News Archive

Moore & Van Allen is pleased to announce that Charlotte Litigation/Privacy/Employment & Labor Member Karin McGinnis was named a 2018 recipient of the Charlotte Business Journal’s Women in Business Achievement Award.

Charlotte Financial Regulatory Advice and Response Member Tom Pennington, and Associate Michael Anderson were instrumental in advising their client, Artivest, on setting up a new online platform in conjunction with Pacific Investment Management Co. (Pimco). This innovative Artivest platform will allow investments of as little as $100G into Pimco alternative investment products that typically require a $5M minimum investment.

Charlotte Real Estate Member Jeff Brown and Land Use and Development Consultants Bridget Grant and Keith MacVean were quoted in the Charlotte Business Journal on November 16. The article discusses how Charlotte’s planning department has begun the years-long process of overhauling its zoning code and other development regulations.

U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers have recognized Moore & Van Allen PLLC in their 2018 “Best Law Firms” rankings, both nationally and within the Charlotte and Raleigh, North Carolina, and Charleston, South Carolina metropolitan regions. 

Charlotte Litigation Member and NCDOT At-Large Board Member Tony Lathrop will be participating in TransitCenter and Sustain Charlotte’s panel discussion titled, “Public Transit and Urban Prosperity: What's Next?” on November 16 at the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art. Panelists will discuss what makes transit work and share opportunities for advocates, elected officials, and agency leadership to win meaningful change in Charlotte’s transit system.

Charlotte Real Estate Member Jeff Brown moderated a panel discussion at the Bisnow Charlotte Construction and Development Conference on November 9. The panel discussed several of the major trends and themes surrounding the growth of Charlotte, NC and the greater Mecklenburg County.

Charlotte Wealth and Estate Planning Member Chris Jones presented at the 54th Annual Hawaii Tax Institute in Honolulu, HI on November 7. Jones’ presentation titled, “Show Me the Money! Monetizing the Value of the Family Business," provided an overview of the business, tax and wealth transfer planning opportunities and pitfalls that exist when a family business is sold to a third party or merged with a public company. 

Charlotte Managing Director & Head of Public Affairs Walter Price participated in a lobbyist panel for Leadership Charlotte Class 39 Government & Politics Program Day on November 9. Charlotte Litigation Associate Nader Raja is currently participating in the Leadership Charlotte Program.

Charlotte Bankruptcy Member and Team Leader Zach Smith, and Bankruptcy Member Alan Pope, have been invited by Duke Law to teach “Structuring and Regulating Financial Transactions” during Duke Law’s spring 2018 semester. Charlotte Bankruptcy Associate Gabe Mathless will be serving as a teaching assistant for the course. Smith will also be teaching “Advising a Distressed Enterprise and Its Stakeholders” during Duke Law’s Wintersession.

Charlotte Financial Services Member Rob Kenny and Litigation Member Neil Bloomfield participated in a panel discussion at the South Carolina Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC) Annual Meeting on November 7 in Columbia, South Carolina.

Financial Regulatory Advice and Response Team members Ed O’Keefe and Tom Pennington, joined by Neil Bloomfield, Josh Lanning and Brian Soja attended The Clearing House (TCH)’s Annual Conference in New York City, November 6-8, 2017. MVA served as a Gold Partner for the conference, sponsoring the Annual Chairman’s Reception.

Moore & Van Allen PLLC is pleased to announce that Ashley Simmons has joined the Firm’s public affairs team, MVA Public Affairs, as director of public relations.

Moore & Van Allen PLLC is pleased to announce that Charlotte Bankruptcy Member and Team Leader Zachary H. Smith was named to the American Bankruptcy Institute’s (ABI) 2017 “40 Under 40” list, which recognizes 40 top restructuring professionals nationwide under the age of 40.

The MVA Lawyers of Color (LOC), led by Charlotte Bankruptcy Member Luis Lluberas, hosted a community event on October 11 in partnership with Leadership Charlotte titled “Social Distrust”. The MVA Lawyers of Color and Leadership Charlotte plan to continue the programming series, exploring topics that advance equality and bridge differences within our community. 

Charlotte Bankruptcy Member and Team Leader Zach Smith was named by the American Bankruptcy Institute (ABI) as a recipient of the ABI’s inaugural “40 Under 40” award. 

Moore & Van Allen was listed as a “recommended” firm for litigation in North Carolina in the 2018 edition of Benchmark Litigation. Additionally, Benchmark named 10 Charlotte Litigation attorneys “stars” based on client and peer recommendations.

Charlotte Corporate Member James Wyche took part in the Carolinas Directors Exchange event held on Tuesday, September 26 at Quail Hollow Country Club. Charlotte Corporate Associate Wade Sample also participated in the planning and preparation of the event.

Moore & Van Allen PLLC attorney Michael E. Zeller led the team representing Phenomenal Industries, Inc. in the development and launch of its Welding Training Center in Chambersburg, Pa. The facility’s grand opening is today. MVA has provided legal counsel to Phenomenal Industries since its inception, including its corporate and immigration matters.

