Skip to Main Content
John Willis

John Willis

Partner

125 Plantation Centre Drive, South
Building 900, Suite B
Macon, GA 31210
T 478.387.0807
john.willis@nelsonmullins.com
Send Email to John Willis Download vCard for John Willis Download PDF View Headshot

John, a former financial institution senior vice president and corporate counsel, has extensive experience in mergers and acquisitions, asset purchases and sales, corporate governance, third party risk management, loan portfolio sales, securities, and regulatory compliance. He served as senior vice president and senior counsel for State Bank and Trust Company as it successfully expanded over...

John, a former financial institution senior vice president and corporate counsel, has extensive experience in mergers and acquisitions, asset purchases and sales, corporate governance, third party risk management, loan portfolio sales, securities, and regulatory compliance. He served as senior vice president and senior counsel for State Bank and Trust Company as it successfully expanded over several years from a $2.6 billion asset institution to a $5 billion asset institution, culminating in its merger with Cadence Bank, N.A.

John Willis

several years from a $2.6 billion asset institution to a $5 billion asset institution, culminating in its merger with Cadence Bank, N.A.

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.

Previous Professional Experience

  • Cadence Bank, N.A., Senior Vice President, Senior Corporate Counsel (2019)
  • State Bank and Trust Company
    • Senior Vice President, Senior Counsel II (2013–2018)
    • Assistant Secretary, State Bank Financial Corporation (2013–2018)
    • Vice President, Senior Counsel (2010–2013)

Representative Matters

  • Loan Portfolio Sale. Served as lead inside counsel and drafted definitive agreements for the sale of $120 million loan portfolio to a financial institution
  • Asset Purchases and Sales. Assisted with the negotiation of terms and drafting of definitive agreements for the asset purchases of payroll company, insurance broker, and equipment finance company. Served as lead counsel for the sale of the assets of a mortgage division and equipment finance division 
  • Holding Company Credit Facility. Served as lead inside counsel and worked in coordination with outside counsel with regard to the negotiation and closing of $100 million bank holding company credit facility 
  • FDIC Assisted Transactions. Assisted with the purchase and assumption of 12 failed financial institutions from the FDIC as Receiver  
  • Loan Portfolio Purchase. Assisted with the negotiation of a loan portfolio purchase of a failed financial institution from the FDIC as Receiver
  • Worked in coordination with outside counsel in the negotiation and preparation of definitive agreements and regulatory applications for the mergers of Atlanta Bancorporation, Georgia-Carolina Bancshares, The National Bank of Georgia, and S Bancshares with and into State Bank Financial Corporation    
  • Served as lead inside counsel and worked in coordination with outside counsel with the negotiation and preparation of definitive agreements for the merger of State Bank Financial Corporation with and into Cadence Bancorporation  
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.

Previous Professional Experience

  • Cadence Bank, N.A., Senior Vice President, Senior Corporate Counsel (2019)
  • State Bank and Trust Company
    • Senior Vice President, Senior Counsel II (2013–2018)
    • Assistant Secretary, State Bank Financial Corporation (2013–2018)
    • Vice President, Senior Counsel (2010–2013)

Representative Matters

  • Loan Portfolio Sale. Served as lead inside counsel and drafted definitive agreements for the sale of $120 million loan portfolio to a financial institution
  • Asset Purchases and Sales. Assisted with the negotiation of terms and drafting of definitive agreements for the asset purchases of payroll company, insurance broker, and equipment finance company. Served as lead counsel for the sale of the assets of a mortgage division and equipment finance division 
  • Holding Company Credit Facility. Served as lead inside counsel and worked in coordination with outside counsel with regard to the negotiation and closing of $100 million bank holding company credit facility 
  • FDIC Assisted Transactions. Assisted with the purchase and assumption of 12 failed financial institutions from the FDIC as Receiver  
  • Loan Portfolio Purchase. Assisted with the negotiation of a loan portfolio purchase of a failed financial institution from the FDIC as Receiver
  • Worked in coordination with outside counsel in the negotiation and preparation of definitive agreements and regulatory applications for the mergers of Atlanta Bancorporation, Georgia-Carolina Bancshares, The National Bank of Georgia, and S Bancshares with and into State Bank Financial Corporation    
  • Served as lead inside counsel and worked in coordination with outside counsel with the negotiation and preparation of definitive agreements for the merger of State Bank Financial Corporation with and into Cadence Bancorporation  

Media

Visit Insights

Recognitions

The bar rules of some states require that the standards for an attorney's inclusion in certain public accolades or recognitions be provided. When such accolades or recognitions are listed, a hyperlink is provided that leads to a description of the respective selection methodology.

John, a former financial institution senior vice president and corporate counsel, has extensive experience in mergers and acquisitions, asset purchases and sales, corporate governance, third party risk management, loan portfolio sales, securities, and regulatory compliance. He served as senior vice president and senior counsel for State Bank and Trust Company as it successfully expanded over... several years from a $2.6 billion asset institution to a $5 billion asset institution, culminating in its merger with Cadence Bank, N.A.

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.

Previous Professional Experience

  • Cadence Bank, N.A., Senior Vice President, Senior Corporate Counsel (2019)
  • State Bank and Trust Company
    • Senior Vice President, Senior Counsel II (2013–2018)
    • Assistant Secretary, State Bank Financial Corporation (2013–2018)
    • Vice President, Senior Counsel (2010–2013)

Representative Matters

  • Loan Portfolio Sale. Served as lead inside counsel and drafted definitive agreements for the sale of $120 million loan portfolio to a financial institution
  • Asset Purchases and Sales. Assisted with the negotiation of terms and drafting of definitive agreements for the asset purchases of payroll company, insurance broker, and equipment finance company. Served as lead counsel for the sale of the assets of a mortgage division and equipment finance division 
  • Holding Company Credit Facility. Served as lead inside counsel and worked in coordination with outside counsel with regard to the negotiation and closing of $100 million bank holding company credit facility 
  • FDIC Assisted Transactions. Assisted with the purchase and assumption of 12 failed financial institutions from the FDIC as Receiver  
  • Loan Portfolio Purchase. Assisted with the negotiation of a loan portfolio purchase of a failed financial institution from the FDIC as Receiver
  • Worked in coordination with outside counsel in the negotiation and preparation of definitive agreements and regulatory applications for the mergers of Atlanta Bancorporation, Georgia-Carolina Bancshares, The National Bank of Georgia, and S Bancshares with and into State Bank Financial Corporation    
  • Served as lead inside counsel and worked in coordination with outside counsel with the negotiation and preparation of definitive agreements for the merger of State Bank Financial Corporation with and into Cadence Bancorporation  

Education

  • Mercer University School of Law, JD, cum laude (2006)
  • Auburn University, BS, Business Administration, Finance, magna cum laude (2003)

Admissions

  • Georgia

Practice Areas

Industries

The bar rules of some states require that the standards for an attorney's inclusion in certain public accolades or recognitions be provided. When such accolades or recognitions are listed, a hyperlink is provided that leads to a description of the respective selection methodology.