Keith M. Weddington

Kelly Hughes has spent her career advising and supporting employers across multiple industries and in various forums. Ms. Hughes assists executives and management at all levels in crafting employment policies and agreements that not only comply with federal, state, and local laws but also complement the unique needs of the particular client and promote its financial and business objectives. Ms. Hughes is a nationally recognized authority on workplace flexibility and guides clients in creating...

For almost 30 years, I’ve been fighting to defend individuals accused of crimes in the State and Federal courts of North Carolina. I love the job. For example, at the moment I am defending clients in investigations involving diverse subjects such as businesses being charged with PPP loan fraud, doctors and nurses with billing, coding and medical necessity issues, executives and managers accused of kickback schemes and wire fraud. In the process of defending these clients, I find it fasc...

Margaret Santen is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Labor and Employment. Margaret, who practices law in Charlotte, North Carolina, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Margaret is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Kathleen K. Lucchesi is a principal and the office litigation manager in the Charlotte, North Carolina, office of Jackson Lewis P.C. For Kathi, the business of law is about people. Working first to find creative, business-oriented solutions, Kathi prioritizes developing effective policies and practices to keep employers out of the courtroom. But when the road to resolution leads to the courthouse, her extensive trial experience provides clients with the confidence that they’ll be well r...

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...

Nicholas P. Valaoras is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Workers' Compensation Law - Employers. Nicholas P., who practices law in Charlotte, North Carolina, has been recognized since 2018. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Nicholas P. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Jim Langdon represents both debtors and creditors in bankruptcy cases, with an emphasis on representing lenders and other financial institutions in connection with the collection and/or restructure of indebtedness both in and outside of bankruptcy. Jim has significant experience representing parties in connection with the acquisition of assets out of bankruptcy, lenders in connection with postpetition financing and entities in the acquisition and administration of distressed debt investments....

Doak Barnhardt engages in a broad range of finance-related areas, with an emphasis on senior bank debt and syndicated loan finance. Doak has considerable experience in corporate and commercial lending arrangements, including secured lending, acquisition and recapitalization finance, subordinated debt transactions, and work-out and restructure. Further, he represents a number of public and private companies as borrowers under syndicated credit facilities. Since joining the firm in 1984, he has...

Paul R. Dickinson, Jr. is a trial attorney with the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin, representing injured individuals in Charlotte, North Carolina. His practice focuses on Mass Tort Litigation and Class Actions for plaintiffs, as well as Personal Injury Litigation for plaintiffs. Paul is committed to helping clients navigate the legal process after serious injuries and pursue accountability through the civil justice system. “Many of my clients have said they didn’t know who to t...

A former Managing Chariman of the firm, Ben Hawfield provides senior leadership and brings decades of experience to client matters related to workouts and bankruptcy proceedings. Ben Hawfield advises Moore & Van Allen corporate clients in acquisitions and financing transactions, particularly those involving a compromise or restructure of debt. He has significant experience in representing corporations, individuals and lenders in workouts and bankruptcy proceedings.