Profile

George Pretty advises domestic and foreign corporations regarding a broad range of business transactions, including inbound and outbound acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures, recapitalizations and reorganizations.

Mr. Pretty serves as outside counsel to numerous foreign and domestic entities and supports numerous in-house counsel in the automotive, chemicals, electronics, pharmaceutical, industrial machinery and defense market commercial sectors. His representation of firm clients involves frequent travel across the United States, Europe and Asia.

In addition, Mr. Pretty advises corporations regarding domestic and foreign capital business expansion and relocation transactions for headquarters and manufacturing operations.

Experience Highlights

• Represented the shareholders of a privately held textile manufacturing company in the sale of assets and businesses to a multinational strategic buyer
• Represented a foreign publicly traded strategic buyer in a series of asset purchase transactions involving assets in Canada, Italy, the United Kingdom and the United States
• Represented a foreign publicly traded strategic buyer in the acquisition of environmentally-challenged utility assets
• Represented the shareholders of a privately held regional insurance brokerage company in the sale of stock to a multinational banking company
• Represented a foreign publicly traded strategic buyer in the acquisition of technology assets from a multinational chemical company

News

• Avoiding the Cliff? Highlights of the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 (H.R. 8)
  Tax Alert
  January 3, 2013
• George Pretty Featured in CBJ Article on International Law
  Charlotte firms' expertise grows in international law
  Charlotte Business Journal
  May 18, 2012
• Tax Alert Features Byline Article Written by George Pretty
  Business Incentive Advisors & Site Selectors as Accidental Lobbyists: A Case for Monitoring Your Status
  Tax Report
  May 1, 2012
• Playing the Government Incentives Game
  Public Company Forum Newsletter: Winter 2012
  January 26, 2012
• Exploring for State and Local Business Incentives: Finding the Highest Ground for Growth
  Business Law Alert
  November 11, 2009
• More than 50 Parker Poe Attorneys among Business Leader's Top Lawyers
  September 24, 2008
• Regional Competition Boosts Economy
  Charlotte Business Journal
  August 31, 2007
• Wachovia Presents Cornerstone Award to Parker Poe
  October 3, 2006
• Deadline Approaching to Secure Tax Credits at Current Level for Investment in Machinery and Equipment
  December 21, 2002

Events & Speaking Engagements

• Competitive Challenges and Opportunities for the Carolinas
  August 2012
  Presenter, Charlotte Regional Partnership
• Competitive Challenges and Opportunities for North Carolina
  July 2012
  Presenter, North Carolina Economic Developers Association Networking Luncheon
• The Art of the Incentive
  June 2012
  Panelist, Area Development Consultants Forum, Scottsdale, AZ
• The World of Site Consulting, Site Selection Summit
  February 2012
  Presenter, Oklahoma Business Roundtable, Okla. State Chamber of Commerce
• Best Practices for Business Incentives
  October 2011
  Presenter, Tax Executives Institute – Charlotte Chapter

Publications

Co-author, “Business Incentive Advisors & Site Selectors as Accidental Lobbyists: A Case for Monitoring Your Status,” Tax Report, May 2012

Author, ”Regional Competition Boosts Economy,” Charlotte Business Journal, August 31, 2007

Memberships

• North Carolina Chamber of Commerce
  Tax Committee, 2008-present
• South Carolina Chamber of Commerce
  Tax Committee, 2000-present
• Strafford Publications
  Tax Incentives Alert, Editorial Advisory Board
• Institute for Professionals in Taxation
  Affiliate
• Industrial Asset Management Council
  
• Charlotte Chamber of Commerce
  General Counsel, 1999
• Charlotte Airport Advisory Committee
  Member, 2011-2012