D. Pearson Beardsley

Of Counsel

My Practice

I help companies and lawyers with business transactions and general corporate law matters. Much of my work is as an outside general counsel advising privately held companies, though I routinely assist clients with acquisitions, business sales, and succession planning as well. My practice often involves drafting and negotiating a wide variety of contracts and other corporate documents on behalf of clients. Some typical matter types include:

  • choice of business entity and entity formation,
  • mergers and acquisitions,
  • corporate governance,
  • succession planning,
  • workouts and restructuring of commercial transactions,
  • joint ventures. and
  • drafting and negotiating all manner of agreements.

My Approach

Clients say I tend to take a pragmatic, business-minded approach.  My objective is to provide the highest level of service with the individual attention clients expect from a boutique firm.

My Background

I have practiced business and corporate law for over 20 years. After graduating from Washington and Lee University School of Law in 2001, I worked for a large, international law firm in New York City and eventually opened my own small firm in 2008 where I developed a business and corporate law practice focused on assisting privately held businesses with their legal needs.  I also have significant experience with the lawyer disciplinary process in Georgia as a former member and Chair of the State Bar of Georgia’s State Disciplinary Board and a member of the State Disciplinary Review Board. I graduated from Vanderbilt University in 1997 and am licensed to practice in Georgia, Florida, and New York.

Awards

  • The Best Lawyers in America® 2024 (Business Organizations)
  • Georgia SuperLawyers, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021
  • Georgia Trend, Legal Elite, 2013-2023, Corporate Law, Business Law
  • Georgia Appleseed Center for Law & Justice, Good Apple Honoree, 2017
  • Georgia Super Lawyers: Rising Stars, 2013, 2014, 2015

Select Professional Activities

  • State Bar of Georgia, Member, State Disciplinary Review Board, 2021-present
  • State Bar of Georgia, Chairperson, State Disciplinary Board, 2019-2020
  • Vice Chair, State Disciplinary Board, 2018-2019
  • Vice Chair, Investigative Panel, 2017-2018
  • The Georgia Heirs Property Law Center, Founding Member of Board of Directors 2015- Present,  Treasurer (2015 – 2018)
  • Georgia Lawyers for the Arts, Advisory Board Member  & Volunteer
  • Georgia Appleseed, Young Professionals Council, Executive Committee, President (2014 – 2015)
  • Lawyers Club of Atlanta, Member