Book Provides Insight on Cooperative Business Model

ATLANTA – June 26, 2009 – Autry, Horton & Cole, LLP is pleased to announce that partners Charles T. Autry and Roland F. Hall have co-authored a newly released book, The Law of Cooperatives.  The first of its kind, this book provides a practical, insightful overview of cooperative law and how this form of business differs from other business entities.  It is a must read for all executives and attorneys working with cooperatives as well as those seeking to form a new business.  Published by the American Bar Association Business Law Section, the book is currently available through http://www.abanet.org/abastore and will be offered later this year by major retail outlets, including amazon.com.

The Law of Cooperatives provides an overview of cooperatives and cooperative law including:

·         history of the cooperative form of business

·         comparison of the cooperative entity with other business entities

·         guidelines about when to use this form of business

·         discussion of types of cooperatives and cooperative structures

·         outline of the operation and governance of cooperatives, including members, directors and officers

·         tax implications of a cooperative and much more

According to the firm’s founding partner, co-author Charles Autry, “As our economy changes, we’re seeing an increased interest in cooperatives across a wide range of industries from health care and renewable energy to broadband services. Our firm has extensive experience working with cooperatives, and we’re excited to share our expertise.”

Partner and co-author Roland Hall said, “Through our research, we discovered a scarcity of publications that provided a comprehensive overview about cooperatives including the advantages and disadvantages of using the cooperative form.  This knowledge is critical for anyone involved with or interested in this form of business.”

About the Authors

Founding partner of Autry, Horton & Cole, Charles T. Autry has focused his career for the past thirty years on representing cooperatives with an emphasis on electric cooperatives and their natural gas affiliates. He has extensive experience in the negotiation and drafting of complex power supply, natural gas, and construction contracts for cooperatives and in corporate and financial matters involving cooperatives.  In addition, he serves as counsel to several cooperative boards of directors.  Mr. Autry received his undergraduate degree from the University of Georgia, his J.D. from the University of Alabama, his MBA from Georgia State University and his Master of Laws in Taxation from Emory University School of Law.

Partner Roland F. Hall’s practice includes representing electric cooperatives and related entities regarding corporate law; finance and regulatory matters; contracts, including construction contracts; and handling complex business transactions and commercial litigation.  Mr. Hall received a bachelor’s degree from Mercer University and his J.D. from the Mercer University Walter F. George School of Law, and served as a judicial clerk to a federal district judge after law school.

About the ABA

With more than 400,000 members, the American Bar Association is the largest voluntary professional membership organization in the world.  As the national voice of the legal profession, the ABA works to improve the administration of justice, promotes programs that assist lawyers and judges in their work, accredits law schools, provides continuing legal education, and works to build public understanding around the world of the importance of the rule of law.

About Autry, Horton & Cole, LLP

Based in Tucker, Georgia (metro Atlanta), Autry, Horton & Cole, LLP provides the highest quality legal services to clients while maintaining the personal relationships and value offered by a smaller firm. Attorneys have decades of experience serving individuals, businesses and government entities throughout the country including extensive experience representing cooperatives. Founded in 1996, the firm advises clients on a wide variety of business and litigation matters with strong practice areas focused on energy and utilities, business and corporate law, construction and taxation. For additional information visit www.ahclaw.com.

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