Wayne Whitaker entered private practice in Fort Worth in 1978, after six years with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and began representing public companies in SEC compliance, public offerings, exchange listings, general corporate needs as well as acquisitions and mergers (involving both public and private companies), including reverse mergers into SEC reporting companies.
Wayne’s clients include seasoned as well as start-up companies, entrepreneurs and developers. He assists in financial matters ranging from public offerings, mezzanine and senior lender financings to private offerings, venture capital and seed capital. He also handles routine contract matters such as formation of corporations and limited liability companies, employment and consulting agreements, licensing agreements and joint venture agreements. He has a unique appreciation for issues confronting the Board of Directors, as he served on the board of an AMEX-traded company.
Early in his practice, Wayne gained significant transactional experience in the oil and gas industry. During the past 25 years, he has also been active in the health care and real estate industry. He routinely advises his healthcare clients regarding compliance with the Stark and Anti-Kickback statutes and regulations.
In health care, he has represented investor owned hospitals, other medical facilities, and physicians in all aspects of their activities, including acquiring, selling and developing general acute care hospitals and clinics, licensure and compliance issues, joint ventures, and negotiating and documenting agreements between various health care providers, physicians and suppliers. In the real estate area, he has represented real estate developers as well as buyers and sellers of commercial and retail property.
He speaks at various continuing education conferences and seminars on business, securities and health care issues.
Awards & Recognitions
Top Attorney - Fort Worth Magazine (2002 - 2024)
Recognized as a Top Attorney by 360 West Magazine 2018 to present
Texas Super Lawyer - Thomson Reuters Publisher of Texas Super Lawyer and listed in Texas Monthly (2009 - 2023)
Power Attorney - Fort Worth Business Press (2012)
AV-Preeminent rating by Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings
Publications
Wayne Whitaker and John Fahy submitted a comment letter to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on the SEC’s Crowdfunding rule proposal on January 7, 2014.
Wayne Whitaker and John Fahy submitted an extensive comment letter to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission September. 30, 2013. (“SEC”) on the SEC’s proposed changes to SEC Regulation D Rule 506.
Tarrant County Bar Foundation.
Distinguished: An excellent rating for a lawyer with some experience. This rating indicates the attorney is widely
respected by their peers for high professional achievement and ethical standards.
Notable: This rating indicates that the lawyer has been recognized by a large number of their peers for strong ethical standards.
