M. Frances ("Fran") Durden, born Durham, North Carolina; admitted to bar, 1986 (to August 2007), Ohio; 2000, Illinois; 2006, North Carolina.

Education: Mount Holyoke College, B.A. (Magna Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa). Duke University Law School, J.D.

Member: NC State Bar Association, Business Law Section.

Areas of Practice: Corporate & Securities Law; Business Transactions; Non-Profit Corporation.

Experience Includes:

• Formation of corporations, limited liability companies; joint ventures; stock offerings
• Representation of publicly held companies; compliance with Securities & Exchange Commission rules and regulations
• Negotiation and Documentation of business mergers, acquisitions, asset purchases, corporate reorganizations, redemptions, buy-outs
• Business Contracts including licensing agreements, purchase and sales orders and contracts, employment contracts, non-competition agreements, leases, employee benefit arrangements
• Business Financing including notes, security agreements, guaranties, commercial loan agreements and closings, transactional opinions

Community Service:

• Guardian Ad Litem; Manna Food Bank