NEW PARTNERS
Depositphotos.com
Charlotte is home to most new law partners
C
harlotte law firms have elevated 60% of new partners in North Carolina this past year. This is the first new partners survey from North Carolina Lawyers Weekly, featuring 153 new partners from 49 firms. Charlotte hosts 92 of the new partners who have been hired or promoted in the last year. Moore & Van Allen elevated 28 attorneys as members and has the largest group of partners from a single firm. Tom Mitchell, managing partner and chair, said via email that Moore & Van Allen is
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By Chloe Murdock seeing growth in several practice areas, including financial services, litigation, real estate, corporate, and mergers and acquisitions. “Our new members have contributed to the success of many practices over the years,” Mitchell Mitchell said. “We are thrilled to celebrate their hard work and are optimistic See Page 19
METHODOLOGY The new partners list is based on email surveys submitted by North Carolina law firms as well as press releases and new hires throughout the year. The list includes partners named or hired between March 2023 and early Januar y 2024. Managing partners are not included unless they are laterally hired from another firm. As a result, our listings may not match f irms’ internal counts. Newly hired associates, of- counsel and nonpar tner attorneys are not factored into the numbers.
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NEW PARTNERS
NEW PARTNERS BY FIRM Firm Alston & Bird
Name
Title
Practice Area
City
Law School
Promoted/ lateral
Antone Little
Partner
Finance group
Charlotte
Loyola University
Promoted
Chad Fights
Partner
Finance group
Charlotte
Wake Forest University
Promoted
Daniel Rowe
Partner
Corporate and business transactions group
Charlotte
Duke University
Promoted
Seaira Wolf
Partner
Real estate group
Charlotte
Loyola University
Promoted
Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz
Scott Bowers
Shareholder
Corporate
Raleigh
University of Alabama
Lateral
Bradley Arant Boult Cummings
Sarah Jacobs
Partner
Health care
Charlotte
Vanderbilt University
Lateral
Brooks, Pierce, McLendon, Humphrey & Leonard
Sara Vizithum
Partner
Estate and tax planning
Greensboro
University of North Carolina
Promoted
Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft
Molly Lovedale
Partner
Finance
Charlotte
Case Western Reserve University
Promoted
Christopher D. Montgomery
Partner
Finance
Charlotte
University of Chicago
Promoted
Matthew A. Stempler
Partner
Finance
Charlotte
University of Virginia
Promoted
Skyler Walker
Partner
Capital markets
Charlotte
Wake Forest University
Promoted
Joseph P. Zeidner
Partner
Finance
Charlotte
Drexel University
Promoted
Philip R. Thomas
Member
Political and government law, civil litigation
Raleigh
Campbell University
Lateral
Kevin Cline
Member
Political law and civil litigation
Raleigh
Campbell University
Lateral
Chartwell Law
W. James Flynn
Partner
General liability and casualty defense
Charlotte
University of South Carolina
Lateral
Cranfill Sumner
Ryan Bostic
Partner
Malpractice and complex and catastrophic injury litigation
Wilmington
Appalachian School of Law
Promoted
Vince Eisinger
Partner
Business disputes and litigation, employment law
Raleigh
New York University
Promoted
Elizabeth Stephens
Partner
Municipal, labor and employment law
Raleigh
University of Wisconsin
Promoted
Chalmers, Adams, Backer & Kaufman
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NEW PARTNERS
NEW PARTNERS BY FIRM Firm
Title
Practice area
City
School
Promoted or lateral
Ellis & Winters
Ryan Bakelaar
Partner
Trial and litigation, complex medical malpractice defense
Raleigh
Campbell University
Lateral
Fox Rothschild
Brian C. Bernhardt
Partner
Tax litigation
Charlotte
University of Michigan
Promoted
Gailor Hunt Davis Taylor & Gibbs
Melissa J. Essick
Partner
Family law
Raleigh
Campbell University
Promoted
Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani
Megan Stacy
Partner
Commercial litigation, construction, product and general liability
Raleigh
