Morningstar Law Group – Raleigh Law Firm – Durham NC Attorneys

Gene Jones is a corporate lawyer and mergers and acquisitions attorney in our Raleigh office who has served as a trusted adviser to a broad range of public and private companies for more than 20 years. He regularly advises clients on corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, spin-offs, fund formation and investment, corporate finance, private equity, securities offerings and financings, venture capital and complex commercial transactions.

Gene represents a diverse clientele including real estate developers in equity and debt financing and partnership structuring matters. He also represents professional organizations, such as medical practices, architectural and engineering firms, law firms, and others, in matters of formation, stock issuance, governance, and management arrangements.

Gene values engagement in the local community and views it as central to the practice of law. He believes the legal profession has a unique role to play in serving the public, in much the same way his clients make important contributions to our community. Collectively, these contributions make the Triangle a world-class region and sustain the businesses which operate here.

Prior to co-founding Morningstar Law Group, Gene was a partner in a local office of an AmLaw 100© law firm where he was co-chair of its Mergers & Acquisition team.

Accolades

  • Best Lawyers: Lawyer of the Year – Corporate Governance Law (2021)
  • Best Lawyers: Corporate Governance Law (2016-2024), Corporate Law (2018-2024), Mergers & Acquisitions Law (2021-2024)
  • Business North Carolina Legal Elite: Business Law (2013, 2022-2024)
  • Business Leader: Mover & Shaker Award
  • Super Lawyers (2014-2024)

Representative Experience

  • Represents U.S. and international corporations, from publicly-traded Fortune 500 companies to private-equity sponsored businesses, in acquiring and selling businesses and business units.
  • Represents private equity funds in fund formation, fund raising and governance matters
  • Negotiates public pension fund investments in national and international private equity funds
  • Handles venture capital and private placement transactions of equity and debt for start-up and emerging growth companies
  • Represents clients in a wide range of industries, including pharmaceutical companies, software and technology firms, manufacturing companies, electric membership corporations, real estate firms, and more

Education

  • University of North Carolina School of Law, J.D. (1997)
    National Moot Court Team. NC Journal of International Law: Managing Editor.
  • Cambridge University, Law Studies (1995)
  • Davidson College, B.A. (1992) with honors
  • University of Edinburgh, study abroad (1991)

Admissions

  • North Carolina State Bar (1997)

Professional

  • NC Bar Association: Council Member, Business Section
  • Raleigh Chamber of Commerce: Board of Advisors. Leadership Raleigh.
  • Association for Corporate Growth: Board Member, Triangle Chapter
  • United Arts of Wake County: Board Member
  • Research Triangle Regional Partnership: Informatics Committee
  • Boys & Girls Clubs of Wake County: Committee Member & Volunteer
  • Raleigh Little Theater: Capital Campaign Committee & Volunteer
  • Burning Coal Theatre: Board Member
  • The Healing Place of Wake County: Volunteer
  • SAFEchild: Volunteer
  • Juvenile Diabetes Foundation: Volunteer
  • Council for Entrepreneurial Development (CED): Member
  • NC Technology Association (NCTA): Member