Benjamin C. DeCelle

Josh DeBottis has a broad base of experience in finance and corporate related areas focusing on the energy industry with a particular emphasis on renewable energy project finance. Josh represents financial institutions in the financing, construction, acquisition and sale of energy and infrastructure assets including solar, wind, coal and natural gas facilities. Prior to joining the firm, Josh practiced in the Charlotte office of Hunton & Williams.

Paul M. Hattenhauer, a partner with Culp Elliott & Carpenter, P.L.L.C., is chair of the firm’s Estate Planning practice group. Mr. Hattenhauer’s practice is focused on providing tax, business, asset protection and estate planning advice for individuals, closely held business owners and fiduciaries. He provides counsel in sophisticated estate tax reduction strategies, and advises clients on strategies to arrange their affairs to pay the least amount of tax. He is experienced in...

Tom Mitchell has served as Managing Partner and Chair of the Management Committee since 2018 and is a nationally recognized finance lawyer with over 30 years of experience representing financial institutions. Tom serves in multiple leadership positions at the firm, including as Managing Partner, Chair of the Management Committee, and Chair of the Strategic Planning Committee. He is also an active member of the firm’s Inclusion & Belonging Committee. Tom served previously as head of ...

Wayne McKinzie is co-head of the firm’s Financial Services group, leveraging his years of experience to provide sophisticated, business-oriented counsel to client transactions. Wayne McKinzie is co-head of the firm's 100+ attorney Financial Services practice group. In his more than 25 years at the firm he has developed a broad base of experience representing financial institutions, investment firms, insurance companies and other institutional investors and corporate clients on complex f...

Jonathan Watkins is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Commercial Litigation and Litigation - Securities. Jonathan practices law in Charlotte, North Carolina Best Lawyers has recognized Jonathan Watkins since 2023. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Jonathan Watkins is held by other lawyers.

For almost 30 years, I’ve been fighting to defend individuals accused of crimes in the State and Federal courts of North Carolina. I love the job. For example, at the moment I am defending clients in investigations involving diverse subjects such as businesses being charged with PPP loan fraud, doctors and nurses with billing, coding and medical necessity issues, executives and managers accused of kickback schemes and wire fraud. In the process of defending these clients, I find it fasc...

James E. Hickmon , known to clients as Jim, is the principal attorney of North Carolina Estate Planning & Fiduciary Law in Charlotte, North Carolina. Since 2001, he has represented individuals, families, fiduciaries, and closely held business owners in matters involving estate planning , probate, trusts and estates , and fiduciary litigation . His practice also includes litigation involving trusts and estates disputes, helping clients address contested estate matters, fiduciary responsibi...

For nearly 20 years, Kimberly Kirk has provided practical, informed, and responsive counsel to health care providers throughout the region and nationally. Her goal in providing counsel and advice is to develop solutions that protect clients’ interests and advance their business goals while meeting regulatory requirements. Kimberly works on significant regulatory and transactional matters involving health care-related companies. Her practice includes advising clients on: Transactional ma...

With an emphasis on the origination and restructuring of debt secured by real estate assets, Karen Nelson advises on a range of commercial real estate finance matters. Recognized as a leading lawyer by North Carolina Lawyers Weekly and the Charlotte Business Journal, Karen represents commercial banks, investment banks, insurance companies and REITS. She handles matters related to real assets of all types, including office, retail, hotel, apartment, homebuilder, condominium and industrial prop...

Patrick H. Flanagan is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Civil Rights Law, Employment Law - Management, Litigation - Insurance, Litigation - Labor and Employment and Litigation - Municipal. Patrick H. practices law in Charlotte, North Carolina Best Lawyers has recognized Patrick H. Flanagan since 2013. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professio...