Amy L. Cox Gruendel

To his clients, Russ Sizemore is a problem solver. With a focus on employment law, Russ serves as an extended member of his clients’ human resources departments, providing legal counsel on a range of employment issues and litigating complex employment cases. A true partner, Russ invests the time to deeply understand his clients’ business models and corporate cultures. He appreciates that clients often face time-sensitive challenges and need an attorney they can turn to on short no...

Steve Gruendel represents banks and other creditors in connection with workouts and bankruptcies. A certified mediator, a former entrepreneur and a workout lawyer, Steve brings a practical, solution-seeking approach to complex legal situations. He’s been recognized in Chambers Partners USA as a go-to workout lawyer for the past 14 years. Steve is co-head of the Bankruptcy & Financial Restructuring group. He represents banks and other creditors in workouts and bankruptcies. Also cert...

Hillary Crabtree brings considerable bankruptcy experience, corporate law and restructuring experience to her clients, which have been drawn from such areas as energy, airlines, auto, manufacturing, biopharmaceutical, and retail sales. A seasoned attorney with experience in bankruptcy, corporate law, and finance, Hillary Crabtree counsels high-profile clients in industries including energy, airlines, auto, manufacturing, restaurants, biopharmaceutical and retail sales. Hillary works across th...

Ben Fryer has devoted his entire career to supporting his clients' needs in labor and employment law. Ben's background includes significant experience assisting clients in the protection of trade secrets and the enforcement of non-compete agreements and other restrictive covenants. He has also advised clients in all other aspects of employment law including claims involving state and federal wage and hour regulations, and discrimination and retaliation under Title VII, the ADEA, the ADA, and ...

Daniel R. Simon is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Energy Regulatory Law. Daniel R., who practices law in Charlotte, North Carolina, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Daniel R. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Clients trust Mike, both as a litigation attorney and as a Certified Fraud Examiner, with their most sensitive and complex investigations. Mike gets to the bottom of the facts efficiently to help clients navigate challenging legal situations to achieve better-than-expected results in line with their business objectives. Mike is a seasoned investigator with a long track record of helping clients uncover the truth in complex—and sensitive—internal investigations. Mike represents cor...

David Jacobs is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Real Estate Law. David, who practices law in Charlotte, North Carolina, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which David is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

C. Todd Burbank is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Real Estate Law. C. Todd, who practices law in Charlotte, North Carolina, has been recognized since 2016. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which C. Todd is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Ed O’Keefe advises and represents financial institutions. From strategy to tactics and logistics, Ed’s experience includes investigations, litigation, regulatory compliance, governance, cybersecurity, compensation, and risk management. He also advises on law department management, including effective legal engagement with regulators and control functions. Ed is the former Global General Counsel of Bank of America Corporation. Having also headed or served as a senior executive with...

Cynthia A. Jones is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Community Association Law and Real Estate Law. Cynthia A., who practices law in Charlotte, North Carolina, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Cynthia A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.