Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP Names New Partner

Leah Campbell is now a partner with the firm. She counsels banking clients in regulatory issues, transactions, warehouse lending, pre-litigation risk, compliance with federal and state laws, and financial technology contracts. Campbell has practiced banking law for more than 22 years. She earned a J.D., magna cum laude, from Tulane University Law School, where she was a member of the Order of the Coif and received the Ray Forrester Award for Constitutional Law. She holds a B.A. from The Evergreen State College.

Cranfill Sumner Selects New Partner 

Charlie Raphun is an attorney in the firm’s Raleigh office. He practices commercial and technology law and has over 25 years of experience in the telecommunications industry. Raphun offers transactional services and advises businesses and individual clients. He has experience in compliance programs, intellectual property portfolios, litigation, and risk management systems. He holds a J.D. from the University of North Carolina School of Law, a master’s degree from the U.S. Army War College, and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida.

 Attorney Joins Law Firm Carolinas

Chris Gelwicks has practiced law for more than 25 years. He has represented homeowners and condominium associations with their formation, operations, collections, and litigation. He has completed more than 60 jury trials and numerous bench trials, and he has served as a mediator across North and South Carolina and has represented clients in both trial and appellate courts. He serves on the Case Law Update Team for the Community Associations Institute. He received a J.D. from Regent University School of Law and a bachelor’s degree from Towson State University.

Moore & Van Allen Promotes Attorneys to Partner

Jacqueline Ferrell focuses her practice on employment litigation and counseling. Her practice is focused on employment litigation and counseling. She represents national and regional companies in court, arbitration, and administrative agencies against employment claims. She works with clients on a range of matters related to labor and employment law. She holds a J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law and a bachelor’s degree, magna cum laude, from Duke University.

Elena Mitchell focuses her practice on complex litigation in matters that include business torts, commercial contracts and mortgage loan disputes, estate litigation, and antitrust litigation. Mitchell assisted the firm in creating the DEI Advice, Audits & Assessments practice and provides counsel to companies, government entities, and nonprofits regarding DEI programs and investigations. She holds a J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law and a bachelor’s degree from the University of South Carolina, where she graduated from the honors college.

Laura (Boorman) Truesdale focuses her practice on environmental risk and compliance issues in matters of business and real estate transactions, redevelopment projects, and regulations. She assists developers, lenders and financial institutions, contractors, and buyers/sellers of contaminated properties on environmental considerations. She provides counsel to investors in environmental matters connected to acquiring large-scale renewable energy project portfolios. She received a J.D. with honors from the University of Richmond School of Law and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Virginia.

Poyner Spruill Names New Partners, Welcomes Associate

Amy Clay is a partner with the firm. She works with school systems in matters of education law. She focuses on issues related to the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and she is a Title IX investigator. She is a member of the Board of Directors for HOST (Housing Options for Students Today). Clay holds a Ph.D. in school psychology from North Carolina State University, a J.D. from Campbell Law School and a B.S. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Hannah Munn is a partner with the firm. She focuses her practice in employee benefits and executive compensation. She assists public, private, governmental, and nonprofit employers as they create and document retirement plans, welfare benefit plans, fringe benefit plans, and executive compensation plans. She serves as the chair of the focus Committee with the American Society of Pension Professionals & Actuaries. She is the co-editor-in-chief of the Journal of Pension Benefits. She holds a J.D., summa cum laude, from North Carolina Central University School of Law and a bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina, where she graduated with distinction.

Rachel Nicholas is a partner with the firm. She represents public school systems throughout North Carolina. She serves as the 2024-25 chair of the NCBA Education Law Section and was selected as a 2019 participant in the NCBA Leadership Academy. She is a North Carolina Council of School Attorneys at-large representative. Before going to law school, she worked with Teach for America and was a second-grade teacher in Rocky Mount. She holds a J.D. from the University of North Carolina School of Law and a bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

Grace Pennerat is a partner with the firm. She works with local boards of education, superintendents, and central office personnel in matters related to students, employees, and communities. Pennerat is a Title IX investigator. She helps clients with issues of employment and family-based immigration. Before going to law school, Pennerat was a research assistant and course administrator for the University of North Carolina’s Department of Public Policy. She holds a master’s degree in higher education administration from Appalachian State University, a J.D. from Wake Forest University School of Law, and a bachelor’s degree from UNC.

