Checking In: Jan. 19, 2021

Compiled by Jessica Junqueira

Kettering Foundation Announces New Vice President, Treasurer, and CFO

Jack L. Harper will serve as Vice President, Treasurer, and CFO of the Kettering Foundation. Harper has more than 27 years of public and private experience in tax law and corporate governance. In this position, Harper will oversee the foundation’s finances as well as play a role in the foundation’s work on democracy-related research. As a former Senior Director with Walmart, he was responsible for tax planning and led federal and state tax audit teams. Harper established Walmart’s Global Tax Controversy Center of Excellence. A Certified Public Accountant, Harper served as Chair of the North Carolina Bar Association’s Tax Section. He received a Bachelor of Science in accounting from North Carolina Central University, a Master of Science in taxation from Colorado State University, and a Juris Doctorate, with honors, from North Carolina Central University School of Law.

New Associate Joins the Law Offices of Anna Smith Felts, PLLC

Charles “Charlie” Gray has joined the Law Offices of Anna Smith Felts. His areas of practice are criminal and traffic law, and he is especially interested in criminal defense. He received a bachelor’s degree in political science and a minor in biological sciences from North Carolina State University, a Juris Doctorate from Campbell Law School, and a Master of Laws from Nottingham Law School.

Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP Announces New Partner

Matthew S. DeAntonio is now a partner at the Charlotte office of Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP. DeAntonio focuses on litigating in matters of intellectual property and complex business disputes. He represents clients in high-stakes trademark infringement cases at the trial court and on appeal and litigates complex business disputes in a variety of commercial settings. DeAntonio also leads the firm’s Franchise and Distribution Practice Group. He earned his Bachelor of Science, cum laude, from the University of South Carolina and his Juris Doctorate, cum laude, from the University of South Carolina School of Law.

New Partner Named at Butler Weihmuller Katz Craig

Butler Weihmuller Katz Craig has announced that Zachary Jett is now a partner. Jett practices in the firm’s Charlotte office, and he focuses his practice on subrogation and recovery. He has experience in fire losses, water damage claims, and recovery when buildings currently under construction are damaged. Jett holds an undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina and a Juris Doctorate, cum laude, from the Mississippi School of Law, where he participated on the Moot Court competition team.

Cranfill Sumner & Hartzog LLP Announces New Partner

Rebecca Knudson has been named partner at Cranfill Sumner & Hartzog LLP. Knudson practices in the firm’s Wilmington office. Her focus is on civil litigation, and she represents builders, developers, homeowner association boards and other business professionals in construction law, mechanic lien law, community association law and other complex litigation matters. She has 15 years of experience practicing civil litigation in North Carolina. She received a Bachelor of Arts, with honors, from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington and a Juris Doctorate from Northeastern University School of Law.

New Associate Joins Hall Booth Smith

Hall Booth Smith announced that Kaitlin Romanelli Myers has joined the firm’s Asheville office. She represents clients in family law disputes and civil litigation. She has assisted clients with wills, trusts and other estate planning documents. Before joining Hall Booth Smith, she worked in criminal law. Myers earned degrees in criminology and political science with a law and justice concentration from North Carolina State University. She received a Juris Doctorate with honors from Campbell Law School.

6 Attorneys Promoted at Hedrick Gardner Kincheloe & Garofalo LLP

Hedrick Gardner Kincheloe & Garofalo LLP announced that six individuals were promoted at the firm.

Brooks Miller was named as a partner in the firm’s Charlotte office. Her practice area is civil litigation. Miller obtained a Bachelor of Arts from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Juris Doctorate from UNC School of Law.

Lindsay Wikle was also named a partner in the Charlotte office. Her area of focus is workersʹ compensation. She represents insurance companies and employers in a wide range of business sectors and a large assortment of small businesses throughout North Carolina. She earned a Bachelor of Arts from Pennsylvania State University – Schreyer Honors College and a Juris Doctorate from Washington and Lee School of Law.

Erika Eisenoff was promoted to special counsel in the Charlotte office. Her practice area is workers’ compensation law. She received a Bachelor of Arts from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Juris Doctorate from UNC School of Law.

Ross Bromberger was also promoted to special counsel in the Charlotte office. His practice encompasses several aspects of insurance defense, including premises liability, transportation liability, construction litigation, professional liability, and commercial litigation. He received a Bachelor of Science from Appalachian State University and a Juris Doctorate from Campbell Law School.

Elizabeth Bennett was named a partner in the Wilmington office. Bennett’s practice is focused on civil litigation. Prior to Hedrick Gardner, she practiced as a litigating plaintiff’s attorney. Bennet received her Bachelor of Arts from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Juris doctorate from the University of Richmond.

