Stacey Ames Vandiford

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

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...

Courtney Hamer Smith is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law and Family Law Mediation. Courtney Hamer, who practices law in Charlotte, North Carolina, has been recognized since 2017. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Courtney Hamer is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Arlene often serves as external trademark counsel and provides comprehensive legal advice in domestic and international trademark and copyright prosecution, protection, enforcement and related disputes, and intellectual property licensing and transactional work for her clients. Arlene counsels and guides clients through their development of practical brand strategies to maximize brand investment to meet their business and commercial goals, whether of a local, national, regional, or internatio...

Hal Levinson is one of the firm’s senior corporate and transactional lawyers, having focused his career on complex mergers, acquisitions, and joint ventures. Hal is known for bringing experienced and practical business oriented legal advice to each transaction. Hal is counsel of choice for many business owners, including those owned by generations of family members, entrepreneurs, and strategic companies that have decided to sell their business. Hal’s extensive transactional exper...

Jim McLoughlin brings commitment, passion, and more than 35 years of cutting-edge experience to the civil disputes, criminal investigations, and trials that he strives to resolve for clients. Jim’s critical thinking, relentless preparation, and experienced perspective delivers effective results for clients. Jim has dedicated his career to winning civil and criminal cases. He has prosecuted and defended dozens of appeals. Jim advocates for clients in regulatory and criminal investigation...

Ernie Reigel, who served as chairman of the firm for 15 years, brings to his blue-chip domestic and international corporate clients sophisticated counsel on mergers and acquisitions, as well as other business matters. For over three decades of practice, Ernie has represented both public and private companies in a wide range of transactions, including, most recently, the sale of a publicly held company to a foreign buyer and the purchase of the U.S. division of a Japanese-owned public company ...

Kelly Hughes has spent her career advising and supporting employers across multiple industries and in various forums. Ms. Hughes assists executives and management at all levels in crafting employment policies and agreements that not only comply with federal, state, and local laws but also complement the unique needs of the particular client and promote its financial and business objectives. Ms. Hughes is a nationally recognized authority on workplace flexibility and guides clients in creating...

With two decades of experience as a practicing attorney, Karin McGinnis, CIPP/US, is known as a true business partner when litigating and providing counsel to her clients. Well versed in employment, privacy, and general commercial litigation, Karin helps clients navigate a range of complex issues. In addition to employment and privacy matters, Karin has successfully litigated a wide range of matters, including lawsuits involving trade secret misappropriation, defamation, violations of noncomp...

Having tried nearly 20 cases to verdict, Ben Chesson is a trial lawyer with a proven record of winning when it matters. He has tried cases for corporate and individual clients in state and federal courts across North Carolina. Ben has also represented clients in the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals, all appellate courts in North Carolina, and the South Carolina Supreme Court. Whether representing plaintiffs or defendants, Ben understands that while disputes are resolved in courtrooms—cas...