Cole Hayes

Michael Ryan Miller is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Law and Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law. Michael Ryan, 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 Michael Ryan is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

A registered patent attorney, Mark Wilson has been recognized nationally for his experience and expertise in intellectual property. Although Mark can be found regularly in the courtroom, his practice broadly encompasses all aspects of intellectual property counseling, from IP acquisition to litigation and everything in between. Mark has been recognized in Best Lawyers in America , Chambers Partners USA, IAM Patent 1000 , World Trademark Review 1000 , North Carolina Super Lawyers , and North C...

Kristen Finlon is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Individuals and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Kristen, 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 Kristen is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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...

Sara Page Waugh's practice is focused on estate planning, trust and estate administration, charitable planning, business succession planning, and tax planning for high net-worth individuals. As a member of the North Carolina and Florida state bars, Sara Page advises clients in both states with respect to their tax and estate planning needs. Her practice includes the preparation and implementation of wills, revocable trusts, and financial and health care powers of attorney. Sara Page also empl...

Kelly Hughes has spent her career advising and supporting employers across multiple industries and in various forums. Ms. Hughes assists executives and management at all levels in crafting employment policies and agreements that not only comply with federal, state, and local laws but also complement the unique needs of the particular client and promote its financial and business objectives. Ms. Hughes is a nationally recognized authority on workplace flexibility and guides clients in creating...

Mitchell Anderson is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Mitchell, 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 Mitchell is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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...

Rob Marcus is an experienced trial attorney who has developed a diverse litigation practice. Rob has a wide range of trial experience in high-stakes, complex business disputes. He has litigated significant cases involving intellectual property, securities and financial disputes, insurance coverage matters, contract enforcement, and class actions. Rob has handled matters in state and federal courts across North Carolina, and he has significant experience in the North Carolina Business Court. R...

Bob Baker's practice focuses primarily on tax structured finance products with emphasis on renewable energy sources and lease financing. Bob’s work in the structured finance products area includes representation of tax-equity investors in wind and other renewable energy projects through partnerships and other investment entities. Bob also represents lessors and lessees in lease finance transactions for a variety of equipment and facilities including aircraft, rail equipment and electric...