Alexander M. Bowling

Alex Bowling brings a client-first approach to helping businesses raise capital, comply with regulatory requirements and execute strategic deals. As co-leader of the firm’s Pubic Companies practice, he advises public and private companies navigating complex securities, governance and transactional matters.

Clients turn to Alex for clear, actionable guidance on SEC reporting, public offerings, private placements and corporate governance. He has also led transactions involving mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures and restructurings across industries including financial services, technology, life sciences and manufacturing.

Alex has deep experience assisting clients as they navigate public ownership reporting under Sections 13 and 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. He regularly advises public companies, officers, directors and significant stockholders on beneficial ownership disclosures, including Schedule 13D/G and Forms 3, 4 and 5. His work includes designing compliance programs, managing filing obligations and navigating SEC enforcement risks related to ownership reporting.

Recognized by Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® and North Carolina Super Lawyers, Alex combines technical skill with a practical mindset to help clients achieve their business goals efficiently and effectively.

Alex is a lifelong Tar Heel, earning three degrees from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Before joining Smith Anderson, he taught high school in Raleigh. Outside of work, Alex enjoys spending time with his family and lovable Schnoodle named Rosie and cheering on his Heels in whatever sport is in season.

Recognition

• North Carolina Super Lawyers, Rising Star (2019, 2021-2023)
• Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch^® in America
  
  • Mergers and Acquisitions Law (2021-2024)
  • Securities/Capital Markets Law (2021-2024)
  • Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law (2022-2024)
  • Securities Regulation (2023-2024)
• North Carolina Issue Editor and Staff Member, North Carolina Law Review, 2011-2013

Education

• University of North Carolina School of Law, J.D., with high honors, 2013
  • The Order of the Coif
  • Dean’s List
  • Gressman-Pollitt Award for Excellence in Oral Advocacy
• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, M.A.T., 2006
• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, B.A., History, with distinction, 2005
  • Phi Beta Kappa
  • Golden Key International Honour Society

Bar & Court Admissions

• North Carolina Bar Association

• Represented a Nasdaq-listed bank holding company in its assumption of all customer deposits and certain other liabilities, and acquisition of substantially all loans and certain other assets, of a bridge bank, as successor to the failed bank subsidiary of a Nasdaq-listed bank holding company, from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, as receiver for the bridge bank.
• Represented a Nasdaq-listed bank holding company in a public offering of subordinated notes for aggregate proceeds of $350 million.
• Represented a Nasdaq-listed bank holding company in a public offering of depositary shares representing interests in preferred stock for aggregate proceeds of $345 million.
• Advised a global semiconductor company on the sale of its radio frequency (RF) product line for $75 million in cash plus stock valued at approximately $60 million.  
• Advised a private equity fund in its acquisition of a contract research organization focused on the ophthalmology industry for an undisclosed amount.
• Represented a North Carolina bank and its parent on an approximately $220 million merger with another bank, which offered a higher price than the bank’s existing merger agreement with another company.
• Advised a U.S. clinical research organization on the purchase of all of the equity of a specialty UK-based clinical research organization.
• Advised a contract research organization in a definitive agreement to acquire a specialized contract research organization for the biotechnology industry.
• Advised a private equity fund and its contract research solutions portfolio company in their acquisition of a statistical programming, consulting, and data management company.
• Advised a private equity fund in its acquisition of a leading provider of staffing resources to the biotechnology, pharmaceutical and medical device companies for clinical trial needs.
• Advised a leading provider of patient affordability, access, adherence, and support services in a definitive agreement to acquire a provider of mobile-based medication management and adherence solutions for the life sciences sector.
• Represented a leading genome editing company dedicated to improving life in its $145.4 million initial public offering of 9,085,000 shares of common stock at a public offering price of $16.00 per share.
• Advised a semiconductor and global solid state LED lighting manufacturing company in an agreement to purchase the assets of the radio frequency (RF) power business of a publicly traded semiconductor company for $345 million in cash.
• Advised a semiconductor and LED company on the divestiture of its lighting products business unit for an initial cash payment of $225 million plus the potential to receive an earn-out payment based on the business’s post-closing performance.
• Advised a publicly traded financial institution and its wholly owned subsidiary in reaching an agreement to be acquired by another publicly owned financial institution in a transaction valued at approximately $124 million.
• Represented a global solid state LED lighting and semiconductor manufacturing company in connection with its announced agreement for its $850 million sale of assets to a publicly traded German semiconductor company. The transaction was terminated before completion due to regulatory considerations.
• Represented first North Carolina company to launch a Title III Regulation Crowdfunding offering.
• Represented a real estate micro-lending crowdfunding platform in qualification with the SEC and NASAA of Regulation A offering.
• Represented a leading private company provider of pharmaceutical product access support services in its acquisition by a private equity fund in a $206 million reverse triangular merger.
• Advises NYSE- and Nasdaq-listed public companies in various industries with respect to public disclosure and securities law compliance matters, NYSE and Nasdaq listing requirements, corporate governance, and general corporate matters.
• Represented Nasdaq-listed pharmaceutical company in connection with an acquisition of a drug product license.
• Represented Nasdaq-listed medical device company in connection with a public equity line financing.
• Represented a global solid state LED lighting and semiconductor manufacturing company in a Hong Kong joint venture to sell mid-power lighting class LED packaged products.
• Represented a national venture capital fund in multiple early stage investments in technology and life science portfolio companies.
• Advised provider of software and services for repossession management and remarketing in acquisition by a private equity group.
• Advised angel fund in multiple early stage preferred stock financings.
• Advised publicly traded financial institution in connection with subscription rights offering and concurrent private placement standby offering.
• Advised publicly traded financial institution in connection with a private subordinated promissory note refinancing transaction.
• Advised an emerging biotechnology company developing CRISPR-Cas3-engineered precision antibacterial products in its acquisition of substantially all of the assets of a biotechnology company, including its high-throughput bacteriophage (“phage”) discovery platform.
• Represented a NYSE-listed semiconductor manufacturing company in connection with establishing an at-the-market equity program for the offering and sale of up to $200 million of common stock.
• Represented a Nasdaq-listed bank holding company in multiple capital markets transactions, including public offerings of senior notes, subordinated notes, and preferred stock, for aggregate proceeds exceeding $2 billion.