Press Releases
Hollingsworth to Lead Nelson Mullins' Atlanta Office
ATLANTA (Feb. 7, 2011) – Michael E. Hollingsworth II, a well-known corporate attorney with strong ties in the Atlanta business community, has been named managing partner of Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP's Atlanta office. While maintaining his full-time transactional practice, he will oversee 92 attorneys and a support staff of 80 at the Atlantic Station-based firm. Hollingsworth replaces Kenneth L. Millwood, who is retiring, and assumes the role effective immediately. He is only the second managing partner in the 19-year history of the firm's Atlanta office, which is currently the second largest in the firm's 12-office, East Coast platform. At age 40, Hollingsworth assumes the role as one of the youngest managing partners leading large law firms in metro Atlanta. Nelson Mullins' Atlanta office currently ranks as the 14th largest law firm in the city and is known for its corporate, litigation, financial institutions (including community banks), healthcare and intellectual property practices. While focusing on growing the revenue of the Atlanta office in all areas, Hollingsworth will remain dedicated to M&A and private equity in his personal practice.
"I look forward to this opportunity and continuing Ken's work to grow the firm in Atlanta to better serve our clients in the region and nationally," Hollingsworth said. "In 2011, my top goals will be further lateral attorney growth in key areas, expanding existing client relationships and enhancing our brand in the market – I truly believe that we offer superior value to clients and have flown under the radar a bit in Atlanta. These goals are specifically designed to continue to attract the most energetic and entrepreneurial lateral partners and young attorneys, as well as new and visionary anchor clients for the firm."
Hollingsworth joined the firm from another Atlanta-based large firm in November 2006 and, as co-chair of the firm's Mergers & Acquisitions Group, has been responsible for significant growth in the firm's corporate department. His practice focuses on middle-market corporate transactions, including mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, and joint ventures. Hollingsworth also represents a variety of private equity and hedge funds relative to their formation and investments.
In 2005, he founded the Southeastern M&A Forum, which brings together investment bankers, private equity groups, lenders, accountants, and deal lawyers for a cutting edge mergers and acquisitions conference annually.
He is an active member of the American Bar Association's M&A Committee, the Association for Corporate Growth and the Atlanta Venture Forum. Chambers & Partners lists him as a leader in Corporate/M&A and in 2011, Law Business Research recognized Hollingsworth in The International Who's Who of Mergers & Acquisitions Lawyers 2011 and The International Who's Who of Business Lawyers 2011 for his exceptional performance.
Established in 1897, Nelson Mullins has more than 400 attorneys and government relations professionals practicing from 12 office locations in the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Massachusetts, North Carolina, South Carolina, and West Virginia. For more information on the Firm, go to www.nelsonmullins.com or call 803.255.9794.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo of Mr. Hollingsworth
