Best Lawyers® 2025 Recognizes 156 Moore & Van Allen Attorneys
Moore & Van Allen PLLC (MVA) is pleased to announce that the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in America© lists 107 MVA attorneys who were highly recommended by their peers. This includes eight firm attorneys were named Best Lawyers® “Lawyer of the Year.” In addition, 49 MVA attorneys were selected to the 2025 edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America.
In each metropolitan area, only a single attorney in each legal practice area is designated as the “Lawyer of the Year.” The MVA attorneys selected for “Lawyer of the Year” honors in 2025 are as follows:
- Michele M. Glessner – Patent Law; Trademark Law (Charlotte)
- Christopher J.C. Jones – Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law (Charlotte)
- Joseph D. Joyner, Jr. – Tax Law (Charlotte)
- Hal A. Levinson – Health Care Law (Charlotte)
- Valecia M. McDowell – Arbitration (Charlotte)
- Thomas L. Mitchell – Banking and Finance Law (Charlotte)
- Christopher A. Ogiba – Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants (Charleston, South Carolina)
- Manning Unger – Corporate Law (Charleston, South Carolina)
The MVA attorneys listed in The Best Lawyers in America 2025 are as follows:
- Robert “Bob” V. Baker– Equipment Finance Law; Tax Law
- Holly S. Bannerman– Real Estate Law
- Doak Barnhardt– Banking and Finance Law
- Evan M. Bass– Real Estate Law
- John E. Beltz– Corporate Law; Mergers and Acquisitions Law
- Lauren E. Biek– Banking and Finance Law
- Edward “Eddie” S. Booher, Jr.– Banking and Finance Law
- Robert “Bobby” C. Bowers– Commercial Litigation; Litigation - Trusts and Estates
- Jefferson “Jeff” W. Brown– Government Relations Practice; Land Use and Zoning Law; Real Estate Law
- Christian E. Buhrer– Tax Law
- John S. Chinuntdet– Banking and Finance Law; Corporate Law
- Bernard B. Clark– Tax Law
- Kenneth “Ken” S. Coe– Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law; Tax Law
- Kathryn “Kate” Gusmer Cole– Litigation – Intellectual Property
- Christopher “Chris” T. Colwell– Banking and Finance Law; Commercial Transactions / UCC Law; Equipment Finance Law; Land Use and Zoning Law; Real Estate Law
- Hillary B. Crabtree– Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
- Reid E. Dyer– Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
- David L. Eades– Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law; Litigation - Bankruptcy
- John R. Evans– Banking and Finance Law
- John A. Fagg, Jr.– Criminal Defense: White Collar; Litigation - Regulatory Enforcement (SEC, Telecom, Energy)
- Joseph “Joe” A. Fernandez– Corporate Law
- Lesley A. Firestone– Administrative / Regulatory Law; Commercial Litigation; Energy Law; Environmental Law; Litigation - Real Estate
- Robert “Rob” A. Fisher– Tax Law
- John T. Floyd– Commercial Litigation; Construction Law; Land Use and Zoning Law; Litigation - Construction; Litigation – Land Use and Zoning; Litigation – Real Estate
- Brandon Gaskins– Commercial Litigation; Employment Law – Management; Land Use and Zoning Law
- Michele M. Glessner– Patent Law; Trademark Law
- Stephen E. Gruendel- Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
- Stephen “Steve” M. Hader– Immigration Law
- Arlene D. Hanks– Copyright Law; Trademark Law
- B. “Ben” Hawfield, Jr. – Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
- Richard Hazlett– Banking and Finance Law
- Michael P. Hebert– Real Estate Law
- Jenny M. Heichelbech– Tax Law; Trusts and Estates
- Mark R.A. Horn– Tax Law; Trusts and Estates
- James “Jim” W. Hovis– Banking and Finance Law
- Amy K. Johnson– Banking and Finance Law; Public Finance Law
- Daniel “Danny” L. Johnson, Jr.– Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law; Litigation - ERISA
- Christopher “Chris” J.C. Jones– Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law; Tax Law; Trusts and Estates
- Charles M. Jordan, Jr.– Health Care Law
- Joseph “Jody” D. Joyner, Jr.– Equipment Finance Law; Tax Law
- Matthew R. Kain– Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law; Trusts and Estates
- Kimberly Short Kirk– Health Care Law
- James “Jim” R. Langdon– Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
- Joshua D. Lanning – Commercial Litigation
- Anthony “Tony” T. Lathrop– Commercial Litigation; Workers’ Compensation Law – Employers
- Wood W. Lay– Employment Law - Management; Labor Law - Management
