Susan P. Ellis

Areas of Practice: Business Law & Taxation , Mergers & Acquisitions , Wills, Trusts, Estate Planning & Estate Administration Mr. Diab has substantial experience as lead counsel in structuring, negotiating and closing of mergers and acquisitions, representing both buyers and sellers in taxable and tax-free acquisitions, divestitures, strategic alliances, and investments by venture capital and private equity firms since 1990. He has represented closely-held business owners in busine...

Deedee Rouse Gasch is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Litigation - Insurance, Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants and Professional Malpractice Law - Defendants. Deedee Rouse practices law in Wilmington, North Carolina Best Lawyers has recognized Deedee Rouse Gasch since 2024. 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 Deed...

Ryal is an experienced litigator. He has handled a wide range of litigation cases in state and federal courts, many of them jury trials. Ryal has extensive construction law experience, including lien law, federal and state bond claims, and defective workmanship cases. He also has significant experience with agribusiness litigation, property owner association disputes, personal injury, and all types of real estate disputes, including title insurance claims, trespass, adverse possession, condem...

Cliff leads the firm's Real Estate Development Practice Group. His practice focuses on representing individual and corporate clients in residential and commercial real estate transactions, such as the preparation and negotiation of purchase and sale agreements, loan agreements, and leases for office and retail space. Additionally, clients rely on Cliff for the preparation and interpretation of restrictive and protective covenants and other planned community and condominium documents, includin...

Knox is a general business attorney with a financial institutions and regulatory background. He helps large, mid-sized, and small businesses with general corporate and business issues, including mergers and acquisitions, and is particularly well-equipped to address a variety of regulatory issues and lending matters. Knox has experience with securities issues, and also advises on trust issues, securities brokerage, investment advice and asset management services, and insurance services. He ser...

Michael J. Parrish is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Litigation - Banking and Finance. Michael J. practices law in New Bern, North Carolina Best Lawyers has recognized Michael J. Parrish since 2026. 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 Michael J. Parrish is held by other lawyers.

Andrew McVey is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Litigation - Labor and Employment. Andrew practices law in Wilmington, North Carolina Best Lawyers has recognized Andrew McVey since 2021. 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 Andrew McVey is held by other lawyers.

B.T. Atkinson is a corporate attorney with Ward and Smith, P.A. With nearly 30 years of experience, B.T. is a veteran banking attorney whose practice focuses on corporate, securities, and regulatory matters in the financial services space. He regularly advises regional and community banks, underwriters and issuers, and public and private companies. Clients rely on B.T.'s extensive experience for guidance with securities offerings and reporting, business formation, mergers and acquisitions, re...

Areas of Practice: Agribusiness , Business Law & Taxation , Real Estate & Development , Wills, Trusts, Estate Planning & Estate Administration Mr. Taylor is the senior member of the firm’s real estate and development department. He was born in Sanford, North Carolina, has extensive ties in Southeastern North Carolina, and is very involved in the Wilmington community. He was recently chosen for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© for 2015 in the category of Real Es...

Colleen Shea is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Litigation - Health Care, Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants and Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants. Colleen practices law in Wilmington, North Carolina Best Lawyers has recognized Colleen Shea since 2016. 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 Colleen Shea is held ...