News

Moore & Van Allen (MVA) moves up nine spots to be listed at number 137 on the “Law360 400,” Law360’s annual ranking of the 400 largest law firms in the nation for 2020. The list features the largest U.S.-based law firms as measured by U.S. attorney head count.

Moore & Van Allen’s (MVA) Private Wealth Law earned Band 3 recognition in the 2021 Chambers High Net Worth for Private Wealth Law directory. Additionally, Estate and Wealth Planning Member Chris Jones has been ranked Band 2.

Moore & Van Allen (MVA) Supervising Investigations Counsel Tania Archer has been appointed to the Mecklenburg County Bar (MCB) Board of Directors for 2021-2022. Each year, the MCB is led by a dedicated Board of Directors and a visionary President.

Moore & Van Allen (MVA) White Collar, Regulatory Defense & Investigations Member Frank Schall has once again been recognized as a leading U.S. litigation attorney on Benchmark Litigation’s “40 & Under Hot List.” Frank has continually been named to Benchmark Litigation’s “40 & Under Hot List” since 2018.

The Mint Museum’s planned giving program, The Dwelle Society, is being renamed The Dwelle-McBryde Society in honor of Charlotte attorney Neill McBryde’s steadfast support of the museum.

Moore and Van Allen is proud to once again sponsor SIFMA’s C&L Virtual Forum, which takes place July 20-22, 2021. The C&L Society is the leading forum for compliance and legal professionals working in the financial services industry.

Moore & Van Allen (MVA) Employment & Labor Member John Zaloom was quoted in the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) article titled, “Who Can Know About Employee Vaccination Status?” which was published July 6.

Moore & Van Allen (MVA) Litigation Member Nader Raja has been appointed to serve on the Mecklenburg County Bar (MCB) Diversity & Inclusion Committee as a member of the class of 2024 under the leadership of Knut Nodeland, Chair and Dana Lumsden, Vice-Chair by MCB President Fred DeVore, III.

Moore & Van Allen (MVA) Financial Services Member Kimberly Zirkle has taken an active role within the LFAA serving within the organization’s Systemic Racism Legal Inventory (SRLI) Banking Working Group. The group examines the practices and habits of banking and financial institutions with an eye towards determining how best to dismantle those elements that have the effect of perpetuating racial inequity. Each of the LFAA SRLI working groups – composed of LFAA Firm volunteers – focuses on the intersection of racial equity and a substantive area of the law.

Moore & Van Allen PLLC (MVA) is pleased to announce that the firm represented Knoll America, Inc., a supplier of conveyor and filtration systems, in the establishment of its U.S. headquarters site in Gaston County, North Carolina.

Moore & Van Allen (MVA) Litigation Member Tom Myrick was a featured speaker at the UNC Tax Institute meeting held on June 11. This year’s topic was “NCDOR v. Kaestner Trust: A View From the Battlefield.” Tom shared behind the scenes strategies of representing the Trust over the eight years it traveled from the NC Office of Administrative Hearings, to the NC Complex Business Court, to the NC Court of Appeals, to the NC Supreme Court, and finally to the Supreme Court of the United States where judgment in favor of his client was affirmed 9-0.

Moore & Van Allen (MVA) is proud to have continued our partnership with Heart Math Tutoring during the 2020-2021 school year. Over the last year, seven MVA tutors have impacted five schools, volunteered 71 hours with students who needed support building foundational math skills, and supported 11 elementary students with a mentor and increased confidence and enthusiasm in math. Thank you to the following individuals who have served as virtual tutors Lianne Foley, Stephen Hope, Stephanie Ward, Courtney Duncil, Ryan Blumel, Cally Richter, and David Eades.

Moore & Van Allen PLLC (MVA) is pleased to announce that the firm has been recognized in the 2021 edition of The Legal 500 United States. The firm was ranked in Tier 4 in the categories of “Commercial Lending” and “Energy Transactions: Conventional Power.”