Rebecca Williams is a partner with the firm. She helps public school systems in matters of education law. Before becoming an attorney, she taught Spanish to high school, community college and college students. She is a Title IX investigator. She is a member of the North Carolina Council of School Attorneys, the National Council of School Attorneys, and the NCBA Education Law Section. She received a J.D. from the University of North Carolina School of Law, an M.A. from the University of New Hampshire, and a B.A., magna cum laude, from West Virginia University.

Joseph Garfunkel is an associate with the firm. He is based the firm’s Charlotte office. He represents commercial construction clients and assists developers, architects, owners, sureties, general contractors, and suppliers in North Carolina and South Carolina. Garfunkel also works with contractors and homeowners before the North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors. Garfunkel holds a J.D. from the University of South Carolina School of Law and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida.

Robinson Bradshaw Elects Nine New Shareholders

Robinson Bradshaw recently announced the addition of nine new shareholders, including NCBA members Lucas Anderson, Benjamin C. DeCelle, Megan Clemency Haynes, Travis S. Hinman, Melissa A. Romanzo, Caitlin H. Sullivan and Rosemary Chandler Wells.

All of the new shareholders practice in the firm’s Charlotte office.

Lucas Anderson focuses his corporate practice on private equity, mergers and acquisitions, sports law, health care transactions, joint ventures and general corporate matters. He has experience handling a broad range of transactions and negotiating and drafting a wide variety of contractual arrangements. Anderson earned his law degree from Vanderbilt University and his bachelor’s degree magna cum laude from Austin Peay State University. Prior to joining the firm, he served as a law clerk for Judge Julia Smith Gibbons of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.

Benjamin DeCelle represents clients across a range of industries, including manufacturing, construction, banking and finance, technology, real estate, and oil and gas. He maintains a diverse litigation practice with experience in matters involving commercial contracts, insurance coverage, construction disputes, fraud, unfair and deceptive trade practices, and general business disputes. DeCelle received his law degree with high honors from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and his bachelor’s degree summa cum laude from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke.

Megan Haynes focuses her transactional practice on mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, and general corporate and commercial matters. She primarily represents clients in the health care industry and regularly advises clients on health care-related regulatory issues. Haynes also assists clients in obtaining antitrust clearance for mergers and acquisitions and advises clients on antitrust compliance matters. Haynes received her law degree summa cum laude from the University of South Carolina and her bachelor’s degree with high distinction from the University of Virginia.

Travis Hinman represents clients in complex business litigation and appeals. She has a depth of experience litigating significant business disputes, class actions and other high-stakes cases in state and federal courts across the country. In addition, Hinman guides clients through internal investigations and a variety of employment and reputational issues, developing strategies to reduce litigation risk and advance business goals. She also maintains an active pro bono practice focused on appellate work. Hinman received her law degree with highest honors and her bachelor’s degree with highest distinction from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Prior to joining the firm, Hinman served as a law clerk for Judge James A. Wynn Jr. of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.

Melissa Romanzo represents clients in high-stakes litigation including environmental and toxic tort claims, contract disputes, employment matters and class actions. She also serves as chair of Robinson Bradshaw’s Environmental Practice Group. In addition to advising her clients in a variety of environmental matters, Romanzo handles complex employment discrimination, harassment, retaliation, Fair Credit Reporting Act, OSHA and wage-and-hour disputes. She also maintains an active pro bono practice representing indigent clients in a variety of matters. Romanzo holds a law degree cum laude from the University of Notre Dame and a bachelor’s degree cum laude from Davidson College.

