thumbnail image
LLC
LLC

Boutique Transactional Law Firm

    • HOME
    • EXPERTISE 
      • EXPERTISE
      • Specialized Finance
      • Energy and Infrastructure
      • Venture Capital, Private Equity
      • Fund Formation and Securities
      • M&A, Joint Ventures
      • Telecom, Media & Entertainment
      • Sourcing and Technology​
      • Investigations
      • Litigation and Arbitration
      • Regulatory Law
      • Private Client
    • ATTORNEYS 
      • HEATHER EISENLORD
      • JESE D. JIMENEZ
      • ANDREA N. KELLER
      • GEOFREY L. MASTER
      • RICHARD MORRIS
      • PATRICIA O. SULSER
      • NINA TRCEK
      • WILLIAM A. WILSON III
    • …  
      • HOME
      • EXPERTISE 
        • EXPERTISE
        • Specialized Finance
        • Energy and Infrastructure
        • Venture Capital, Private Equity
        • Fund Formation and Securities
        • M&A, Joint Ventures
        • Telecom, Media & Entertainment
        • Sourcing and Technology​
        • Investigations
        • Litigation and Arbitration
        • Regulatory Law
        • Private Client
      • ATTORNEYS 
        • HEATHER EISENLORD
        • JESE D. JIMENEZ
        • ANDREA N. KELLER
        • GEOFREY L. MASTER
        • RICHARD MORRIS
        • PATRICIA O. SULSER
        • NINA TRCEK
        • WILLIAM A. WILSON III
    LLC
    LLC

    Boutique Transactional Law Firm

    • HOME
    • EXPERTISE 
      • EXPERTISE
      • Specialized Finance
      • Energy and Infrastructure
      • Venture Capital, Private Equity
      • Fund Formation and Securities
      • M&A, Joint Ventures
      • Telecom, Media & Entertainment
      • Sourcing and Technology​
      • Investigations
      • Litigation and Arbitration
      • Regulatory Law
      • Private Client
    • ATTORNEYS 
      • HEATHER EISENLORD
      • JESE D. JIMENEZ
      • ANDREA N. KELLER
      • GEOFREY L. MASTER
      • RICHARD MORRIS
      • PATRICIA O. SULSER
      • NINA TRCEK
      • WILLIAM A. WILSON III
    • …  
      • HOME
      • EXPERTISE 
        • EXPERTISE
        • Specialized Finance
        • Energy and Infrastructure
        • Venture Capital, Private Equity
        • Fund Formation and Securities
        • M&A, Joint Ventures
        • Telecom, Media & Entertainment
        • Sourcing and Technology​
        • Investigations
        • Litigation and Arbitration
        • Regulatory Law
        • Private Client
      • ATTORNEYS 
        • HEATHER EISENLORD
        • JESE D. JIMENEZ
        • ANDREA N. KELLER
        • GEOFREY L. MASTER
        • RICHARD MORRIS
        • PATRICIA O. SULSER
        • NINA TRCEK
        • WILLIAM A. WILSON III
      LLC
      • RICHARD MORRIS

        Office: +1-212-859-5087

        Direct: +1-646-623-8442

        E-mail: rmorris@wilsonwilliams.com

      • Curriculum Vitae

        Areas of Concentration / Practice Areas

        Richard Morris is a partner in the New York office of the Firm.

         

        Richard Morris has more than 35 years of experience in a broad range of corporate, investment management, securities, and regulatory matters. He leverages a broad skill set to counsel clients in all aspects of their commercial issues, including loans, securities offerings, and other capital market activities; mergers and acquisitions; licensing and other intellectual property transactions; corporate governance; regulatory compliance; employment matters; and equity incentive plans. Mr. Morris utilizes his prior experience as a tax attorney with an international law firm, his CPA audit and operations experience, and his corporate counsel experience to be part of a client’s C-suite team that provides effective solutions to commercial and legal issues.