Moore & Van Allen PLLC (MVA) is pleased to announce Randal D. Shields and John A. Stoker are joining the firm as Senior Counsel in the firm’s Financial Regulatory Advice & Response Group. Previously, Shields served as Deputy General Counsel for PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. while Stoker served as Associate General Counsel at Wells Fargo & Company.

Moore & Van Allen PLLC (MVA) is pleased to announce that Sandra M. Lazorcheck has re-joined the firm as a member in its Financial Services group. She represents financial institutions, banks, business development companies, and alternative debt providers in a variety of financing transactions.

Moore & Van Allen PLLC (MVA) is pleased to announce that the firm represented the Little Rock Community Development Corporation (CDC) in the development of a new affordable housing project in Uptown Charlotte. The CDC is working in partnership with Laurel Street to develop the new apartment community - Varick on 7th.

Moore & Van Allen (MVA) Member and Co-head of the Environmental group, Mary Katherine Stukes served as a speaker for the 2021 NCBA Environment, Energy, & Natural Resources Law Section CLE Program that was held on May 13. Mary Katherine spoke on a panel entitled, “Hot Topics” which included presentation on Methane, Waters of the United States, and the National Environmental Policy Act.

Moore & Van Allen (MVA) supported an arts fundraising campaign of the Foundation For The Carolinas (FFTC) which has been highlighted in the recent Charlotte Business Journal article titled, “Charlotte's private arts campaign reaches 70% of $18M goal” published May 26.  Atrium Health, Bank of America, Barings, Centene Corporation, Duke Energy, Novant, PwC, Trane, and Truist Corporation also participated. The $18 million FFTC is raising for local arts organizations will match $18 million in City of Charlotte funding for a total of $36 million over three years.

The Moore & Van Allen website has been awarded a 2021 Vega Digital Award under the Website Design & Development- Law & Legal Services category. Designed and built by Firmseek, the new website was launched in early 2021.

Moore & Van Allen (MVA) Health Care Member Keith Smith will serve as a featured speaker for the Virtual National Health Equity Summit which will broadcast from June 7-10. Keith will speak on the topic entitled, “Social Inequities as Enterprise Risks for Health Care Organizations” taking place June 9.

Moore & Van Allen (MVA) Director of Communications & Media Relations Amy Murphy Curlis is one of this year’s recipients of The Charlotte Ledger 40 Over 40 Award. Every year since 2020, The Ledger has run its annual 40 Over 40 awards, which seek to honor those people in our community aged 40+ who are making Charlotte a better place. They’re businesspeople, nonprofit leaders, volunteers and others from all over the city who are improving Charlotte in many different ways.

Moore & Van Allen (MVA) Bankruptcy & Financial Restructuring Member Ben Hawfield was honored as the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Bankruptcy Section of the North Carolina Bar Association (NCBA) on May 12. The purpose of the Lifetime Achievement Award is to recognize a bankruptcy practitioner who has contributed to the betterment of the Bankruptcy Section, the profession, and who has set an aspiring example for those who follow.

Moore & Van Allen PLLC (MVA) is pleased to announce that Chambers & Partners has ranked eight firm practice groups and 30 firm attorneys in the 2021 edition of its legal directory Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business released today.

Moore & Van Allen (MVA) Litigation Associate Jules Carter’s article titled, “’I believe every ICO I’ve seen is a security’: Securities regulation in the age of cryptocurrency-based investment contracts” was published by Westlaw on May 5.

MVA Litigation Associate Jules Carter will serve as a speaker for the Lorman webinar titled, “Potential Bank Regulation Changes Under the Biden Administration” taking place on June 8. Jules will discuss how the financial services regulatory landscape may change in a Biden presidency.

Moore & Van Allen PLLC (MVA) is pleased to announce that two of its Charleston members were included on the 2021 Super Lawyers list. David B. Wheeler is recognized in the Bankruptcy: Business category, while Lesley A. Firestone is recognized as a “Rising Star” in the Environmental category.

Congratulations to the following 24 Moore & Van Allen attorneys who have completed 50 or more hours of pro bono legal services in 2020 and are members of the 2020 NC Pro Bono Honor Society.

