Garland S. Cassada

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...

Steve Gruendel represents banks and other creditors in connection with workouts and bankruptcies. A certified mediator, a former entrepreneur and a workout lawyer, Steve brings a practical, solution-seeking approach to complex legal situations. He’s been recognized in Chambers Partners USA as a go-to workout lawyer for the past 14 years. Steve is co-head of the Bankruptcy & Financial Restructuring group. He represents banks and other creditors in workouts and bankruptcies. Also cert...

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...

Randall Phillips is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. Randall, 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 Randall is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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...

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...

Daniel A. Lewis is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law. Daniel A., who practices law in Charlotte, North Carolina, has been recognized since 2019. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Daniel A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

M. Andrew Avram is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Workers' Compensation Law - Employers. M. Andrew, who practices law in Charlotte, North Carolina, has been recognized since 2006. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which M. Andrew is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Valecia McDowell is a national thought leader in the areas of governmental and internal investigations, conduct risk management, and civil rights and racial equity assessments. Valecia is ranked in Chambers USA and Best Lawyers , included in national publications such as Bloomberg , American Banker , Corporate Compliance Insights , and Inside Counsel. Valecia was one of the ten “Innovative Legal Practitioners” identified by the London-based Financial Times in 2023 and on Forbes To...

Bryan Ives is co-chair of the Firm’s Corporate Transactions & Securities Group and has recently concluded a 4-year term on the Firm’s management committee and service as the Firm’s Financial Partner. Bryan has deep experience in a wide range of areas, including mergers and acquisitions, private equity, taxation and corporate governance, and debt and equity financing. Bryan began his career as a tax lawyer and is a member of the American College of Tax Counsel. Using his ...