Jonathan M. Crotty

Patrick L. Kartes is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Patent Law. Patrick L. practices law in Charlotte, North Carolina Best Lawyers has recognized Patrick L. Kartes since 2020. 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 Patrick L. Kartes is held by other lawyers.

Ben Pleune is a partner in Alston & Bird’s Intellectual Property Litigation Group, with extensive experience litigating patents in U.S. district courts, the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and before the International Trade Commission. Ben has also been involved with numerous patent validity challenges before the Patent Trial & Appeal Board. Ben’s practice has focused on a variety of industries, including bar code scanners, image sensors, pharmaceuticals, telecomm...

John Floyd brings considerable experience to his cases with an extensive background in commercial real estate and construction matters, land use and zoning, and complex commercial disputes. John’s clients include commercial real estate developers, private equity firms, manufacturers, international financial institutions, and other large corporations located throughout the United States. Regardless of the subject matter, John takes a practical approach to problem solving and seeks to max...

Scott MacLatchie is a Partner in our office in Charlotte, North Carolina, and he has nearly forty years’ experience as a trial attorney, law enforcement officer, and consultant to law enforcement agencies. Scott has served as trial counsel for numerous law enforcement agencies on both coasts, and has defended class action litigation involving conditions at the Los Angeles County Jail, the nation’s largest municipal jail system. He regularly handles cases in both federal and state ...

George Taulbee heads the firm’s Technology, Privacy & IP Transactions Group in North Carolina. He focuses on all intellectual property and transactional matters involving computer and Internet technology, electronic commerce, and sports and entertainment. Mr. Taulbee has more than 25 years of experience working in software licenses and development outsourcing, joint venture, website hosting, and content and linking agreements. He has extensive experience in patent, trade secret and ...

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...

Who is Sean McIlveen? Sean McIlveen is a Founding Partner of McIlveen Family Law Firm, a Certified Family Financial Mediator, and a Parent Coordinator based in Gastonia, North Carolina. A Gastonia native, he has practiced family law exclusively for more than two decades and has represented Gaston County families since 1998. Sean represents clients in child custody, child support, alimony and post-separation support, equitable distribution, and grandparents' rights matters, and he regularly se...

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...

Jonathan Watkins is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Commercial Litigation and Litigation - Securities. Jonathan practices law in Charlotte, North Carolina Best Lawyers has recognized Jonathan Watkins since 2023. 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 Jonathan Watkins is held by other lawyers.

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...