Carol L. Austin

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...

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...

Luis Lluberas’ multidisciplinary practice encompasses a wide range of financial services matters with a focus on the resolution of troubled credits. Luis has extensive experience representing key stakeholders in connection with all aspects of financial restructuring matters in a myriad of industry sectors, including agriculture, commercial real estate, commercial services, consumer discretionary, energy, healthcare, government contracting, manufacturing, retail, technology and transport...

Hillary Crabtree brings considerable bankruptcy experience, corporate law and restructuring experience to her clients, which have been drawn from such areas as energy, airlines, auto, manufacturing, biopharmaceutical, and retail sales. A seasoned attorney with experience in bankruptcy, corporate law, and finance, Hillary Crabtree counsels high-profile clients in industries including energy, airlines, auto, manufacturing, restaurants, biopharmaceutical and retail sales. Hillary works across th...

James M. Dedman IV is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Insurance. James M., who practices law in Charlotte, North Carolina, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which James M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Christian Buhrer practices in the area of corporate taxation. He primarily focuses on assisting corporate clients with cost segregation, mergers and acquisitions, federal, international and state tax planning, sales and use tax, property tax and state tax incentive consulting. Christian's experience includes representing taxpayers in audit, settlement, protest and/or appeal with state tax agencies, advising clients with respect to restructurings, state and local taxation of corporations, part...

Daniel R. Simon is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Energy Regulatory Law. Daniel R., who practices law in Charlotte, North Carolina, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Daniel R. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Ben Pleune is a partner in Alston & Bird’s Intellectual Property Litigation Group, with extensive experience litigating patents in U.S. district courts, the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and before the International Trade Commission. Ben has also been involved with numerous patent validity challenges before the Patent Trial & Appeal Board. Ben’s practice has focused on a variety of industries, including bar code scanners, image sensors, pharmaceuticals, telecomm...

Ben Fryer has devoted his entire career to supporting his clients' needs in labor and employment law. Ben's background includes significant experience assisting clients in the protection of trade secrets and the enforcement of non-compete agreements and other restrictive covenants. He has also advised clients in all other aspects of employment law including claims involving state and federal wage and hour regulations, and discrimination and retaliation under Title VII, the ADEA, the ADA, and ...

Jitty Malik is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Patent and Patent Law. Jitty, who practices law in Charlotte, North Carolina, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jitty is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.