Marc E. Gustafson

A member of the Management Committee and co-head of the Corporate group, Joe Fernandez represents independent energy companies and private equity funds in power plant finance and M&A matters. He has served as project counsel to electric generating facilities located around the country. Joe represents traditional and renewable energy facilities in corporate finance and project finance transactions, in acquisitions and divestitures of project companies, in negotiating and drafting project c...

David Roy Teddy is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Criminal Defense: General Practice and DUI / DWI Defense. David Roy practices law in Shelby, North Carolina Best Lawyers has recognized David Roy Teddy since 2012. 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 David Roy Teddy is held by other lawyers.

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...

Margaret Santen is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Litigation - Labor and Employment. Margaret practices law in Charlotte, North Carolina Best Lawyers has recognized Margaret Santen 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 Margaret Santen is held by other lawyers.

Cole Richins advises banks, other financial institutions, equipment lessors, and corporate entities in restructuring matters, corporate bankruptcies, foreclosures, and collections. Cole routinely represents administrative agents in connection with the negotiation and documentation of secured and unsecured senior syndicated financing transactions, and banks and other financial institutions in front-end secured and unsecured middle market financings. Cole also has considerable experience in rep...

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 ...

Kimberly Zirkle focuses her practice on corporate finance and acquisition transactions. She regularly represents a variety of lenders, private equity portfolio companies, and private companies in corporate finance and acquisition transactions. Kimberly’s experience involves a wide variety of debt structures including: unitranche, ABL, first lien, split lien, second lien, and mezzanine (secured or unsecured). Kimberly primarily represents SBICs, BDCs, lenders and institutional investors ...

Robert Burrow practices in the financial services group. Robert has represented banks, financial institutions, and corporate clients in the structuring, negotiating and documenting of senior debt financing arrangements, including secured and unsecured, single bank and syndicated credit agreements, multicurrency and cross-border financing facilities, and leveraged acquisition financings. Robert has worked on financings for companies in various industries, including healthcare, technology, manu...

Tim Ryan is a highly experienced financial services attorney who has an extensive background in representing clients in the structuring, negotiation, documentation, and closing of a broad variety of lending and financing transactions. He represents lenders and arrangers in international and domestic syndicated, club and single-lender transactions. Mr. Ryan's practice extends to acquisition financings, recapitalizations, high-grade and junior debt financings, cash flow, and asset-based and oth...

Jon is a civil litigator who primarily practices in the areas of complex business litigation, construction litigation, lien disputes, and disputes between developers, design professionals, general contractors, and subcontractors. He represents a variety of local contractors and subcontractors in drafting and reviewing construction contracts, advising on risk management, liability, and employment-related issues, and litigating disputes. Jon has significant experience litigating cases to verdic...