Robert A. Watts (Bob)

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Atlanta + 1.404.581.8897

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Bob Watts focuses his practice on complex commercial litigation in state and federal courts. His practice also includes shareholder and securities litigation following mergers or acquisitions, governmental investigations, and internal corporate investigations involving fraud. He has experience with all stages of litigation including factual investigation, drafting and responding to discovery, expert discovery, depositions, motion practice, and trial.

Bob has an active pro bono practice including matters from the Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation where he has represented survivors of family violence seeking temporary protective orders.

Prior to attending law school, Bob was a legislative assistant in the United States House of Representatives. In 2019, he was appointed by Governor Brian Kemp to serve as a member of the Georgia Government Transparency and Campaign Finance Commission. He is also active in communities across the state where he serves on the board of directors of the Atlanta Bar Association, University of Georgia Alumni Association, Georgia State University Law Alumni Council, Westminster Schools of Augusta Alumni Association, and Trinity Community Ministries.

Experiencia

  • Randstad forms joint venture combining its job board business, Monster, with CareerBuilderJones Day advised Randstad N.V., a multinational publicly traded talent company, in connection with the formation of a joint venture combining its job board business, Monster, with CareerBuilder, a subsidiary of investment funds affiliated with Apollo Global Management, Inc.
  • FLEETCOR acquires PayByPhoneJones Day advised FLEETCOR Technologies, Inc. in the acquisition of PayByPhone, a global provider of digital parking payment solutions.
  • Board committee of major technology company investigates shareholder demand and formulating recommendationsJones Day advised a board committee of a major technology company in its investigation of a shareholder litigation demand asserting claims of personal misconduct by a senior leader and of mishandling of whistleblower reports relating to the alleged misconduct.
  • Fortrea completes $570 million private placement of Senior Secured Notes and obtains $1.5 billion credit facilityJones Day represented Fortrea Holdings Inc., a leading global contract research organization (“CRO”) that provides comprehensive phase I through IV biopharmaceutical product and medical device services, patient access solutions and other enabling services, in connection with the Rule 144A and Regulation S offering of $570 million aggregate principal amount of 7.500% Senior Secured Notes due 2030 and a $1.5 billion senior secured credit facility as part of its spin-off from Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings.
  • Applus Technologies sold to Opus InspectionJones Day advised Applus Servicios Tecnologicos, S.L.U. in the sale of one of its U.S. subsidiaries, Applus Technologies Inc., to Opus Inspection, Inc.
  • Asbury Automotive Group acquires Larry H. Miller Dealerships and Total Care Auto for $3.2 billionJones Day advised Asbury Automotive Group, Inc. (NYSE: ABG), one of the largest automotive retail and service companies in the U.S., in its acquisition of Larry H. Miller Dealerships, and Total Care Auto, Powered by Landcar for $3.2 billion.
  • AeroGrow defends against litigation arising from its acquisition by its majority stockholderJones Day is representing AeroGrow International, Inc., its directors, and its majority stockholder and corporate affiliates in a putative stockholder class action arising from AeroGrow's acquisition by its majority stockholder.
  • Jarden defeats appraisal lawsuits filed by investment fundsJones Day successfully represented Newell Brands subsidiary, Jarden Corporation, in connection with appraisal lawsuits filed by more than 15 separate investment funds (which collectively owned more than $630 million worth of Jarden shares) seeking a judicial appraisal of their former shares in Jarden
  • Truck-Lite receives significant investment from Genstar CapitalJones Day advised Truck-Lite Co., LLC, a leading provider of safety lighting, filtration systems, and telematics services for commercial vehicles, in connection with Genstar Capital's significant investment in Truck-Lite.
  • The Southern Company defends putative securities class action alleging violations of Section 10(b)Jones Day is representing The Southern Company and its directors and certain of its current and former officers in connection with a putative class action alleging, among other things, violations of Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
  • HD Supply completes $750 million offering of Senior NotesJones Day represented HD Supply, Inc., one of the largest industrial distributors in North America, in connection with its issuance of $750 million in aggregate principal amount of 5.375% Senior Notes due 2026 in a Rule 144A and Regulation S offering.
  • HD Supply defeats appeal of Delaware lawsuit related to the sale of its Power Solutions business unitJones Day successfully defended HD Supply Holdings, Inc. in a putative class action brought in Delaware concerning the interpretation and administration of HD Supply's Omnibus Incentive Plan following the sale of HD Supply's Power Solutions business unit.
  • HD Supply defeats petition for leave to appeal lawsuit related to sale of its Power Solutions business unitJones Day successfully defended HD Supply Holdings, Inc. in a putative class action brought in Illinois concerning the interpretation and administration of HD Supply's Omnibus Incentive Plan following the sale of HD Supply's Power Solutions business unit.
  • Owens Corning wins partial summary judgment in putative consumer class action over brand of roofing shinglesJones Day client Owens Corning won partial summary judgment in a putative consumer class action concerning a brand of Owens Corning roofing shingles.
  • Monster prevails on issue of first impression in Delaware Chancery CourtJones Day successfully represented Monster Worldwide, Inc. in litigation arising from a shareholder demand seeking to inspect Monster's books and records relating to Randstad Holdings, Inc.'s acquisition of the company in November 2016.
  • The Southern Company, Kinder Morgan finalize Southern Natural Gas pipeline strategic ventureJones Day advised The Southern Company ("Southern") in its acquisition from Kinder Morgan of a 50 percent equity interest in the 7,600-mile Southern Natural Gas ("SNG") pipeline system.
  • American Capital Agency Corp. acquires American Capital Mortgage Management, LLC for $562 millionJones Day advised American Capital Agency Corp. (NASDAQ: AGNC), a mortgage REIT that invests primarily in agency securities, in its $562 million cash acquisition of American Capital Mortgage Management LLC from American Capital Asset Management, LLC ("ACAM"), a wholly-owned portfolio company of American Capital Ltd. (NASDAQ: ACAS).
  • Gray Television wins emergency motion allowing company to participate in National Incentive Spectrum AuctionIn a case with important ramifications for the historic National Incentive Spectrum Auction being held by the Federal Communications Commission, Jones Day client Gray Television Group, Inc. obtained a critical emergency order from the Georgia Supreme Court allowing Gray to participate in the Auction.
  • The Southern Company acquires PowerSecure International, Inc. for $425 millionJones Day advised The Southern Company in its $425 million acquisition of PowerSecure International, Inc. (NYSE: POWR), a premier provider of distributed generation, energy efficiency, and utility infrastructure solutions.
  • Newell Brands acquires Jarden Corporation for $16 billionJones Day advised Newell Brands Inc. in connection with its acquisition of Jarden Corporation in a cash and stock transaction valued at $60 per share, or approximately $16 billion in equity value.
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    February 2024 White Paper

    2023 Securities Litigation Year in Review

    October 2020 External Publications

    Statewide Business Court Opens Its Doors, (Georgia Bar Journal)

    July/August 2020 External Publications

    Delaware Supreme Court Upholds Unaffected Market Price in Statutory Appraisal Action, The M&A Lawyer, Volume 24, Issue 7

    July 2020 Commentary

    Delaware Supreme Court Upholds Unaffected Market Price in Statutory Appraisal Action

    March 2020 Commentary

    Governor Kemp Issues Executive Order Permitting Virtual Shareholder Meetings for Georgia Corporations

    • August 22, 2019
      Taking and Defending Depositions of In-House Counsel: Strategic, Substantive, and Ethical Considerations

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