JD Wooten

Ben Norman is a litigator who represents clients in state and federal trial and appellate courts, with substantial experience in the North Carolina Business Court. While the parties and industries have varied over the last twenty years, nearly all of his cases involve working to find the best resolution for clients navigating a failed business relationship. Ben has significant experience handling disputes involving complex legal and procedural issues, high stakes, high volumes of documents, c...

Patrick Haywood is sought after by clients and other attorneys for his insight into complex and novel issues. At his core, Patrick solves problems, though he is no stranger to the courtroom. He has tried over 70 cases to juries in his career and has appeared in nearly all of North Carolina’s 100 counties. To further advance his clients’ interest, Patrick utilizes a deep bench of litigation and transactional talent at Carruthers & Roth. Whether your issue involves business matt...

Chris Haaf is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation. Chris, who practices law in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Chris is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Bill McNairy advises businesses on structuring private equity transactions, mergers and acquisitions, public offerings, and going private transactions. Bill is a CPA who uses his accounting experience to counsel family-owned businesses on issues related to tax law, trusts and estates, and tax saving strategies. Bill has an active private equity practice. He regularly assists funds with their portfolio company investments, acquisitions and fund formation matters. Bill has worked with a wide va...

Mike Drye's practice focuses on business transactions, corporate finance and securities, mergers and acquisitions, commercial contract matters and general corporate law. Prior to joining the firm, Mike was a partner at Wall Babcock LLP and previously, Mike was an associate and a partner with two large international law firms. He received a J.D. degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1990 and a B.S. in Business Administration (concentration in accounting) degree from th...

Candace S. Friel is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation and Litigation - Health Care. Candace S., who practices law in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Candace S. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Brian McMillan brings experience and insight from more than 10 years in manufacturing, distribution and sales and more than 26 years practicing law at Brooks Pierce to bear on his counsel to individuals and businesses. His practice focuses on a variety of litigation and transactional matters. Brian’s business and practical background gives him a deep understanding of clients’ goals, operations and legal challenges. His business and corporate practice includes negotiating and draft...

Carolyn has practiced family law for more than twenty years. She has helped North Carolina family law clients achieve their individual objectives with every case she takes. Carolyn’s law practice focuses on the client and that client’s reasonable objectives. She is very experienced in complex equitable distribution, business valuation in divorce, complex custody, alienation of affection, domestic violence, alimony, child support, grandparent’s rights and other areas falling ...

Jennifer Van Zant focuses her practice on complex business litigation — the more complicated, the better. She represents businesses on a wide array of disputes before federal courts and the North Carolina Business Court, and works closely with clients to make paths toward resolution. Jennifer represents clients in a variety of complex business disputes, including numerous class action cases and LLC ownership disputes. She thrives in cases that involve complicated legal theories. She has...

Joe Carruthers brings over 40 years of litigation experience to Waldrep Wall Babcock & Bailey PLLC, most recently as a partner with Wall Babcock LLP and prior, Carruthers & Bailey, P.A., a Winston-Salem-based firm that he started with Dennis Bailey in 2001. He has handled and will continue to manage a broad range of litigation matters through trial and appellate review, including medical malpractice defense, business and banking disputes, wrongful death, serious personal injury, and p...