- Marcus S. Lee– Corporate Law
- Hal A. Levinson– Corporate Law; Health Care Law; Mergers and Acquisitions Law
- Luis M. Lluberas– Banking and Finance Law; Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
- Cynthia J. Lowery– Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
- Dickson M. Lupo– Copyright Law; Litigation - Intellectual Property; Patent Law; Trademark Law
- Paul M. Lynch– Tax Law; Trusts and Estates
- Gabriel L. Mathless– Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
- Palmer McArthur, Jr.– Real Estate Law
- Mac McBryde– Banking and Finance Law
- Valecia M. McDowell– Arbitration; Commercial Litigation; Criminal Defense: White-Collar; Litigation - Banking and Finance; Litigation - Securities
- Karin M. McGinnis– Employment Law - Management; Litigation - Labor and Employment
- Peter J. McGrath, Jr.– Environmental Law; Litigation - Environmental
- John V. McIntosh– Corporate Law
- Wayne McKinzie– Banking and Finance Law
- James “Jim” P. McLoughlin, Jr.– Bet-the-Company Litigation; Commercial Litigation; Criminal Defense: White-Collar; Litigation - Antitrust; Litigation - Banking and Finance; Litigation - Mergers and Acquisitions; Litigation - Regulatory Enforcement (SEC, Telecom, Energy); Litigation - Securities
- Carolyn P. Meade– Corporate Law
- Thomas L. Mitchell– Banking and Finance Law
- William “Billy” H. Moore, Jr.– Tax Law
- Douglas “Doug” M. Muller– Admiralty and Maritime Law; Appellate Practice; Commercial Litigation
- Paul G. Murphy– Banking and Finance Law; Securitization and Structured Finance Law
- Thomas “Tom” D. Myrick– Commercial Litigation; Litigation - Real Estate; Litigation - Trusts and Estates; Litigation and Controversy - Tax
- Mark A. Nebrig– Commercial Litigation; Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
- Ashley Steele Nutley– Banking and Finance Law; Commercial Transactions / UCC Law; Equipment Finance Law
- Christopher A. Ogiba– Commercial Litigation; Construction Law; Employment Law - Management; Litigation - Banking and Finance; Litigation - Construction; Litigation - Labor and Employment; Litigation - Real Estate; Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants
- Edward P. O’Keefe– Administrative / Regulatory Law; Banking and Finance Law
- William “Tom” Thomas Parrott IV– Banking and Finance Law
- Thomas A. Pennington– Administrative / Regulatory Law
- Paul J. Peralta– Commercial Litigation; Employment Law - Management; Litigation - Labor and Employment
- Matthew “Matt” Plyler – Banking and Finance Law
- Alan W. Pope– Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
- Jared W. Poplin– Corporate Law
- Stephen “Win” G. Porter, Jr.– Banking and Finance Law
- Andrew R. Price– Banking and Finance Law
- Nader S. Raja– Commercial Litigation; Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants
- Kevin Ransom– Patent Law; Technology Law
- Ernest “Ernie” W. Reigel– Corporate Law; International Trade and Finance Law; Securities / Capital Markets Law
- Cole B. Richins– Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
- Trudy H. Robertson– Commercial Litigation; Health Care Law; Litigation - Trusts and Estates
- Rob N. Rust– Corporate Law
- William “Bill” D. Rust– Health Care Law
- Frank E. Schall– Criminal Defense: White-Collar; Litigation - Regulatory Enforcement (SEC, Telecom, Energy)
- Brennan E. Sheedy– Banking and Finance Law
- Richard I. Simons – Real Estate Law
- Russell “Russ” F. Sizemore– Commercial Litigation; Employment Law - Management; Litigation - Labor and Employment
- Ryan M. Smith– Banking and Finance Law
- Zachary H. Smith– Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
- Skottowe “Skott” W. Smith, Jr.– Real Estate Law
- Mary Katherine H. Stukes– Environmental Law; Litigation - Environmental
- Scott D. Syfert– Corporate Governance Law; Corporate Law; Mergers and Acquisitions Law
- Christopher D. Thompson– Real Estate Law
- Christopher D. Tomlinson– Commercial Litigation
- Scott M. Tyler– Commercial Litigation; Construction Law; Litigation - Construction
- Manning Unger– Commercial Transactions / UCC Law; Corporate Governance Law; Corporate Law; Land Use and Zoning Law; Mergers and Acquisitions Law; Real Estate Law
- Bradley “Brad” T. Van Hoy– Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law; Tax Law; Trusts and Estates
- David S. Walls– Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