Charlotte School of Law
Lateral
Hardison & Cochran
Susan L. Downs
Partner
Social Security disability
Raleigh
North Carolina Central University
Lateral
Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd
Cheri Beasley
Shareholder
Commercial litigation and economic development
Raleigh
University of Tennessee
Lateral
Hedrick Gardner Kincheloe & Garofalo
Bruce Daughtry
Partner
Civil law and insurance law
Wilmington
Campbell University
Lateral
Brian M. Williams
Partner
Civil law
Raleigh
Campbell University
Lateral
Craig Harasimowicz
Partner
Corporate
Charlotte
Wake Forest University
Promoted
Andrew Kaul Jorgensen
Partner
Financial services
Charlotte
Villanova University
Promoted
Jackson Lewis
Joshua R. Adams
Principal
Employment law
Charlotte
Wake Forest University
Promoted
Johnston Allison & Hord
Katie Barr
Partner
Real estate
Charlotte
Charlotte School of Law
Promoted
Lauren Martin
Partner
Trusts and estates practice group
Charlotte
Campbell University
Promoted
David S. Easwaran
Partner
Intellectual property
Charlotte
The Ohio State University
Lateral
Christopher J. Fernandez
Income Partner
Finance
Charlotte
Washington and Lee University
Promoted
Mary Scott Kennedy
Income Partner
Corporate
Charlotte
University of North Carolina
Promoted
Devan R. Patrick
Income Partner
Corporate
Charlotte
University of Oklahoma
Promoted
Gabriel T. Scott
Income Partner
Policy and regulatory
Research Triangle Park
University of Maryland
Promoted
Kevin Ryan Szu-Tu
Income Partner
Finance
Charlotte
New York University
Promoted
Holland & Knight
K&L Gates
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Name
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NEW PARTNERS
NEW PARTNERS BY FIRM Firm
Name
Title
Practice area
City
School
Promoted or lateral
Andrew Peace
Partner
Corporate, finance and investments
Charlotte
Boston College
Promoted
James Gallagher
Partner
Corporate, finance and investments
Charlotte
Georgia State University
Promoted
Carlie Smith
Partner
Franchise, trademark and general corporate law
Raleigh
Brigham Young University
Promoted
Chris Bobby
Partner
Corporate practice group
Raleigh
University of Chicago
Promoted
Linda E. Boss
Partner
Banking and finance
Charlotte
Wake Forest University
Promoted
Christopher N. Ellis
Partner
Banking and finance
Charlotte
University of North Carolina
Promoted
Jeffrey R. Favita
Partner
Banking and finance
Charlotte
University of North Carolina
Promoted
John Paul G. Igoe
Partner
Banking and finance
Charlotte
St. John's University
Promoted
William E. Leister
Partner
Banking and finance
Charlotte
Duke University
Promoted
Maynard Nexsen
Ashleigh Johnson
Shareholder
Corporate and business transactions
Greensboro
Washington and Lee University
Promoted
McGuireWoods
Alec Covington
Partner
Financial services litigation
Charlotte
University of North Carolina
Promoted
Andrew R. Parrish
Partner
Debt finance
Charlotte
Wake Forest University
Promoted
Richard V. Lockridge
Partner
Real estate and land use
Charlotte
University of Southern California
Promoted
Zephyr Sullivan
Member
Litigation
Asheville
Vermont Law School
Promoted
Richard Haywood
Member
Workers’ compensation
Asheville
University of Richmond
Promoted
Mason Littlefield
Member
Workers’ compensation
Charlotte
Charlotte School of Law
Promoted
Zachary Walton
Member
Litigation
Charlotte
West Virginia University
Promoted
Carolyn Marcus
Member
Workers’ compensation
Raleigh
University of North Carolina
Lateral
Ashley L. Felton
Partner
Labor and employment
Raleigh
Campbell University
Promoted
Justin G. May
Partner
Litigation
Raleigh
Wake Forest University
Promoted
Benjamin Shook
Member
Litigation
Charlotte
University of North Carolina
Promoted
Brett E. Moskowitz
Member
Finance
Charlotte
Georgetown University
Lateral
King & Spalding
Manning, Fulton & Skinner
Mayer Brown
MGC Law
Michael Best & Friedrich
Moore & Van Allen
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NEW PARTNERS
NEW PARTNERS BY FIRM Firm
14
Name
Title
Practice area
City
School
Promoted or lateral
Charles W. Kemp
Member
Corporate
Charlotte
Washington and Lee University
Promoted
