David A. Thornton
David Thornton helps employers deliver retirement, health and welfare benefits to their executives and employees. With more than 30 years of experience, he has developed a diverse practice counseling hundreds of public and private employers and non-profit organizations in drafting, maintaining and administering retirement plans ranging from $1 million to several billion dollars in assets, including many in the $100 million to $500 million asset range. He has deep experience in ESOP transactions, successfully navigating the significant fiduciary duty considerations and tax code requirements involved with these transactions.
Memberships
Memphis Bar Association — Treasurer (1992), Director (1991), Young Lawyers Division
Tennessee Bar Association — Corporation and Business Law Section
American Bar Association — Business Law Section
American Health Law Association (AHLA)
Representative Experience
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We represented a building materials company in the acquisition of a holding company that was owned 100% by an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP).
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Representation of Regent Surgical Health, an ambulatory surgery center management and development company, in its strategic investment from TowerBrook Capital Partners L.P., an international investment management firm, and Ascension Capital, an investment affiliate of Ascension.
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We represented an ambulatory surgery center in the sale of 100% of the stock of its operating company which was owned wholly by an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP).
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Representation of Complete Health Partners, a Pharos Capital Group primary care platform based in Jacksonville, Florida, in its acquisitions of two Birmingham, AL primary care practices, Northside Medical Associates and Adamsville Family Medicine
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Defended clients against roughly $26 million in ACA employer mandate penalties
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Represented a civil engineering company in establishing an ESOP, successfully acquiring 49% of the company in a leveraged transaction in the amount of $6.6 million
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Represented a recycling corporation in the establishment of an ESOP used to acquire 100% of the company in a leveraged transaction in the amount of $51.5 million
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Represented NN, Inc. (Nasdaq: NNBR) in its acquisition of Paragon Medical
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Represented the trustee in the formation of an ESOP for a real estate investment firm located in Memphis, Tennessee
Publications
Past Events
Media Mentions & Firm News
Accolades
The Best Lawyers in America© — Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law; Litigation: ERISA (2006-2023)
Best Lawyers® — Memphis Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law “Lawyer of the Year” (2023, 2021, 2019); Memphis Litigation: ERISA “Lawyer of the Year” (2022)
Mid-South Super Lawyers (2006, 2010-2022)
Memphis Business Journal “Best of the Bar” — Private Firm, Large (2018 overall winner)
MBQ: Inside Memphis Business “Power Players”
Beta Gamma Sigma
Phi Eta Sigma
Phi Kappa Phi
Phi Alpha Delta
Golden Key
American Jurisprudence Award in Family Law
Education
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University of Tennessee College of Law - J.D., 1984
Order of the Coif
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University of Tennessee - B.A., 1981
Admissions
- Tennessee, 1984
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Tennessee, 1984
- U.S. District Court, Middle District of Tennessee, 1984
- U.S. District Court, Western District of Tennessee, 1984
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit, 1984
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit, 1984
- U.S. Supreme Court, 2007
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