         

        Mr. Morris has represented numerous private equity and hedge funds in all aspects of their formation, capital raises, transactions, and regulatory compliance. His clients have included startups, venture funds, private equity and hedge funds, middle market corporations, multi-nationals, REITs, commercial banks, investment banks, future commission merchants, investment advisers, and commodity trading advisers. Mr. Morris has extensive experience across a broad range of industries, including alternative energy, commercial banks, investment banks, and other financial services, FinTech, futures commission merchants, food and beverage, health care, hedge funds, manufacturing and distribution, mining, nutraceutical and pharmaceutical, private funds (including issuer directed and real estate funds), REITs, real estate operating companies, retail, major and minor league sports, automotive, and technology. Mr. Morris’ regulatory experience includes Anti-Money Laundering and the Bank Secrecy Act, FDIC, state and federal banking regulatory authorities, the regulations under the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, insurance, investment management, securities, and commodities.

        Employment

        Wilson Williams LLC, New York, NY, partner, January 2020–present

         

        Allegaert Berger & Vogel LLP, New York, NY, partner, November 2018–January 2020

         

        Herrick, Feinstein LLP, New York, NY, March 1997–October 2018, elevated to partner in 2001

         

        Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP, New York, NY, associate, 1993–1997

         

        Shearman & Sterling LLP, New York, NY, associate, 1990–1993

         

        Prior CPA experience, 1982–1990, including U.S. Audit Manager for an Australian conglomerate (Elders IXL), financial and operations for Kidder Peabody & Co., and compliance auditor for the Comex market

        Bar Admissions

        New York and Connecticut

        Education

        Fordham University School of Law, New York, New York, J.D., 1990

         

        NYU Stern School of Business, B.S., 1982

      • Significant Representations and Experience

         

        Capital Market Transactions

        Advised a U.S. investment bank in connection with the listing of American Depository Receipts (ADRs) of a foreign private issuer.

         

        Advised a foreign private issuer in connection with a private placement of its securities.

         

        Advised the non-U.S. holders of securities in connection with their U.S. Securities compliance issues.

         

        Advised a private longevity care and wellness company in its reverse merger with a Nasdaq-listed company.

         

        Advised a nutraceutical company in its reverse merger transaction and its SEC compliance and reports as well as its significant transactions, including an exclusive supply agreement with an international vitamin and nutritional retailer.

         

        Advised a real estate operating company in its merger with an OTCQB firm, including its SEC compliance matters and its capital raising transactions.

         

        Advised a global leader in high-quality and value-based training, conferences, publications, technology-based tools, and mentoring to help customers become financially knowledgeable in a reverse merger into a public shell company forming a public company, including analysis of staff accounting comments.

         

        Advised a bank holding company of a New York City-based commercial bank on its initial public offering.

         

        Advised the leading manufacturer of U.S. defense small arms in its $250 million high-yield debt offering and $50 million secured revolving credit facility.

         

        Advised one of the largest European banks in its global offering of Tier III notes that comply with the Basel Accord as capital.

         

        Advised one of the U.S. largest bus manufacturers in its spinoff from a NYSE-listed company and initial public offering.

         

        Advised a publicly held biopharmaceutical company in its securities filings, reporting requirements, and related corporate advice.

         

        Advised a Nasdaq-listed company in a negotiated merger of a private company and related registration of the shares to be issued.

         

        Advised “bulge bracket” underwriters in numerous underwritten offerings and 144A transactions in a variety of industries, including automotive, consumer products, gaming, hospitality, insurance, global manufacturing, retail, and technology.

        Investment Management

        Advised an issuer-directed private equity fund in several transactions and a full range of compliance issues.

         

        Advised a $750 million private equity fund that acquired distressed residential mortgages and then modified them with the goal of keeping homeowners in their homes in all aspects of its formation, capital raises, investment adviser act issues, employment matters, and operations, including bulk purchases of distress (defaulted) residential mortgages. Representation included negotiation of side letters with international sovereign funds, state pension funds, and allocations by other ERISA and state investment entities.

         

        Advised a government pension fund of more than $1 trillion in investment allocations to emerging funds, including structure, side letters, and related documentation related to compliance with ESG and other requirements.

         

        Advised a multimillion-dollar New York City-based real estate fund in a broad range of transactions and issues, including developing an effective ESG policy that was accepted by a trillion-plus-dollar pension fund for its investment allocation, real estate-related investment issues, all SEC and state regulatory matters, including SEC Office of Compliance Inspections and Examinations audit and successful resolution of exam findings; ADV filing, revising compliance manuals, providing annual training, cybersecurity issues, including response to intrusion events, state regulatory issues, including state lobbyist registration issues.

