William R. Lathan, Jr.

Financial Institutions Attorney

252.672.5458 252.672.5477

Post Office Box 867, New Bern, NC 28563-0867

Bill's practice experience encompasses the formation, regulation, and operation of banks and bank holding companies; securities offerings and reporting; mergers and acquisitions; and corporate governance matters pertaining to publicly-held companies. He has been rated by his peers as being "preeminent" in his fields of law. Prior to joining the firm, Bill served as vice president and general counsel/corporate secretary for one of North Carolina's multi-bank holding companies.

Education

J.D., The University of North Carolina School of Law, 1975
A.B., The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 1972

Representative Experience

Representation of two bank holding companies in the course of their separate acquisitions of bank holding companies and their subsidiary banks located in other states
Representation of two banks in the course of their being acquired by other banks
Representation of a bank holding company in raising capital through its private sale of preferred stock
Counseled bank holding companies and banks in their compliance with reporting obligations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Counseled bank holding companies and banks in their annual shareholder meeting process, including their compliance with proxy solicitation disclosure rules and preparation of disclosures regarding various non-routine voting proposals, including various charter amendments and compensation plans

Honors and Distinctions*

"Super Lawyer," North Carolina Super Lawyers, 2020
The Best Lawyers in America, 2005-2021
"Legal Elite," Business North Carolina, 2014

Peer rated

Professional and Community Affiliations

American Bar Association — Section: Business Law
North Carolina Bankers Association
North Carolina Bar Association — Section: Business Law

Admitted to Practice

North Carolina, 1975
All state courts in North Carolina

About Me

Much that I learned in Boy Scouts has served me well as an attorney, particularly the motto…"Be Prepared." The best thing about Ward and Smith is the team approach to client services, and the emphasis on teamwork rather than individual accomplishments.

One surprising thing people don't know about me is that I play keyboards in a classic rock band.

* Please see the following websites for an explanation of the membership standards for the following recognitions: www.bestlawyers.com; businessnc.com/special-sections/legal-elite/; and www.superlawyers.com/north-carolina.

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