F. Lane "Lane" Williamson

Ernie Reigel, who served as chairman of the firm for 15 years, brings to his blue-chip domestic and international corporate clients sophisticated counsel on mergers and acquisitions, as well as other business matters. For over three decades of practice, Ernie has represented both public and private companies in a wide range of transactions, including, most recently, the sale of a publicly held company to a foreign buyer and the purchase of the U.S. division of a Japanese-owned public company ...

Timothy Sheriff is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. Timothy practices law in Charlotte, North Carolina Best Lawyers has recognized Timothy Sheriff since 2026. 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 Timothy Sheriff is held by other lawyers.

Chris Jones is a nationally recognized specialist in the areas of estate planning and business succession planning. Chris heads the firm’s Wealth & Estate Planning group and has substantial experience advising and counseling clients regarding sophisticated estate planning, business succession, asset protection, charitable planning, life insurance matters, and international estate planning. Understanding that each client has specific, unique objectives, Chris and his team provide cre...

Erin is a dynamic problem solver with a strong understanding of U.S. and international private-sector privacy laws and regulations and the legal requirements for the transfer of sensitive personal data to/from the United States, the European Union and other jurisdictions. She regularly advises clients on CCPA, GLBA, HIPAA, COPPA, CAN-SPAM, FCRA, security breach notification laws, and other U.S. state and federal privacy and data security requirements, and global data protection laws. In addit...

Jon Ferry brings his substantial experience as a federal prosecutor to assisting clients in False Claims Act litigation, government investigations and other enforcement actions, internal risk analysis and internal investigations. Jon served as Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina for over seven years. As the head of the Affirmative Civil Enforcement (ACE) program and the Healthcare Fraud Coordinator for the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Jon led and supervised num...

Ben Shook regularly represents companies and individuals in a variety of complex commercial disputes including shareholder disputes, business torts, and complex contract disputes. Having handled numerous federal and state court trials, including several bet-the-company disputes, Ben is a go-to litigator for high-stakes, commercial disputes. Ben is a commercial litigator with a wealth of experience representing clients across a wide array of industries. When disputes cannot be resolved amicabl...

Margaret Santen is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Litigation - Labor and Employment. Margaret practices law in Charlotte, North Carolina Best Lawyers has recognized Margaret Santen 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 Margaret Santen is held by other lawyers.

Clients can rely on Emily to use her experience in federal district and appellate court to advocate for their interests in criminal and civil proceedings. Emily is well regarded for her work as amici curiae for high-profile individuals and as counsel for corporations and individuals in government investigations and litigation. Emily McGowan is well regarded for her work as counsel for organizations and individuals in a variety of complex enforcement and litigation matters. She defends individ...

Bill Butler works with clients to find practical solutions to manage risk and resolve disputes. Bill’s practice concentrates on shareholder and corporate governance disputes and complex commercial litigation, representing clients in a wide range of industries in state courts, federal courts, FINRA arbitrations, and other private arbitrations. Bill represents business owners, directors, officers, and shareholders in corporate governance disputes, including derivative suits relating to mi...

Samantha Aktug is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs and Workers' Compensation Law - Claimants. Samantha practices law in Charlotte, North Carolina Best Lawyers has recognized Samantha Aktug 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 Samantha Aktug is held by other lawyers.