Brian S. Short

Christopher M. Kelly

Brad Johnson is a partner in the Finance Group of Alston & Bird. Brad is a senior partner in the firm’s trust, agency and asset servicing practice, one of the largest corporate trust focused practices in the country. Brad regularly represents financial institutions which provide corporate trust, custody, loan agency, reporting and administrative services in a wide variety of capital markets transactions, including transactions involving collateralized loan obligations (CLOs), projec...

David has represented property owners across North Carolina since 2008. He focuses exclusively on eminent domain and zoning law and litigation. As a property rights attorney, David has always remained committed to working for property owners, often against the government. David primarily represents individuals and businesses in land condemnation and eminent domain trial litigation, but also in obtaining zoning permits and variances, litigating zoning appeals before local boards, and resolving...

Patrick Yingling is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Banking and Finance Law. Patrick, 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 Patrick is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Chris Fowler practices in a broad range of finance-related areas, focusing on the representation of institutional investors, hedge funds, business development companies (BDCs), small business investment companies (SBICs), private equity groups and sponsors in their investment, buy-out and finance transactions. Chris’ primary focus is in debt and equity finance transactions as counsel to agents, lenders and passive and controlling stakeholders. Chris represents a variety of finance compa...

M. Andrew Avram is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Workers' Compensation Law - Employers. M. Andrew, who practices law in Charlotte, North Carolina, has been recognized since 2006. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which M. Andrew is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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...

Beth Grimes’ practice focuses exclusively on employee benefits and executive compensation. She regularly advises the firm’s clients on a broad array of executive compensation, employee benefit matters, and equity compensation issues in connection with corporate mergers, acquisitions, reorganizations, and other significant corporate transactions. Beth works to resolve employee benefits and executive compensation issues with her experience navigating the rules under the Internal Rev...

Christopher Thompson has extensive experience representing developers, investors, non-profit and affordable housing organizations, and multinational corporations in acquiring, developing, financing, and leasing commercial real estate and large residential developments. Chris takes a solutions-oriented approach to get deals done efficiently and in a manner that keeps the client’s business goals at the forefront—all while vigilantly guarding the client’s legal interests. Chris...

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...