Kristen F. Shearin

Steve Gruendel represents banks and other creditors in connection with workouts and bankruptcies. A certified mediator, a former entrepreneur and a workout lawyer, Steve brings a practical, solution-seeking approach to complex legal situations. He’s been recognized in Chambers Partners USA as a go-to workout lawyer for the past 14 years. Steve is co-head of the Bankruptcy & Financial Restructuring group. He represents banks and other creditors in workouts and bankruptcies. Also cert...

Jerri Simmons is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Workers' Compensation Law - Employers. Jerri, 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 Jerri is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Scott Tyler has more than two decades of experience successfully representing some of the nation’s largest financial services, manufacturing, real estate, and other companies in a range of complex disputes. He provides his clients with a practical approach to achieving a balance between business considerations and zealous advocacy. Scott focuses his time—and his clients’ resources—on a strategic path to success by creating a road map for each case, from pleadings to mo...

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 ...

Rick Bange is a member of Moore & Van Allen’s Corporate group. The focus of Rick’s practice is representing private equity sponsors and public and private companies in evaluating, structuring and negotiating mergers and acquisitions and investment transactions, including leveraged buyouts, growth equity investments, mergers, stock and asset acquisitions and sales, mezzanine investments and recapitalizations. In addition to his work in the areas of private equity, venture capit...

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.

John Chinuntdet co-heads the firm’s Investment group and offers extensive experience in private equity and mezzanine finance. John primarily represents institutional investors, hedge funds, business development companies, private equity groups, small business investment companies and sponsors in their buy-out, investment and finance transactions. He also represents companies in their merger and acquisition transactions, including representing stockholders in the sales of their companies.

Matthew W. Krueger-Andes is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation. Matthew W., who practices law in Charlotte, North Carolina, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Matthew W. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Mr. Ellsworth counsels clients to procure, protect, license and enforce intellectual property rights. Mr. Ellsworth works diligently to understand his client’s business and to leverage that understanding to achieve his client’s intellectual property goals in a turn-key and cost-efficient manner. Mr. Ellsworth manages extensive domestic and international patent portfolios for several publicly traded companies and provides strategic counseling to a variety of smaller business concer...

Representing buyers, sellers, lenders, borrowers and underwriters, Rick Hazlett brings strategic insight to parties in various financing transactions. Rick focuses his financial services practice on lending, letter of credit and leasing transactions, mergers and acquisitions, securities and tax-exempt finance. He is often engaged to advise on complex business and finance transactions, and regularly advises corporations and other businesses on acquisitions, securities and other corporate matters.