Powell Carman counsels private and publicly held clients on general corporate matters, mergers and acquisitions, venture capital investments, strategic alliances, licenses, commercial agreements and other business issues. His practice focuses largely on clients in the life sciences, agribusiness, ag biotech and food industries.
Powell’s transactional experience includes significant acquisitions and divestitures for national and international biotech and agribusiness companies. He is also outside general counsel for a number of privately held companies and nonprofit organizations.
Education
- University of Missouri-Kansas City (J.D., with honors, 1988)
- University of Missouri-Columbia (B.S., cum laude, 1983)
- honors scholar
Bar Admission
- Missouri
- Illinois
Court Admissions
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Missouri
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit
Recognition
- Recognized as a Stellar Performance Lawyer by Thomson Reuters, 2026
- American Lawyer Media and Martindale-Hubbell™, Top Rated Lawyers in Technology, 2013
- Selected for inclusion in Best Lawyers in America® for:
- Mergers and Acquisitions Law, 2026
- Venture Capital Law, 2020-2026
- Corporate Law, 2013-2025
- Selected for Best Lawyers® “Lawyer of the Year” for Venture Capital Law, 2023
- Ranked in Chambers Global: World’s Leading Lawyers, Agribusiness, Notable Practitioner, 2020, 2026
- Missouri Super Lawyers, 2006-2007
Community
- Donald Danforth Plant Science Center Leadership Council
- University of Missouri Jefferson Club Board of Trustees
- St. Louis Agribusiness Club, President
- Rotary Skyway Farm Foundation, President
- Sigel Elementary School, volunteer tutor
