Portrait of Scot Burton

Scot Burton

Principal

For over two decades, Scot Burton has helped entrepreneurs, investors, real estate developers, and closely held businesses structure transactions that move their ventures forward with clarity and efficiency. A business‑minded transactional lawyer, Scot focuses on aligning partners' interests, organizing and financing ventures, and navigating clients through strategic transactions with a practical, solutions‑oriented approach. His clients rely on him not only for strong legal judgment but also for his ability to evaluate how a deal will function in practice, both on day one and throughout the long‑term relationship among stakeholders.

Scot’s work spans joint ventures, equity investments, capital raises, reorganizations, mergers and acquisitions, and ownership transitions. He regularly advises real estate developers and investors on the structuring of equity investments and joint ventures, helping sponsors and capital partners align objectives and establish governance structures that reduce friction and support growth. His experience includes guiding companies and investor groups through new ventures, strategic transactions, and complex business separations, often in situations that require a careful balance of legal, tax, and interpersonal considerations.

With an extensive background in partnership and corporate tax planning, Scot adds strategic insight to every transaction. He advises on matters involving partnership allocations, entity structuring, and equity compensation arrangements to ensure that transactions are structured in a tax‑efficient manner without losing sight of the practical realities of the business deal.

Before returning to private practice, Scot served as General Counsel for a large senior living operator, where he played a significant role in navigating the organization through the COVID‑19 pandemic, restructuring core business components, and supporting the company’s growth into one of the largest senior living management platforms in the United States. This experience sharpened his ability to counsel clients from the perspective of an in‑house decision‑maker, balancing operational, financial, and legal priorities in real time.

Clients describe Scot as a trusted advisor who can be called upon when forming a venture, raising capital, negotiating governance structures, or planning a transition. He approaches each matter with the intention of helping clients achieve clarity, reduce complexity, and structure relationships that support long‑term success. He also values the opportunity to mentor younger lawyers and to share the practical judgment he has developed over years of structuring deals and advising business owners.

    Education

    • Emory University School of Law (J.D.)
    • University of Georgia (B.A.)

    State Bar Admissions

    • Georgia

    Court Admissions

    • United States Tax Court
    • Supreme Court of Georgia

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