Keith J. Merritt

Preston O. Odom III is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Appellate Practice. Preston O. practices law in Charlotte, North Carolina Best Lawyers has recognized Preston O. Odom III since 2015. 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 Preston O. Odom III is held by other lawyers.

Peter McGrath has dedicated his life’s work to understanding the intricacies and complexities of environmental law. As one of North Carolina’s most seasoned practitioners in this space, Peter is a distinguished and trusted voice for businesses working to navigate the maze of environmental regulations that intersect with their growth objectives. For more than 30 years, he has counseled clients on a broad spectrum of environmental issues, providing advice and advocacy in litigation ...

John Beltz represents foreign and domestic, public and private business entities, majority and minority equity holders, financial sponsors, founders, and governing boards. With over two decades of experience, John’s clients trust his extensive legal experience, business acumen, sophistication, calm demeanor, and creativity to achieve positive outcomes. John advises corporations and other business entities on a broad array of transactions, including cross-border transactions, mergers, ac...

Jitty Malik is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Litigation - Patent and Patent Law. Jitty practices law in Charlotte, North Carolina Best Lawyers has recognized Jitty Malik since 2025. 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 Jitty Malik is held by other lawyers.

John D. Cole is a litigator with broad experience across the spectrum of employment law and labor law. For more than 20 years, John has represented employers of all sizes in cases throughout the eastern United States. He has handled numerous cases involving virtually all aspects of employment law before various federal courts, federal and state administrative agencies, and the state courts of North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia. He has also handled employment arbitration cases before A...

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...

Travis A. Bustamante is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Litigation - Health Care. Travis A. practices law in Charlotte, North Carolina Best Lawyers has recognized Travis A. Bustamante 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 Travis A. Bustamante is held by other lawyers.

Logan Reilly concentrates her practice in commercial real estate. She assists developers, owners, lenders, landlords and tenants in a variety of real estate transactions, including land acquisitions and dispositions, financing, development and leasing. Prior to joining the firm, Logan worked for a real estate development company in eastern North Carolina.

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...

Jay represents debtors, banks, secured creditors, indenture trustees, and purchasers of distressed assets in complex chapter 11 and chapter 9 bankruptcy cases and in out-of-court workouts, reorganizations, restructurings, and liquidations. Jay also has extensive experience in state and federal court receivership actions, both in representing creditors seeking the appointment of a receiver for their collateral and in representing the court-appointed receivers. Jay has served as lead bankruptcy...