         

        Advised a multimillion-dollar New York City-based real estate fund in developing in-house and outsourced administrative capacities, including the utilization of outsourced entities that are fund and not manager expenses.

         

        Advised multimillion-dollar Irvine, California-based commercial property-focused real estate fund in a broad range of compliance issues, including SEC Office of Compliance Inspections and Examinations audit and successful resolution of alleged deficiencies, government filings, including Form ADV and related issues.

         

        Advised private fund with a focus on multi-family real estate in a broad range of compliance issues, including revising compliance manual, training, and cybersecurity issues, as well as legal analysis and opinion regarding compliance with asset safekeeping obligations.

         

        Formed the real estate opportunity fund for a multibillion-dollar hedge fund, including counseling on a broad range of commercial issues and development of the documentation, including employment agreements, equity-based compensation plans, private placement memorandums, and counseled the fund and drafted the documents for several multimillion-dollar transactions, including joint ventures in India and France and several New York and Florida condominium development projects.

         

        Advised a multibillion-dollar Connecticut-based hedge fund in numerous transactions, including direct lending to several industries, including a plaintiff litigation funding companies.

         

        Advised a multibillion-dollar New York-based private equity fund in the acquisition of a Cayman Islands fund of funds business that included a large allocation to the Madoff funds.

         

        Advised a multibillion-dollar New York-based private equity fund of funds firm in several allocations to private funds.

         

        Advised a multibillion-dollar New York-based private equity fund in the acquisition and financing of a Hellenic solar panel manufacturer.

         

        Advised the venture firm sponsored by the principal owner of a prestigious New York City sports team in several transactions, including the acquisition of several technology and other portfolio companies.

         

        Advised one of the largest European banks in its acquisitions of U.S. investment advisers to significantly increase its U.S. investment management business.

         

        Advised the structuring and launch of funds that invest in precious metal strips and other investments.

         

        Advised the placement agent in the offering of specific real estate projects, including private funds that develop hotel or multi-family projects.

         

        Advised several U.K. funds concerning U.S. securities offerings and issues.

        Mergers and Acquisitions

        Advised the owners of New York City building supply company with generation sale, including the leveraged financings to fund the retiring partner buyout.

         

        Advised the owners of Tekserve (New York City’s first Apple retailer) in the sale of its businesses, including a technology solutions company, to a New York-based technology firm.

         

        Advised a prominent New York City sports team in the secondary sale of the minority equity interests in a regional sports network and the formation of a strategic alliance with the purchaser of such interests, an international broadcast company.

         

        Advised a prominent New York City sports team in the acquisition of a minor league (AAA) baseball team in Syracuse, New York, including agreements regarding the renovation and lease of the stadium, minor league baseball consents, and resolution of unique escheat issues.

         

        Advised a prominent Puerto Rico bank in the sale of its real estate loan portfolio to a multibillion-dollar hedge fund.

         

        Advised the executives of a prominent Puerto Rico bank in their transition of the real estate loan division to the New York City office of an Arkansas bank.

         

        Advised a Canadian law firm as local counsel, on behalf of their client, in connection with the purchase of a private school, including analysis of regulatory issues and compensation arrangements under New York law.

         

        Advised the officers and directors of a NYSE-listed real estate investment trust in a transaction that spun off certain assets that were excluded in the multibillion-dollar merger of two NYSE-listed REITs.

         

        Advised a prominent New York City-based national real estate brokerage firm in its sale of 50% of its equity to a British public company in a transaction that formed a global joint venture providing real estate brokerage and capital markets services.

         

        Advised a large private vitamin manufacturer in a multimillion-dollar reverse triangular merger with a publicly traded manufacturer and distributor of vitamins and health products.

         

        Advised a private financial information services firm to one of the world's largest information companies.

        Corporate Transactions

        Advised a global blockchain developer in its financing and structuring under U.S. securities laws.

         

        Advised a Taiwan-based blockchain developer and cryptocurrency company with respect to U.S. securities laws.

         

        Advised prominent New York City sports team in the removal and construction of a multimillion-dollar scoreboard.

         

        Advised prominent New York City sports team in the agreement and warranty claims for its multimillion-dollar scoreboard to be installed in its newly constructed sports stadium.

