Checking In: August 18, 2020
Compiled by Jessica Junqueira
Cranfill Sumner & Hartzog LLP (CSH Law) announced that Brandy Cox is now a paralegal in the firm’s Wilmington office. Cox is a North Carolina Bar Certified Paralegal with more than six years of experience in elder law and estates. She graduated from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington with a Bachelor of Arts in communication studies and a minor in psychology and from Cape Fear Community College with an associate’s degree in paralegal technology.
Cranfill Sumner & Hartzog LLP (CSH Law) also announced that Laura Dean, a civil litigator, has been promoted to of counsel. Dean, who is based in the firm’s Raleigh office, focuses on professional liability defense, general business disputes, premise and products liability cases, and admiralty and maritime matters. She practices in federal and State courts across North Carolina. She obtained a Juris Doctorate at the University of North Carolina School of Law and a Bachelor of Science in business administration from UNC.
Rylee Dillard has joined Hall Booth Smith, P.C. (HBS) as an associate attorney in the firm’s Charlotte office. Her practice is focused on medical malpractice, general liability and workers’ compensation. Prior to joining HBS, she practiced at an insurance defense firm located in Charlotte and represented clients in workers’ compensation disputes. Dillard earned a Juris Doctorate degree from the University of South Carolina School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science with a concentration in politics, philosophy and law from the College of Charleston.
Brian Lagesse has joined the Durham office of NC Eminent Domain Law Firm. His area of practice is eminent domain law. Before practicing in this area, he represented clients in matters of complex real estate as the leader of another firm’s N.C. Title Resolution Department. He received a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Baylor University, and prior to attending law school, he worked for a Department of Defense aerospace contractor as a project manager. Lagesse holds a Juris Doctorate from Regent University School of Law and a Master of Laws from Duke University School of Law.
Stephen Bell has joined Cranfill Sumner & Hatzog LLP (CSH Law). Bell is an associate attorney in civil litigation. He has over seven years of experience litigating complex commercial matters. His practice areas are commercial litigation, as well as class actions, multi-district litigation and real property disputes. As outside counsel, Stephen has assisted businesses across the state in a number of areas, including regulatory issues. He obtained his Juris Doctorate from Wake Forest University School of Law and his undergraduate degree in Psychology from Clemson University.
Steven Newton, II, was recently promoted from associate partner to principal at Nicholls & Crampton, P.A. He obtained his bachelor’s degree in political science and philosophy at UNC Chapel Hill and a joint Juris Doctorate / Master’s in Business Administration from Campbell Law School in 2012. Newton graduated magna cum laude from Campbell. Newton previously worked as a judicial law clerk for the Honorable Stephani W. Humrickhouse, judge of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina.
Nexsen Pruet Hires Three New Raleigh Attorneys
Tonya Powell joins Nexsen Pruet’s Real Estate group as a member attorney. Her practice focuses on commercial real estate, banking and finance, and corporate law. Tonya is a board certified specialist in Real Property Law Commercial.
David McCallum joins Nexsen Pruet’s Corporate and Tax group as special counsel. His practice focuses on assisting clients in matters involving the IRS Appeals Office and the IRS Tax Court.
Compiled by Sidney Shank
Jordan Bernstein has joined the Charlotte office of Cranfill Sumner & Hartzog as an associate attorney. Her practice is focused on workers’ compensation. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Ohio Wesleyan University and a Juris Doctorate, with honors, from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Martha Bradley joined the Asheville office of Hall Booth Smith as an associate attorney. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Juris Doctorate from Campbell University. Bradley currently serves on the Board of Governors for the North Carolina Bar Association.
Frank Emory Jr. has been named Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer of Novant Health. In the past, Emory has worked as a partner at Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP, an international law firm.
Patrick Hansen joins the Raleigh office of Harrity & Harrity. He specializes in patent applications in electrical, computer, and mechanical technologies.
Sarah Crotts has joined the Charlotte office of Parker Poe, where she will work on the Health Care Industry Team as special counsel. She comes to Parker Poe from Wall Babcock LLP in Winston-Salem.
Hedrick Gardner Kincheloe & Garofalo LLP has opened its fifth office, located at 49 Broadway Street in downtown Asheville. Partner Kristie Hedrick, a Western North Carolina native, has relocated from the firm’s Raleigh office to lead this new Asheville office.
Nichole Hayden has been elected partner of Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough, effective Jan. 1, 2020. Her practice focuses on intellectual property. Hayden holds a Bachelor of Science, magna cum laude, from Wofford College and a Juris Doctorate with highest honors from Drake University.
