Carl S. Beattie

Daniel Talbert is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Criminal Defense: General Practice and Family Law. Daniel practices law in Shelby, North Carolina Best Lawyers has recognized Daniel Talbert since 2027. 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 Daniel Talbert is held by other lawyers.

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...

Preston O. Odom III is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Appellate Practice. Preston O. practices law in Charlotte, North Carolina Best Lawyers has recognized Preston O. Odom III since 2015. 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 Preston O. Odom III is held by other lawyers.

Matt Plyler works with lending institutions to achieve practical, business-oriented solutions in secured and unsecured financing transactions across a broad range of industries, including transportation, consumer retail, manufacturing, automotive, utilities, chemicals, agriculture and technology. Matt regularly represents lead arrangers, lenders and agent banks in syndicated credit facilities, club deals and single-bank financings used to finance strategic acquisitions, leveraged buyouts, rec...

Adrienne Blocker is an attorney with DeMayo Law Offices LLP whose practice focuses on Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs. She represents individuals and families in Charlotte, North Carolina, who have been harmed as a result of negligence. Adrienne has been recognized by Best Lawyers since 2024 for her work in Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs. This distinction is based on a peer-review survey that reflects the professional regard of attorneys practicing in the same geo...

Ryan Smith is co-head of the Investment Team and a member of the Management Committee. For over 20 years, he has built a practice that represents clients on a variety of complex leveraged financings, senior and junior capital lending transactions, private equity and other equity investments, and corporate transactions. Ryan’s primary focus is in finance and equity investment transactions. As counselor to lenders and passive and controlling stakeholders, he represents a variety of financ...

R. Kader Crawford is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Banking and Finance Law. R. Kader practices law in Charlotte, North Carolina Best Lawyers has recognized R. Kader Crawford since 2025. 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 R. Kader Crawford is held by other lawyers.

Stephen Lareau is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Litigation - Intellectual Property and Litigation - Patent. Stephen practices law in Charlotte, North Carolina Best Lawyers has recognized Stephen Lareau since 2025. 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 Stephen Lareau is held by other lawyers.

Jim Langdon represents both debtors and creditors in bankruptcy cases, with an emphasis on representing lenders and other financial institutions in connection with the collection and/or restructure of indebtedness both in and outside of bankruptcy. Jim has significant experience representing parties in connection with the acquisition of assets out of bankruptcy, lenders in connection with postpetition financing and entities in the acquisition and administration of distressed debt investments....

A frequent speaker on litigation and arbitration issues and an adjunct professor at the University of Notre Dame Law School, Paul Peralta brings extensive successful high-stakes trial experience to his varied litigation clients. Paul has handled wide-ranging employment and commercial litigation, including management representation in Title VII, ADEA, ADA and ERISA litigation, as well as proceedings before the EEOC and corresponding state and local agencies. Additionally, Paul has counseled an...