Christine Carr York
Member
Financial services
Charlotte
Wake Forest University
Promoted
C. Cowden W. Rayburn
Member
Business
Charlotte
University of North Carolina
Promoted
Daniel J. Layfield
Member
Finance
Charlotte
University of Virginia
Promoted
Emily P. Stevenson
Member
Litigation
Charlotte
University of California
Promoted
Felicia M. Gardner
Member
Business
Charlotte
Georgetown University
Lateral
Fielding E. Huseth
Member
Litigation
Charlotte
New York University
Promoted
Holly S. Bannerman
Member
Commercial real estate
Charlotte
University of North Carolina
Promoted
James V. Gambrell
Member
Intellectual property
Charlotte
University of South Carolina
Promoted
Kaitlin D. Powers
Member
Finance
Charlotte
University of North Carolina
Promoted
Kathleen A. McConnell
Member
Finance
Charlotte
University of North Carolina
Promoted
Matthew A. Van Hoy
Member
Financial services
Charlotte
University of North Carolina
Promoted
Matthew R. Mollozzi
Member
Finance
Charlotte
George Washington University
Promoted
Micah S. Lewis
Member
Financial services
Charlotte
New York University
Promoted
Natalie S. Hilmandolar
Member
Financial services
Charlotte
University of North Carolina
Promoted
McCord Rayburn
Member
Intellectual property
Charlotte
University of North Carolina
Promoted
Robert K. Burrow
Member
Finance
Charlotte
University of North Carolina
Promoted
S. Alan Lanier Jr.
Member
Commercial real estate
Charlotte
University of Georgia
Promoted
Samantha N. SkainsMenchaca
Member
Intellectual property
Charlotte
Tulane University
Promoted
Sara Page H. Waugh
Member
Wealth transfer
Charlotte
University of Virginia
Promoted
Sarah A. Sheridan
Member
Litigation
Charlotte
Duke University
Promoted
Sarah Dohoney Byrne
Member
Financial regulatory advice and response
Charlotte
Suffolk University
Promoted
Suzanne K. Gainey
Member
Intellectual property
Charlotte
Loyola University
Promoted
Tanisha Palvia
Member
Litigation
Charlotte
Emory University
Lateral
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NEW PARTNERS
NEW PARTNERS BY FIRM Firm
Name
Title
Practice area
City
School
Promoted or lateral
William M. Butler
Member
Litigation
Charlotte
University of North Carolina
Promoted
Wood W. Lay
Member
Employment and labor
Charlotte
Washington and Lee University
Lateral
Ben Martie
Partner
Life sciences
Raleigh
Georgetown University
Promoted
Harrison M. Gates
Partner
Business litigation
Durham
University of Richmond
Promoted
Swain Wood
Partner
Government investigations, negotiation and litigation
Raleigh
Harvard Law School
Lateral
Morris, Manning & Martin
Lili Martin-Mashburn
Partner
Tax
Raleigh
Emory University
Promoted
Nelson Mullins
Lianna Donovan
Partner
Commercial litigation, business torts, health care, government investigations and litigation, cybersecurity, data privacy, health insurance
Charlotte
Rutgers University
Promoted
Jeff Kelly
Partner
Emerging technologies, financial technology, corporate and securities
Raleigh
Campbell University
Promoted
Cory Patterson
Partner
Litigation, white collar defense, government investigations, product liability, construction and construction transactions
Charlotte
North Carolina Central University
Promoted
Tiffany Burba
Partner
Intellectual property
Raleigh
Vanderbilt University
Promoted
Catherine Clodfelter
Partner
Business litigation
Raleigh
University of North Carolina
Promoted
Megan Dunham
Partner
Tax
Charlotte
University of South Carolina
Promoted
Michael Frantz
Partner
Commercial real estate financing
Charlotte
Catholic University of America
Lateral
Laura Goode
Partner
Real estate and commercial development
Raleigh
Campbell University
Promoted
Dylan Castellino
Partner
Civil litigation
Rocky Mount
University of North Carolina
Promoted
Chris Dwight
Partner
Business organizations and transactions, mergers and acquisitions
Rocky Mount
University of North Carolina
Promoted
Brett Carpenter
Partner
Employment law and litigation
Raleigh
Campbell University
Promoted
Stephanie Goodbar
Partner
Creditors' rights and bankruptcy
Raleigh
Liberty University
Promoted
Colin McGrath
Partner
Land use, zoning
Raleigh
