Biography

Since 1976, Hampton has practiced business law in Atlanta. His primary focus has been on the representation of local privately-held businesses and professional firms. He also serves as counsel for national and international firms who have a presence in the Atlanta area. Hampton advises clients on a full range of business law matters including internal ownership and governance, commercial transactions, risk management, entity choices, mergers and acquisitions and finance and loan transactions. He frequently serves as general counsel for businesses that do not have in-house counsel.

Hampton has broad experience with structuring business transactions, employment relationships, and with succession planning. His practice is characterized by responsiveness, pragmatism, collegiality and candor. He serves as a trusted legal and business advisor of owners, principals and managers of Atlanta firms and institutions, some of whom he has advised for more than thirty years and whose ownership is multigenerational.

Representative Matters

  • Acquisitions and sales of privately-owned businesses or firms that include, for example, a chemical manufacturer, distributorships, an insurance agency, newspaper and media holding businesses, advertising and public relations firms, a vending machine business, a private security guard and investigation firm, engineering firms, medical practices, construction businesses and firms that provide financial and investment services.
  • Ongoing advice to privately-held businesses and professional firms in connection with their internal operations (for example, human resources, incentive compensation, employment agreements and restrictive covenants), their ownership and partnership decision-making and the documentation thereof (for example, shareholder and operating agreements), the departure or retirement of owners and the spin-off of business divisions or professional departments, and the representation of individuals in their departures from professional or business organizations and their joining of new firms.
  • Representation of borrowers in complex financial transactions, including asset-based lending transactions, financing for leveraged buyouts, construction financing and permanent financing for building projects, line of credit financings and mezzanine financing.
  • Commercial transactions involving the sale and purchase of goods (governed by Article 2 of the Uniform Commercial Code), distributorship agreements, independent contractor arrangements, sub-contractor and prime contract agreements for construction-related projects, license agreements, and agreements governing professional services.
  • Entity start-ups and formations, locations of client offices in other jurisdictions, qualification and regulatory dealings with other jurisdictions, and termination of businesses.
  • Serving as special counsel to privately held businesses for the purpose of advising business owners on the sale or reorganization of their businesses or professional firms.

Civic Service

  • Honorary Trustee, Fernbank Museum of Natural History (Chairman of the Board, 2008-2009)
  • Advisory Trustee, Training and Counseling Center at St. Luke’s (Chairman of the Board, 2013-2014)
  • Emeritus Trustee, College Foundation of the University of Virginia
  • Emeritus Trustee, Drayton Hall Preservation Trust (Co-Vice Chair, 2015-2020)
  • Chairman of Board of Trustees, The Lovett School (2002-2006)
  • Advisory Trustee, Historic Oakland Foundation (Vice Chairman of the Board, 1995-1996)
  • Past President, Atlanta Chapter of University of Virginia Alumni Association
  • Past Member, The Lovett School Alumni Board
  • Emory University Board of Visitors (2001-2004)

Professional Recognitions

  • AV Peer Review Rated by Martindale Hubbell
  • Selected as Georgia Super Lawyer (business/corporate) by Law & Politics Media and Atlanta Magazine (2009-2012, 2014-2019)