PERSONAL EXPERIENCE AND BIOGRAPHICAL SUMMARY

Mr. Parkerson is an international business attorney at Chalmers, Adams, Backer & Kaufman.  His practice focuses on general corporate counseling, particularly with respect to international business and related commercial transactions (defense subcontracts, distribution, agency, licensing, strategic alliances, JVs, M&A); international business compliance (foreign corruption, CFIUS); laws applicable to import/export (Buy America, EAR and ITAR); international aviation law; and governmental affairs.   

From 1993-2008, Parkerson was part of the international practice group within Delta Air Lines’ Law Department, advising senior management regarding legal matters ranging from foreign labor and employment issues to international aviation liability and anti-trust, as well as foreign corporate, regulatory, marketing and related business transactions.  Prior to Delta, Parkerson served 15 years as an Army Judge Advocate General (“JAG”) officer in a variety of international law assignments, including (i) Chief of the International Law Branch, Office of The Judge Advocate General, The Pentagon; (ii) U.S. Forces Europe legal liaison, U.S. Embassy, Bonn; and (iii) international legal advisor, U.S. Army Europe headquarters in Heidelberg. 

OUTSIDE INTERESTS

In 2007, the Government of Hungary appointed Mr. Parkerson as its Honorary Consul General for the southeast U.S., later adding Foreign Trade Counselor to his responsibilities.  In this role, he represents Hungary’s consular and trade interests in Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama, and South Carolina; and he serves as Secretary on the Board of the Atlanta Consular Corps. 

Parkerson also is an educator and seasoned lecturer:  he was an Associate Professor of Law at the U.S. Military Academy, West Point; he has taught Contracts Drafting at Emory’s School of Law; and he taught MBA international business courses at Georgia Tech’s Scheller College of Business and at Clayton State University.  He is a frequent guest speaker on global business topics:  he has spoken at numerous universities, chambers of commerce, and business and foreign policy organizations in the U.S., Europe and Egypt.    

PRACTICE  AREAS

Inbound and Outbound International Business:  Corporate/Transactional

International Commercial Transactions:  defense subcontracts/government procurement, distribution, agency, licensing, strategic alliances, JVs, M&A

International Business Compliance:  foreign corruption, CFIUS

Import/Export Controls:  Buy America, Export Administration Regulations (EAR), International Traffic in Arms Regulations

International Civil Aviation Law

International Governmental Affairs   

STATE BAR ADMISSION

Georgia

EDUCATION

George Washington University, LL.M., highest honors, International & Comparative Law (1990)

Emory University, J.D., International Studies Award; President, International Law Society (1978) 

Boston University, M.A., high honors, International Relations (Strategic Studies) (1985)

Emory University, M.A., History (Diplomatic) (1975)

Emory University, B.A., magna cum laude, History (1974)

U.S. Army Command & General Staff College, honor graduate (1991)

Hague Academy of International Law, course in Public International Law, The Hague, The Netherlands (1982)

HONORS AND AWARDS

Knight’s Cross of the Order of Merit – recipient of Hungary’s highest civilian award to a non-Hungarian. 

2001 International Business Person of the Year, Clayton County Chamber of Commerce

2006 and 2014 Finalist, Governor’s International Award for Individual of the Year, World Trade Center Atlanta/ Atlanta Business Chronicle

CURRENT MEMBERSHIPS

Honorary Consul General and Foreign Economic Counselor of Hungary

Board Member-Secretary, Atlanta Consular Corps       

Board Member, International Law Section, State Bar of Georgia

Board Member, Georgia National Guard Youth Challenge Foundation

Board of Councilors, The Carter Center

Member, U.S. Global Leadership Coalition – Georgia Advisory Committee

Member, Brazilian-American Chamber of Commerce

Board Member, Arts Clayton