Afi S. Johnson-Parris

Bryan Starrett has a unique background as a litigator, employment lawyer, and in-house generalist for a new public company. This combination of experience gives Bryan an invaluable perspective for understanding how a legal issue fits within clients’ business operations and goals, and how to provide thoughtful and practical counsel to clients. In his litigation practice, Bryan represents clients in all levels of state and federal courts in North Carolina, including the North Carolina Bus...

Julie Barker Pape is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law. Julie Barker, who practices law in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, has been recognized since 2018. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Julie Barker is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Mark Davidson plans, negotiates and documents a wide variety of business transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, private equity, organization, governance, debt and equity financing, executive compensation, partnership and corporate taxation, and management/ownership succession. Mark focuses his practice on the planning, negotiation and documentation of a wide variety of transactions in the life of a business, including mergers and acquisitions, private equity, organi...

Bob Saunders is a tax and business lawyer with extensive experience in the nonprofit sector. He counsels primarily tax-exempt organizations, both charitable and non-charitable, on a multitude of federal and state tax controversy matters, estate planning, and tax-exempt financing. Bob helps all types of exempt organizations, including charities, religious organizations, educational organizations, trade associations, social welfare organizations and social clubs, in matters ranging from formati...

Kearns Davis is an acclaimed courtroom advocate, a veteran of both high-profile cases and sensitive matters resolved confidentially. A former federal prosecutor and a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, he has tried jury cases at all levels of federal and North Carolina trial courts, and he represents clients in U.S. trial and appellate courts across the country. His clients have included public companies, private businesses, elected officials of both major parties, Hall of Fame ...

Howard Williams has over 40 years of experience representing privately held companies and their shareholders. His diverse practice includes representation in connection with tax planning and litigation, general corporate work, employee benefits and executive compensation, and aviation matters. Howard has extensive experience representing businesses in tax disputes or controversies in district courts, the United States Tax Court, and before the Internal Revenue Service and North Carolina Depar...

Jennifer Van Zant focuses her practice on complex business litigation — the more complicated, the better. She represents businesses on a wide array of disputes before federal courts and the North Carolina Business Court, and works closely with clients to make paths toward resolution. Jennifer represents clients in a variety of complex business disputes, including numerous class action cases and LLC ownership disputes. She thrives in cases that involve complicated legal theories. She has...

Brian McMillan brings experience and insight from more than 10 years in manufacturing, distribution and sales and more than 26 years practicing law at Brooks Pierce to bear on his counsel to individuals and businesses. His practice focuses on a variety of litigation and transactional matters. Brian’s business and practical background gives him a deep understanding of clients’ goals, operations and legal challenges. His business and corporate practice includes negotiating and draft...

Randy Underwood has significant experience representing owners of real estate in financing, acquisition, development, leasing and sales activities. As a result of his experience with, and knowledge of, real estate transactions, he also represents several national title insurance companies in disputes and litigation involving titles to real estate. A significant part of Randy's practice is the representation of national and local financial institutions and borrowers in substantial commercial l...

Chris Haaf is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation. Chris, who practices law in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Chris is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.