         

        Advised the leading manufacturer of U.S. defense small arms in its leveraged recapitalization through equity and debt financing by a prominent New York private equity fund.

         

        Advised a bank holding company in the formation of a New York-based commercial bank and represented the bank in numerous regulatory matters, including New York State Banking Commission issues and OCC.

         

        Advised a commercial bank in its application for a commercial license before the New York State Banking Department (now NY Department of Financial Services).

         

        Advised a title abstract agent in the formation of joint ventures that comply with New York and New Jersey anti-commission rules, including the formation of the first such joint venture in New Jersey.

         

        Advised a San Francisco-based solar energy firm in financing transactions, including Section 1603 Program (Payments for Specified Energy Property in Lieu of Tax Credits).

         

        Advised a New Jersey solar farm developer in its financing transactions, including advice regarding the New Jersey SREC program.

         

        Advised a commercial owner with significant load regarding the financing and installation of a solar farm, including structuring so that the solar farm could be financed without mortgagee consent.

         

        Advised a national bank in the sale of its real estate property finance department Doral Property Finance Group, including a portfolio of real estate-focused loans, to a multibillion-dollar REIT.

         

        Advised one of oldest German private banks in U.S. broker-dealer issues.

         

        Advised a venture financing fund in its investment in an early stage fruit juice company.

         

        Advised a company that sponsored IRC 1031 eligible Delaware Statutory Trusts that invested in triple net leased properties, providing investors with the tax benefit of a 1031 property exchange with the liquidity of a security.

         

        Advised a nutritional ingredient firm in its license of a food ingredient that boosts immune systems to a consortium of 18 medical schools.

         

        Advised a prominent real estate private equity firm in a precedent-setting and favorable settlement with the Securities and Exchange Commission related to the use of a finder in raising capital and the application of broker-dealer registration requirements.

         

        Advised a startup specialty lending company in loans that were collateralized by artwork, including producing form documentation and discussions concerning credit policy and procedures.

         

        Advised a fintech company in the creation of a market for the purchase and sale of electricity through an insurance-backed settlement process.

         

        Advised a leading executive office suite company in the world in its Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings, including DIP financing and successfully restructuring the company.

         

        Advised the subsidiary of a NYSE real estate investment company in connection with the spinoff of its student housing business and multimillion-dollar initial public offering by its affiliate.

         

        Advised a NYSE-listed real estate investment company in the formation of a subsidiary to engage in the flexible office suite business and in several acquisitions (roll-ups) and a merger that grew the business from six executive office centers to one of the largest flexible executive office suite companies in the world.

         

        Advised a NYSE-listed real estate investment company in the alliance with a telecommunications company to provide building-centric telecommunications systems to premier properties.

         

        Advised a non-profit affordable housing and community revitalization finance company in the modification of its financing with a global commercial bank that is structured as a repurchase facility.

         

        Advised a prominent New York City-based real estate lending division of a national bank in structuring and financing real estate portfolios through repurchase and other sophisticated structures.

         

        Advised a leading New York City garment company in a joint venture with a top designer.

         

        Advised other New York City garment companies with financing, licensing, and joint ventures.

         

        Advised an event producer in the ship charter of one of the largest private event yachts in the Northeast and in the contracts for its talent, including hip-hop artists.

      • Community and Bar Service

        Seminars

        Active in various charities, including being a board member and officer of Creative Arts Workshops for Kids d/b/a Creative Art, a NYC charity that empowers people through art.

         

        Led numerous seminars for the Investment Management Due Diligence Association on a variety of topics for investors and managers of private funds and hedge funds.

         

        Led numerous continuing legal education programs on corporate, securities, and investment management issues.

       

      WILSON WILLIAMS LLC

      NEW YORK

      43 West 43rd Street
      Suite 130
      New York, NY 10036-7424

       

      Contact Us

      tel: +1-212-859-5087

      Info@WilsonWilliams.com

      © 2022

      Privacy Policy
        ×
        Privacy Policy
        DISCLAIMER
         
        Wilson William is pleased to offer this website to clients, lawyers, law students and the public for general information purposes only. This website is not intended for nor is it to be used as a substitute for legal advice. You should not rely on this website as a source of legal advice. In addition, please see the Terms and Conditions of Use set forth below.
        
