Amy Smith Klass

Working with a select group of entrepreneurs, family businesses, and nonprofits, Adam Tarleton provides counsel on tax, estate planning, and business matters to help clients protect and preserve their wealth and achieve their personal and financial goals. He is certified as a specialist in Estate Planning and Probate Law by the North Carolina Board of Legal Specialization. Adam works with high net worth individuals to design and execute estate plans that minimize the tax and other costs of tr...

John Babcock has extensive experience in corporate and tax law matters, mergers and acquisitions and general business transactions, as well as commercial loan transactions where he represents both borrowers and lenders. John represents clients regarding all aspects of entity formation, debt and private equity financing, corporate governance, shareholder disputes, mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, and commercial business and loan transactions. He also devotes a significant portion of h...

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...

Ed Winslow has more than 40 years of experience in litigation, tax law, banking and financial services. Since 2000, Ed has focused on law practice management and strategic leadership, and is engaged with law firm networks at the national and international levels. Ed focuses on law practice management and strategic leadership for the firm. He is particularly interested in the evolution of the legal profession. Also, Ed is engaged with various law firm networks both at the national and internat...

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 ...

Kelly Otis focuses her practice on commercial real estate transactions. Kelly regularly represents purchasers, sellers, and developers with the acquisition, development, financing, sale and lease of commercial real estate, including the drafting and negotiation of contracts, leases and loan documents, assistance with due diligence, and drafting of reciprocal easement agreements, covenants, escrow agreements, and other closing documents. She counsels clients on complex title issues and defects...

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 Lyday, a partner at Waldrep Wall Babcock & Bailey PLLC, represents creditors, trustees, and businesses in Chapter 11 proceedings, as well as advises on the sale and purchase of distressed assets. She is held in particular high esteem for her abilities in bankruptcy litigation and advising clients on broader commercial disputes. Prior to joining the firm, she was a partner at Waldrep LLP and an associate at Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, LLP, focusing on corporate Chapter 11...

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

Ben Norman is a litigator who represents clients in state and federal trial and appellate courts, with substantial experience in the North Carolina Business Court. While the parties and industries have varied over the last twenty years, nearly all of his cases involve working to find the best resolution for clients navigating a failed business relationship. Ben has significant experience handling disputes involving complex legal and procedural issues, high stakes, high volumes of documents, c...