John F. Morris

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...

Brian Hayles focuses his practice on advising clients in the healthcare sector. As a seasoned antitrust attorney, Brian provides guidance on hospital and physician practice mergers, antitrust litigation, federal and state antitrust investigations, and managed care contracting practices. He earns his clients’ trust by cutting to the chase and getting results. With clients across the United States, Brian has taken a leading role in matters from Maine to California. He has a wealth of expe...

Rob Rust represents clients on a variety of transactional matters, with a focus on mergers and acquisitions, commercial contract work and joint ventures. Representation includes Fortune 150 companies, private equity clients and privately held entities operating across various industries and market segments, including manufacturing, professional services and digital consulting with the scope of such representation encompassing complex domestic and cross-border transactions.

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...

David Jacobs is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Real Estate Law. David practices law in Charlotte, North Carolina Best Lawyers has recognized David Jacobs since 2024. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which David Jacobs is held by other lawyers.

Richard Simons regularly represents developers, real estate investment trusts, investors, landlords and tenants in complex commercial real estate transactions. Richard's experience includes acquisitions, dispositions, financing, joint venture formation, large-scale office, industrial and retail leasing, and advising on condominium matters, land planning and real estate components of mergers and acquisitions. Prior to joining the firm in 2015, Richard practiced with a firm in Columbia, South C...

A member of the Management Committee and co-head of the Corporate group, Joe Fernandez represents independent energy companies and private equity funds in power plant finance and M&A matters. He has served as project counsel to electric generating facilities located around the country. Joe represents traditional and renewable energy facilities in corporate finance and project finance transactions, in acquisitions and divestitures of project companies, in negotiating and drafting project c...

Robert Burrow practices in the financial services group. Robert has represented banks, financial institutions, and corporate clients in the structuring, negotiating and documenting of senior debt financing arrangements, including secured and unsecured, single bank and syndicated credit agreements, multicurrency and cross-border financing facilities, and leveraged acquisition financings. Robert has worked on financings for companies in various industries, including healthcare, technology, manu...

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...

Samantha Aktug is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs and Workers' Compensation Law - Claimants. Samantha practices law in Charlotte, North Carolina Best Lawyers has recognized Samantha Aktug since 2027. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Samantha Aktug is held by other lawyers.