Checking In: March 19, 2024

Compiled by Jessica Junqueira

Allman Spry Welcomes of Counsel Attorney

James G. Downey III has joined the firm as of Counsel. Downey will work with the firm’s family law and civil litigation sections. Downey brings more than ten years of experience as an attorney to this role. He has focused on family law for more than half of his career. He holds a J.D. from Appalachian School of Law, where he was captain of the Trial Advocacy Team. He earned a B.A. in history and political science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He is licensed to practice law in North Carolina, Florida and Michigan.

Baker Donelson Opens Charlotte Office and Adds New Shareholders

Baker Donelson has launched an office in Charlotte and has added eight new shareholders, seven of whom are NCBA members: John E. Branch III, Thomas G. Hooper, Paul J. Osowski, Evan M. Sauda, William M. Starr, Fred M. Wood Jr., and Noelle E. Wooten. Fred M. Wood Jr. will serve as the office’s managing shareholder. Hooper, Osowski, Sauda, Starr, and Wooten will also practice in the Charlotte office; Branch will be based in the Raleigh location.

Fred M. Wood Jr. has practiced for more than 30 years. He represents companies in matters involving unfair business practices and methods of competition, the North Carolina Trade Secrets Protection Act, business torts, and class actions. Wood also practices financial services litigation. He holds a J.D. from Wake Forest University School of Law, an M.B.A. from Wake Forest University Babcock Graduate School of Management, and a B.A. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

John E. Branch III focuses his practice on complex business, employment, and constitutional law. He advises clients on business matters and disputes involving contracts, shareholder and LLC member issues, fraud, unfair competition, defamation, and other business-related claims. He provides counsel to and advocates for clients in constitutional and political law issues and in educational matters. He graduated from the University of North Carolina School of Law, where he earned a J.D., and from UNC, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in history.

Thomas G. Hooper focuses on complex business and commercial litigation and consumer and commercial financial services litigation. He has experience representing clients in state and federal trials, as well as in appellate courts and arbitration. His clients have included financial institutions, lenders and insurance companies. He holds a J.D. from the University of North Carolina School of Law and a B.A. from Davidson College.

Paul J. Osowski is a litigator whose practice includes product liability, business litigation, premises liability, and insurance defense. He has twenty years of experience representing automotive and consumer product manufacturers. He has led over 100 investigations involving heavy equipment, automobile, trucking, and workplace accidents. He is a member of the North Carolina Pro Bono Honor Society (2017-2022). He holds a J.D., cum laude, from Campbell Law School, and a bachelor’s degree from Wake Forest University.

Evan M. Sauda is a litigator who helps clients in complex business disputes, which include commercial contracts litigation, class action defense, franchise and distribution matters, real estate issues, and defense of claims brought under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act and other statutes. He regularly appears in state and federal courts and has experience handling binding arbitrations. He holds a J.D. from Washington and Lee University School of Law and a bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

William M. Starr is a litigator who practices in the areas of aviation, premises liability, toxic torts, and product liability. Aviation law is a major focus of his practice. He has handled matters for both international and domestic air carriers. He has also represented general aviation facilities, certified repair stations, and fixed base operators. He holds a J.D. from the University of North Carolina School of Law and a bachelor’s degree from the State University of New York College at Geneseo.

Noelle E. Wooten practices environmental law. She is experienced in several areas: environmental litigation, environmental due diligence, risk assessment and negotiation strategies in real estate transactions, and environmental compliance and regulatory counseling. Wooten has practiced law for more than 30 years. She has previous experience at the Environmental Protection Agency. She is a trained mediator. She holds a J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law and a bachelor’s degree from Virginia Tech.

Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP Announces New Intellectual Property Team

Two of the firm’s partners, Henry B. Ward III and Samantha “Sam” Skains-Menchaca, have joined the Intellectual Property Practice Group in the Charlotte office.

Henry B. Ward III provides counsel to clients on patent, trademark, copyright, advertising regulations and litigation matters. He has experience assisting clients in a number of industries: telecommunications, computer software and hardware, financial and insurance, medical services and devices and more. Ward is a member of the International Trademark Association and serves on the Internet Committee (2023-2024) and previously was on the Emerging Issues Committee (2020-2021). He holds a J.D. from Emory University and a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering with honors from Georgia Institute of Technology.

Samantha “Sam” Skains-Menchaca manages trademark and copyright portfolios both in the United States and abroad. Skains-Menchaca draws on her Spanish and international travel experience to bring together and expand a network of foreign counsel for global trademark and copyright protection and enforcement. She participated in the Wells Fargo Outside Counsel (OC) Leadership Program in 2023. Skains-Menchaca earned her J.D. from Tulane University School of Law, where she received the highest grade in International Business Transactions, and her bachelor’s degree in ecology, evolution & organismal biology and Spanish, cum laude, from Vanderbilt University.

Van Camp Meacham Newman Selects Partner, Welcomes Attorney

Donald McLamb has been promoted to partner. McLamb focuses his practice on family law. He is experienced in divorce law, child support, child custody, post-separation support, alimony, equitable distribution and domestic violence. He holds a J.D., cum laude, from Campbell University Law School. He earned a B.A. in political science from Campbell University.

 

Marissa Ramirez has joined the firm. Ramirez focuses on civil litigation, contract law, and appellate practice. She previously served as a law clerk to Judge John Arrowood on the North Carolina Court of Appeals. She earned her J.D. from the University of North Carolina School of Law (2022), where she was a staff member and board member of the Journal of Law and Technology. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a minor in sociology from The University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

Associate Attorney Joins Young Moore

John N. Hutson III has joined the firm’s business and estates team. He focuses on estate and fiduciary litigation and occupational licensing boards and administrative law. He received a J.D. from Wake Forest University School of Law, where he served as a staff member for the Wake Forest Journal of Law & Policy and a research assistant in environmental law. After graduating from law school, Hutson served as a law clerk to Judge Richard Dietz on the North Carolina Court of Appeals. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Clemson University.