W. CLARK WATSON is the Chairman of the Financial Services and Transactions Section of the firm which includes the Financial Institutions, Lending and Credit, Financial Services, Real Estate and Creditors Rights and Bankruptcy practice groups. He is a member of the firm's Credit Crisis Group, a special team of lawyers working on challenges created by the current disruptions in the credit and other capital markets. For more than 25 years, Mr. Watson has represented banks, insurers and insurance-related businesses, manufacturers, and other businesses, both generally and in specific matters requiring transactional or regulatory experience. Among other things, he regularly represents the parties to various real estate and financing transactions and those involving the acquisition or sale of business enterprises. In addition, Mr. Watson also represents banks and other mortgage/secured lenders, trustees, statutory committees, and creditors in debt restructurings, workouts and forbearance arrangements, secured and unsecured claims in chapter 11 bankruptcy cases and debtor-in-possession financing, as well as entities that acquire the assets of distressed businesses whether in bankruptcy or otherwise.
Mr. Watson has represented general contractors and subcontractors, real estate developers, land planners, material providers and other businesses engaged in the construction industry. In addition to his work for clients in planning and implementing highly successful construction projects, he also has considerable experience in representing the stakeholders in distressed projects, including loan restructurings, foreclosures, mechanics and materialmen liens, claims against sureties and insurers, and workouts.
Upon graduation from law school, Mr. Watson was a law clerk to Judge James H. Hancock, United States District Judge for the Northern District of Alabama. In addition to his professional commitments, Mr. Watson serves as a Trustee of Samford University where he is currently Chairman of the Board.
PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES
- Listed in The Best Lawyers in America, 2007 & 2008 Editions
- Listed in Alabama Super Lawyers, 2008
- American Bar Association, Business Law and Real Property, Trust & Estate Law Sections
- Alabama Law Institute- Real Estate Committee
- Alabama State Bar, Chairman, Bankruptcy and Commercial Law Section, 1999-2000
- Turnaround Management Association
- American Bankruptcy Institute
- Birmingham Bar Association
