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For more than 40 years, Mark Manner has provided counsel to corporate boards, executives and significant shareholders on governance, securities issuances and disclosures, private equity and mergers and acquisitions. He applies his years of experience to effectively navigate complex interpersonal relationships in order to resolve issues and enhance shareholder value. He has substantial experience structuring and negotiating complex mergers, acquisitions, private equity and securities transactions, initial and follow-on securities offerings, venture capital financings and leveraged buyouts.
Mark has earned a national reputation in corporate law and has been recognized by clients and peers in Chambers USA as a “one of the preeminent lawyers in Nashville.” Clients also describe him as a “smart, knowledgeable lawyer,” with “spot-on legal knowledge and the highest character and integrity, collegiality and cooperation not just for his clients, but for all parties.” (from Chambers USA 2019) Working closely with senior management, boards of directors and shareholders, Mark’s practice includes:
Leadership on corporate governance issues.
Guidance on SEC disclosure requirements and filings.
Advice related to capital markets issues.
Counsel on SEC regulations and compliance.
Representation in mergers, acquisitions and other strategic corporate transactions.
Prior to joining Bass, Berry & Sims, Mark was a founding member and served as the managing shareholder at Harwell Howard Hyne Gabbert & Manner, P.C. Previously he worked in Washington, D.C. with the Appellate Section of the Antitrust Division of the U.S. Department of Justice, and served as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney in Alexandria, Virginia.
Memberships
Nashville Bar Association
Tennessee Bar Association
American Health Law Association (AHLA)
Life Science Tennessee — Founding Member, Board of Directors (former), Of Counsel
Nashville Health Care Council — Board of Directors (former)
Tennessee Technology Development Corporation — Board of Directors (former)
The Land Trust for Tennessee — Chair, Board of Directors
Dyer Observatory of Vanderbilt University — Adviser
Long Mountain Observatory of Montgomery Bell Academy — Adviser
KELT-North – Survey for Transiting Exoplanets — Team Member
Memberships
Nashville Bar Association
Tennessee Bar Association
American Health Law Association (AHLA)
Life Science Tennessee — Founding Member, Board of Directors (former), Of Counsel
Nashville Health Care Council — Board of Directors (former)
Tennessee Technology Development Corporation — Board of Directors (former)
The Land Trust for Tennessee — Chair, Board of Directors
Dyer Observatory of Vanderbilt University — Adviser
Long Mountain Observatory of Montgomery Bell Academy — Adviser
KELT-North – Survey for Transiting Exoplanets — Team Member
Advised the special committee to AHP’s board of directors in a complex recapitalization, refinancing and going-private transaction led by AHP’s largest shareholder and majority debtholder
We represented Commissary Operations, a distributor of food products to restaurants, in its Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings. Based in Nashville,...
Additional Experience
Counselor and Senior Adviser to Control Shareholders, Boards of Directors and Executive Management
Mark has advised significant shareholders, senior executive management and boards of directors of public and private companies on corporate governance, securities and debt issuances, strategic acquisitions, proxy and control contests and high level business strategy and implementation. Companies represented include:
Chambers USA — Corporate/M&A, Senior Statesperson (2019-2023); Corporate/M&A and Healthcare (2005-2019)
Best Lawyers® — Nashville Securities/Capital Markets Law “Lawyer of the Year” (2019); Nashville Corporate Governance Law “Lawyer of the Year” (2011, 2012, 2014)
Martindale-Hubbell — AV Preeminent® Peer Review Rated
Nashville Post “In Charge” — Legal Sector (2015-2019, 2021-2024)
Mid-South Super Lawyers (2006-2021)
Top 100 Tennessee Super Lawyers (2007, 2009)
Nashville Business Journal “Best of the Bar” (2003-2005, 2012)
Nashville Post “101 Best Lawyers” (2011)
Nashville Business Journal “Healthcare 100” (2004-2007)
Memphis State University Law Review — Editor-in-Chief
Accolades
Chambers USA — Corporate/M&A, Senior Statesperson (2019-2023); Corporate/M&A and Healthcare (2005-2019)
Best Lawyers® — Nashville Securities/Capital Markets Law “Lawyer of the Year” (2019); Nashville Corporate Governance Law “Lawyer of the Year” (2011, 2012, 2014)
"Mark Manner commands a strong reputation among his peers. With over 40 years of practice behind him, he is well versed in both M&A and securities issuances and also has an impressive understanding of private equity and venture capital matters. 'He's well known and well respected.'"