Beattie, Donald G.

WALTER M. BEALE, JR., better known as Mac Beale, is a partner in the law firm of Balch & Bingham LLP, Birmingham, Alabama, where his practice is devoted primarily to corporate finance transactions and advising publicly held corporations. He has over 40 years of experience in these areas and has represented issuers in both initial and secondary public offerings, public and private offerings of debt securities and offerings of "hybrid" securities, such as trust preferred securities. Mr. Beale also advises publicly held corporations regarding compliance with federal and state securities laws, corporate governance and compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Acts, and he regularly advises boards of directors of publicly held corporations on their duties and responsibilities. Mr. Beale represents corporations with securities listed on the New York Stock Exchange and the NASDAQ National Market System. He has also served as underwriter's counsel for public offerings of securities and advises registered broker-dealers regarding compliance with applicable securities laws as well as regulations promulgated by the National Association of Securities Dealers. Mr. Beale also advises clients on compliance with provisions of the Federal Power Act and the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 2005 and represents clients before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

In addition to his corporate and securities practice, Mr. Beale serves as a member of the executive committee of Balch & Bingham LLP.