CJ Donald

Associate Dallas

T +1 214.651.5729

[email protected]

Biography

CJ Donald is an associate at Haynes Boone. He represents financial institutions, private equity firms, and commercial borrowers in financial transactions. CJ also advises clients in the entertainment, hospitality, and sports industries on corporate matters. In addition to CJ’s practice at Haynes Boone, he is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Kentucky College of Law, where he teaches Sports Law.

CJ currently serves on the Board of Trustees of Centre College.

Before joining Haynes Boone, CJ received his law degree from Vanderbilt University Law School.

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: Represented a multinational bank in a series of financings with a combined value of over $1 billion to an investment firm focused on internet and software companies.

Represented a U.S. financial services company as administrative agent in a $200 million syndicated credit agreement for a professional sports team.

Represented Landry’s, Inc. and its subsidiaries in a $300 million increase to the existing term facility and a $30 million increase to the existing revolving facility in connection with the acquisition, and joinder to the facilities, of the Del Frisco Restaurant Group.

Represented a global financial group in a $250 million credit and security agreement to a commercial real estate fund.

Represented an aerospace manufacturer in a $115 million first lien credit agreement and a $30 million second lien credit agreement.

Represented private equity firm Capitol Peak Partners, LLC in connection with the acquisition of Borden Dairy.

Represented multinational financial services company as administrative agent in connection with a $550 million syndicated credit facility to a real estate developer.

Represented a multinational lender in a $300 million credit facility for an infrastructure-focused private equity management firm.
: The Sports Lawyers Association, Member

Centre College, Board of Trustees

Centre College, President’s Advisory Council, Member

Leadership Council on Legal Diversity, Pathfinder

Dallas Association of Young Lawyers, Board of Directors, 2020

Patrick E. Higginbotham American Inn of Court, Associate, 2019-2020

Genesis Young Leaders Board of Directors, Co-Secretary and Membership Committee Member, 2019-2020

Genesis Young Leaders Board of Directors, Member at Large, 2018-2019

Equal Access to Justice Committee - Dallas Association of Young Lawyers, Committee Co-Chair, 2019

Equal Access to Justice Committee - Dallas Association of Young Lawyers, Committee Member, 2018-2019
: Recipient of the Young Alumnus award, Centre College, 2022

Included in Texas Super Lawyers Rising Stars directory, Thomson Reuters, 2022-2025

Included in the "Ones to Watch" category of Best Lawyers in America, Woodward/White, Inc., 2025-2026
: “Civil Discourse: Alive and Well in the Commonwealth,” moderator, Centre College Constitution Day Convocation, September 17, 2024.

“Lawsuit involving high-profile athlete should worry athletes, colleges, coaches, and collectives,” author, Sports Business Journal, September 5, 2024.

“Navigating NIL: Legal Implications for the Evolution of the Student Athlete,” co-speaker, Dallas Bar Association Entertainment, Art, & Sports Law Section, August 28, 2024.

"Haynes Boone, Investing in our Future Retreat," moderator, Firm Leadership Panel, June 10, 2023

“Ethics Lessons from Pop Culture,” speaker, Kansas Bar Association, April 29, 2022.

"Recognizing and Responding to Racial Inequality: A Brief Overview of the Social Scientific Research," moderator, Haynes Boone Diversity Awareness and Inclusion event, February 9, 2022.

“Five Lessons Young Lawyers Can Learn from Tom Girardi of Erin Brockovich and The Real Housewives of Bravo Fame,” speaker, Louisville Bar Association, August 2021.

“Legislative and Case Law Update for the Business Law Practitioner,” co-speaker, University of Kentucky/Kentucky Bar Association 18th Biennial Business Associations Law Institute, April 7, 2021.

"Federal District Court Permits University to Delay Title IX Investigation Until Local Law Enforcement Review is Complete, author, DAYL Weekly Brief, January 15, 2020.

"Don't Talk About it, Be About it: How to Move the Needle on Social Justice," author, The American Lawyer, June 10, 2020.

“Litigation Over Employee “No-Poach” Agreements Continues To Pick Up Steam,” co-author, American Bar Association Section of Antitrust Law, Winter 2019.

"Emotional Abuse Allegations Beset Three College Basketball Programs," author, July 3, 2019.

"The Burden Of Medical Records During Bankruptcy," co-author, Law360, May 15, 2018.

"SEC Brings First Enforcement Action Against a Public Company for Failing to Disclose Data Breach," co-author, Haynes Boone client alert, May 1, 2018.

"Key Features of New Data Breach Notification Laws in Alabama and South Dakota," co-author, Haynes Boone client alert, April 4, 2018.

"The Supreme Court Opens the Door for Shareholders to Bring Public Offering Securities Class Action Claims in State Courts," co-author, Haynes Boone client alert, March 21, 2018.

"SEC Announces Examination Priorities for 2018," co-author, Haynes Boone client alert, February 19, 2018.

"Supreme Court Unanimously Determines that Clean Water Act Approved Jurisdictional Determinations are Final Agency Actions and can be Challenged in Federal District Court," co-author, Haynes Boone client alert, June 1, 2016.
: Education
J.D., Vanderbilt University Law School, 2017, Chancellor’s Law Scholar; President, VLS Honor Council
B.A., Government, Centre College, 2014, Max P. Cavnes Prize
Clerkships
Intern, Family Court Division, New York City Law Dept., 2015
Intern, the Honorable Judge Joseph Hood, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Kentucky, 2015
Admissions
Texas
Kentucky
Court Admissions
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Kentucky