Checking In: December 16, 2025

Compiled by Jessica Junqueira

Baker Donelson Opens New Office in Winston-Salem

Baker Donelson has opened a new office in Winston-Salem. Fourteen attorneys have joined the firm, and nine are NCBA members. Seven individuals have joined as shareholders: Andrew “Drew” Felts, Kelly Otis, Jasmine Pitt, Donald Pocock, Kiki Scarff, Bryan G. Scott and Robert H. “Rob” Wall. Two individuals, Walker Helms and Hannah Mashburn, have joined as associate attorneys.

Drew, a white man with brown hair and a beard, wears a white shirt and a blue suit. Andrew “Drew” Felts practices commercial real estate law. He represents developers, investors, landlords, tenants, lenders and other market participants. He has advised clients in matters of renewable energy. He is licensed in North Carolina, South Carolina and West Virginia. He holds a law degree from West Virginia University College of Law and a bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Kelly, a white woman with light brown hair, wears a purple blouse and black suit. Kelly Otis works with purchasers, sellers, and developers through every stage of commercial real estate transactions. These include acquisitions, development, financing, leasing and dispositions. She has assisted clients with complex title issues and the impacts of development. She holds a law degree from Wake Forest University School of Law and a bachelor’s degree from Purdue University.

Jasmine, a Black woman with black hair, wears a light purple blouse with a black suit. Jasmine Pitt practices commercial litigation in state and federal courts. She has experience in complex business disputes, insurance coverage matters and bad faith litigation involving various commercial policies. She holds a law degree from Wake Forest University School of Law and a bachelor’s degree from Wake Forest University.

Daniel, a white man with blond hair, wears a white shirt, blue tie and black suit. Donald Pocock is a litigator and trial lawyer. He focuses on business litigation, construction law, creditors’ rights, insolvency and financial services matters. He works with clients in matters of contract disputes, trade secret protection, employment non-competes and public and private construction. He holds a law degree from Wake Forest University School of Law and a bachelor’s degree from Wake Forest University.

Kiki, a white woman with auburn hair, is wearing a white shirt with a black suit. Kiki Scarff focuses on investment adviser regulation, securities compliance and private fund formation. She provides counsel to institutional and emerging investment advisers throughout the lifecycle of their advisory businesses, including formation and registration with the SEC and state authorities. She holds a law degree from the University of North Carolina School of Law and a bachelor’s degree from Xavier University.

Bryan, a white man with brown hair and a beard and brown glasses, wears a blue shirt, green tie and black suit. Bryan Scott focuses on construction law, complex commercial litigation and creditors’ rights. He has experience in contracting, lending, bidding, compliance and dispute resolution through trial, arbitration and other forums. He holds a law degree from Wake Forest University School of Law and a bachelor’s degree, magna cum laude, from Appalachian State University.

Robert, a white man with brown hair and a beard, wears a white shirt grey tie and black jacket. Robert H. “Rob” Wall assists clients with complex federal and state tax matters. He represents them in audits, appeals, compliance matters, collections and U.S. Tax Court proceedings. He holds a Master of Laws degree from the University of Denver College of Law, a law degree from the University of Alabama School of Law and a bachelor’s degree from Wake Forest University.

Walker, a white man with brown hair, wears a white shirt, red tie and grey suit. Walker Helms practices commercial litigation. He has resolved issues related to state administration, investigated employee and collections claims, facilitated corporate transactions and negotiated and prepared contracts. He previously practiced law with a senior living facilities network. He holds a law degree from Wake Forest University School of Law and a bachelor’s degree, cum laude, from Elon University.

Hannah, a white woman with brown hair, wears a white blouse and a navy suit. Hannah Mashburn practices real estate law. She has experience in acquisitions, sales and leasing, and she has drafted contracts, leases and loan documents. She has prepared easement agreements, covenants and escrow agreements. She received a law degree from Campbell Law School and a bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

New Firm Announcement: Cohen Employment Law

Michael, a white man with a shaved head and a dark brown beard, wears a white shirt and black blazer.Michael B. Cohen launched Cohen Employment Law, an employment law firm that focuses on representing its clients within four core areas: wage and hour class and collective action litigation; negotiation of employment agreements and severance packages; trade secret misappropriation; and leave and accommodations. Prior to launching Cohen Employment Law, Cohen practiced with Troutman Pepper Locke and Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart. Cohen started his career with a boutique firm focused on litigating wage and hour class actions and later practiced with regional defense firms. Cohen is licensed to practice in North Carolina and Virginia. He holds a law degree from the University of North Carolina School of Law and a bachelor’s degree, cum laude, from George Washington University.

Phelps Announces Firm Relocation

The exterior of the Glenlake Three office building is shown. It is a building with large reflective windows and there are some trees around it.Phelps has relocated its Raleigh office to GlenLake Three at 4300 Edwards Mill Road. The new location is a seven-story LEED certified building in the GlenLake office park. The new office, located on the sixth floor, includes 15,983 square feet of space. The office has four conference rooms, two common workspaces and a wellness room. The Glenlake Three building offers seminar space and an expansive lounge, and free tenant and visitor parking is available. Phelps first opened its doors in Raleigh in 2011. More than 25 legal professionals are a part of the firm.

Judge Ross Inducted Into National Center for State Courts’ Warren E. Burger Society

Judge Thomas Ross, a white man with white hair, wears a blue shirt, yellow tie and suit and accepts a small glass award from a woman with blond hair, a white blouse and black blazer.

Photo by Jay Mallin.

Retired Judge Thomas W. Ross was inducted into the National Center for State Courts’ Warren E. Burger Society on November 21. Judge Ross served as a North Carolina Superior Court Judge for 17 years. In 1999, he became the director of the North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts. He served as chair of the North Carolina Sentencing Commission for nine years. After his tenure with the courts, Ross led the University of North Carolina system and Davidson College. He is the independent director of Bausch & Lomb and vice-chair of the Volcker Alliance. He is a recipient of the NCSC’s William H. Rehnquist Award for Judicial Excellence.

 

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