Mark D. Riopel

Clients rely on Amy Puckett for advice and counsel on a full range of employment issues, including compliance with federal and state employment laws and best practices for employee management. Having worked in house, Amy understands the business challenges facing employers and the importance of practical advice, risk management, and effective solutions. With over a decade of experience, Amy leverages her in house and outside counsel experience to partner with clients in a variety of industrie...

Ross Barton is a trial lawyer focusing his practice on the litigation of complex patent disputes before district courts and the International Trade Commission (ITC). With a background in Physics and a deep understanding of mobile technologies, semiconductors, and software and hardware programming languages, Ross has spent the last decade taking high-stakes cases in the high-tech sector to trial. He previously taught patent litigation courses as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Virgin...

With two decades of experience as a practicing attorney, Karin McGinnis, CIPP/US, is known as a true business partner when litigating and providing counsel to her clients. Well versed in employment, privacy, and general commercial litigation, Karin helps clients navigate a range of complex issues. In addition to employment and privacy matters, Karin has successfully litigated a wide range of matters, including lawsuits involving trade secret misappropriation, defamation, violations of noncomp...

Wood Lay's diverse practice focuses on representing and advising employers in matters involving the full range of labor and employment law issues with an emphasis on employment, ERISA, non-competition, and trade secret litigation. His significant litigation experience also includes the handling of complex business tort claims for a number of Fortune 500 companies. With over 30 years of experience, Wood focuses his practice on advising national employers on addressing the employment law challe...

Skott Smith brings considerable experience to his clients in the areas of retail, office and mixed-use development, leasing and financing. In this capacity, Skott assists developers, owners, tenants, lenders, and investors in a variety of transactions: He recently handled the development of a downtown office tower adjacent to and part of the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte, NC He has handled the acquisition, financing, development and disposition of numerous large office, retail and resident...

Emerich Gutter is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Mergers and Acquisitions Law. Emerich practices law in Charlotte, North Carolina Best Lawyers has recognized Emerich Gutter since 2027. 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 Emerich Gutter is held by other lawyers.

Kaitlin Powers represents financial institutions (including commercial banks and Farm Credit System banks and associations), insurance companies and other institutional investors in various senior and mezzanine financing transactions and investments. Kaitlin advises clients on structuring and documenting secured and unsecured credit facilities and single-lender and syndicated lending transactions across a wide array of industries. Kaitlin works with her clients from beginning to end, providin...

With over a decade of experience, Brennan Sheedy focuses on commercial finance lending. Brennan Sheedy practices within the area of financial services. Brennan’s practice focuses on commercial finance lending arrangements, representing lead arrangers, underwriters and agent banks in syndicated credit facilities used to finance leveraged buyouts, recapitalizations, acquisitions and general working capital needs.

Brian K. Cary is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Real Estate Law. Brian K. practices law in Charlotte, North Carolina Best Lawyers has recognized Brian K. Cary since 2014. 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 Brian K. Cary is held by other lawyers.

3 Things to Know About Paul Dickinson: He represented civilian victims in the Blackwater Massacre case. He has a Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Rating.* He was honored on the 2026 North Carolina Lawyers Weekly Leaders in Law “Icons” list.* Paul R. Dickinson , Jr. is a Partner at the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin and a seasoned trial attorney on the firm’s litigation team who is known for taking on challenging, high-stakes cases. With decades of courtroom experience, he...