
W. Dennis Summers
Partner Atlanta, Georgia
W. Dennis “Denny” Summers is a member of Taylor English’s Corporate Department. Mr. Summers advises clients in business transitions involving employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs), mergers and acquisitions and corporate and general business law matters. He has broad experience in a variety of industries, with an emphasis on service industries, health care, technology, staffing and construction. Mr. Summers has represented clients involved in virtually every aspect of ESOP transactions, including corporate sponsors, trustees, shareholders, and buyers and sellers of ESOP companies. He advises businesses at all stages of their development, from formation, through acquisitions, divestitures, succession planning and liquidity events, such as sales to strategic and private equity buyers. Mr. Summers counsels middle-market and closely held companies with regard to their financing needs, corporate governance, shareholder disputes and exit strategies.
Prior to joining Taylor English, Mr. Summers was a partner in the Atlanta office of a national law firm for 11 years. Prior to 1999, he practiced law with various law firms, including nearly 20 years in his own firm. Before entering private practice, Mr. Summers served as a law clerk to Judge James C. Hill, U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit, and as staff counsel to the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities (the Watergate Committee).
Affiliations
- Glass Systems Inc., Board of Advisors, 2013-present
- Orthalliance Inc., Board of Directors, 1997-2001, Chairman, 1999-2001
- Shepherd Center, Board of Advisors, 2009-present
- State Bar of Georgia
Recognitions
- Martindale-Hubbell AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated
- Georgia Super Lawyer, 2004-2005
Practice Areas
- Corporate & Business
- Emerging Companies
- Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation
- ESOP Transactions
- Health Care
- Mergers & Acquisitions
- Staffing
- Tax
Education
- The University of Georgia School of Law, JD, 1973
- The University of Georgia, BBA, 1970
Bar Admissions
- Georgia
Courts
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia