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Allan M. Williams

Allan M. Williams

Senior Counsel
Omaha
Remote*
phone: 402.964.5033
fax: 402.964.5050
Overview

With a passion for business growth, Allan assists clients in the energy and natural resources industries with corporate transactions.

Allan primarily works with renewable energy clients, including wind, solar and biodiesel owners, purchasers and developers, and values the opportunity to contribute to projects that will create the world’s future energy. He oversees mergers and acquisitions, real estate transactions and other corporate matters for clients who range in size from startups to multinational corporations with multi-billion-dollar deals.

Allan chose to pursue a legal career not so much from a love of law but from a love of business: he has long been fascinated by how companies develop and grow, and he knew he wanted to be the one who cleared deal obstacles and got transactions done. That meant a career as an attorney, solving problems and closing the transactions that would facilitate clients’ corporate growth.

Prior to rejoining Husch Blackwell, Allan served as in-house counsel, as well as a development manager and later a compliance manager, for a Fortune 300 food and beverage company and then for a major online retailer. In his in-house roles, he oversaw mergers, acquisitions and other transactions but also led corporate development, strategy and established a corporate venture capital group for a Fortune 300.

The experience gave him a solid understanding of the business world inhabited by clients, as well as how outside counsel can best serve them. Allan is also personally familiar with business needs, concerns and goals, as well as the many internal stakeholders affected by a transaction. He aims to serve clients as a true business partner who provides sound, practical legal guidance as clients grow their companies.

Industry

Services

Recognition

  • Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD) Fellows Program, 2024
  • National Black Lawyers (NBL), Top 40 Under 40, 2023

Education

  • J.D., University of Minnesota Law School
    • magna cum laude
    • Journal of Law and Inequality, Staff Member
  • B.S.B.A., Creighton University
    • magna cum laude

Admissions

  • Nebraska
  • Minnesota
  • U.S. Tax Court
  • U.S. District Court, District of Nebraska


*Contact Allan to set up an in-person or virtual consultation by appointment.
Experience

As senior compliance officer for Amazon.com:

  • Developed and implemented compliance M&A program to standardize compliance team's involvement in new and potential acquisitions.
  • Led cross-functional compliance team while conducting due diligence and developing integration plans. Worked in collaboration with Corporate Development and Legal to negotiate acquisition documents and disclosure schedules.
  • Developed and implemented mechanisms to provide governance and oversight for subsidiaries that were not merged into Amazon.
  • Successfully closed eight transactions on the "buy" side, with the largest deal valued at $1.3B.

As in-house counsel and development manager for Hormel Foods Corporation:

  • Created the Corporate Venture Capital function and oversaw mergers and acquisitions for the refrigerated foods group and Jennie-O Turkey Store, as well as the strategic planning throughout the entire entity. Created a Corporate Venture Capital capability and lead in the venturing process from sourcing potential investments through full acquisition or exit.
  • Developed and executed strategic priorities and initiatives for business units, identifying potential acquisition targets while leading the M&A process for more than half of the organization.
  • Led negotiation of definitive purchase agreements for domestic and international transactions valued in excess in $100M. Successfully closed three transactions on the "buy" side and six deals in total, with the largest deal valued at $850M.

Other corporate experience:

  • Led real estate attorneys in the acquisition of multiple renewable energy projects in addition to the acquisition of several self-storage facilities for a publicly traded REIT.
  • Provided comprehensive legal support for a publicly traded ethanol producer in the successful financing of several ethanol plans.
  • Supported start-ups in entity formation and capital raising and complex financing transactions.
  • Supported the successful acquisition of 41 properties by a publicly traded REIT.
  • Served on developer's counsel team for Swift Current in the closing of debt financing and a tax equity commitment for a 266 MW solar project located in Southeast Texas. The Husch Blackwell team assisted in the areas of real estate, environmental and permitting, and electric regulatory throughout the purchase, development, debt financing, and funding stages. The transaction was structured to reflect the new U.S. Inflation Reduction Act policy guidance.
Outside the Office

Allan enjoys improving his golf game and cycling on his road bike, routinely logging 3,000 to 5,000 miles annually. With two young sons, he spends most of his free time with his family, often taking local hikes and teaching his boys how to golf.

Community Leadership
  • Secretary and Founding Member of the Board, CEO Program for Mower County, 2017–2020
  • Vice Chair, Austin Area Foundation, 2017–2020