Laya Kushner

Josh DeBottis has a broad base of experience in finance and corporate related areas focusing on the energy industry with a particular emphasis on renewable energy project finance. Josh represents financial institutions in the financing, construction, acquisition and sale of energy and infrastructure assets including solar, wind, coal and natural gas facilities. Prior to joining the firm, Josh practiced in the Charlotte office of Hunton & Williams.

Bailey King is a litigation partner and trial attorney with over a decade of experience representing businesses in the areas of intellectual property, trade secrets, securities fraud, and other complex commercial disputes. He has tried numerous cases, including bet-the-company matters, to verdict. Recognizing that businesses often prefer to avoid trial, Bailey also uses his trial experience to counsel clients on litigation avoidance strategies and to negotiate favorable settlements prior to t...

Matthew Marcellino is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Family Law. Matthew practices law in Charlotte, North Carolina Best Lawyers has recognized Matthew Marcellino 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 Matthew Marcellino is held by other lawyers.

Christopher Thompson has extensive experience representing developers, investors, non-profit and affordable housing organizations, and multinational corporations in acquiring, developing, financing, and leasing commercial real estate and large residential developments. Chris takes a solutions-oriented approach to get deals done efficiently and in a manner that keeps the client’s business goals at the forefront—all while vigilantly guarding the client’s legal interests. Chris...

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...

M. Andrew Avram is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Workers' Compensation Law - Employers. M. Andrew practices law in Charlotte, North Carolina Best Lawyers has recognized M. Andrew Avram since 2006. 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 M. Andrew Avram is held by other lawyers.

Chris Gegg counsels clients with regard to procuring, protecting, licensing, enforcing and defending intellectual property rights. Mr. Gegg's experience includes patent and copyright matters related to computer networks, hardware and software, as well as the electrical, mechanical, optical and business method arts. His practice involves extensive design patent and utility patent preparation and prosecution, patent infringement and patent validity matters. He also works on intellectual propert...

Sonya Pfeiffer is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Civil Rights Law, Criminal Defense: General Practice and Criminal Defense: White-Collar. Sonya practices law in Charlotte, North Carolina Best Lawyers has recognized Sonya Pfeiffer since 2026. 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 Sonya Pfeiffer is held by other lawyers.

Bobby Bowers is a civil litigator who regularly represents and counsels clients with complex commercial disputes. Bobby has considerable experience in real estate and construction-related matters, eminent domain proceedings representing property owners, manufacturer-distributor relationships, fiduciary litigation arising from wealth transfers and trust and estate administration, equipment lease disputes, and railroad equipment matters including car hire enforcement and end-of-lease/return con...

A founding partner of Shumaker's Charlotte office, Phil brings a background in management to his role as counselor representing major corporations, LLCs and shareholders in mergers and acquisitions, contracts, and general corporate transactional matters, as well as state and federal securities law issues. Practicing for more than 35 years, he has significant experience representing clients in all stages of acquisitions and sales transactions. Phil also regularly represents clients engaged in ...