NASHVILLE, Tenn. (March 28, 2023) – Womble Bond Dickinson announced today that Howard W. Herndon has joined the firm’s Nashville office as a partner in the Corporate & Securities group. Herndon focuses his practice on the electronic transaction industry and regularly advises emerging businesses, private equity firms, and venture capital investors. For over two decades, he has represented public and private payments companies in significant industry transactions ranging from $100 million to over $1 billion.

Herndon’s experience in the payments industry broadly encompasses mergers and acquisitions, deal structuring, operations, and compliance. He also provides strategic counsel to fintech companies and next-generation artificial intelligence initiatives in various industries. Although based in Nashville, Herndon’s practice is national in scope, and he has been engaged in significant matters abroad. 

“Howard is a leader in the fintech industry, and his entrepreneurial spirit and business-minded approach make him an excellent fit for our platform,” said Jamie J. Francis, who leads the firm’s Corporate & Securities group. “With Howard on board, we look forward to expanding the services we offer financial services clients and building a strong foundation for M&A and transactional services in Nashville and across our transatlantic footprint.”

“Howard is a leader in the fintech industry, and his entrepreneurial spirit and business-minded approach make him an excellent fit for our platform. With Howard on board, we look forward to expanding the services we offer financial services clients and building a strong foundation for M&A and transactional services in Nashville and across our transatlantic footprint.”

Jamie J. Francis, Leader of Corporate & Securities Practice Group, Womble Bond Dickinson

In addition to private practice, Herndon founded BlackLine Advisory Group, a consulting firm that provides clients with practical experience in payments processing, financial technology, and compliance. Within Tennessee, Herndon has been active in civic leadership, serving three governors in various roles, including Chairman of the Tennessee Arts Commission, Chairman of the Tennessee State Museum Foundation, and Founding Member and Treasurer of the Tennessee Executive Residence Foundation. He earned his J.D. from Vanderbilt University Law School and B.A. from Washington & Lee University.

Herndon is the latest addition to the firm’s Corporate & Securities practice, which has added more than two dozen attorneys in the last year, including ten partners. He joins Womble from the Nashville office of Frost Brown Todd, where he led that firm’s Payment Industries team.