Kirsten Peterson

Nicole Gardner practices employment law and represents a broad range of businesses and senior executives. She provides business advice and counsel, represents clients in litigation and acts as a mediator in state and federal employment cases. Nicole has been recognized for excellence by her peers, being consistently listed in Business North Carolina’s “Legal Elite,” as well as “Super Lawyers,” and “The Best Lawyers in America.” Nicole advises and coun...

Brett Weber maintains a comprehensive financial services practice that focuses primarily on representing banks and other financial institutions in secured financing transactions, with a focus on credit facility providers and underwriters in tax-exempt financings. Brett’s practice includes extensive experience in commercial real estate financings, working capital financings, asset-based lending and other related finance transactions.

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...

Bryan Ives is co-chair of the Firm’s Corporate Transactions & Securities Group and has recently concluded a 4-year term on the Firm’s management committee and service as the Firm’s Financial Partner. Bryan has deep experience in a wide range of areas, including mergers and acquisitions, private equity, taxation and corporate governance, and debt and equity financing. Bryan began his career as a tax lawyer and is a member of the American College of Tax Counsel. Using his ...

C. Melissa Owen is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Criminal Defense: General Practice and Criminal Defense: White-Collar. C. Melissa, 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 C. Melissa is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

John C. Gilson is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law and Mergers and Acquisitions Law. John C., who practices law in Charlotte, North Carolina, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which John C. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

As the child of divorced parents, Jennifer has seen firsthand the stress the legal system can have on a family. She was fortunate in that her parents had a strong support system to include other family members and their respective attorneys, making the divorce process smoother and more manageable. More than twenty years later, Jennifer’s own children enjoy the benefits of having a large, blended, loving extended family comprised of grandparents, great grandparents, multiple aunts and un...

Ben Fryer has devoted his entire career to supporting his clients' needs in labor and employment law. Ben's background includes significant experience assisting clients in the protection of trade secrets and the enforcement of non-compete agreements and other restrictive covenants. He has also advised clients in all other aspects of employment law including claims involving state and federal wage and hour regulations, and discrimination and retaliation under Title VII, the ADEA, the ADA, and ...

Michael Giovannini has established himself as a creative strategist in the fast-moving world of state tax and unclaimed property. Clients rely on Michael to provide practical planning advice and technical guidance on a wide variety of cutting-edge issues, including those impacting financial services and stored value card programs. As a member of the Unclaimed Property Team, Michael concentrates on providing comprehensive advice and guidance to clients regarding multistate unclaimed property p...

Bob Baker's practice focuses primarily on tax structured finance products with emphasis on renewable energy sources and lease financing. Bob’s work in the structured finance products area includes representation of tax-equity investors in wind and other renewable energy projects through partnerships and other investment entities. Bob also represents lessors and lessees in lease finance transactions for a variety of equipment and facilities including aircraft, rail equipment and electric...