Richard J. Rivera

Jon Ferry brings his substantial experience as a federal prosecutor to assisting clients in False Claims Act litigation, government investigations and other enforcement actions, internal risk analysis and internal investigations. Jon served as Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina for over seven years. As the head of the Affirmative Civil Enforcement (ACE) program and the Healthcare Fraud Coordinator for the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Jon led and supervised num...

Zachary Smith is a Member and the Co-head of Moore & Van Allen’s Financial Restructuring practice. Zach is a nationally recognized restructuring lawyer with more than 20 years of experience in complex restructurings, representing a broad spectrum of stakeholders in special situations and bankruptcy proceedings. Before joining MVA in 2013, Zach was a partner in the restructuring practice of an international law firm based in New York City. Zach’s practice covers transactional a...

With an emphasis on the origination and restructuring of debt secured by real estate assets, Karen Nelson advises on a range of commercial real estate finance matters. Recognized as a leading lawyer by North Carolina Lawyers Weekly and the Charlotte Business Journal, Karen represents commercial banks, investment banks, insurance companies and REITS. She handles matters related to real assets of all types, including office, retail, hotel, apartment, homebuilder, condominium and industrial prop...

Bryan Ives is co-chair of the Firm’s Corporate Transactions & Securities Group and has recently concluded a 4-year term on the Firm’s management committee and service as the Firm’s Financial Partner. Bryan has deep experience in a wide range of areas, including mergers and acquisitions, private equity, taxation and corporate governance, and debt and equity financing. Bryan began his career as a tax lawyer and is a member of the American College of Tax Counsel. Using his ...

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 ...

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...

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...

Rick Bange is a member of Moore & Van Allen’s Corporate group. The focus of Rick’s practice is representing private equity sponsors and public and private companies in evaluating, structuring and negotiating mergers and acquisitions and investment transactions, including leveraged buyouts, growth equity investments, mergers, stock and asset acquisitions and sales, mezzanine investments and recapitalizations. In addition to his work in the areas of private equity, venture capit...

Lauren O. Newton is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs and Workers' Compensation Law - Claimants. Lauren O. practices law in Charlotte, North Carolina Best Lawyers has recognized Lauren O. Newton since 2019. 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 Lauren O. Newton is held by other law...

A frequent speaker on litigation and arbitration issues and an adjunct professor at the University of Notre Dame Law School, Paul Peralta brings extensive successful high-stakes trial experience to his varied litigation clients. Paul has handled wide-ranging employment and commercial litigation, including management representation in Title VII, ADEA, ADA and ERISA litigation, as well as proceedings before the EEOC and corresponding state and local agencies. Additionally, Paul has counseled an...