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Patrick H. Willis

Shareholder

Patrick H. Willis is a shareholder in Baker Donelson's New Orleans office and is a member of the Corporate Group.

Featured Experience


A leading global data center provider in multiple transactions, including acquiring and developing data center projects.

Assisted in the acquisition, zoning, permitting and all-around real estate advice for $65 million film studio project in Louisiana.

Louisiana counsel in numerous financing transactions, including a Nevada gaming corporation in its $2 billion credit facility.

Professional Biography


Patrick focuses his practice in the areas of mergers and acquisitions, commercial and corporate transactions, finance and real estate. His general corporate practice involves assisting public and private companies in a variety of corporate transactions, including drafting, negotiating and reviewing contracts, forming and advising business entities, and assisting with financing arrangements.

Patrick represents companies in merger and acquisition transactions on both the buy-side and sell-side, including providing advice on structure of the deal, handling the negotiations and documentation, and closing the deal. Additionally, he has experience handling property sales, commercial leasing, real estate development, financing, local counsel and title related matters.

Prior to joining Baker Donelson, Mr. Willis worked as a law clerk at Fishman, Haygood, Phelps, Walmsley, Willis, & Swanson, L.L.P. and had externships with The Honorable Jay C. Zainey, U.S.D.C. Eastern District of Louisiana, and The Honorable Susie Morgan, U.S.D.C. Eastern District of Louisiana.

  • Corporate M&A/Securities

  • A leading global data center provider in multiple transactions, including acquiring and developing data center projects.

  • Represent tech and life science startups from early stage organization and financing to Series A offerings and exit strategies.

  • Represented a regional barge company in the sale of its business to national competitor for $53 million.
  • Represented equity owners in the sale of their family business for acquisition of new equity interests in larger conglomerate.

  • Represented hospital system in connection with $150 million revenue bond issuance by public authority to finance construction of new facilities.

  • Represented leading U.S. producer of vegetable-based protein products in the acquisition of a new brand of shelf-stable protein-based alternatives.

  • Assisted Firm team that served as local counsel in transaction involving both the acquisition and financing of a public utility company, valued at $4.7 billion.

  • Louisiana counsel in numerous financing transactions, including a Nevada gaming corporation in its $2 billion credit facility.

  • Represented the seller in the purchase of two addiction and recovery centers by a health services company.

  • Advised the equity owner of a new hotel development regarding the financing and third party equity investment of the property.

  • Represented a gaming company in a series of interrelated  transactions valued at approximately $1.1 billion, including: the sale and leaseback of the real estate under two Mississippi gaming properties; the refinancing of an existing credit facility; the acquisition and restructuring of a casino property in Louisiana; and obtaining gaming regulatory approval in both states.

  • Real Estate

  • Helped client acquire office building as payment in lieu of debt.

  • Assisted in the acquisition, zoning, permitting and all-around real estate advice for $65 million film studio project in Louisiana.

  • Guided lenders and borrowers in various commercial transactions, asset-based financing and commercial mortgage-backed security (CMBS) loans.

  • Listed in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America for Real Estate Law, Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Corporate Governance and Compliance Law (2021 – 2025)
  • Listed in Louisiana Super Lawyers as a Rising Star in Mergers & Acquisitions (2022 – 2024)
  • Member – Louisiana Bar Association
  • Member – American Bar Association
  • Member – ABA Real Property, Trusts and Estates Section (Committee Member on Legal Opinions in Real Estate Transactions)
  • Member – Association of Corporate Growth
    • ACG Cup Committee Member – Sponsorship Chair (2014 – 2015)
    • ACG Cup Committee Chairperson (2015 – present)
    • Young ACG Louisiana Board Member (2016 – present)
  • Member – New Orleans Museum
  • Member – Young Leadership Council (New Orleans)

Industries

Education

  • Paul M. Herbert Law Center, Louisiana State University, J.D./D.C.L., 2014, cum laude
  • Georgetown University, Georgetown College, 2011

Admissions

  • Louisiana, 2014

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