Jason Kerr, alternative investments attorney, has joined the Charlotte office of Robinson Bradshaw. Before joining Robinson Bradshaw, Kerr worked as an attorney for Axiom in New York City. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of California at Berkeley and a Juris Doctorate from Columbia Law School.
Robert Lindholm has been elected partner of Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough, effective Jan. 1, 2020. His practice focuses on government investigations, white collar defense, complex business litigation, and class action defense. Lindholm holds a Bachelor of Arts, magna cum laude, from Union College and a Juris Doctorate, magna cum laude, from Albany Law School.
McCord Rayburn joins the Charlotte office of Harrity & Harrity. His practice focuses on patent preparation and prosecution in both domestic and international cases.
Bret Tingey joins the Raleigh office of Harrity & Harrity. He focuses his practice on patent preparation and prosecution for inventors in the mechanical and electrical technology fields.
Brendan Biffany joins the firm’s Charlotte office. In the past, Biffany worked as a valuation analyst in public accounting. He holds a bachelor’s degree, summa cum laude, from High Point University and a Juris Doctorate, summa cum laude, from Duke University.
Chelsea Evans joins the firm’s Charlotte office. Before joining the firm, Evans clerked for Chief Justice Donald Beatty of the South Carolina Supreme Court. She holds both a bachelor’s degree, magna cum laude, and a Juris Doctorate, magna cum laude, from the University of South Carolina.
Amanda Fannin joins the firm’s Charlotte office, focusing her practice on corporate law. She holds a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree from North Carolina State University and a Juris Doctorate, magna cum laude, from Duke University.
Jared Taylor joins the firm’s Charlotte office, focusing his practice on corporate law. Taylor previously worked as an associate at Cravath, Swaine & Moore in New York City. He holds a bachelor’s degree with distinction from the University of North Carolina, a Juris Doctorate from Columbia Law School, and a Master of Laws with merit from King’s College.
Ethan White joins the firm’s Charlotte office. Before joining the firm, White clerked for Chief Judge Louis Bledsoe III of the North Carolina Business Court. He holds a bachelor’s degree with honors from Rollins College and a Juris Doctorate, magna cum laude, from Wake Forest University.
Demi Lorant Bostian joins the firm’s Research Triangle Park (RTP) office, focusing her practice on corporations and individuals in complex civil and regulatory disputes. She holds a bachelor’s degree with honors and highest distinction from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Juris Doctorate from Columbia University.
Monica Burks joins the firm’s RTP office. Before joining the firm, Burks clerked for Chief Justice Cheri Beasley of the North Carolina Supreme Court. She holds a bachelor’s degree, magna cum laude, from North Carolina State University and a Juris Doctorate from the University of North Carolina.
Alexa Fleming joins the firm’s RTP office. She holds both a bachelor’s degree, cum laude, and a Juris Doctorate, cum laude, from Duke University.
Matthew Lenora joins the firm’s RTP office, focusing his practice on corporate law. Lenora previously worked as an associate attorney at Smith Anderson. He holds a bachelor’s with the highest honors from the University of Oklahoma and both a Juris Doctorate and a Master of Laws from Duke University.
Allen O’Rourke has joined Robinson Bradshaw as the co-chair of the firm’s Cybersecurity and Privacy Practice Group. O’Rourke is a former assistant U.S. attorney experienced in criminal and national security investigations, and he has IAPP Certified Information Privacy Professional certifications for both the United States and Europe. He holds a bachelor’s degree, magna cum laude, from Columbia University, and a Juris Doctorate from Harvard University.
The firm Dungan, Kilbourne & Stahl has recently changed its name to Allen Stahl + Kilbourne after hiring Derek Allen. Allen’s practice focuses on land use and development. Founder Robert Dungan will continue to support the development and expansion of the firm. Phone numbers for the firm and its attorneys will not change, but a new website, asklawnc.com, is currently under construction.
Zachary Anstett has joined the Raleigh office of Cranfill Sumner & Hartzog as an associate attorney in the Workers’ compensation practice. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland and a Juris Doctorate, cum laude, from Campbell University.
Melanie Huffines has returned to Cranfill Sumner & Hartzog, now working in the Wilmington office of as an associate attorney. She previously clerked at the firm while working her way through law school. Huffines’ practice will focus on civil and criminal defense. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Wake Forest University and a Juris Doctorate, magna cum laude, from Campbell University.
John Wright has joined the Charlotte office of Cranfill Sumner & Hartzog as an associate attorney, focusing his practice on employment and municipal law. He holds a Juris Doctorate from the University of Miami.
Lisa LeFante has joined Triangle Smart Divorce, bringing with her over 22 years of family law experience. LeFante is a certified parenting coordinator, and she holds a Juris Doctorate from Cornell University.