RONALD D. BROWN, Founder

Ronald Brown is a seasoned transaction attorney whose work and career have spanned the globe. Ron’s transaction experience includes joint ventures, acquisitions and dispositions, equity and debt capital funding and other corporate transactions. His experience also includes multi-sector asset and project finance transactions and real estate experience involving property acquisition transactions, real estate development and real estate finance. Ron’s corporate and finance transaction experience spans a variety of sectors, including energy, financial services, manufacturing, and transportation and his experience includes transactions across the globe, including U.S., European, Asian and African transactions.

Having lived and worked in more than ten different African countries during his career, he has gained a reputation as a go-to expert when it comes to financing power projects, aircraft, shipping assets and equipment in the U.S. and Africa, with experience that includes representing business entities, banks, airlines, lessors, project developers and African governments.

Ron’s African business experience includes launching an African based manufacturing company. As a principal in that company, Ron was involved in all aspects of creating a startup business, including formulating a business plan and strategy, raising capital, recruiting management, hiring and training employees, managing staff and designing and implementing manufacturing processes.

Ron began his career at Winthrop, Stimson, Putnam & Roberts and gained additional experience with Mudge Rose Guthrie Alexander & Ferdon and LeBoeuf, Lamb, Greene & MacRae. In addition to large Wall Street law firm experience, he has a wealth of knowledge gained from his experiences in law and business on the African continent.

Ronald Brown is a graduate of Harvard College (AB), the New York University School of Law (JD) and the New York University Graduate School of Business (MBA).

RONALD D. BROWN, Founder

Ronald Brown is a seasoned transaction attorney whose work and career have spanned the globe. Ron’s transaction experience includes joint ventures, acquisitions and dispositions, equity and debt capital funding and other corporate transactions. His experience also includes multi-sector asset and project finance transactions and real estate experience involving property acquisition transactions, real estate development and real estate finance. Ron’s corporate and finance transaction experience spans a variety of sectors, including energy, financial services, manufacturing, and transportation and his experience includes transactions across the globe, including U.S., European, Asian and African transactions.

Having lived and worked in more than ten different African countries during his career, he has gained a reputation as a go-to expert when it comes to financing power projects, aircraft, shipping assets and equipment in the U.S. and Africa, with experience that includes representing business entities, banks, airlines, lessors, project developers and African governments.

Ron’s African business experience includes launching an African based manufacturing company. As a principal in that company, Ron was involved in all aspects of creating a startup business, including formulating a business plan and strategy, raising capital, recruiting management, hiring and training employees, managing staff and designing and implementing manufacturing processes.

Ron began his career at Winthrop, Stimson, Putnam & Roberts and gained additional experience with Mudge Rose Guthrie Alexander & Ferdon and LeBoeuf, Lamb, Greene & MacRae. In addition to large Wall Street law firm experience, he has a wealth of knowledge gained from his experiences in law and business on the African continent.

Ronald Brown is a graduate of Harvard College (AB), the New York University School of Law (JD) and the New York University Graduate School of Business (MBA).

MICHAEL HATCHETT, Founder

Michael Hatchett’s 25-year career has placed him at the center of some of the country’s most significant legal matters. He has been engaged in many high-profile matters, including mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance, public finance, cross-border transactions, international restructurings, intellectual property, entrepreneurial startups, real estate development and emerging market transactions. He concentrates his practice on counseling principals of middle market businesses in every aspect of their transactions, including: finance, expansion, disposition and structuring. His industry focus includes real estate, finance and food and beverage.

Michael began his career with Sullivan & Cromwell LLP. In 1995 he was selected by the Clinton Administration as one of fourteen White House Fellows.  As a White House Fellow, Michael advised the Comptroller of the Currency on significant legal issues including financial service deregulation, digital cash systems, internet commerce and risk management.  From 2001-2009, Michael was co-managing partner of a private equity partnership which invested in real estate and manufacturing companies in second and tertiary markets.  As the co-managing partner, Michael was the lead principal responsible for structuring every deal the partnership completed; including negotiating debt and equity stacks, return waterfalls and joint venture agreements.

Michael graduated magma cum laude from Wabash College where he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa and was a Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar at Columbia University Law School where he was awarded his JD.

