Richard S. "Rick" Starling

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 ...

James M. Dedman IV is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Insurance. James, who practices law in Charlotte, North Carolina, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which he is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area. James represents manufacturers, transportation companies, insurance companies, hospitality companies and other busin...

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 ...

Carolyn Meade has 20 years of experience serving as corporate counsel, helping partners negotiate the terms of their ventures, shepherding investments for sponsors, high net worth individuals and private equity, and advising founders from the day-to-day through an exit. Carolyn’s steady hand, market knowledge, and ability to drive successful outcomes have made her a trusted ally to her clients. Carolyn’s practice encompasses a wide range of corporate transactional matters, with a ...

Mary Katherine Stukes is head of the firm’s Environmental practice. She advises clients on environmental issues involved in all types of business transactions, as well as regulatory compliance issues and environmental litigation. Ranked in Chambers Partners USA since 2017, clients describe her as a “zealous but practical advocate.” Mary Katherine helps manufacturers, real estate developers, lenders, local governments, and other clients find creative solutions in real estate,...

As an intellectual property attorney with more than 30 years of experience, Dick Lupo focuses his practice on intellectual property and technology transactional matters. Heavily involved in a variety of intellectual property and transactional matters for emerging-market companies as well as established businesses, Dick provides sophisticated IP counsel to diverse clients in wide-ranging industries, including: Financial services Heavy industrial manufacturing Internet applications Computer sof...

C. Melissa Owen is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Criminal Defense: General Practice and Criminal Defense: White-Collar. C. Melissa practices law in Charlotte, North Carolina Best Lawyers has recognized C. Melissa Owen since 2018. 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 C. Melissa Owen is held by other lawyers.

Scott MacLatchie is a Partner in our office in Charlotte, North Carolina, and he has nearly forty years’ experience as a trial attorney, law enforcement officer, and consultant to law enforcement agencies. Scott has served as trial counsel for numerous law enforcement agencies on both coasts, and has defended class action litigation involving conditions at the Los Angeles County Jail, the nation’s largest municipal jail system. He regularly handles cases in both federal and state ...

Christian Gerencir is dedicated to representing individuals and families who have been harmed due to the negligence of others. Based in Charlotte, North Carolina, Christian focuses his practice on Personal Injury Litigation for Plaintiffs and Workers’ Compensation Law for Claimants. He advocates for clients involved in workplace injuries, workers’ compensation claims, car wrecks, tractor-trailer accidents, and a wide range of personal injury matters, guiding them through each stag...

Kurt B. Aktug is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. Kurt, who practices law in Charlotte, North Carolina, has been recognized since 2027. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Kurt is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.