G. Stephen Diab
Member
Business Law & Taxation | Mergers & Acquisitions | Wills, Trusts, Estate Planning & Estate Administration
Email: SDiab@murchisontaylor.com
Office: 910-218-7234
Fascimile: 910-763-6561
G. Stephen (“Steve”) Diab has substantial experience as lead counsel in structuring, negotiating and closing of mergers and acquisitions, representing both buyers and sellers in taxable and tax-free acquisitions, divestitures, strategic alliances, and investments by venture capital and private equity firms since 1990. Mr. Diab has represented closely-held business owners in business, tax and estate planning matters, assisting them with personal and business matters including succession planning, charitable giving, estate and tax planning strategies and conservation easements. He has been involved in numerous land acquisitions and sales, including Section 1031 exchanges. Mr. Diab became licensed as a Certified Public Accountant in 1991, and was formerly an auditor at Ernst & Young, LLP. He has been recognized by fellow members of the North Carolina bar for inclusion in Business North Carolina’s Legal Elite Hall of Fame.
Education
- University of North Carolina Chapel Hill (B.S. 1986; J.D. with high honors, 1990); Phi Beta Kappa; North Carolina Law Review, Articles Editor
Bar & Court Admissions
- Member, North Carolina State Bar
- U.S. District Court, 1990
- North Carolina State Courts, 1990
Professional Experience
- Representing closely-held analytical laboratory in stock sale;
- Representing large multi-national company in strategic acquisitions and investments in U.S. and abroad;
- Representing closely-held business owner in succession and estate planning over 15-year period through trusts and related strategies and subsequent sale of company to REIT and private equity firm;
- Representing newly-formed entity in the acquisition of consumer products company financed by private equity
Professional Activities & Affiliations
- North Carolina Association of Certified Public Accountants
- North Carolina Bar Association, Member of Estate and Fiduciary Law Section
- Member of the local bar in New Hanover County, North Carolina
Community Activities & Affiliations
- Past Chair, University of North Carolina Wilmington Foundation Board
- Past President, New Hanover County Estate Planning Council
- Past President, Rotary Club of Wilmington West
- The Hill School of Wilmington, Inc. – Past Member of Board of Directors
Honors & Awards
- Selected for inclusion in North Carolina Super Lawyers® magazine, multiple years
- Selected for inclusion in Business North Carolina’s Legal Elite, for multiple years (Business)
- Selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® since 2006, Trusts and Estates
Articles, Publications, Speeches
- Shrinking The Taxable Estate; Gifting Strategies; Section 1031 Exchanges; Asset Protection Planning