Moore & Van Allen is pleased to announce that 71 attorneys representing each of the Firm’s offices were listed in The Best Lawyers in America® 2018.

Moore & Van Allen PLLC attorney Michael E. Zeller led the team representing Compact Power Equipment, Inc. in a definitive purchase agreement with The Home Depot® for $265 million in cash. The transaction closed on Tuesday, July 25, 2017. In addition to Michael E. Zeller, other MVA attorneys involved in the deal included Daniel L. Johnson, Jr., Arlene Hanks, Peter McGrath, Karin McGinnis, Nathaniel Smith and Michael Tarwater, Jr.

Charlotte Wealth and Estate Planning Member Chris Jones spoke at the North Carolina Bar Association (NCBA) Estate Planning and Probate Section Annual Meeting  in Kiawah Island, SC on July 28.

Charlotte Litigation Member John Fagg was elected as president of the Council for Children’s Rights (CFCR) Board of Directors. He will serve an 12-month term which began July 1, 2017. Fagg joined the CFCR Board in 2014.

The Privacy and Data Security Team hosted a seminar part of their 2017 series titled, “How to Talk to the FBI and Your IT Department about a Data Breach,” on May 24. The seminar kicked-off with Privacy and Data Security Member Karin McGinnis and Member Ben Fryer discussing how responding to a data breach requires clear communication with a web of internal and external groups.

Moore & Van Allen PLLC is pleased to announce that Chambers & Partners has ranked seven firm practice groups and 24 firm attorneys in the 2017 edition of its legal directory Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business.

Charlotte Litigation Member Mark Nebrig participated in a practitioner’s panel at the 5th Annual North Carolina Business Court CLE on May 19. The panel presentation discussed issues in business organization disputes.

Charlotte Real Estate Member Palmer McArthur moderated the General Counsel Forum at the Mecklenburg County Bar Center on April 25. Some of the Charlotte region's most prominent in-house legal leaders discussed current policy trends, technology’s impact on business, cost control and diversity.

MVA Sports Clients, Jadar Johnson and Nick Schuessler, signed 3-year contracts with NFL Teams. Johnson, a safety from Clemson, signed with the New York Giants and Schuessler, a quarterback from Clemson, signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

For the fifth year in a row, Moore & Van Allen earned the title of Large Firm division winner for the 2017 Legal Feeding Frenzy! The Frenzy was conducted from March 6-31, and brought in over 300,000 pounds of food to be distributed statewide in the effort to eradicate hunger.

Charlotte Litigation Member Ed O’Keefe presented at the Charlotte Economic Club's luncheon on April 19 at the Charlotte City Club. O'Keefe's presentation provided insight into where bank regulatory actions and lending is headed and the impact it will have on our economy such as lower new business starts, lower employment, slower recovery and greater income inequality.

Moore & Van Allen PLLC is pleased to announce that its client, 16-year-old Clarence (C.J.) Cummings, Jr., has earned a gold medal at the Youth World Weightlifting Championships, held in Bangkok. Cummings, a Beaufort, South Carolina native, broke his own Youth World Record in the Clean and Jerk setting it to 185kg and equaled the 322kg Youth World Record in the total.

Moore & Van Allen is pleased to announce that 4 Firm attorneys were named to Super Lawyers’ 2017 list of top attorneys in South Carolina. 

Charlotte Public Affairs Associate Leslie Pedernales was a featured speaker once again at the South East Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors’ (SEATOA) 2017 Annual Broadband & PEG Conference in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina on March 27.

Charlotte Bankruptcy & Financial Restructuring Member David Eades will be presenting at the Southeastern Bankruptcy Law Institute's (SBLI) forty-third annual seminar on bankruptcy law and rules on March 30 in Atlanta, GA. 

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

MVA Global Services Member Steve Hader will join Charlotte Mayor Jennifer Roberts and 10 other delegates on a trip aimed at strengthening relationships and encouraging foreign investment. The 10-day trip begins Friday, and it marks the first time a Charlotte mayor has gone to China since Anthony Foxx went in 2011

Public Affairs Counsel Rob Smith participated in a panel discussion at the State House in Columbia during State Government Day for the Greenville Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Greenville program. The panel explored the role of lobbying in the legislative process and highlighted ethical considerations, direct advocacy strategies, bill drafting, and grassroots engagement.

Charlotte Immigration Associate Amanda Franklin presented at the Charlotte Chamber’s Diversity Roundtable on February 23.

Charlotte Estate and Wealth Planning Member Chris Jones  spoke at the North Carolina Bar Association (NCBA) Business Law Section Annual Meeting  in Pinehurst, NC on February 17. The presentation entitled, “Tax and Non-Tax Considerations in Succession Planning for the Family Business," explored succession planning for family-owned businesses.

Moore & Van Allen is pleased to announce that Litigation Member Valecia McDowell was named a 2017 recipient of the Julius L. Chambers Diversity Champion Award.