Anna Askew

Zachary Smith is a Member and the Co-head of Moore & Van Allen’s Financial Restructuring practice. Zach is a nationally recognized restructuring lawyer with more than 20 years of experience in complex restructurings, representing a broad spectrum of stakeholders in special situations and bankruptcy proceedings. Before joining MVA in 2013, Zach was a partner in the restructuring practice of an international law firm based in New York City. Zach’s practice covers transactional a...

Mike Wilson focuses his practice on taxation, mergers and acquisitions, and joint ventures. He represents clients in a variety of industries, including healthcare, manufacturing, defense, technology, food and beverage, real estate, and renewable energy. Mike handles tax structuring for mergers and acquisitions for private equity funds and strategic buyers and sellers (including ESOP transactions), prepares fund formation and governing documents for private equity funds, and advises family off...

Jerri Simmons is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Workers' Compensation Law - Employers. Jerri, 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 Jerri is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Curtis Elliott has practiced tax law for more than 25 years. He helps entrepreneurs and family business owners address their tax, estate planning, trusts and estates and business succession planning goals. Mr. Elliott has deep experience helping business owners develop estate planning structures for their family businesses. His clients range from closely held companies to large industrial enterprises owned and actively managed by multiple family generations. His work involves the use of share...

Zack Higbee is a patent attorney known for building exceptional patent portfolios and helping clients navigate competitor IP. With particular experience with fintech/insurtech, electromechanical systems, and biomedical devices, Zack partners with clients to offer tailored solutions and valuable guidance to protect client IP and drive growth with a focus on long-term value and freedom to operate. Zack is a registered patent attorney practicing all aspects of U.S. and international patent prose...

A former Managing Chariman of the firm, Ben Hawfield provides senior leadership and brings decades of experience to client matters related to workouts and bankruptcy proceedings. Ben Hawfield advises Moore & Van Allen corporate clients in acquisitions and financing transactions, particularly those involving a compromise or restructure of debt. He has significant experience in representing corporations, individuals and lenders in workouts and bankruptcy proceedings.

Lauren O. Newton is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs and Workers' Compensation Law - Claimants. Lauren O., who practices law in Charlotte, North Carolina, has been recognized since 2019. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Lauren O. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

A registered patent attorney, Mark Wilson has been recognized nationally for his experience and expertise in intellectual property. Although Mark can be found regularly in the courtroom, his practice broadly encompasses all aspects of intellectual property counseling, from IP acquisition to litigation and everything in between. Mark has been recognized in Best Lawyers in America , Chambers Partners USA, IAM Patent 1000 , World Trademark Review 1000 , North Carolina Super Lawyers , and North C...

With over a decade of experience, Brennan Sheedy focuses on commercial finance lending. Brennan Sheedy practices within the area of financial services. Brennan’s practice focuses on commercial finance lending arrangements, representing lead arrangers, underwriters and agent banks in syndicated credit facilities used to finance leveraged buyouts, recapitalizations, acquisitions and general working capital needs.

Jack M. Knight, Jr. is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Criminal Defense: White-Collar and Litigation - Banking and Finance. Jack M., who practices law in Charlotte, North Carolina, has been recognized since 2010. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jack M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.