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Emma C. Bauknight

Emma C. Bauknight

Senior Associate

Meridian
1320 Main Street
17th Floor
Columbia, SC 29201
emma.bauknight@nelsonmullins.com

Emma focuses her practice on buy-side and sell-side mergers and acquisitions, with particular emphasis on middle-market transactions. She regularly represents strategic buyers and private equity-backed clients in complex acquisition matters, guiding clients through all phases of the transaction process.

Emma also advises family-owned and closely held businesses in sell-side transactions, including assisting local business owners...

Emma focuses her practice on buy-side and sell-side mergers and acquisitions, with particular emphasis on middle-market transactions. She regularly represents strategic buyers and private equity-backed clients in complex acquisition matters, guiding clients through all phases of the transaction process.

Emma also advises family-owned and closely held businesses in sell-side transactions, including assisting local business owners with preparing, marketing, and selling their businesses. Her experience in this area allows her to provide practical, business-focused counsel tailored to owners navigating liquidity events and ownership transitions.

In addition to transactional work, Emma advises local mid- to large-sized businesses on a broad range of general corporate matters, including assisting with entity formation, drafting operating agreements, ownership and governance structures, and buy-sell arrangements. Her practice combines sophisticated transactional experience with hands-on counsel to business owners at all stages of growth.

Emma C. Bauknight

with preparing, marketing, and selling their businesses. Her experience in this area allows her to provide practical, business-focused counsel tailored to owners navigating liquidity events and ownership transitions.

In addition to transactional work, Emma advises local mid- to large-sized businesses on a broad range of general corporate matters, including assisting with entity formation, drafting operating agreements, ownership and governance structures, and buy-sell arrangements. Her practice combines sophisticated transactional experience with hands-on counsel to business owners at all stages of growth.

Emma focuses her practice on buy-side and sell-side mergers and acquisitions, with particular emphasis on middle-market transactions. She regularly represents strategic buyers and private equity-backed clients in complex acquisition matters, guiding clients through all phases of the transaction process.

Emma also advises family-owned and closely held businesses in sell-side transactions, including assisting local business owners... with preparing, marketing, and selling their businesses. Her experience in this area allows her to provide practical, business-focused counsel tailored to owners navigating liquidity events and ownership transitions.

In addition to transactional work, Emma advises local mid- to large-sized businesses on a broad range of general corporate matters, including assisting with entity formation, drafting operating agreements, ownership and governance structures, and buy-sell arrangements. Her practice combines sophisticated transactional experience with hands-on counsel to business owners at all stages of growth.

Experience

The following is a selected sampling of matters and is provided for informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in any future matter.

  • Advised on over 50 acquisitions nationwide in the alarm and security industry, including strategic roll-ups and platform expansions
  • Counseled clients on numerous national acquisitions in the technology and software industry
  • Part of team that represented buyer in strategic acquisition of a medical packaging company
  • Guided clients through over 10 national acquisitions in the veterinary industry, supporting consolidation strategies and growth initiatives
  • Part of teams that represented sellers in numerous sales of technology and software companies, including transactions with both strategic and financial buyers
  • Advised on multiple industrial company sales to private equity-backed buyers and strategic acquirers, managing complex diligence and closing processes
  • Part of team that handled the sale of a healthcare company, addressing regulatory and compliance considerations
  • Part of team that managed sale of a civil engineering firm, including negotiation of definitive agreements and transition planning
  • Serve as outside general counsel to various small businesses, providing advice on general corporate governance and compliance, drafting and negotiating buy/sell agreements, and reviewing and negotiating commercial leases

Education

  • Samford University Cumberland School of Law, JD, magna cum laude (2019)
  • University of Alabama School of Law, LLM, Taxation, magna cum laude (2022)
  • Wofford College, BA, Accounting, cum laude (2016)

Admissions

  • South Carolina

Practice Areas

Industries