J. Scott Dillon Printer-Friendly

Scott Dillon has built a broad-based business, tax and estate planning practice, with a particular emphasis on buying and selling businesses and the development and management of qualified retirement plans and employee benefits.

Scott’s clients include a wide variety of closely-held, family-owned businesses – from medical practices to construction firms. He drafts, reviews and negotiates sophisticated contracts, provides counsel on business planning, and designs and implements both qualified retirement and executive compensation plans.

He is especially experienced in helping clients with business transitions and exit strategies. "The sale of a family business is frequently the largest transaction many of our clients will become involved in," Scott says. "They look to us for advice in structuring the deal and for counsel on business or tax issues, cash flow and retirement planning."

Scott is the only preferred North Carolina attorney for Pensco Trust Company, a firm serving as custodian for IRAs self-directed into real estate and closely held business interests.

Client Case Studies

Helping a Team of Physicians Resolve a Shareholder Dispute

Physicians holding stock in a large medical practice were in a deadlocked dispute with other physician shareholders over a compensation plan and call structure. As the situation deteriorated, attorney Scott Dillon stepped in and helped his clients file a lawsuit to contest the involuntary dissolution of the practice. Negotiations led by Scott resulted in a decision to sell the practice for in excess of $100 million.

Using Retirement Investments to Fund New Business Ventures

Scott Dillon has helped several clients use their retirement plan assets to purchase or launch new businesses, without taking a taxable distribution. The first step: Scott forms a corporation and establishes a 401(k) plan that permits investment of plan assets in company stock. Retirement benefits are then rolled over into individually-directed accounts and invested in common stock of the corporation. The rollover money paid to the corporation serves as working capital to pursue the client’s business objectives – whether they are purchasing a franchise, establishing a new real estate firm, launching a business to treat sleep disorders or creating a cloud computing company.

Negotiating the Sale of a Trucking Company

Scott Dillon served as lead counsel for a trucking company that decided to sell its $40+ million business. The transaction involved multiple subsidiaries and several related companies. Scott reviewed and negotiated the stock purchase agreement, supervised our firm’s handling of the transaction and represented the client’s interests in a three-day closing in Chicago.

Helping Wealthy Families Protect Their Assets

Scott Dillon has helped several high net worth families use innovative estate and business plans to protect their assets. Common tools include generation-skipping revocable trusts, as well as irrevocable life insurance trusts established to pay estate taxes without eroding family wealth. Scott also has created family-owned, limited liability companies to hold investment assets – enabling individuals to make lifetime, tax-free gifts to their children without having to relinquish control over their assets. These companies also provide enhanced protection against creditors and serve as an effective tool for segregated asset management.

Representing the Unique Needs of Contractors

Scott Dillon has provided long-term representation to several regional commercial contractors, including AC Corporation, Bar Construction Company, Brady Services, Central Carolina Air Conditioning, Cooper Electrical Construction Company, Tri-City Mechanical Contractors and more. Using his thorough understanding of their industry, he helps these clients purchase other companies, close or refinance loans, resolve business disputes, address employment matters, and draft, review and negotiate contracts. Scott works side-by-side with Carruthers & Roth litigation attorneys in matters requiring contractor lien filings and court proceedings. He also provides the owners with counsel on issues involving family business and estate planning.

Bar and Court Admissions

• North Carolina, 1983

Professional Memberships and Activities

• North Carolina Bar Association, Business Law Section Council, Chair of Contract Form Committee

Awards and Recognitions

• Best Lawyers in America, 2010-2020
• Best Lawyers in America: Greensboro Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships) “Lawyer of the Year,” 2020
• Best Lawyers in America: Greensboro Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law "Lawyer of the Year," 2019
• Best Lawyers in America: Greensboro Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law "Lawyer of the Year," 2013
• Business North Carolina: Legal Elite, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019
• Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated
• North Carolina Super Lawyers, 2014-2019
• University of North Carolina School of Law, Former Board Member
• North Carolina Bar Association: Business Law Section, Distinguished Service Award, 2013
• North Carolina State University Omicron Delta Epsilon Honor Society in Economics
• University of North Carolina School of Law Block Award for Outstanding Achievement in Legal Studies

Community Service

• Nat Greene Kiwanis Club
• Greensboro Youth Soccer Association, Former President of Twisters Division