Reid Acree

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 ...

C. Todd Burbank is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Real Estate Law. C. Todd, who practices law in Charlotte, North Carolina, has been recognized since 2016. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which C. Todd is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Matthew B. Covington is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Workers' Compensation Law - Employers. Matthew B., who practices law in Charlotte, North Carolina, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Matthew B. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Ryan is a partner in the Construction and Litigation Practice Groups in the Charlotte office. His primary focus is large public and private commercial construction practice disputes. Ryan has extensive experience in representing contractors, subcontractors, and sureties in various state and federal courts, as well as private arbitrations. He also assists clients in drafting and negotiating their construction contracts to meet the client’s specific needs on each project. Ryan has taught ...

Brett Weber maintains a comprehensive financial services practice that focuses primarily on representing banks and other financial institutions in secured financing transactions, with a focus on credit facility providers and underwriters in tax-exempt financings. Brett’s practice includes extensive experience in commercial real estate financings, working capital financings, asset-based lending and other related finance transactions.

Clients can rely on Emily to use her experience in federal district and appellate court to advocate for their interests in criminal and civil proceedings. Emily is well regarded for her work as amici curiae for high-profile individuals and as counsel for corporations and individuals in government investigations and litigation. Emily McGowan is well regarded for her work as counsel for organizations and individuals in a variety of complex enforcement and litigation matters. She defends individ...

Valecia McDowell is a national thought leader in the areas of governmental and internal investigations, conduct risk management, and civil rights and racial equity assessments. Valecia is ranked in Chambers USA and Best Lawyers , included in national publications such as Bloomberg , American Banker , Corporate Compliance Insights , and Inside Counsel. Valecia was one of the ten “Innovative Legal Practitioners” identified by the London-based Financial Times in 2023 and on Forbes To...

Jerri Simmons is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Workers' Compensation Law - Employers. Jerri, who practices law in Charlotte, North Carolina, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jerri is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

M. Andrew Avram is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Workers' Compensation Law - Employers. M. Andrew, who practices law in Charlotte, North Carolina, has been recognized since 2006. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which M. Andrew is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Mark Kelly is a member of the Corporate Transactions & Securities Group in the firm’s Charlotte office. He concentrates his practice in the areas of public offerings, private financings, mergers and acquisitions and general corporate matters. Mr. Kelly leads the firm’s private equity practice and has worked with private equity firms and their portfolio companies since the late 1980s in equity and debt financings, leveraged buyouts and exit transactions, including mergers with ...