Mr. Wellons's primary areas of practice are corporate law, banking and finance law, securities, and biotechnology law. He also chairs the community banking practice group.

Bar Admissions
Virginia State Bar

Education

• Duke University, B.A., 1978
• Duke University, Fuqua School of Business, M.B.A., 1979
• Washington & Lee University, J.D., 1987

Significant Accomplishments

Counseling a large variety of businesses, including large public companies, small closely-held businesses and financial institutions

Advising clients on matters such as corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions, securities and regulatory compliance, and biotechnology

Handling mergers and acquisitions, securities filings, regulatory compliance and corporate governance issues for community banks in Virginia, North Carolina and West Virginia

Serving as lead counsel on approximately 10 initial public offerings, 5 secondary public offerings, 20 acquisitions by larger companies and 10 private offerings

Serving as lead counsel on approximately 15 financial institution mergers

Serving as lead counsel on regulated industry transactions, including transactions in energy and financial sectors

Preparing Hart-Scott-Rodino filings and other anti-trust filings for the Department of Justice

Professional Activities and Experience

Distinctions

• Named to the "Leaders in the Law" list by Virginia Lawyers Weekly, 2021
• Recognized by The Best Lawyers in America® as "Lawyer of the Year" 2025, 2024, 2016 & 2012 in Roanoke, Va. in Banking and Finance Law
• Recognized by The Best Lawyers in America® as "Lawyer of the Year" 2024, 2017 & 2014 in Roanoke, Va. in Financial Services Regulation Law
• Nominated by his peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America^® in the areas of Banking and Finance Law, Biotechnology and Life Sciences Practice, Financial Services Regulation Law, and Securities/Capital Markets Law
• JD Supra Readers' Choice Top Author, Life Sciences, 2022

Publications & Presentations

• Editor, ABA book, Biotechnology and the Law, Second Edition
• Senior editor and author of ABA book, Biotechnology and the Law: A Primer