- Brett G. Weber– Banking and Finance Law
- David B. Wheeler– Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
- Mark Wilson– Copyright Law; Litigation - Intellectual Property; Litigation – Patent
- Michael “Mike” E. Zeller – Corporate Law
- John A. Zaloom– Employment Law - Management; Litigation - Labor and Employment
- William “Bill” H. Zimmern– Corporate Law; Mergers and Acquisitions Law
The Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America list recognizes U.S. attorneys who have been in private practice for less than 10 years and exhibit outstanding professional excellence. The 49 MVA attorneys selected for the 2025 edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America are as follows:
- Zachary P. Ainsztein– Corporate Law; Mergers and Acquisitions Law
- Robert K. Burrow– Banking and Finance Law
- William “Bill” M. Butler– Privacy and Data Security
- Andrew J. Chamberlain– Real Estate Law
- Emily S. Cheatham– Real Estate Law
- Eugene R. Cheval – Corporate Law; Mergers and Acquisitions Law
- William “Will” D. Curtis – Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
- Alexandra “Alli” S. Davidson– Commercial Litigation; Criminal Defense: White-Collar
- Amanda McQuade Dole– Corporate Law
- Kathryn “Katie” E. Duffy– Trusts and Estates
- Christopher “Chris” T. Fowler– Banking and Finance Law
- Amanda Carrano Franklin– Immigration Law
- Daniel R. Fuerst – Commercial Litigation
- Suzanne K. Gainey – Intellectual Property Law
- James “Van” V.C. Gambrell– Intellectual Property Law; Patent Law
- Sangwan “Sonny” Ha – Banking and Finance Law
- Stephen L. Ham IV – Litigation - Trusts and Estates
- Natalie S. Hilmandolar– Banking and Finance Law
- Caitlin N. Horne– Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law; Tax Law; Trusts and Estates
- Fielding E. Huseth– Commercial Litigation; Criminal Defense: White-Collar
- Kyle J. Jacob– Litigation - Labor and Employment
- Micah S. Lewis– Banking and Finance Law
- Micah J. Long – Nonprofit / Charities Law; Tax Law; Trusts and Estates
- James “Jim” C. Manning– Commercial Litigation
- Aaron A. Marshall– Banking and Finance Law
- Katie A. McConnell– Banking and Finance Law
- Madison McCraw– Intellectual Property Law; Patent Law
- Elena F. Mitchell – Commercial Litigation
- Sarah H. Negus– Labor and Employment Law - Management; Litigation - Labor and Employment
- Lauren D. Nelson– Banking and Finance Law
- Drew P. Newman – Commercial Litigation
- Joseph “Joey” W. Norman– Corporate Law; Mergers and Acquisitions Law; Transportation Law
- Kaitlin D. Powers– Banking and Finance Law
- Kaitlin M. Price – Commercial Litigation; Criminal Defense: White-Collar
- Cowden W. Rayburn– Corporate Governance and Compliance Law; Mergers and Acquisitions Law
- Meredith F. Reedy – Banking and Finance Law
- Logan E. Reilly– Real Estate Law
- Sarah A. Sheridan – Commercial Litigation; Criminal Defense: White-Collar
- Ben E. Shook– Litigation - Bankruptcy
- William R. Stroud– Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships); Corporate Law; Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law; Land Use and Zoning Law; Real Estate Law
- Michael C. Tarwater, Jr.– Corporate Law; Mergers and Acquisitions Law
- Matthew “Matt” A. Van Hoy– Banking and Finance Law
- Lauren N. Vriesinga – Commercial Litigation
- Seth T. Walker– Corporate Law; Mergers and Acquisitions Law
- Harris “Mac” M. Watkins– Banking and Finance Law
- Sara Page H. Waugh– Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law; Trusts and Estates
- Kathryn G. Wellman– Commercial Litigation
- Christine Carr York– Banking and Finance Law
- Ashley C. Ziff– Real Estate Law
Now in its 31st year, The Best Lawyers in America© is one of the most highly regarded attorney referral publications in the United States. Best Lawyers® evaluates attorneys through extensive surveys of leading lawyers who assess the legal abilities of their peers. Lawyers are not permitted to pay a fee to participate or be recognized. The 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in America© is based on more than 3.2 million evaluations from attorneys, while the 2025 edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® is based on more than 1.2 million evaluations.
Professionals
- Robert "Bob" V. Baker
- Holly S. Bannerman
- W. Doak Barnhardt
- John E. Beltz
- Lauren E. Biek
- Edward "Eddie" S. Booher, Jr.