On May 4, the Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners appointed MVA Bankruptcy Member Gabriel Mathless to the Citizen’s Capital Budget Advisory Committee, which provides oversight over, and facilitates community input into, the County’s $1.75B Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). 

Moore & Van Allen (MVA) was named one of North Carolina’s leading intellectual property firms in Managing Intellectual Property’s edition of IP Stars, a legal directory that provides state-by-state analysis of the nation’s IP market.  The firm’s Intellectual Property practice received a “Recommended” ranking.

Tom Mitchell, Chair of the firm’s Management Committee, was quoted regarding MVA’s new ranking on North Carolina’s Largest Law Firms list published by North Carolina Lawyers Weekly on April 27.

Moore & Van Allen was thrilled to once again participate in the Legal Feeding Frenzy – an annual food and fund drive hosted by the NCBA Young Lawyers Division and Feeding the Carolinas food banks.

Moore & Van Allen Wealth, Trust & Estate Planning Member Thomas Cooper was a guest speaker for the 33rd Annual Real Property Trusts & Estates (RPTE) Virtual National CLE Conference “Building Bridges Together in the Practice of Law.”

Moore & Van Allen (MVA) Swaps, Derivatives & Structured Products and ESG Counsel Ed Ivey was quoted in the Climate Risk Review article titled, “Pleas of "force majeure" offer no protection from climate financial risks" which was published on April 15. Ed discusses the potential impact of the recent winter storm in Texas and a related ruling in New York may have on force majeure clauses in energy hedges going forward and the efforts energy producers may wish to consider to further mitigate climate risk.

Moore & Van Allen (MVA) Global Services Member Mike Zeller will serve as a panelist for the 2021 St. Louis Smart Business Dealmakers Conference: The Future of M&A in a Post-COVID World which will be held on May 6. During this virtual conference Mike will join other professionals for the topic titled, “Selling a Company to the Employees – One Founder’s Story.”

Moore & Van Allen Bankruptcy & Restructuring Member Hillary Crabtree, and B&R Team Leader Zach Smith, will serve as presenters at the 2021 WDNC Bankruptcy Seminar which will be held virtually on May 21. During this CLE webinar, Hillary and Zach will present live from the new WDNC bankruptcy courtroom on the topic titled, “Lessons Learned in Recent Restaurant and Retail Bankruptcies.”

MVA Financial Regulatory Advice & Response Members Ed O’Keefe and Neil Bloomfield, Financial Services Member Tom Pennington, and Investment Management Member Colby Jenkins served as guest lecturers in the Duke University Law School spring semester class co-taught by Alan Pope and Zach Smith.

MVA Employment & Labor Member Karin McGinnis served as a speaker for the Mecklenburg County Bar CLE titled, “Non-Traditional Non-Competes” program held on March 24. 

Moore & Van Allen (MVA) Co-head of White Collar, Regulatory Defense & Investigations Member Valecia McDowell is guest speaker for the Extraordinary Women on Boards event titled, “How Corporate Board Members Detect Signs of Trouble -- Where There's Smoke There MAY Be Fire...”

Moore & Van Allen (MVA) Financial Regulatory Advice & Response Counsel Nicole Schiavo is one of 11 diverse attorneys that has been selected for inclusion to the Wells Fargo Legal Department’s Class of 2021 Charlotte Diversity College. This is the second year in a row that MVA has had a candidate selected. 

Moore & Van Allen (MVA) Financial Services Member Meredith Reedy was quoted in the National Law Review article titled, “How Law Firms Are Supporting Women Lawyers in The Pandemic” which was published on March 17.

Moore & Van Allen (MVA) Senior Counsel Sarah Byrne, who leads the firm’s Human Trafficking Pro Bono Project, was interviewed on the Human Trafficking Institute’s Trafficking Matters: A Douglass Fellowship Podcast which aired on March 11.

Moore & Van Allen (MVA) Senior Counsel Tandy Mathis will be presenting during the NCBAR 2021 International Practice Section Program webcast, “The World Spins Madly On: Making Sense of the Current State of International Law Practicing International Law in the Digital Age”, taking place on March 25.