Campbell University
Promoted
Amanda S. Smiley
Partner
Workers' compensation defense
Charlotte
Vanderbilt University
Lateral
Morningstar Law Group
Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein
Poyner Spruill
Quintairos, Prieto, Wood, & Boyer
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NEW PARTNERS
NEW PARTNERS BY FIRM Firm
Title
Practice area
City
School
Promoted or lateral
Susan H. Briggs
Managing Partner
Workers' compensation defense
Charlotte
University of North Carolina
Lateral
L. Skye MacLeod
Partner
Litigation
Raleigh
Samford University
Promoted
Elizabeth H. Overmann
Partner
Litigation
Raleigh
Campbell University
Lateral
Demi Lorant Bostian
Shareholder
Litigation
Chapel Hill
Columbia University
Promoted
Scott Cogar
Shareholder
Corporate
Charlotte
University of Alabama
Promoted
Kevin R. Crandall
Shareholder
Litigation
Charlotte
Harvard University
Promoted
Bernard C. Funk
Shareholder
Corporate
Charlotte
Yale University
Promoted
Alexis M. Iffert
Shareholder
Corporate
Charlotte
Wake Forest University
Promoted
Lauren M. Talboom
Shareholder
Real estate
Charlotte
University of North Carolina
Promoted
Katie Schwarting
Partner
Real estate finance
Charlotte
University of North Carolina
Lateral
Andrew Quesnelle
Partner
Labor and employment
Charlotte
Villanova University
Lateral
Stephen Lott
Partner
Intellectual property
Charlotte
University of Florida
Promoted
Joseph Lanser
Partner
Intellectual property
Charlotte
Illinois Institute of Technology
Promoted
Tom BenGera
Partner
Intellectual property
Charlotte
Brooklyn Law School
Promoted
Terence S. Reynolds
Partner
Litigation
Charlotte
Fordham University
Promoted
Howard King
Partner
Corporate law, mergers and acquisitions
Charlotte
American University
Lateral
Michelle Peltz
Partner
Real estate and development
Charlotte
Massachusetts School of Law
Lateral
Siemens Family Law Group
David Hudson
Partner
Family law
Asheville
University of Richmond
Promoted
Smith Anderson
Kevin M. Ceglowski
Partner
Workplace law
Raleigh
Campbell University
Lateral
Blake Simpson Fricks
Partner
Corporate and intellectual property law
Raleigh
University of North Carolina
Promoted
Ed Roche
Partner
Commercial litigation
Raleigh
University of North Carolina
Promoted
Lee Strasburger
Partner
Life sciences and agriculture technology transactions
Raleigh
Emory University
Promoted
Ragsdale Liggett
Robinson, Bradshaw & Hinson
Seyfarth Shaw
Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick
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Name
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NEW PARTNERS
NEW PARTNERS BY FIRM Firm
Name
Title
Practice area
City
School
Promoted or lateral
Teague Campbell Dennis & Gorham
Dan Strong
Partner
Litigation and risk management
Raleigh
Washington and Lee University
Promoted
Troutman Pepper Hamilton Sanders
Graham Miller
Partner
Real estate
Charlotte
University of North Carolina
Promoted
Victoria Alvarez
Partner
Business litigation
Charlotte
Saint Louis University
Promoted
Adrian D. Boddie
Partner
Business litigation
Charlotte
University of North Carolina
Promoted
Brett A. Hubler
Partner
Mergers and acquisitions
Charlotte
University of South Carolina
Promoted
Matthew E. Orso
Partner
White collar and government investigations
Charlotte
Saint Louis University
Lateral
Jean Smith-Gonnell
Partner
Cannabis
Charlotte
University of Denver
Lateral
Casselle Smith McKoy
Partner
White collar and government investigations
Raleigh
Harvard University
Promoted
Devin Catlin
Partner
Real Estate
Charlotte
Washington and Lee University
Promoted
Wagner Hicks
Tyler B. Peacock
Partner
Labor and employment
Charlotte
University of Michigan
Lateral
Wake Family Law Group
Rachel Beard
Partner
Family law negotiations and litigation
Raleigh
Campbell University
Promoted
Melanie Phillips Lucky
Partner
Family law negotiations and litigation
Raleigh
University of Michigan
Promoted
Sean M. Sullivan
Partner
Environment and natural resources
Raleigh
American University
Lateral
Brian R. Drozd
Partner
Intellectual property
Raleigh
University of North Carolina
Lateral
Walter L. Tippett Jr.
