Paul D. Coates

Ben Norman is a litigator who represents clients in state and federal trial and appellate courts, with substantial experience in the North Carolina Business Court. While the parties and industries have varied over the last twenty years, nearly all of his cases involve working to find the best resolution for clients navigating a failed business relationship. Ben has significant experience handling disputes involving complex legal and procedural issues, high stakes, high volumes of documents, c...

Marc Bishop focuses his practice on general business representation and transactional work, including mergers and acquisitions, private equity, and finance of companies. A trusted advisor, Marc works closely with clients to find reasonable, effective solutions to legal problems. Marc serves as the general corporate counsel to a variety of companies, providing and coordinating legal services meeting the needs of operating businesses, including services relating to organizational structure, con...

Bryan Starrett has a unique background as a litigator, employment lawyer, and in-house generalist for a new public company. This combination of experience gives Bryan an invaluable perspective for understanding how a legal issue fits within clients’ business operations and goals, and how to provide thoughtful and practical counsel to clients. In his litigation practice, Bryan represents clients in all levels of state and federal courts in North Carolina, including the North Carolina Bus...

Paul J. Foley is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Venture Capital Law. Paul J., who practices law in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Paul J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Jim Lanik is a partner at Waldrep Wall Babcock & Bailey PLLC. Prior to joining the firm, he was a partner at Waldrep LLP and an associate and then member at Roberson, Haworth & Reese, PLLC focusing on business bankruptcy and municipal law. Jim is Board Certified in Business Bankruptcy Law by the North Carolina State Bar and by the American Board of Certification. He has represented trustees, creditors, and debtors in all aspects of business bankruptcy cases. Jim is currently on the pa...

Chris Haaf is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation. Chris, who practices law in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Chris is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

William M. Bryner is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Franchise Law, Litigation - Intellectual Property and Trademark Law. William M., who practices law in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, has been recognized since 2011. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which William M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

G. Gray Wilson is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Land Use and Zoning, Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants and Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants. G. Gray, who practices law in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, has been recognized since 1997. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which G. Gray is held by other top lawyers in the same ge...

Kristine Marie Sims is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Kristine Marie, who practices law in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Kristine Marie is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Jennifer Van Zant focuses her practice on complex business litigation — the more complicated, the better. She represents businesses on a wide array of disputes before federal courts and the North Carolina Business Court, and works closely with clients to make paths toward resolution. Jennifer represents clients in a variety of complex business disputes, including numerous class action cases and LLC ownership disputes. She thrives in cases that involve complicated legal theories. She has...