Caitlin Sullivan focuses her transactional practice on corporate finance. She regularly represents both banks and borrowers in a variety of financing transactions, including investment grade and non-investment grade syndicated and bilateral facilities, letter of credit facilities, secured financings and acquisitions, and bridge financings. Sullivan earned her law degree magna cum laude from the University of Georgia and her bachelor’s degree magna cum laude from Clemson University.

Rosemary Wells focuses her corporate practice on mergers and acquisitions. She has significant experience representing public and privately held companies and private equity firms and their portfolio companies in corporate transactions across industries including health care. Wells also advises health care clients on joint venture transactions. In addition, she counsels clients on corporate governance matters and commercial agreements. Wells earned her law degree cum laude from Duke University and her bachelor’s degree summa cum laude from Boston College.

 

Smith Debnam Announces New Partner

Tiffani Atamas is now a partner at the firm. In 2022, Atamas joined the firm, where she is a part of the Family Law team. She works with clients in various matters related to family law: separation and divorce, equitable distribution, alimony, post-separation support, child custody, child support, prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, and domestic violence cases. She is focused on assisting international clients and multicultural families. Before attending law school, she was an investment banker. She graduated from Harvard Law School in 2012 and holds a B.A. in economics from Brown University.

McGhee Begins New Role With Governor’s Office

Jasmine McGhee has started in a new role as Deputy Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor to Governor Josh Stein, where she serves as a member of the Governor’s Leadership Team. Prior to joining the Governor’s office, she served as Senior Deputy Attorney General and Director of the Consumer Protection Division at the North Carolina Department of Justice. She is also an Eisenhower Fellow. McGhee holds a J.D. from Columbia Law School. While in law school, she was a member of the Columbia Law Review and a Paul Robeson Scholar. She received her undergraduate degree in history from UNC, where she graduated with honors and distinction.

Tuggle Duggins Selects New Managing Partner

Natalie Folmar is now managing partner with the firm. Folmar has practiced with Tuggle Duggins for almost twenty years. She has been a member of the management committee for seven years. Folmar works with companies in matters regarding acquisition and divestiture and standard business operations. She is on the board of the Guilford Education Alliance and has taught courses as an adjunct professor at Elon University School of Law. She holds a J.D. with honors from the University of North Carolina School of Law and a bachelor’s degree, magna cum laude, from the University of North Carolina – Charlotte.

Young Moore Names New Shareholders

Reed J. Hollander has practiced with the firm since 2023. He has more than 27 years of experience in state and local tax controversies. He represents clients in matters of eminent domain and condemnation law, economic development, and administrative and business litigation. He is a fellow of the American College of Tax Counsel and the chair of the NCBA Tax Section. He previously co-taught a State and Local Tax course at the Miami School of Law for eight years. He holds a J.D. with honors from Duke University School of Law and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Matthew C. Burke practices insurance coverage and commercial litigation, including complex business disputes, employment matters, construction issues, products liability, and premises liability. He holds a J.D. with high honors from the University of North Carolina School of Law. Following law school, he served as a clerk for Judge Cheri Beasley at the Supreme Court of North Carolina. He also served as a fellow in the North Carolina Solicitor General’s Office. He received a bachelor’s degree from UNC.

Anderson Phillips represents clients in trucking litigation, product liability, premises liability, and insurance defense cases. Prior to joining the firm, he was a clerk to Judge Mark A. Davis at the North Carolina Court of Appeals and the North Carolina Supreme Court. He holds a J.D. from Duke University School of Law and a bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he graduated Phi Beta Kappa.

Patrick VanderJeugdt is a member of the firm’s general litigation team. He has practiced with the firm since 2019. VanderJeugdt litigates construction and insurance matters and focuses on first-and third-party insurance coverage disputes. He received his J.D. from the University of North Carolina School of Law, where he served as a research assistant for the UNC Center on Poverty, Work, and Opportunity. He holds a bachelor’s degree in polymer chemistry from UNC.