Nicole A. Murphey

An experienced intellectual property attorney, Kate Cole represents clients in connection with the acquisition, licensing, and enforcement of intellectual property across a range of industries and technologies. Kate provides strategic leadership and counsel on complex intellectual property matters for domestic and international clients, including start-ups, private equity groups, and large private and public companies. Her broad IP experience positions her to serve as a valued business partne...

A member of the firm’s Financial Services group, Jim Hovis brings years of sophisticated, high-level experience to his finance and capital markets practice. For the majority of his career he managed the Financial Services group and served on the firm’s Management Committee from 1989 through 2015. He regularly represents national and regional financial institutions in complex financing transactions, including: Acquisition and leveraged buyout financing Subordinated debt facilities ...

Ben Pleune is a partner in Alston & Bird’s Intellectual Property Litigation Group, with extensive experience litigating patents in U.S. district courts, the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and before the International Trade Commission. Ben has also been involved with numerous patent validity challenges before the Patent Trial & Appeal Board. Ben’s practice has focused on a variety of industries, including bar code scanners, image sensors, pharmaceuticals, telecomm...

Hannah Symonds resolves complex ERISA litigation. In and out of court, her practice focuses on the defense of the denials of life, health, and disability benefits across the country. She also files Interpleader actions related to employee benefits and brings honed skill to defending insurers and private companies against claims brought under ERISA. Moreover, Hannah is involved in resolving the litigation of employment and employee benefit disputes, including but not limited to discrimination ...

Michael Fischer is a healthcare and antitrust attorney based in Bradley’s Charlotte office. His practice centers on advising health systems, hospitals, physician groups, and other healthcare organizations on antitrust matters and managed care contracting. Michael regularly counsels clients on the antitrust aspects of mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, and provider network development. He handles filings under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act and represents providers in investigations befor...

John C. Gilson is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Banking and Finance Law, Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law and Venture Capital Law. John C. practices law in Charlotte, North Carolina Best Lawyers has recognized John C. Gilson since 2024. 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 John ...

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.

Erin is a dynamic problem solver with a strong understanding of U.S. and international private-sector privacy laws and regulations and the legal requirements for the transfer of sensitive personal data to/from the United States, the European Union and other jurisdictions. She regularly advises clients on CCPA, GLBA, HIPAA, COPPA, CAN-SPAM, FCRA, security breach notification laws, and other U.S. state and federal privacy and data security requirements, and global data protection laws. In addit...

Patrick A. Doerr is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Commercial Litigation. Patrick A. practices law in Charlotte, North Carolina Best Lawyers has recognized Patrick A. Doerr 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 Patrick A. Doerr is held by other lawyers.

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...