John A. Chilson

Sara advises businesses and their owners on tax, estate planning and business matters from formation through exit and all along the way. Sara enjoys working closely with our clients and their other advisors to resolve complex problems, paying careful attention to the considerations most important to the client. Sara has extensive experience advising clients on all aspects relating to taxes, including income, estate, gift and generation skipping transfer taxes. Sara’s experience at prepa...

Robert H. Wall is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Tax Law and Trusts and Estates. Robert H., who practices law in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Robert H. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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...

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...

Arty Bolick is an experienced litigator and construction lawyer who represents clients in all manner of court proceedings and arbitrations. He counsels the Firm's construction clients throughout all phases of commercial and institutional construction projects, from contracting and claims resolution, to arbitration and litigation if disputes cannot be resolved through negotiation. Arty is a Certified Mediator through the North Carolina Dispute Resolution Commission. Arty represents owners, con...

Dan Smith focuses his law practice on matters involving environmental, commercial, education, and state constitutional law. A former educator and environmental scientist, Dan represents businesses, boards of education, and individuals in state, federal, administrative, and appellate courts. Dan uses his scientific training and background to help clients solve complex problems related to environmental laws, frequently working as part of a larger Brooks Pierce team. Dan has represented and advi...

Elizabeth L. Winters is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation. Elizabeth L., who practices law in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Elizabeth L. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Chad D. Hansen is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation and Health Care Law. Chad D., who practices law in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, has been recognized since 2019. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Chad D. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Tiffani D. Otey is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Trademark Law. Tiffani D., who practices law in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, has been recognized since 2018. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Tiffani D. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Keith Wood is both an attorney and CPA with a special background in taxes. He also is a board-certified specialist in estate planning and probate law. Keith’s practice is focused on business, tax and estate planning for a wide range of clients, including new startups, entrepreneurs and multigenerational family-owned businesses. He counsels these closely held enterprises in the unique challenges they face – from succession planning, tax planning and management structures to effecti...