Jessica Mering Hardin

A technically skilled, North Carolina State Bar certified specialist in estate planning and probate law and a frequent speaker on tax and estate planning topics, Mark Horn takes a comprehensive, proactive approach to his high net worth clients’ estate and tax planning situations, making recommendations in plain English and implementing the desired planning efficiently and responsively. Also serving many closely-held businesses, Mark often acts as the trusted adviser to multiple generati...

Adrienne Blocker is an attorney with DeMayo Law Offices LLP whose practice focuses on Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs. She represents individuals and families in Charlotte, North Carolina, who have been harmed as a result of negligence. Adrienne has been recognized by Best Lawyers since 2024 for her work in Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs. This distinction is based on a peer-review survey that reflects the professional regard of attorneys practicing in the same geo...

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...

An experienced intellectual property attorney, Kate Cole represents clients in connection with the acquisition, licensing, and enforcement of intellectual property across a range of industries and technologies. Kate provides strategic leadership and counsel on complex intellectual property matters for domestic and international clients, including start-ups, private equity groups, and large private and public companies. Her broad IP experience positions her to serve as a valued business partne...

J. René Toadvine maintains a nationwide practice that focuses on representing management in all facets of employee benefits matters, including: Employee benefits tax issues The Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) and benefits planning Executive compensation Employee benefits in mergers and acquisitions Bank finance and ERISA issues in securitizations René designs and drafts all types of employee benefits and executive compensation plans with adherence to compliance r...

John Chinuntdet co-heads the firm’s Investment group and offers extensive experience in private equity and mezzanine finance. John primarily represents institutional investors, hedge funds, business development companies, private equity groups, small business investment companies and sponsors in their buy-out, investment and finance transactions. He also represents companies in their merger and acquisition transactions, including representing stockholders in the sales of their companies.

Jason Bennett is a partner in Winston & Strawn LLP’s Charlotte office who focuses his practice on debt financing and other corporate finance transactions, with an emphasis on asset-based and cash flow lending. Mr. Bennett represents banks and other financial institutions on financings involving acquisitions, recapitalizations, multicurrency facilities, foreign collateral, and split lien, first/second lien, mezzanine, and bank/bond structures. He has significant experience in a wide ...

In four decades of practice, Tom Myrick has been first chair trial counsel through verdict in dozens of civil jury trials, including months-long trials and litigation lasting nearly 15 years. He litigates matters ranging from business torts, contract and estate disputes, and wrongful terminations, to franchise class action and product liability claims, corporate governance issues, and much more. Clients appreciate Tom’s earnest demeanor, tenacity, and well-rounded approach that perpetua...

Paul Murphy has over three decades of experience with structured finance transactions involving a wide-range of loans, leases, contracts and receivables. Paul has represented issuers, underwriters, financial guarantors and trustees in both public and private transactions, including shelf registrations and commercial paper conduits. His extensive experience with transactions involves: Railcars Equipment leases Chassis leases Intermodal container leases Trade receivables Commercial and resident...

Caitlin Horne is a member of Moore & Van Allen’s Wealth Transfer group. She is a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel, a North Carolina Board Certified Specialist in estate planning and probate law, and holds an advanced degree in Taxation with a Certificate in Estate Planning from Georgetown University Law Center. Caitlin’s practice is focused on providing high-net-worth individuals and multigenerational families with sophisticated estate, tax, and busin...