Ross E. Butler

Matt DeAntonio is a business litigator who helps his clients navigate complex commercial disputes. His clients range from multinational corporations to closely held companies. He has tried multiple cases to jury verdict and has appeared in state and federal appellate courts. Matt brings a strategic, problem- solving approach to litigation and works tirelessly to achieve results that advance his clients’ business needs. A significant portion of Matt’s practice involves representing...

Clay Littlefield, a partner based out of the firm’s Charlotte and New York offices, is a member of the Federal and International Tax group. Clay’s practice concentrates on tax issues confronted by underwriters, issuers and investors participating in structured finance transactions, including mortgage and asset-backed securitizations, REMICs, CLOs, REITs, and similar structures. Clay’s practice also focuses on advising financial institutions on the tax and legal aspects of va...

Tom Parrott represents financial institutions and borrowers in structuring and documenting a wide range of syndicated, club and single-bank debt finance transactions, both secured and unsecured. Tom's experience includes acquisition financings, restaurant finance (franchisor and franchisee), term and construction loans secured by various types of commercial real estate, asset-based loans and automotive dealer finance. Tom belongs to the North Carolina Bankers Association and the Business Law ...

Zack Higbee is a patent attorney known for building exceptional patent portfolios and helping clients navigate competitor IP. With particular experience with fintech/insurtech, electromechanical systems, and biomedical devices, Zack partners with clients to offer tailored solutions and valuable guidance to protect client IP and drive growth with a focus on long-term value and freedom to operate. Zack is a registered patent attorney practicing all aspects of U.S. and international patent prose...

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 ...

A former presidentially appointed U.S. attorney, Thomas Walker understands the high stakes of federal and state investigations and white-collar criminal defense. A former presidentially appointed U.S. attorney, Thomas concentrates his practice in government investigations, internal corporate investigations, and white-collar criminal defense. Thomas has extensive jury trial experience in state and federal courts and previously served as special counsel to North Carolina Attorney General Roy Co...

Christopher Thompson has extensive experience representing developers, investors, non-profit and affordable housing organizations, and multinational corporations in acquiring, developing, financing, and leasing commercial real estate and large residential developments. Chris takes a solutions-oriented approach to get deals done efficiently and in a manner that keeps the client’s business goals at the forefront—all while vigilantly guarding the client’s legal interests. Chris...

Jonathan Watkins is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation and Litigation - Securities. Jonathan, who practices law in Charlotte, North Carolina, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jonathan is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Mr. Ellsworth counsels clients to procure, protect, license and enforce intellectual property rights. Mr. Ellsworth works diligently to understand his client’s business and to leverage that understanding to achieve his client’s intellectual property goals in a turn-key and cost-efficient manner. Mr. Ellsworth manages extensive domestic and international patent portfolios for several publicly traded companies and provides strategic counseling to a variety of smaller business concer...

Matthew is a North Carolina Board Certified Specialist in Workers' Compensation law, which is his passion. He has been a critical member of the Workers’ Compensation Department at the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin since joining in 2015. He has extensive experience litigating cases before the North Carolina Industrial Commission , which oversees Workers’ Compensation, and has represented his clients before the North Carolina Court of Appeals . He received his undergraduate degr...