Richard A. "Rick" Zechini

Steve Long leads the firm's Tax and Employee Benefits practice. He has extensive experience working with employers in banking, retail, and technology to establish and maintain retirement plans, executive compensation agreements, stock incentive plans and other employee benefits. Steve also advises charities and other tax-exempt organizations regarding their IRC 403(b) and IRC 457 retirement plans, as well as issues related to compliance with Internal Revenue Service and state regulations conc...

Tony Barwick regularly assists clients in successfully structuring, negotiating and completing a wide variety of complex transactional matters. His experience includes advising financial institutions and corporate clients in multiple industries related to their financings, joint ventures and complex real estate acquisitions and dispositions. He works with clients to structure, negotiate and close complex commercial transactions including representing clients through strategic asset acquisitio...

Matthew Duncan is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Matthew, who practices law in Raleigh, North Carolina, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Matthew is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

John C. Livingston is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Energy Law and Real Estate Law. John C., who practices law in Raleigh, North Carolina, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which John C. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Tyler is passionate about the hemp and cannabidiol ("CBD") industries, their products, and their people. He co-chairs the firm's Hemp Law practice group, and he represents clients in all aspects of the hemp and CBD industries – both in North Carolina and beyond. His clients include farmers and growers, processors, extractors, product manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers. He also assists clients who are involved in the industry but do not directly "touch the plant" &nd...

Gregory Crampton was born in Washington, D.C. in 1947, and has lived in Raleigh since early childhood. He graduated from Washington and Lee University in 1969, and received his law degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1972. After graduation, he served as a law clerk to the Honorable Walter E. Brock, Chief Judge of the North Carolina Court of Appeals. Mr. Crampton concentrates his practice in the areas of commercial and business litigation and business bankruptcies an...

Drew Patty is a partner with Phelps Dunbar, LLP in the firm's Intellectual Property and Cybersecurity Groups. He also leads the firm's Artificial Intelligence Working Group. With 30 years of experience in a broad range of transactional intellectual property matters and related litigation, he also has a growing AI and data privacy practice. His chemical patent experience includes patent preparation and prosecution in the fields of oilfield proppants and other downhole chemicals, refinery catal...

Michael S. Harrell is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation and Family Law. Michael S., who practices law in Raleigh, North Carolina, has been recognized since 2019. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Michael S. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Gabe graduated from the North Carolina State University and obtained his law degree from Rutgers University School of Law. His commitment to helping clients is deeply rooted in his personal life experiences and a genuine passion for the law. Throughout his career, Gabe has been driven by a strong desire to assist those in need, which is reflected in his extensive work in personal injury cases. His legal practice encompasses representing clients in cases involving automobile accidents, wrongfu...

James C. Thornton is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Municipal and Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants. James C., who practices law in Raleigh, North Carolina, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which James C. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.