Partner
Litigation
Raleigh
University of North Carolina
Lateral
Andrew R. Shores
Partner
Intellectual property
Raleigh
Campbell University
Promoted
Wilson Elser
Erik J. Tomberg
Partner
Insurance coverage
Raleigh
Northeastern University
Promoted
Winston & Strawn
Dan Diamond
Partner
Financial services
Charlotte
Columbia University
Promoted
Womble Bond Dickinson
Hideki Akiyama
Partner
Corporate and securities
Raleigh
Duke University
Lateral
Taylor Ey
Partner
Trademarks, copyrights and transactions
Research Triangle Park
Wake Forest University
Promoted
Chris Hewitt
Partner
Corporate and securities
WinstonSalem
Wake Forest University
Promoted
Williams Mullen
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Representing
with purpose NEW MEMBERS
At Moore & Van Allen, representation extends
Holly S. Bannerman
beyond traditional legal services.
Robert K. Burrow William M. Butler Sarah Dohoney Byrne Suzanne K. Gainey James V.C. Gambrell
We represent ideas, values and aspirations. We immerse
Felicia M. Gardner Natalie S. Hilmandolar
ourselves in a deep understanding of what is important
Fielding E. Huseth
to our clients and bring clear perspective
S. Alan Lanier, Jr. Wood W. Lay
to any legal challenge.
Daniel J. Layfield Micah S. Lewis KatIE A. McConnell
We congratulate our new members as they continue their steadfast commitment to client service, excellence, and teamwork.
Matthew R. Mollozzi Brett E. Moskowitz Tanisha Palvia Kaitlin D. Powers C. Cowden W. Rayburn R.W. MCCORD Rayburn Sarah A. Sheridan Benjamin E. Shook Samantha N. Skains-Menchaca Emily PERA Stevenson Matthew A. Van Hoy Sara Page H. Waugh Christine Carr York
mvalaw.com LITIGATION
REAL ESTATE
CORPORATE
FINANCIAL SERVICES
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
PUBLIC AFFAIRS
GLOBAL SERVICES
WEALTH TRANSFER
RESTRUCTURING
NEW PARTNERS
NEW PARTNERS BY FIRM Firm
Name
Wyrick Robbins Yates & Ponton
Young Moore & Henderson
Title
Practice area
City
School
Promoted or lateral
Kent Jones
Partner
Real estate
Charlotte
Samford University
Lateral
Lisa Moyles
Partner
Patent prosecution and litigation
Raleigh
University of Louisville
Lateral
Patrick Spaugh
Partner
Business litigation
Charlotte
Duke University
Promoted
Jamie Stone
Partner
Corporate and securities
Greensboro
University of North Carolina
Promoted
Stephen J. Perry
Partner
Commercial real estate
Raleigh
University of North Carolina
Promoted
Trevor P. Presler
Partner
Health care
Raleigh
University of North Carolina
Promoted
Andrew Webster
Shareholder
Trucking and transportation
Raleigh
Capital University
Promoted
Continued From Page 10
about the growth that lies ahead as they proceed at the partner level.” There are 50 new partners in Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill and the Research Triangle Park. The four contain 33% of new partners. The Research Triangle and its surroundings have a 9% greater proportion of women among its new partner ranks than in Charlotte. Twenty-two women have achieved partner status in Research Triangle Park and its surroundings (Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill). This metropolitan region makes up 44% of new partners who are women, compared to the 32 women who comprise 35% of new partners in Charlotte. Eleven new partners also have cropped up in Asheville, Greensboro, Rocky Mount, Wilmington and Winston-Salem.
New partners in these cities are 7% of the total. Those who earned law degrees outside the state make up 56% of new partners. A total of 85 attorneys launched their legal career in North Carolina after attending an out-of-state law school. New partners who attended the University of North Carolina School of Law make up the largest cohort of new partners from a single law school, with 31 alumni comprising 20% of new partners. Rob Birrenkott, UNC Law’s associate dean for career and professional development, cited opportunities for networking, experiential learning and partnerships with law firms and public service organizations as factors that set up its alumni for success. “The impressive representation of our alumni among new partners underscores the quality of legal education provided at UNC School of Law,” Birrenkott said.
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N O R T H C A R O L I N A L A W Y E R S W E E K LY
More figures include: • Troutman Pepper’s eight new partners comprise the second-largest cohort of new partners from a law firm. • Out of the total new partners across North Carolina, firms named 58 women as partners. They comprise 38% of the total new partners in the state. • Most new partners — 76% — earned their status via a promotion rather than leaving for a competitor. • Sixteen new partners call Campbell University their alma mater, and 11 more attended Wake Forest University. • Of the other schools in North Carolina, five new partners earned law degrees from Duke University. Three earned law degrees from the former Charlotte Law School, which closed in 2017, and two others are law school alumni of North Carolina Central University. ◆
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