William Whitehead was promoted to special counsel in the Raleigh office, and his area of practice is civil litigation. He received a Bachelor of Science from East Carolina University and a Juris Doctorate from Elon University School of Law.

Attorney Joins Legal Aid of North Carolina

Diana Santos Johnson has joined Legal Aid of North Carolina’s Economic Justice Initiative Unit (EJI). She will focus on consumer protection initiatives, consumer bankruptcy practice, mortgage foreclosure defense, disaster recovery, and financial exploitation relief. Before joining the EJI, Johnson worked in the Winston-Salem office of Legal Aid of North Carolina. She has also practiced law at a regional bankruptcy firm, where she helped individuals and small businesses to secure bankruptcy protection. Johnson received a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish from Wake Forest University and a Juris Doctorate from North Carolina Central University.

Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP Announces Attorney’s Return, Election to Partner

Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP announced that Virginia Bailey “Ginger” Rolfes has returned to the firm as a partner. Rolfes is a real estate finance attorney with over 15 years of experience in commercial lending, asset management, finance, leasing, and general real estate. In her practice, Rolfes represents banks and other lending institutions making loans on commercial properties as well as clients in the negotiation of leases and regional developers. Rolfes obtained a Bachelor of Arts at The University of the South, a Master of Arts from the University of South Carolina, and a Juris Doctorate from Wake Forest University School of Law.

Attorney Joins New Direction Family Law

New Direction Family Law announced that Kelli McGonagle has joined the firm as an associate attorney. McGonagle has previous experience practicing with the Children’s Legal Services of the Florida Department of Children and Families. She has practiced in North Carolina since 2009. McGonagle also serves as a volunteer Guardian ad Litem with District 11. She graduated from Western Carolina University with a bachelor’s degree in business law and from the University of Tulsa College of Law with a Juris Doctorate.

Parker Poe Elects 3 New Partners

Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein LLP announced that Michael Crook, Collier Marsh and Daniel Peterson were elected as partners.

Michael Crook focuses his practice on real estate litigation and eminent domain. Crook regularly represents governmental, business, and professional clients in all phases of state and federal litigation. He represents abused and neglected juveniles before North Carolina’s appellate courts on a volunteer basis through the Guardian ad Litem program and low-income individuals through Legal Aid of North Carolina. Crook received a Bachelor of Arts from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Juris Doctorate from Campbell Law School.

Collier Marsh focuses his practice on land use, state and local property tax, construction, and commercial litigation. He assists clients through all stages of construction and development. He has represented real estate developers, commercial property owners, property managers, homebuilders, and homeowners associations. He volunteers with abused and neglected juveniles through the Guardian ad Litem program. Marsh received a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Virginia and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Kentucky.

Daniel Peterson focuses his practice in local government counsel, professional negligence, and insurance disputes, and he has experience in constitutional issues and resolving disputes. He has represented professionals and businesses in both insurance and real estate. Peterson received a Bachelor of Arts from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Juris Doctorate from UNC School of Law.

Robinson Bradshaw Announces 4 New Shareholders

Robinson Bradshaw has elected Amit Bhagwandass, John W. Forneris, Matthew G. Lenora and Jared B. Taylor as shareholders.

Amit Bhagwandass focuses his practice on leveraged finance and other debt financing transactions. He has represented business development companies, small business investment companies, private funds, and other lenders and investors in a wide range of financing transactions, such as leveraged buyouts and acquisition financings, recapitalizations, working capital financings and more. Bhagwandass received a Bachelor of Arts at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Juris Doctorate with high honors at UNC School of Law, where he was a member of the Order of the Coif.

John W. Forneris practices in estate planning, estate administration and tax planning and represents clients in developing wealth transfer strategies. He assists clients in both safeguarding and making the most of their financial resources by forming family limited liability companies and organizing charitable gift planning. He is certified by the North Carolina State Bar as a specialist in estate planning and probate law. Forneris obtained a Bachelor of Arts at the University of Virginia and a Juris Doctorate, magna cum laude, from Wake Forest University School of Law.

Matthew G. Lenora focuses his practice on a range of corporate and transactional areas, including startups, technology, venture capital, securities, private equity, and mergers and acquisitions. He has experience assisting clients throughout each stage of a company’s life cycle, from the beginning to corporate formation and the maturation of the company. Lenora obtained a bachelor’s degree with highest honors from the University of Oklahoma and both a Juris Doctorate and a Master of Laws from Duke University School of Law.

