W. Kent Walker, Jr.

John Beltz represents foreign and domestic, public and private business entities, majority and minority equity holders, financial sponsors, founders, and governing boards. With over two decades of experience, John’s clients trust his extensive legal experience, business acumen, sophistication, calm demeanor, and creativity to achieve positive outcomes. John advises corporations and other business entities on a broad array of transactions, including cross-border transactions, mergers, ac...

Caitlin Horne is a member of Moore & Van Allen’s Wealth Transfer group. She is a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel, a North Carolina Board Certified Specialist in estate planning and probate law, and holds an advanced degree in Taxation with a Certificate in Estate Planning from Georgetown University Law Center. Caitlin’s practice is focused on providing high-net-worth individuals and multigenerational families with sophisticated estate, tax, and busin...

Stephen Lareau is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Litigation - Intellectual Property and Litigation - Patent. Stephen practices law in Charlotte, North Carolina Best Lawyers has recognized Stephen Lareau since 2025. 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 Stephen Lareau is held by other lawyers.

Benjamin H. Ellis is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Real Estate Law. Benjamin H. practices law in Charlotte, North Carolina Best Lawyers has recognized Benjamin H. Ellis 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 Benjamin H. Ellis is held by other lawyers.

Jerri Simmons is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Workers' Compensation Law - Employers. Jerri practices law in Charlotte, North Carolina Best Lawyers has recognized Jerri Simmons 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 Jerri Simmons is held by other lawyers.

Anne Bandes advises sponsors, borrowers and lenders in connection with structuring and documenting U.S. and international debt financing transactions. Her area of focus includes acquisition, recapitalization and other leveraged financings, cash flow and asset-based financings, and other debt financings up and down the capital structure. She also has experience with debtor-in-possession and exit financings, workouts, restructurings, and bankruptcies. Before joining Goodwin, Anne was a partner ...

Brian Hayles focuses his practice on advising clients in the healthcare sector. As a seasoned antitrust attorney, Brian provides guidance on hospital and physician practice mergers, antitrust litigation, federal and state antitrust investigations, and managed care contracting practices. He earns his clients’ trust by cutting to the chase and getting results. With clients across the United States, Brian has taken a leading role in matters from Maine to California. He has a wealth of expe...

Jerry H. Walters, Jr. is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Employment Law - Management and Labor Law - Management. Jerry H. practices law in Charlotte, North Carolina Best Lawyers has recognized Jerry H. Walters, Jr. 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 Jerry H. Walters, Jr. is held by other lawyers.

Wood Lay's diverse practice focuses on representing and advising employers in matters involving the full range of labor and employment law issues with an emphasis on employment, ERISA, non-competition, and trade secret litigation. His significant litigation experience also includes the handling of complex business tort claims for a number of Fortune 500 companies. With over 30 years of experience, Wood focuses his practice on advising national employers on addressing the employment law challe...

John Baron is the lead partner of the Charlotte office’s Federal and International Tax Group, partner-in-charge of the Charlotte office and chair of the partners committee. His practice is principally transactional in nature, and his clients include both domestic and foreign companies and financial institutions, as well as private equity firms, CDOs and hedge funds. He regularly provides tax structuring advice and renders tax opinions with respect to mergers and acquisitions, structured...