In a career spanning more than 40 years, Tim Powers has guided many of the largest financial institutions, private equity fund sponsors, and technology companies in some of their most innovative undertakings. He served as the firm's managing partner from 2015-2020, during which time the firm developed its 2025 long-term strategic plan, had revenue growth of more than 25, and expanded into six new locations, including London. Currently, Tim serves as a senior counsel, advisor, and ambassador for the firm.

In addition to serving as the firm's managing partner, Tim has held numerous other firm-wide leadership roles, including department chair, practice management chair, marketing partner, lateral hiring partner, and member of the Compensation and Appointments Committees. He also led the development of the firm's international practice, as well as its global geographic growth.

Tim is widely credited with having led the legal development of the subscription-secured credit facility market, which has grown over the last 35 years to an annual market size of more than $700 billion. He led, and now advises, our fund finance team, which has become a global leader in the representation of U.S. and foreign commercial and investment banks in subscription financings for private equity funds. In recognition of his seminal role in the industry, the Fund Finance Association honored Tim with its Julian Black Lifetime Contribution to the Industry Award in 2019.

A member of the Council on Foreign Relations, Tim is a truly international lawyer with a global mindset. He was involved in more than $1 billion in U.S. real estate investments by foreign investors during his career. He worked extensively with Japanese clients in connection with their U.S. business ventures and investments, including serving in general counsel-type roles for U.S.-Japanese semiconductor joint ventures, including the first-ever such venture. Tim has written and edited several influential publications on foreign investment topics, including Foreign Investment in U.S. Real Estate: A Comprehensive Guide.

In one of his more intriguing engagements, Tim represented the First National Bank of Whitewright in connection with the safe return of the Quedlinburg Treasures to their German owners. In the book Treasure Hunt, the account of the theft labeled as one of the greatest and longest unsolved art thefts of the 20th century, Tim's "great integrity" in the handling of the case is credited as a primary reason for the restoration of these medieval art works to their rightful owners.

Under Tim's leadership, the firm became a founding member of The World Services Group (WSG), a multi-disciplinary network of more than 120 independent law, accounting, and investment banking firms that operate in more than 150 jurisdictions around the world. Tim served as the WSG chair from 2003-2004.

Tim is also devoted to advancing the rule of law. A recognized leader of the bar, he has held senior leadership positions in the International Bar Association, American Bar Association, State Bar of Texas, The Center for American and International Law, and the CEELI Institute. He has also served as a member of the executive board of Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law, and as president of the International Bar Association Foundation. In recognition of his outstanding and unique contribution to the work of the International Bar Association, in 2021 Tim was elected as an Honorary Life Member of the IBA.

A devoted ambassador for the firm and an active advocate for numerous causes, Tim is committed to serving his community. He has served in senior leadership roles and on the boards of directors of the World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth, Dallas Regional Chamber, YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas, American Heart Association - Dallas Division, Japan America Society of Dallas/Fort Worth, Southern Methodist University Tate Lecture Series, and Crossroads Community Services. He also has served as a trustee of The First United Methodist Church - Dallas. In 2019, Tim was appointed by Mayor Eric Johnson to chair the City of Dallas Ethics Advisory Commission and to assemble and lead a task force charged with overhauling the city's ethics code and establishing safeguards to ensure ethical behavior in government. In 2021, the Dallas City Council unanimously approved and adopted into law each of the proposed reforms that were recommended by the task force.

Bar Admissions
Texas
New York

Education
J.D., Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law, 1980
B.A., University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), 1977, with honors

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  By Timothy Powers |May 2017

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