MVA Financial Regulatory Advice and Response Member Barbara Meeks and Associate Jules Carter will serve as panelist for the Lorman webinar titled, “BSA/AML Customer Identification Program and Due Diligence Basics” which will take place on March 11.

Moore & Van Allen (MVA) co-head of the White Collar, Regulatory Defense & Investigations practice and member of the firm’s Management Committee, Valecia McDowell served as one of the Cultural Equity Report Contributors for the Arts & Science Council’s (ASC) Cultural Equity Report 2020, which was released to the community on February 23. Additionally, Valecia currently serves as an ASC Board Member and is immediate past board chair.

MVA Intellectual Property Members Kate Cole, Arlene Hanks, Henry Ward and Mark Wilson received World Trademark Review 1000 (WTR 1000) recognition. Additionally, MVA’s Intellectual Property practice was recognized as one of six recommended North Carolina trademark practices.

Moore & Van Allen PLLC (MVA) is pleased to announce that member Amy K. Johnson has been honored among the 2021 class of the Charlotte Business Journal’s “Women in Business Achievement Award.”

Moore & Van Allen (MVA) Bankruptcy & Financial Restructuring Member Luis Lluberas has been elected as a member to the Board of Directors for the Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center Foundation. The Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center Foundation board of directors is a distinguished group of professional, business and civic leaders.

Moore & Van Allen (MVA) has ranked top for Charlotte largest law firms and female attorneys in the recent CBJ article titled, “THE LIST: Charlotte's largest law firms — and the practices with most female attorneys.”

Moore & Van Allen (MVA) Co-head of the White Collar, Regulatory Defense & Investigations practice and member of the firm’s Management Committee, Valecia McDowell has been highlighted in the Business North Carolina article titled, “Dynamic Diversity: The Changing Look of N.C. Executive Power,” published on February 1.

MVA Financial Services Member Lauren Biek, Co-head of Financial Regulatory Advice and Response Neil Bloomfield, and Financial Services Counsel Ed Ivey will serve as panelist during the NCBA: The Business Lawyer as First Responder, 2021 Business Law Section Program. This live webcast will take place on February 11. Additionally, Financial Services Member Kimberly Zirkle serves on the planning committee for the Business Law Section program.

Moore & Van Allen (MVA) Co-head of the White Collar, Regulatory Defense and Investigations practice and a member of the firm’s Management Committee, Valecia McDowell, will be teaching the LAW 832 - Internal Investigations course during the winter session for Duke Law on February 19 and 20.

Moore & Van Allen (MVA) has again been ranked as a top legal adviser on syndicated loans. The firm's Finance team ranked second by number of deals in the 2020 Refinitiv Loan Pricing Corporation (LPC) U.S. Law Firm League Tables for representing Lead Arrangers on syndicated loan transactions. In 2020, MVA advised on 168 syndicated loan transactions, which generated approximately $67 billion in aggregate gross loan proceeds. As further evidence of MVA's ongoing distinction in the secured/leveraged lending market, MVA advised on 97 syndicated leveraged loan transactions, which generated approximately $30 billion in aggregate gross loan proceeds.

Moore & Van Allen PLLC (MVA) is pleased to announce that Trudy H. Robertson has been named co-managing member of the firm’s Charleston office. She will share the role with the office’s current managing member, H. Manning Unger.

MVA Financial Services Counsel Ed Ivey has been invited to join a panel at the ABA’s Virtual Derivatives and Futures Law Committee Winter Meeting 2021 which will take place January 27-29.

Moore & Van Allen PLLC (MVA) is pleased to announce that the firm represented the left lead arranger and the administrative agent in connection with a $2 billion syndicated revolving credit facility for Flex Ltd. 

On Friday, January 15, Moore & Van Allen had the opportunity to virtually welcome outstanding first-year law students from across the country as part of the firm’s third annual Diversity Conference. 

MVA Litigation Member Nader Raja was quoted in the North Carolina Lawyers Weekly article titled, “Pro bono task force fighting for tenants” which was published on December 18.

MVA is proud to be a sponsor of the Beaufort Memorial Hospital Foundation’s 2021 Virtual Valentine Ball and the main sponsor of the Virtual Valentine Ball kick-off party.

