Through relationship-and trust-building, with an emphasis on communication, Marc takes a practical approach to getting deals done.
Overview
Marc brings over 20 years' experience providing trusted legal counsel involving high stakes complex commercial transactions and litigation to domestic and international clients, many times helping to bridge cultural divides while negotiating multimillion dollar investments and loan transactions.
Self-described as having an "entrepreneurial spirit," Marc displays extraordinary and wide-ranging intellect with a persistent and even-tempered nature to think outside the box. He is thoughtful and thorough in his communication, and works diligently to handle his clients' business needs.
Marc also specializes in foreign direct investment in the United States with representation of European and Asian-based clients investing in the U.S. Knowledgeable in several areas of the law, Marc effectively counsels clients in work regarding energy transactions, project finance, economic and real estate development.
Marc serves as trusted legal counsel to a group of African American entrepreneurs under contract to acquire and redevelop the Oakland Coliseum in a manner designed to bring economic revitalization with direct community benefit. He also serves as legal counsel to the family of Martin Luther King III and their not-for-profit Drum Major Institute (and its related entities).
He is an experienced business executive, having acted as CEO for one of his international clients managing a multi-million-dollar manufacturing concern. Marc was an elected member of the City of Charleston's City Council for 12 years, chairing the Council's Urban Renewal Committee and serving as a member of the Finance Committee and the Planning Committee. He served as an adjunct professor of business law and ethics in West Virginia University's Executive MBA program for nearly a decade. He currently serves as legal counsel and a non-voting member of the Asian Real Estate Association of America Global board of directors.
Before joining Stinson, Marc served as managing partner of the Florida office for a full-service law firm, in addition to leading their corporate practice group.
Experience
Negotiated and drafted a joint venture related to greenfield development of a new brick-and mortar casino in Bristol, Virginia, pursuant to the state’s new gaming statute.
Led a legal effort to successfully foreclose on an abandoned coal mine due to environmental obligations and redevelop the land for large-scale commercial agriculture purposes.
Represented first lien lenders and affiliates in acquiring coaling mining assets in both Illinois and Indiana following Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings.
Represented a communications provider in securing a combination of federal and state financing and grants, as well as private funding, to develop large-scale fiber optics networks in West Virginia.
Negotiated a forbearance agreement between the client and a West Virginia coal producer to restructure debt the producer owes to the client and on which it had defaulted.
Negotiated and documented the refinancing of a $40 million mortgage-backed debt allowing the borrower to replace expensive combined debt and equity financing with pure, traditional secured debt at a materially reduced interest rate.
Represented the lessee in the negotiation and documentation of leases covering coal-mining equipment to be used in Canada with the financing arm of a major equipment manufacturer in the aggregate amount of $65 million.
Redocumented a $500 million credit facility designed to provide development and operating funds to a leading coal-mine operator in Canada materially improving the terms for the lender.
Represented the statutory committee of unsecured creditors in the bankruptcy of the Timberline Ski Resort with a laser focus on selling the resort to an experienced, well-capitalized operator allowing the reemployment of local workers at the shuttered resort.
Handled sale of a distressed automotive dealership resulting in the payment in full of all first lien secured creditors and the full funding and standard termination of our client’s previously underfunded employee pension plan.
Structured and documented an equity investment in a medical device development company allowing for the further development and commercialization of patented medical technology; also restructured employee and founder compensation.
Provided strategic counsel to a hearing aid conglomerate in selling a 49% interest of its hearing aid distribution business to a major manufacturer of hearing aids based in Europe; transaction resulted in the formation of a joint venture agreement with the European manufacturer and receipt by clients of cash payments in excess of $2 million and the possibility for the client to sell their remaining interest at multiples of the original valuation.
Structured and documented the sale of majority ownership of a closely held family company as part of a complex estate plan.
Represented and served as lead negotiator for the Chinese owner of an industrial manufacturing company in the workout and restructuring of over $25 million in debt.
Negotiated and documented the sale of a Midwestern industrial manufacturing company while avoiding and obtaining indemnification for material but unknown environmental obligations; developed the sale strategy with the head of the family office owner and their general counsel then executed the plan.
Served as purchaser's counsel in the acquisition of oil and gas interests and related royalty streams for hundreds of wells located in Pennsylvania; coordinated all due diligence and drafted all documentation and drove the matter to a closing.
News & Insights
News
Publications
"Almost Heaven: West Virginia Enters the Private Trust Company Fray," Tax Notes State, September 2024
"CTA Ruling Poses Uncertain Future for States With Similar Laws," Bloomberg Law, March 2024
Recognitions
Recognitions
Listed in the 2019-2023 editions of Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business in the area of Corporate/Commercial in West Virginia.
West Virginia Super Lawyers, Business/Corporate, 2021-2022.
Rated "AV Preeminent®" by Martindale-Hubbell.
Professional & Civic Activities
Professional & Civic Activities
American Bar Association
AREAA Global
AREAA Greater Tampa Bay, Founding Board Member
Practices & Industries
Admissions
- Florida
- New York
- West Virginia
- Washington
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida
- U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida
- U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida
- U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of West Virginia
- U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of West Virginia
Education
University of Maine, J.D., cum laude, 1999
New York University, M.A., 1995
Union College, B.A., 1993