MICHAEL HATCHETT, Founder

Michael Hatchett’s 25-year career has placed him at the center of some of the country’s most significant legal matters. He has been engaged in many high-profile matters, including mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance, public finance, cross-border transactions, international restructurings, intellectual property, entrepreneurial startups, real estate development and emerging market transactions. He concentrates his practice on counseling principals of middle market businesses in every aspect of their transactions, including: finance, expansion, disposition and structuring. His industry focus includes real estate, finance and food and beverage.

Michael began his career with Sullivan & Cromwell LLP. In 1995 he was selected by the Clinton Administration as one of fourteen White House Fellows.  As a White House Fellow, Michael advised the Comptroller of the Currency on significant legal issues including financial service deregulation, digital cash systems, internet commerce and risk management.  From 2001-2009, Michael was co-managing partner of a private equity partnership which invested in real estate and manufacturing companies in second and tertiary markets.  As the co-managing partner, Michael was the lead principal responsible for structuring every deal the partnership completed; including negotiating debt and equity stacks, return waterfalls and joint venture agreements.

Michael graduated magma cum laude from Wabash College where he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa and was a Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar at Columbia University Law School where he was awarded his JD.

PAUL T. WILLIAMS, Jr., Founder

Paul Williams’ diversified experience brings valuable insights to clients having matters at the intersections of law, finance and government. With a concentration of his work in real estate, public/private partnerships and Opportunity Zone Fund projects, Paul also provides strategic advice to clients regarding New York State economic development and diversity and inclusion programs.

Previously, Paul was chief legislative counsel to the New York State Assembly Banks Committee, co-founder of Wood, Williams, Rafalsky & Harris, a prominent minority-owned bond counsel and corporate law firm, a partner in the international law firm of Bryan Cave, LLP and an officer and investor in a boutique Wall Street investment bank. In addition, throughout his career, Paul has been a thought leader, promoting greater diversity and inclusion in business.

Paul was the first African American to be named as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY). Appointed first by Gov. David A. Paterson, Paul was re-appointed in 2010 by Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo. In this position, Paul successfully marketed bond issues exceeding $30 billion and oversaw major construction projects throughout New York State, exceeding total expenditures of $6 billion.

When Gov. Paterson issued Executive Order No. 10, establishing the Task Force to Increase Participation of MWBE Firms in Debt Issuances, he appointed Paul to serve as its Chair. Once the far-ranging practices and policies developed by the Task Force under Paul’s leadership were implemented, MWBE participation across all procurements quadrupled.

Paul’s civic experience includes serving as President of One Hundred Black Men and launching the Eagle Academy for Young Men of Color, an innovative model in public education that includes six academies and a national platform, the Eagle Institute, to enhance learning and boost academic outcomes for at-risk youth across the country.

Paul is a graduate of Yale University (BA), Columbia University School of Law (JD) and spent a year of study abroad at the American University in Cairo, Egypt.

PAUL T. WILLIAMS, Jr., Founder

Paul Williams’ diversified experience brings valuable insights to clients having matters at the intersections of law, finance and government. With a concentration of his work in real estate, public/private partnerships and Opportunity Zone Fund projects, Paul also provides strategic advice to clients regarding New York State economic development and diversity and inclusion programs.

Previously, Paul was chief legislative counsel to the New York State Assembly Banks Committee, co-founder of Wood, Williams, Rafalsky & Harris, a prominent minority-owned bond counsel and corporate law firm, a partner in the international law firm of Bryan Cave, LLP and an officer and investor in a boutique Wall Street investment bank. In addition, throughout his career, Paul has been a thought leader, promoting greater diversity and inclusion in business.

Paul was the first African American to be named as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY). Appointed first by Gov. David A. Paterson, Paul was re-appointed in 2010 by Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo. In this position, Paul successfully marketed bond issues exceeding $30 billion and oversaw major construction projects throughout New York State, exceeding total expenditures of $6 billion.

When Gov. Paterson issued Executive Order No. 10, establishing the Task Force to Increase Participation of MWBE Firms in Debt Issuances, he appointed Paul to serve as its Chair. Once the far-ranging practices and policies developed by the Task Force under Paul’s leadership were implemented, MWBE participation across all procurements quadrupled.

Paul’s civic experience includes serving as President of One Hundred Black Men and launching the Eagle Academy for Young Men of Color, an innovative model in public education that includes six academies and a national platform, the Eagle Institute, to enhance learning and boost academic outcomes for at-risk youth across the country.

Paul is a graduate of Yale University (BA), Columbia University School of Law (JD) and spent a year of study abroad at the American University in Cairo, Egypt.