John Willding Highlighted in Attorney at Law Magazine "Veterans in Law" Special Edition

11.13.2024

Stinson LLP Partner John Willding is featured in an Attorney at Law Magazine special issue, "Veterans in Law," honoring attorneys and recognizing their dedicated service in the military.

Willding, a former staff sergeant who served 12 years in the Army, including reserve duty, details his transition from the military to practicing law. He highlights how his military service impacts his approach to serving clients while noting the positive impact the Army has had on his professional and personal journey.

"I pushed my mind and body past where I thought it could go. I learned to manage huge amounts of pressure and stress in a positive and constructive way," Willding said. "These skills have helped me immensely as a lawyer. Clients often call me with urgent, complex needs, and the skills that I learned in the Army help me to get the job done, to add value, and to reduce their stress."

Willding also details lessons learned from the Army that he applies to his current practice, including keeping his word, assembling a highly-qualified team to get the job done, and understanding the mission in order to execute on the task at hand. "Not too different from what I did in the Army," he said.

Willding has more than 20 years of corporate and securities experience, including significant experience advising boards of directors with respect to corporate governance and fiduciary duties. He frequently serves as lead counsel for buyers and sellers in mergers and acquisitions and assists clients with the establishment and operation of private equity funds. Willding also has extensive experience representing investment managers and their sponsors and advising real estate developers and their capital partners in the negotiation of joint venture agreements.

Read the full feature.