PROFESSIONALS

MIKE WIELECHOWSKI

Mike Wielechowski’s primary areas of practice are corporate and real estate finance, mergers, acquisitions and divestitures, as well as general corporate and representation of franchisors and franchisees with respect to corporate and compliance matters.
Mike’s finance practice focuses primarily on representing and counseling financial institutions, funds and other lenders concerning all aspects of secured and unsecured loan products to large corporate, middle-market and private banking clients, including revolving credit facilities, bridge and term loans (including delayed draw term loans), acquisition and leveraged finance, real estate finance (acquisition, development, construction, mini-perm and nonrecourse facilities), asset-based finance, capex facilities and syndicated finance (including club deals). He also represents the firm’s borrower clients in such finance transactions.

In the corporate arena, Mike’s practice entails representation of companies in connection with structuring and financing mergers, acquisitions and divestitures (including stock and asset acquisitions of corporations, subsidiaries, and divisional enterprises; mergers involving stock-for-stock, cash-out mergers and other forms of consideration; and leveraged buyouts), joint ventures and other strategic transactions and investments. In addition, Mike counsels and advises small and large companies regarding a wide variety of corporate governance, strategic planning, corporate structuring, financing and general contractual issues. He also represents franchisors and franchisees regarding corporate governance, franchise agreements, franchise disclosure documentation and related compliance matters.

In 2012 and 2013, Mike was named to the North Carolina Super Lawyers® – Rising Stars list in the banking category. Mike is also listed in The Best Lawyers in America® 2015.

NATHAN C. FULLER

Nate Fuller practices in the areas of commercial finance and secured transactions, commercial real estate, mergers and acquisitions and general corporate law, with a concentration in North Carolina and South Carolina based middle market commercial finance transactions.
Nate’s practice includes representing administrative agents, lenders and borrowers in single bank, club and syndicated (leveraged and investment grade) commercial finance transactions. These transactions vary widely in purpose from general working capital, asset-based, cash flow and capital expenditure loans to construction, project and acquisition financing, leveraged buyout, and cross-border and multi-currency financing. Nate also has broad exposure in the types of industries reflected in these transactions, including, aircraft, commercial and industrial, healthcare, real estate and renewable energy. Nate has also represented lenders in subordinated debt, second lien and intercreditor arrangements and non-traditional financing arrangements.

Nate’s other practice areas include representing buyers and sellers in various investment and divestiture and equipment leasing transactions, as well as representing lenders and borrowers in workout and forbearance transactions.

Prior to forming Wielechowski Fuller, Nate practiced with Buchanan, Ingersoll & Rooney, Kirk Palmer & Thigpen, Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough, and Kilpatrick Stockton (now Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton).

While in law school, Nate was a member of the University of South Carolina Law Review and served as the Assistant Symposium Editor.

Bar Admissions:
North Carolina
South CarolinaEducation:
The University of South Carolina School of Law, 1998
The Ohio State University, 1994Civic and Charitable Organizations; Professional Affiliations:
Special Olympics of Mecklenburg County
Association for Corporate Growth
Commercial Finance Association

HAYWOOD A. BARNES

KERRI DERUYTER

Kerri DeRuyter practices in the areas of commercial, corporate and real estate finance across all business lines, representing borrowers and lenders in loan transactions of all sizes. Her practice targets commercial finance and secured transactions, with a focus on real property issues and collateral.  She has particular experience in the acquisition, development and financing of office, retail and industrial properties, leasing and structured credit financing.  Kerri also advises lenders in connection with loans in the non-profit sector, as well as the renewable energy industry and general commercial and industrial lending.

Kerri has substantial prior experience in connection with the origination and modification of complex permanent, construction and mezzanine financing projects secured by diverse collateral located in North Carolina, New York and geographic areas throughout the country. Kerri developed a strong background in commercial real estate finance while working at the Charlotte and New York offices of a major international law firm, where her practice included the representation of the administrative agent in multi-lender syndicated real estate facilities. She also frequently represented international lenders in portfolio-based fee and leasehold construction and permanent financings, refinancings and workouts.   Kerri has experience in CMBS originations, asset-backed securitizations and other types of structured finance transactions.  Prior to moving to North Carolina, Kerri was an associate at an international law firm located in New York, where she advised on a wide range of transactions, including public and private securities offerings and purchases, secured bank and non-bank lending and borrowing transactions and mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures and other strategic investments and partnerships involving public and private companies.

In addition, Kerri regularly advises clients in traditional real estate and general corporate matters. She also represents franchisors and franchisees regarding corporate governance, franchise agreements, franchise disclosure documentation and related compliance matters.

ARTHUR L. HOWSON III

Art Howson practices in the areas of renewable energy, commercial and corporate finance, commercial real estate and real estate finance matters.

Art routinely represents both borrowers and lenders in loan transactions of all sizes in many different industries, including utility scale renewable energy financing transactions. Art also has significant experience in real estate purchase, sale and lease transactions and land use matters.

Prior to joining Wielechowski & Fuller, Art practiced with Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP.

While in law school, Art served as the Senior Note and Comment Editor for The American University Business Law Review. Art also joined Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, International and received the CALI Award for the highest grade in Contracts I and Legal Writing II.