        This website is neither a solicitation nor an offer to represent you. The information provided to you at this website is not intended to create and does not create an attorney-client relationship with our law firm or with any lawyer at the firm. Your sending the firm or any of its personnel an email through this site does not create an attorney-client relationship with the firm. Although we welcome contacts by telephone, electronic mail or other methods, we will not have an attorney-client relationship with you until and unless you and we conclude a formal agreement of engagement. If this website fails to comply with the laws or ethical rules of your jurisdiction, please do not consider this as a solicitation or as any indication that the firm wishes or is available to represent you.
        
        Please be advised that information conveyed over the Internet may not be secure. We ask that you not convey any confidential information to us because we will not be bound to treat such information as privileged or confidential until and unless we have an attorney-client relationship with you.
        
        Our firm maintains offices in the locations listed in this site and does not intend or purport to practice law in any other jurisdiction, although individual lawyers may be licensed, admitted, or authorized to practice in other jurisdictions. Lawyers identified on the website are admitted to practice law only in the jurisdictions indicated in their biographies.
        
        You may inquire about legal representation by writing, calling or contacting the appropriate person at our law firm.
        
        Terms and Conditions of Use
        
        By using this website, you are bound by this Legal Notice.
        
        The contents of this website are provided “as is.” Neither the firm nor any of its affiliates, partners or employees, makes any representations, express or implied, with respect to the timeliness, accuracy or completeness of any of the contents of this website, and expressly disclaim any liability or warranties, express or implied, including, without limitation, any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose or non-infringement. The firm expressly disclaims any liability for any action, or failure to take action, in reliance on any of the contents of the website. Your sole remedy for any dissatisfaction with any of its contents is to refrain from using the website.
        
        Unless otherwise identified, this website and all of its contents are protected by the trademark, copyright and other intellectual property laws of the United States and other jurisdictions.
        
        You may view, download and print a copy of any part of the website for your own informational purposes but, under no circumstance, may you reproduce, resell, modify, distribute, transmit or display for commercial advantage any of its contents, or include any part of this website in another work, without the express written permission of the firm. To obtain permission to use the contents of this website other than as granted by the foregoing limited license, please contact admin@wilsonwilliams.com.
        
        These terms and conditions are governed by and are to be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without regard to its principles of conflicts of laws.
        
        Privacy
        
        Your privacy
        
        Wilson William LLC is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy discloses how we collect, protect, use, and share information gathered about you on our website.
        
        Collection and use of information
        
        Personal information. You can use our website without divulging any personal information. We collect personal information about you if you complete forms on our website or otherwise provide it to us. We use this information to process your request and we may also use it to keep you informed about other publications, events and services of our firm that we believe may be of interest to you. We may include the information you provide to our databases, subscriber lists, and/or contact lists. We maintain this information in our firm’s password-protected contacts database.
        
        Through the website, you also are able to send emails to firm personnel regarding employment or other matters. Such emails contain your email address and such other personal information as you may provide. We retain this information, which we may use to respond to your inquiry.
        
        We do not sell or otherwise disclose to third parties any personal information that you provide through this website except as may be required by law or in response to an investigation by law enforcement or other government authorities.
        
        Updates to your information
        
        You may request details of the information we hold about you, and change or delete any of that information, by sending an email to admin@wilsonwilliams.com. You may also send us an email to unsubscribe or to opt out of receiving any information from us.
        
        Reorganization of business
        
        If we reorganize or transfer our business, we may transfer your personal information to the reorganized or new business.
        
        Updates to this policy
        
        The effective date of our most recent privacy policy is indicated at the top of this page. We may change this privacy policy from time to time by updating this page. By using our website or sending us any personal information after the indicated effective date, you signify your agreement with this policy and you will be deemed to be bound to the policy in effect as of the date of such use.
        
        Consent
        
        By providing personal information to us through our website or by contacting us via e-mail or any other method, you consent to our use of it as set out in this privacy policy.
        
        Contact Information
        
        You may contact us with any questions in connection with this privacy policy by sending an email to admin@wilsonwilliams.com
        
        
        Cookie Use
        We use cookies to ensure a smooth browsing experience. By continuing we assume you accept the use of cookies.
        Learn More