Moore & Van Allen PLLC (MVA) is pleased to announce that 20 attorneys have been named to the 2021 North Carolina Super Lawyers list and 11 attorneys were named to the 2021 North Carolina Rising Stars list. 

MVA Member and Head of Bankruptcy & Restructuring practice Zach Smith will serve as a Senior Lecturing Fellow at Duke Law for the Wintersession course titled, “Advising a Distressed Enterprise and Its Stakeholders.” 

Today, on National Human Trafficking Awareness Day, Moore & Van Allen thanks it’s brave clients, community partners and Charlotte Triage volunteers. 

Moore & Van Allen is pleased to announce that 18 attorneys were included in Business North Carolina magazine’s Legal Elite. 

Moore & Van Allen PLLC (MVA) is pleased to announce that Towers Mingledorff has joined the MVA Public Affairs Team as Director of Public Affairs. 

The following 12 attorneys have been elected as the newest members of Moore & Van Allen PLLC (MVA): Elizabeth (Beth) A. Buckner, Thomas A. Cooper, Joshua (Josh) John DeBottis, Lesley A. Firestone, Christopher (Chris) T. Fowler, Emerich F. Gutter, Caitlin N. Horne, Gabriel L. Mathless, Lauren D. Nelson, Joseph (Joey) W. Norman, Cole B. Richins, and Wade B. Sample, Jr.

MVA Member and Head of Bankruptcy & Restructuring practice Zach Smith will serve as Co-chair for the American Bankruptcy Institute’s (ABI) 2021 Virtual Caribbean Insolvency Symposium, which will be held on Feb 9. 

MVA’s Human Trafficking Pro Bono Project Leader Sarah Byrne served as a guest speaker for the Finance Against Slavery and Trafficking (FAST): The Podcast episode 4 titled, “Taking Back Control" which aired December 8.

Moore & Van Allen PLLC (MVA) is pleased to announce that Edward Ivey has joined the firm as Counsel on the Financial Services team.

Moore & Van Allen PLLC (MVA) is pleased to announce that member Paul M. Lynch has been recognized as a “Go to Lawyer” for business law by South Carolina Lawyers Weekly. He will be profiled in the publication’s December 21st issue. 

MVA Immigration Member Amanda Franklin was quoted in the Hotel News Now article titled, “Foreign labor visa process expected to ease in 2021” which was published on December 11. 

MVA Bankruptcy & Financial Restructuring Member Hillary Crabtree served as a co-chair for the 43rd Annual Bankruptcy Institute live webcast which was held on December 10. 

MVA Corporate Member Carolyn Meade served as the guest speaker for the Smart Business Dealmakers Podcast titled, “Selling the Family Business” which aired November 20.

Moore & Van Allen PLLC congratulates its client 2311 Racing LLC, an entity owned by Michael Jordan and three-time Daytona 500 winner Denny Hamlin, for its formation of a new NASCAR Cup Series race team.

MVA Corporate Member and former Chairman Ernie Reigel was quoted in the WSOCTV story titled, “Charlotte task force recommends sales, property tax hike for expanded transit” which was released on November 19.  

Moore & Van Allen PLLC (MVA) is pleased to announce that the firm is the recipient of Bank of America’s 2020 Pro Bono Award, which was presented during a virtual ceremony on October 22.

Moore & Van Allen has again been ranked as a top legal adviser on syndicated loans.

Moore & Van Allen PLLC (MVA) is pleased to announce that U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers have ranked the firm nationally and regionally on the 2021 “Best Law Firms” list. 

Moore & Van Allen PLLC (MVA) is pleased to announce that Charlotte Pro Bono Triage, a groundbreaking partnership created by McGuireWoods, MVA, and Charlotte-based corporate law departments to support local legal aid organizations, is the recipient of the 2020 Corporate Pro Bono Award from the Pro Bono Institute (PBI).

MVA Bankruptcy & Financial Restructuring Member Hillary Crabtree currently serves as a co-chair for the 43rd Annual Bankruptcy Institute live webcast being held on December 10.

