J. Thomas O'Brien, Jr.

Attorney, Shareholder

For more than 30 years, Tom, who serves as head of Spotts Fain's Corporate and Business Transactions Practice, has represented clients in corporate, partnership and LLC governance matters. He heads the firm's mergers and acquisitions (M&A) team and serves as outside general counsel to many of the firm's clients. Tom frequently counsels business owners in entity formation and exit strategy planning.

Education

  • University of Richmond School of Law (J.D., cum laude, 1986) Chancellor, McNeill Law Society Law Review: University of Richmond Law Review, Member
  • University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia (B.S., Accounting and Commerce, cum laude, 1982)

Bar Admissions

  • Virginia
  • U.S. District Court Eastern District of Virginia

Representative Experience

  • Represents buyers and sellers in the acquisition or sale of closely held corporations, partnerships and limited liability companies
  • Represents shareholders, partners, and members in the sale of their equity in stock, partnership or membership interest sales
  • Represents companies in the sale of subsidiaries and business units
  • Negotiates "Buy-Sell" agreements, shareholder agreements, partnership and operating agreements for closely held entities
  • Represents owners of closely held businesses in contentious "business divorces"

Professional Associations and Memberships

  • Virginia Bar Association
    • Business Law Section Council Member (Chair, 2015-2016)
  • Richmond Bar Association
    • Business Law Section, Executive Committee

Honors and Awards

  • Best Lawyers in America 2018-2025 for Corporate Law
  • Virginia Lawyers Weekly Go To Lawyer for Business Transactions, 2024

Off the Clock

In his spare time, Tom teaches the Japanese martial art, Aikido. He also enjoys making furniture with hand tools and restoring automobiles. He’s currently restoring a 1956 Ford Thunderbird.