Checking In: February 23, 2026

Compiled by Jessica Junqueira

Martin H. Brinkley Selected to Receive Faculty Service Award from The University of North Carolina Alumni Association

Dean Brinkley, a white man with brown hair, wears tortoiseshell-colored round glasses, a blue shirt, a tan suit, and a brown bowtie.Martin H. Brinkley has been selected as a 2026 Carolina Alumni Award recipient by the University of North Carolina’s Alumni Association. Brinkley and other honorees will be recognized in a ceremony on April 17. Brinkley is a Kenan Distinguished Professor at Carolina Law, where he teaches first year property, business associations and legal history. He served as the dean of UNC School of Law from 2015 to 2025. He is a graduate of UNC School of Law, where he served as executive articles editor for the North Carolina Law Review. Prior to law school, he studied papyrology at the University of Cologne’s Institute for Ancient Studies. Brinkley received an A.B. degree in classics from Harvard University. He was a clerk to Chief Judge Sam J. Ervin, III of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. He practiced corporate law in Raleigh for 22 years.

Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP Attorney Named Fellow of the American College of Consumer Financial Services Lawyers

Christian, a white woman with red hair, wears a maroon blouse and black jacket.The American College of Consumer Financial Services Lawyers (ACCFSL) has elected Christy W. Hancock as a fellow. Hancock, along with the new class of fellows, will be honored in Atlanta at the organization’s annual dinner on April 18. Hancock is a partner in the firm’s Charlotte office. She assists mortgage servicing and financial institution clients. Hancock is a co-leader of the Banking & Financial Services Practice Group and the co-chair of the Home Equity Lending team and the Bankruptcy Compliance & Consumer Bankruptcy Litigation team. She holds her law degree from the University of North Carolina School of Law and her bachelor’s degree from the University of South Carolina.

 

New Firm Announcement: K Tyson Law

Kim, a white woman with brown hair, wears a grey blouse and black jacket.Kim Tyson has launched K Tyson Law in Charlotte. The firm serves clients throughout North Carolina and nationwide on federal tax matters, including charitable giving, disputes with the IRS, federal tax litigation and IRS collections. Tyson has over 20 years of experience working on tax issues at the IRS Office of Chief Counsel and the U.S. Tax Court. At the IRS, Kim advised revenue agents and litigated cases in the Large Business & International and Litigation & Advisory Divisions. During her tenure, Kim was an IRS subject matter expert on penalties and a nationwide legal advisor on syndicated conservation easements. She was repeatedly recognized for outstanding contributions to the agency, including being awarded IRS Office of Chief Counsel Attorney of the Year among field attorneys nationwide. She received an LL.M. from Georgetown University Law Center, a law degree from the University of Baltimore School of Law and a bachelor’s degree from Frostburg State University.

Matheson & Associates, PLLC Announces Managing Partner and Partner

Jammie, a white woman with brown hair, wears a white and red dress and black jacket.Jammie Wacenske is now managing partner with the firm, where she leads the Family Law and Civil Litigation Department. She focuses her practice on family law matters, which include child custody, child support, separation agreements, divorce, alimony and alientation of affection cases. She has been a partner with the firm since 2022. She received her law degree from North Carolina Central University Law School and her undergraduate degree from North Carolina Wesleyan University.

 

Brad, a white man with brown hair, wears a white shirt, black tie and black jacket.Brad Trexler is now a partner with the firm. He will join the firm’s Management Committee. Trexler has practiced with the firm for three years and leads the Criminal Defense Department. Before joining the firm, he was an Assistant District Attorney for the Wake County District Attorney’s Office. He holds his law degree from Campbell Law School and his undergraduate degree from UNC. He serves as president of the Wake County Academy of Criminal Trial Lawyers.

