J. Darrell Shealy

Stephen Lareau is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Intellectual Property and Litigation - Patent. Stephen, 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 Stephen is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Bobby Bowers is a civil litigator who regularly represents and counsels clients with complex commercial disputes. Bobby has considerable experience in real estate and construction-related matters, eminent domain proceedings representing property owners, manufacturer-distributor relationships, fiduciary litigation arising from wealth transfers and trust and estate administration, equipment lease disputes, and railroad equipment matters including car hire enforcement and end-of-lease/return con...

Kimberly Zirkle focuses her practice on corporate finance and acquisition transactions. She regularly represents a variety of lenders, private equity portfolio companies, and private companies in corporate finance and acquisition transactions. Kimberly’s experience involves a wide variety of debt structures including: unitranche, ABL, first lien, split lien, second lien, and mezzanine (secured or unsecured). Kimberly primarily represents SBICs, BDCs, lenders and institutional investors ...

Felicia Gardner is a seasoned practitioner with extensive experience advising employers on employee benefits, executive compensation, and other employment-related matters as outside counsel and as an associate general counsel at a large financial institution. Felicia focuses her practice on employee benefits and executive compensation matters. She works closely with employers of all sizes and types to design programs and packages to help them attract and retain high-level talent. She has over...

Zack Higbee is a patent attorney known for building exceptional patent portfolios and helping clients navigate competitor IP. With particular experience with fintech/insurtech, electromechanical systems, and biomedical devices, Zack partners with clients to offer tailored solutions and valuable guidance to protect client IP and drive growth with a focus on long-term value and freedom to operate. Zack is a registered patent attorney practicing all aspects of U.S. and international patent prose...

Mary Katherine Stukes is head of the firm’s Environmental practice. She advises clients on environmental issues involved in all types of business transactions, as well as regulatory compliance issues and environmental litigation. Ranked in Chambers Partners USA since 2017, clients describe her as a “zealous but practical advocate.” Mary Katherine helps manufacturers, real estate developers, lenders, local governments, and other clients find creative solutions in real estate,...

James F. Wyatt, III is recognized as one of North Carolina’s leading trial lawyers. He is a member of the International Academy of Trial Lawyers, the American College of Trial Lawyers, the Best Lawyers in America, has a Band 1 Ranking with Chambers and Partners, and has been named on numerous occasions as the best white collar defense and civil trial lawyer in both Charlotte and the State of North Carolina. In 2022, for the third straight year, James was selected by Super Lawyers as the...

Tommy has been the manager and supervising trial and appellate attorney for The Odom Firm since 2001. SINCE 1988, REPRESENTING PEOPLE AND BUSINESSES: Whose property has been taken, or had its value reduced by the government. Who have been injured by the wrongful conduct of others in serious personal injury and wrongful death cases. LIFE: Family - three children, Tripp, Annie and Max, his wife, Martha, and their dog, Yogi. Practicing yoga, cooking, playing guitar and bass with his band Roadkil...

Michael Giovannini has established himself as a creative strategist in the fast-moving world of state tax and unclaimed property. Clients rely on Michael to provide practical planning advice and technical guidance on a wide variety of cutting-edge issues, including those impacting financial services and stored value card programs. As a member of the Unclaimed Property Team, Michael concentrates on providing comprehensive advice and guidance to clients regarding multistate unclaimed property p...

Mike Connor is a partner in the firm’s IP Litigation Group. He is a recent co-chair of the firm’s national Intellectual Property Practice and a past chair of the national IP Litigation Group. He handles patent infringement and other IP disputes and counseling. Mike has experience in technologies such as cardiovascular implants and other medical devices, mobile telephony, high speed computer networks, financial services, diagnostic imaging, music downloads, robotics, textile machin...