- Robert "Bobby" C. Bowers
- Jefferson "Jeff" W. Brown
- Christian E. Buhrer
- John S. Chinuntdet
- Bernard B. Clark
- Kenneth "Ken" S. Coe
- Kathryn "Kate" Gusmer Cole
- Christopher "Chris" T. Colwell
- Hillary B. Crabtree
- Reid E. Dyer
- David L. Eades
- John R. Evans
- John A. Fagg, Jr.
- Joseph "Joe" A. Fernandez
- Lesley A. Firestone
- Robert "Rob" A. Fisher
- John T. Floyd
- Brandon Gaskins
- Michele M. Glessner
- Stephen E. Gruendel
- Stephen "Steve" M. Hader
- Stephen L. Ham IV
- Arlene D. Hanks
- W. B. "Ben" Hawfield, Jr.
- J. Richard Hazlett
- Michael P. Hebert
- Jenny M. Heichelbech
- Mark R.A. Horn
- James "Jim" W. Hovis
- Amy K. Johnson
- Daniel "Danny" L. Johnson, Jr.
- Christopher "Chris" J.C. Jones
- Charles M. Jordan, Jr.
- Joseph "Jody" D. Joyner, Jr.
- Matthew R. Kain
- Kimberly Short Kirk
- James "Jim" R. Langdon
- Joshua D. Lanning
- Anthony "Tony" T. Lathrop
- Wood W. Lay
- Marcus S. Lee
- Hal A. Levinson
- Luis M. Lluberas
- Cynthia J. Lowery
- Dickson M. Lupo
- Paul M. Lynch
- Gabriel L. Mathless
- B. Palmer McArthur, Jr.
- Mac McBryde
- Valecia M. McDowell
- Karin M. McGinnis
- Peter J. McGrath, Jr.
- John V. McIntosh
- C. Wayne McKinzie
- James "Jim" P. McLoughlin, Jr.
- Carolyn P. Meade
- Thomas L. Mitchell
- William "Billy" H. Moore, Jr.
- Douglas "Doug" M. Muller
- Paul G. Murphy
- Thomas "Tom" D. Myrick
- Mark A. Nebrig
- Ashley Steele Nutley
- Edward P. O'Keefe
- Christopher A. Ogiba
- William "Tom" Thomas Parrott, IV
- Thomas A. Pennington
- Paul J. Peralta
- M. Matthew "Matt" Plyler
- Alan W. Pope
- Jared W. Poplin
- Stephen "Win" G. Porter, Jr.
- Andrew R. Price
- Nader S. Raja
- W. Kevin Ransom
- Ernest "Ernie" W. Reigel
- Cole B. Richins
- Trudy H. Robertson
- Rob Rust
- William "Bill" D. Rust
- Frank E. Schall
- Brennan E. Sheedy
- Richard I. Simons
- Russell "Russ" F. Sizemore
- Ryan M. Smith
- Zachary H. Smith
- Skottowe "Skott" W. Smith, Jr.
- Mary Katherine H. Stukes
- Scott D. Syfert
- Christopher D. Thompson
- Christopher D. Tomlinson
- Scott M. Tyler
- H. Manning Unger
- Bradley "Brad" T. Van Hoy
- David S. Walls
- Brett G. Weber
- J. Mark Wilson
- John A. Zaloom
- Michael "Mike" E. Zeller
Capabilities
- Antitrust
- Bank Regulatory & Fintech
- Bankruptcy & Financial Restructuring
- Class Actions
- Closely Held Business & Tax Planning
- Commercial Litigation
- Commercial Real Estate
- Corporate Governance & Shareholder Relations
- Criminal Defense - Trial and Appellate
- Employee Benefits & Compensation
- Employment & Labor
- Environmental
- Environmental, Social & Corporate Governance
- ERISA
- Financial Regulatory Advice & Response
- Financial Services Litigation
- Government Relations
- Health Care
- Health Care Litigation
- Immigration
- Intellectual Property
- Intellectual Property Disputes
- Litigation, Regulatory & White Collar
- Mergers & Acquisitions
- Patent
- Project & Equipment Finance
- Real Estate & Construction Disputes
- Real Estate Finance
- Restrictive Covenants & Trade Secrets
- Securities & Capital Markets Litigation
- Tax
- Trademark & Copyright
- Trust, Estate, Tax & Fiduciary Disputes
- White Collar & Government Enforcement Defense
- Workplace Discrimination & Harassment
- Zoning, Entitlement & Land Use