Overview

George is a trusted advisor to businesses on a broad spectrum of legal issues drawing from his experience as both a lawyer and a businessman. Known for his insight and strategic approach, George has a strong understanding of C-Suite challenges after serving many years on a regional senior leadership team.

George has provided trusted advice in the areas of corporate law and governance, enterprise risk management, government relations, supply chain disputes and disruptions, compliance, IP strategy and economic development. George has also dedicated a significant portion of his career on mergers and acquisitions, complex commercial transactions, and high stakes commercial litigation.

Bringing over 31 years of legal experience to Michael Best, George has a strong knowledge of the manufacturing and automotive industries. Prior to joining the firm, he spent over 26 years as in house counsel, including 22 years at Continental Automotive. There, he led a global team of nearly 100 professionals and served as general counsel for the Americas for over 15 years. In addition to leading the global legal expert teams in digitalization, product liability and integrity, and automotive OE relations, George was responsible for the region’s compliance, government relations, and corporate security functions.

Experience

  • Led negotiations on $1.7 billion acquisition of Veyance, a rubber products company
  • Significant contributor in Euro11.4 billion acquisition of Siemens automotive business including integrating several functions into the business
  • Led negotiations for $1 billion acquisition of Motorola’s automotive business
  • Lead for landmark litigation in a Standard Essential Patent litigation regarding wireless communications
  • Multiple successful arbitrations with awards in the two-digit millions
  • Successfully defended the company to a defense verdict from a minority shareholder lawsuit claiming $236 million in damages
  • Successfully settled a lawsuit with a customer that resulted in avoiding what could have been Material Implications for the company
  • Key contributor on negotiating team for the establishment of new tire plants in South Carolina and Mississippi

Honors & Recognitions

  • Named by the Charlotte Business Journal as Outstanding Corporate Counsel for Law Departments with over 30 lawyers

Education

Bar Admissions

Community Involvement

  • Executive Leadership Team, Charlotte Walk to End Alzheimer’s, 2023 - Present.
  • Alumni Advisory Board, University of South Carolina School of Law, 2018 - Present
  • Board of Directors, University of South Carolina Folks Center (International Business), 2017 - Present
  • Former Board Member, Make a Wish Western/Central North Carolina, 2017- 2023
  • Former Board Member, Community in Schools – Charlotte-Mecklenburg County, 2016 -2022
  • Former Board Member, South Carolina Chamber of Commerce, 2015 - 2019
  • Former Board Member, Children’s Theatre of Charlotte, 2012 - 2016

Insights

Education

Bar Admissions

Community Involvement

  • Executive Leadership Team, Charlotte Walk to End Alzheimer’s, 2023 - Present.
  • Alumni Advisory Board, University of South Carolina School of Law, 2018 - Present
  • Board of Directors, University of South Carolina Folks Center (International Business), 2017 - Present
  • Former Board Member, Make a Wish Western/Central North Carolina, 2017- 2023
  • Former Board Member, Community in Schools – Charlotte-Mecklenburg County, 2016 -2022
  • Former Board Member, South Carolina Chamber of Commerce, 2015 - 2019
  • Former Board Member, Children’s Theatre of Charlotte, 2012 - 2016
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