David M. Walker advises entrepreneurs, privately held companies, investors, family offices, and executives on mergers and acquisitions, capital formation, business succession planning, and complex corporate transactions. He regularly represents clients throughout the business lifecycle—from entity formation and financing to strategic growth initiatives, acquisitions, joint ventures, and successful exits.

David’s practice focuses on mergers and acquisitions, business acquisitions and sales, corporate governance, private securities offerings, venture capital and private equity transactions, and general corporate counseling. He represents founders, investors, and acquisition entrepreneurs in structuring and negotiating business purchases, ownership transitions, investment transactions, and strategic partnerships. He also advises clients on executive compensation arrangements, employment and consulting agreements, commercial contracts, and equity incentive plans.

David has extensive experience representing emerging growth companies in private placement transactions involving preferred equity financings, venture capital investments, bridge financings, follow-on financing rounds, convertible debt, and other private securities offerings. He has also represented private investment firms and institutional investors in connection with equity and debt investments in technology and high-growth companies.

In addition to his transactional practice, David advises clients on intellectual property commercialization, licensing arrangements, joint ventures, and brand development strategies, particularly for founder-led businesses, consumer products companies, and food and beverage brands. He has represented professional athletes, entrepreneurs, and business owners in negotiating commercial transactions involving branding, licensing, and strategic business opportunities.

David began his legal career at Bodman before relocating to Atlanta in 2004, where he founded and operated a corporate law practice for nearly twenty years. During that time, he represented startups, emerging businesses, investors, and closely held companies throughout the Southeast in capital raising transactions, mergers and acquisitions, business sales, corporate governance matters, and general business counseling. He returned to Bodman to continue advising clients on sophisticated middle-market transactions while leveraging more than twenty-five years of experience representing business owners and entrepreneurs.

Civic, Cultural and Community Activities

• Board of Directors, Michigan Black Business Alliance
• Vice President of Business Engagement, University of Michigan Club of Atlanta
• Member, Board of Directors, University of Detroit Mercy School of Law Alumni Association

Professional Affiliations

• State Bar of Michigan
• State Bar of Georgia
• Business Advisor, Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurship (Atlanta, GA)
• Former Program Manager, U.S. Small Business Administration Community Navigator Program, South Fulton County Chamber of Commerce

Speaking Engagements

David is a frequent speaker on mergers and acquisitions, entrepreneurship through acquisition (ETA), capital formation, business succession planning, and corporate governance. He regularly presents to entrepreneurs, executives, investors, business support organizations, and university alumni groups on legal and strategic issues affecting privately held businesses.

Recent presentations include:

• Panelist, “Legal & Negotiation Workshop,” bETA Detroit (September 17, 2025)
• Speaker, “September CEO Roundtable,” Base Builder Labs (September 17, 2025)
• Panelist, “Business Legal & Structure,” Tax Business Summit (September 13, 2025)
• Speaker, “Legally Forming and Operating a Detroit Business,” NextUP 313 Seminar (April 30, 2025)
• Speaker, “Legal Business Formation,” Black Tech Saturdays Black History Innovation Summit: The Belonging Blueprint (February 15, 2025)

Representative Matters

• Represents buyers and sellers in lower middle-market mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, and business succession transactions.
• Advises entrepreneurs, founders, and investors in private capital raises, including preferred equity, convertible debt, and other exempt securities offerings.
• Represents emerging companies in venture capital financing, corporate governance, and strategic growth transactions.
• Structures joint ventures, licensing arrangements, and strategic partnerships involving intellectual property, branding, and commercialization rights.
• Advises family-owned and closely held businesses on ownership transitions, governance, and succession planning.
• Represents food and beverage, manufacturing, technology, consumer products, and professional services companies in complex commercial transactions.
• Counsels founders and executives in acquisitions, executive compensation arrangements, employment matters, and commercial contract negotiations.

Related News

• 05/15/2026David M. Walker Appointed to Board of Directors of Michigan Black Business Alliance
• 02/03/2025Bodman Launches Detroit Business Advocacy Team to Support Detroit Business Owners in Corporate Growth
• 02/27/2024David M. Walker Rejoins Bodman PLC