lawyers®, Lawyer of the Year, Commercial Finance Law, 2026
- Best Lawyers®, Lawyer of the Year, Commercial Transactions / UCC Law, 2026
- Super Lawyers®, 2007-2017, 2019-present
- AV® Preeminent™ 5.0 out of 5 rating in Martindale-Hubble
