Overview
Matt Efird is a seasoned corporate attorney with a focus on private equity transactions, minority investments and complex M&A deals. With extensive experience as a trusted adviser to private equity firms and other financial investors, Matt excels in structuring, negotiating and executing acquisition and divestiture transactions and non-control equity investments. He is particularly adept at leading transactions in the lower middle market, including the acquisition of founder-owned businesses.
Matt’s strategic insight and deal-making expertise also extend to the sports and entertainment industry. He has represented numerous motorsports teams, athletes, agents and sponsors, guiding them through the intricacies of investments in professional sports, sponsorship agreements, personal services agreements and licensing arrangements across major sports, such as golf, motorsports, football, basketball and baseball.
Matt serves on Robinson Bradshaw's board of directors and is co-chair of the firm’s Corporate Department.
Experience
Mergers & Acquisitions, Private Investment & Capital Raising
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Represents a private equity fund in connection with the acquisition (both platform and add-ons) and disposition of numerous lower middle-market companies.
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Represents a health care venture capital fund in connection with a variety of early-to-later stage investments in health care companies.
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Represents an institutional investor in connection with a variety of private climate-focused investments, including a complex debt and equity recapitalization of a residential solar company and the formation and funding of a platform for water infrastructure investing.
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Represented an automotive software developer from initial formation and seed capital raising through a sale to a private equity fund.
Sports & Entertainment
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Represented a large NASCAR team through the reorganization of the team and formation of a complex joint venture with the owners of another professional sports franchise and has subsequently served as outside general counsel to the team.
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Represented numerous sponsors in connection with long-term sponsorships of MLB, NFL and NBA teams.
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Represented a private equity-owned apparel manufacturer in the negotiation of long-term license agreements with the NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL and MLS.
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Represented a collegiate conference in connection with the negotiation of a long-term tournament hosting agreement.
Accolades
Honors & Recognitions
- The Best Lawyers in America, corporate, 2021-26; sports, 2026
- Sports Business Journal, Outside Counsel Power Player, 2021
- North Carolina Super Lawyers, North Carolina Rising Star, entertainment and sports, 2012-16
- Charlotte Business Journal, Charlotte’s Forty Under 40, 2016
Affiliations
Professional Affiliations
- North Carolina Motorsports Association and North Carolina Motorsports Foundation, Board Member, 2014-20
- North Carolina Bar Association, Sports & Entertainment Section Council, Chair, 2013-14; Vice Chair, 2012-13; CLE Chair, 2010
Community Affiliations
- Myers Park Presbyterian Church, Elder, 2020-23; Uganda Outreach Committee, 2018-present; Children and Family Ministries Council, Chair, 2020-23
- Bududa America Foundation, Board of Directors, 2019-present; Chair, 2023-present
News & Events
News
Practice Areas
Education
Wake Forest University, J.D., cum laude, 2006, Order of the Coif; John Thomas Byrum Scholar; Symposium Editor, Wake Forest Law Review, 2005-06
North Carolina State University, B.S., magna cum laude, 2003, John T. Caldwell Alumni Scholar
Bar Admissions
- North Carolina