 

Moore & Van Allen Announces New Co-Head of Employment & Labor Practice Group

Sarah, a white woman with brown hair, wears a white shirt and black jacket.Sarah H. Negus was named Co-Head of the Employment & Labor Practice Group. Negus will lead the group alongside Woody W. Lay. Negus has experience advising employers on compliance, litigation and workforce strategies. She conducts high-profile internal investigations for clients and works with the firm’s transactional attorneys to address the employment issues arising in all types of transactions. She is a member of the CLT Alliance Young Professionals Board and will serve for a two-year term. She received her law degree from Wake Forest University School of Law and her bachelor’s degree magna cum laude from Clemson University.

 

Law Firm Carolinas Names Shareholders and Partner

Jon, a white man with brown hair, wears a white shirt and black jacket.Jon Raymer is now a shareholder. He focuses his practice on commercial and residential real estate and represents builders, developers, investors and property owners in complex transactions, including financings and title matters. Raymer supervises the Greensboro office real estate practice. Raymer received his law degree from Elon University School of Law and his bachelor’s degree from Wake Forest University. He also studied Japanese at Tokai University.

 

David, a white man with light brown hair, wears a white shirt, blue tie and grey suit.David Wilson is now a shareholder in the Charlotte office. He practices North and South Carolina community association (HOA and condominium) law and advises boards and managers on governance and enforcement matters. He leads the South Carolina HOA and condominium assessment collections practice with the firm. He earned his law degree from Charlotte School of Law, his master’s in teaching from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and his bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina.

 

Andrew, a white man with brown hair, wears a white shirt, striped tie and black jacket.Andrew Brower is now a partner in the Greensboro office. He leads the Estate Planning and Administration Department in the firm. He focuses on wills, trusts, probate and guardianships. He is a Board Certified Specialist in Estate Planning and Probate Law. He received his law degree magna cum laude from Elon University School of Law, his M.B.A. from Western Carolina University and his bachelor’s degree from North Carolina State University.

 

Phelps Dunbar LLP Welcomes Senior Partner

Ralph, a white man with white hair, wears a white shirt, red tie and black jacket.Ralph DiLeone is now a senior partner in the firm’s Raleigh office. DiLeone has over 40 years of experience in representing companies in business transactions. He has provided counsel to closely held and family-owned businesses on ownership changes, complex corporate, transactional and succession-planning matters using tax efficient structures. He has worked in private practice, was general counsel and established his own firm. DiLeone has served for years as a member of the Raleigh Chamber of Commerce. He received his law degree cum laude from the University of Toledo College of Law and his bachelor’s degree from Case Western Reserve University.

 

Robinson Bradshaw Attorney Vinroot Receives Two Awards

Richard, a white man with white hair, wears a pale blue shirt, striped tie and black jacket.Richard A. Vinroot was recognized for his service in the community with two awards. He received the John R. Mott Award, bestowed by the YMCA of Greater Charlotte, and the Excellence in Leadership Award, given by the Rotary Club of Charlotte. The John R. Mott award honors individuals for their servant leadership, community commitment and extraordinary dedication to the YMCA’s mission. Vinroot devoted many years of service to the YMCA. He served as an association board member and chair and as a member of the Harry Brace Leadership Award committee. The Rotary Club of Charlotte’s Excellence in Leadership Award recognizes leaders who demonstrate extraordinary achievements in their profession, visionary leadership and execution, significant contributions for the good of the Charlotte region, civic-mindedness and community involvement, and humility in their success. Vinroot was the mayor of Charlotte (1991 to 1995) after serving eight years on the City Council. He served on active duty in U.S. Army and is the recipient of a Bronze Star Medal.

Young Moore and Henderson, P.A. Announces New Shareholder

Christy, a white woman with blond hair, wears an ivory shirt and black jacket.Christy C. Dunn is now a shareholder with the firm. She works with employers, long-term care facilities, electric membership corporations, and insurance companies in complex civil litigation. She also represents clients in employment and labor matters and counsels organizations on risk prevention strategies. She received her law degree magna cum laude from Campbell Law School and her undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

 

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