Christopher R. "Chris" Strianese

David Iacuzio is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Real Estate Law. David, 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 David is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Carolyn Meade has 20 years of experience serving as corporate counsel, helping partners negotiate the terms of their ventures, shepherding investments for sponsors, high net worth individuals and private equity, and advising founders from the day-to-day through an exit. Carolyn’s steady hand, market knowledge, and ability to drive successful outcomes have made her a trusted ally to her clients. Carolyn’s practice encompasses a wide range of corporate transactional matters, with a ...

Having tried nearly 20 cases to verdict, Ben Chesson is a trial lawyer with a proven record of winning when it matters. He has tried cases for corporate and individual clients in state and federal courts across North Carolina. Ben has also represented clients in the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals, all appellate courts in North Carolina, and the South Carolina Supreme Court. Whether representing plaintiffs or defendants, Ben understands that while disputes are resolved in courtrooms—cas...

Rob Fisher has years of experience providing tax advice in connection with mergers and acquisitions transactions, financial products, and joint ventures. Rob focuses on transactional tax planning, representing public and private companies, private equity funds, search funds, and other sponsors in connection with their mergers and acquisitions transactions, financings and investments. He also represents founders and other closely held business owners in connection with their exit events and fi...

Peter McGrath has dedicated his life’s work to understanding the intricacies and complexities of environmental law. As one of North Carolina’s most seasoned practitioners in this space, Peter is a distinguished and trusted voice for businesses working to navigate the maze of environmental regulations that intersect with their growth objectives. For more than 30 years, he has counseled clients on a broad spectrum of environmental issues, providing advice and advocacy in litigation ...

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...

Ronald S. Lovelace is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Banking and Finance Law. Ronald S., who practices law in Charlotte, North Carolina, has been recognized since 2016. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Ronald S. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Thomas Rivers practices in commercial real estate , representing buyers, sellers, landlords, tenants, borrowers, and lenders in the acquisition, development, financing, leasing, management, and sale of commercial properties. Thomas also serves as North Carolina local counsel for real estate transactions.

Brian M. Davis is a Partner at VLP, a member of the firm’s Executive Committee and former Co-Chair of the Intellectual Property Practice Group. Brian focuses his practice on client counseling relating to trademarks, including trademark clearance and the prosecution of U.S. and foreign trademark applications. He also has experience with copyright and other intellectual property issues, such as domain name disputes (including the UDRP), licensing programs and other intellectual property-r...

As the child of divorced parents, Jennifer has seen firsthand the stress the legal system can have on a family. She was fortunate in that her parents had a strong support system to include other family members and their respective attorneys, making the divorce process smoother and more manageable. More than twenty years later, Jennifer’s own children enjoy the benefits of having a large, blended, loving extended family comprised of grandparents, great grandparents, multiple aunts and un...