David Hawkins

David practices primarily in the areas of corporate law, mergers and acquisitions, finance, and taxation, including tax controversies.  He assists clients in structuring joint ventures and advises major developers on real estate tax issues.  He has acted as lead counsel to offshore companies locating operations in South Carolina and acted as special tax counsel in other economic development projects.

David has significant experience in off-shore transactions, including taxation and finance. He has assisted U.S. clients in the structuring and oversight of foreign investments.  Since 2009, he has been actively involved in loan restructuring, work-outs and assisting clients with capitalization problems.  David's special interest is succession planning for family businesses.

David previously served as the firm’s Chief Executive Officer and leader of the corporate practice group. 

He received his J.D. degree, cum laude, from the University of South Carolina and received an L.L.M. degree in taxation from New York University. He also served in the Navy Judge Advocate General's Corps.

Community & Professional

• Charleston Symphony Orchestra - Former President
• Spoleto Festival USA - Board of Directors, Former Member
• South Carolina Bar
• Judicial Conference of the Fourth Circuit

David previously served as the firm’s Chief Executive Officer and leader of the corporate practice group.

• Listed in Best Lawyers in America for Corporate/M&A and Securities Law, Since 2005
• Recognized by Chambers USA as a "Recognized Practitioner" in the area of Corporate/ M&A for 2018
• Martindale-Hubbell "AV" Preeminent Peer Review Rated

Speaking

Panelist, Maynard Nexsen Opportunity Zone Seminar: Venturing into the Land of OZ, May 2019 - Charleston, SC

Writing

Client Alert: 2010 Tax Act Provides Portability to Reduce the Estate Taxes Paid by Couples
The IRS is offering a new way for surviving spouses to reduce their estate tax bill if their spouse passed away after December 31, 2010.

Client Alert: The Taxation Treatment of Employer-Provided Cell Phones
The Internal Revenue Service has issued long-awaited guidance that clarifies the taxation treatment of employer-provided cell phones or other similar telecommunications equipment.

Client Alert: A Low Cost Option to Voluntarily Reclassify Workers
In September, The IRS announced the Voluntary Classification Settlement Program (VCSP), a voluntary initiative allowing taxpayers the opportunity to change the prospective classification of their workers at a low cost. Taxpayers seeking to apply to the VCSP for the fourth quarter of 2011 must act quickly to meet the initial deadlines set by the IRS.

LightSwitch - Intellectual Property Law Bulletin
This edition contains articles related to:

1. Trademark Protection in NC Under State Statutes
2. Using a Trademark in Commerce
3. Damages in Patent Cases, Part 2 of 3

LightSwitch - Intellectual Property Law Bulletin
This edition contains articles related to:

1. The Prioritizing Resources and Organization for Intellectual Property Act (a.k.a. PRO-IP Act)
2. Damages in Patent Cases, Part 1 of 3
3. Non-traditional Trademarks and Servicemarks

Predictable Problems in Selling Your Company
What follows is a concise set of problems and issues that arise in nearly every sale of a business.