MVA Litigation Member Paul Peralta participated in a virtual panel discussion in support of the University of North Carolina’s (UNC) Jacquez - de Varona Legal Fellowship (Fellowship) on October 14.

Moore & Van Allen PLLC (MVA) is pleased to announce that it has been ranked as a “recommended” firm for both dispute resolution and employment in North Carolina in the latest editions of Benchmark Litigation. 

Employers across the country continue to face unique and unprecedented challenges in responding to workforce issues in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

MVA has been recognized as one of the recipients of the PBI 2020 Corporate Pro Bono Award for the firm’s participation within the Charlotte Triage program at the annual Charlotte Triage Pro Bono Partnership Annual Anniversary Event which was held October 1. 

Moore & Van Allen PLLC (MVA) is pleased to announce that it served as counsel for the implementation of a 100% employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) transaction at AME Consulting Engineers, PC.

MVA Wealth and Estate Planning Associate Thomas Cooper was quoted in a Tax Notes article titled “Trump Tax Returns Call Consulting Fees Into Question” published September 29. 

Moore & Van Allen PLLC is pleased to announce that Chaz M. Beasley has joined the firm as counsel in the Financial Services Group. Beasley is joining the firm from Alston & Bird.

MVA Bankruptcy & Financial Restructuring Counsel Reid Dyer has been named as a member of the 2020 J. Bratton Davis Bankruptcy American Inn of Court. 

Moore & Van Allen PLLC (MVA) represented 3A Composites USA Inc., a subsidiary Schweiter Technologies AG (SWX: SWTQ), in the acquisition of the foam board business of Newell Brands Inc. 

Moore & Van Allen PLLC is pleased to announce that the Charlotte Business Journal has recognized Gabriel L. Mathless, an associate on the firm’s Bankruptcy & Financial Restructuring team, among its “40 Under 40” for 2020.

Moore & Van Allen PLLC successfully represented The Shem Creek Development Group in its lawsuit against the Town of Mount Pleasant which has been ordered to pay more than $2.6 million, plus legal costs for backing out of a 2013 parking license agreement they made to help pay for the Shem Creek Parking Garage.

August 19 marked the effective date and successful conclusion of the chapter 11 cases of a collection of restaurant debtors (the “Debtors”) represented by MVA’s Bankruptcy & Restructuring Team in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of North Carolina.

Charleston Corporate Associate Jessica Simpson has been selected for inclusion to the Charleston Metro Chambers of Commerce’s incoming Leadership Charleston Class of 2021.

Moore & Van Allen PLLC is pleased to announce that 93 firm attorneys were selected by their peers for inclusion in the Best Lawyers in America© 2021. Additionally, five attorneys were selected for Best Lawyers® “Lawyer of the Year” recognitions. Twenty-five attorneys were recognized among “Ones to Watch.”

Charlotte Litigation Member Tony Lathrop was reappointed to the Department of Transportation Board by Governor Roy Cooper as of August 12. He will serve a four-year term.

Moore & Van Allen has again been ranked as a top legal adviser on syndicated loans. 

Moore & Van Allen PLLC is pleased to announce that Charleston Business Magazine recognized three of the firm’s attorneys in its 2020 Legal Elite feature. Honorees will be acknowledged in the publication’s August issue.

Charlotte Intellectual Property Member Todd Taylor served as a presenter for the Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC) CLE webinar titled, “Enforcing Unilateral Contract Amendments” which was held on August 5th. 

Moore & Van Allen is pleased to announce that Charlotte Litigation members Frank E. Schall and Christopher D. Tomlinson have again been recognized as leading U.S. litigation attorneys on Benchmark Litigation’s “40 & Under Hot List.”

Moore & Van Allen was recognized for its work advising the senior management team of Yellowstone Landscape Group, Inc. in the sale of Yellowstone CIVC Partners to Harvest Partners and the reinvestment in the surviving company.

Moore & Van Allen commits to bringing awareness today, World Day Against Trafficking in Persons - during the year in which the United Nations is focusing on championing human trafficking first responders.