Jared B. Taylor’s practice encompasses a range of commercial transactions and focuses on private equity acquisitions and dispositions, other mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures and debt financings. He has represented public and private companies and private equity groups in numerous industries, such as software, e-commerce, information and analytics, insurance, and more. Taylor received a bachelor’s degree with distinction from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, a Master of Laws with merit from King’s College, and a Juris Doctorate from Columbia University, where he was a Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar.

6 New Associates Join Smith Anderson

Smith Anderson announced that six new associates joined the firm.

Dewey F. Bennett’s will focus his practice on representing banks, financial institutions and fintech ventures in connection with mergers, finance transactions, securities matters and corporate governance. Bennett has experience working with private equity firms and public companies on acquisitions, reorganizations and activist investor defense. He earned his Bachelor of Arts, cum laude, in history and political science from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington and his Juris Doctorate with high honors from the University of North Carolina School of Law.

Andrew S. Collins’ practice focuses on a range of corporate transactions. He represents clients in connection with securities offerings, mergers and acquisitions, venture-backed private financings and corporate governance. Collins previously practiced law in Ireland and in Palo Alto, Calif. He received a Bachelor of Science in computer engineering from Villanova University and a Juris Doctorate from the University of California at Berkeley School of Law.

Tyler J. Cook practices corporate law. He represents issuers and investment banking firms in connection with public and private offerings of securities. He previously practiced as a corporate attorney in New York. He received a Bachelor of Arts with highest distinction in political science and public policy from the University of North Carolina, a Master of Arts in teaching from the Relay Graduate School of Education and a Juris Doctorate, magna cum laude, from the University of Pennsylvania Law School.

Shameka C. Rolla is a member of the firm’s litigation practice group. Her practice areas are litigation and employment litigation. She represents clients in business disputes, such as contract and business tort claims. Rolla earned a Bachelor of Arts from Duke University and a Juris Doctorate from Wake Forest University School of Law. There, she was National Trial Team member.

Lee Strasburger Jr. focuses his practice on life sciences and representing AgTech companies on complex, mission-critical transactions. He has experience as a registered patent attorney and draws on his expertise to assist with structuring and negotiating business arrangements. Before joining the firm, he practiced law in Boston. He received a Bachelor of Arts in from Duke University in Chemistry and English, with distinction and a Juris Doctorate with honors from Emory University School of Law, where he was a member of the Order of the Coif.

Derek A. Sutton has joined the firm’s commercial litigation team. His practice covers a wide range of civil litigation: contract and commercial disputes, antitrust, intellectual property, mergers and acquisitions, employment and business-related tort and statutory claims. Before Smith Anderson, Sutton practiced law in New York. He obtained a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Michigan and a Juris Doctorate from New York University School of Law.

Attorney Joins Smith Debnam Law

Smith Debnam Law announced that Michael J. Denning has joined the firm’s Raleigh office. Denning practices with the mediation and arbitration practice group at Smith Debnam. Prior to this role, Denning was a District Court judge for Judicial District 10 in Wake County. In 2010, he was elected to the District Court bench, where he served as a Family Court judge. At Smith Debnam, Denning focuses on family law and civil litigation. He is a certified family financial mediator through the North Carolina Dispute Resolution Commission. Denning is also a 10-year veteran of the United States Marine Corp. He graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with undergraduate degrees in English and medieval history and from Campbell Law School with a Juris Doctorate.

Soni Brendle Announces New Partner

David H. Strickland has joined Soni Brendle as a partner. From 2013-20, he practiced as a District Court judge for the 26th Judicial District in Mecklenburg County, where he focused on family and juvenile related matters. Strickland is a native of Winston-Salem. He founded the Law Office of David H Strickland, PLCC and practiced there for seven years. Strickland served on the Governor’s Crime Commission for two years and has volunteered with the Wake Forest University LAUNCH program. He graduated from Wake Forest University with an undergraduate degree in history and from Campbell Law School with a Juris Doctorate.

New Law Firm, Horton & Mendez, PLLC Opens in Wilmington

Devlin Horton and Nick Mendez announced that their new firm, Horton & Mendez, PLLC is open as of Jan. 11. The firm is located in Wilmington and is a personal injury practice. Horton and Mendez have prior experience practicing as insurance defense attorneys. Horton received a bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, an M.B.A. from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, and a Juris Doctorate from UNC School of Law. Mendez obtained a bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Richmond School of Law. The firm is located in Wilmington’s Soda Pop District at 705 Princess Street, Wilmington, NC 28401.