News Archive

Moore & Van Allen (MVA) is pleased to announce that Co-head of White Collar, Regulatory Defense & Investigations and Head of Civil Rights & Racial Equity Assessments Valecia McDowell has been named to the "50 Most Influential Women" list for 2023 by The Mecklenburg Times. The publication will be hosting an event to honor these individuals in partnership with its sister publication, North Carolina Lawyers Weekly on October 19, at the Hilton Charlotte University Place.

Moore & Van Allen PLLC (MVA) is pleased to announce that, following 13 years of contentious civil litigation and arduous fact and expert discovery, the Western District of North Carolina entirely denied defendants’ motion for summary judgment in Mason v. Health Management Associates, Inc. Thus MVA, on behalf of the plaintiffs, Thomas L. Mason, et al., will now prepare for trial by jury and ultimate pursuit of justice in a matter involving the fraudulent and retaliatory actions of a major regional healthcare group.

Moore & Van Allen PLLC (MVA) is pleased to announce that the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in America© lists 109 MVA attorneys who were highly recommended by their peers. This includes five firm attorneys were named Best Lawyers® “Lawyer of the Year.” In addition, 42 MVA attorneys were selected to the 2024 edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America.

Moore & Van Allen PLLC (MVA) is pleased to announce that the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in America® lists 16 MVA attorneys in South Carolina who were highly recommended by their peers. This includes firm Member Douglas “Doug” M. Muller, who was named a Best Lawyers® 2024 “Lawyer of the Year.” In addition, MVA attorney William R. Stroud was selected as among the Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America.

Moore & Van Allen (MVA) Commercial Real Estate attorney William Stroud has been named to the Charleston Business Magazine’s 2023 South Carolina Legal Elite listing of top attorneys in the region as recognized by their peers.

Moore & Van Allen (MVA) Bankruptcy Member Gabriel Mathless has been reappointed as the Chair of Mecklenburg County’s Citizen’s Capital Budget Advisory Committee, which provides oversight over, and facilitates community input into, the County’s $1.75B Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). During this reappointment, Gabe will serve for a three-year term.

Moore & Van Allen (MVA) Co-head of White Collar, Regulatory Defense & Investigations Valecia McDowell is included in the Business Today list, “Top 10 Powerhouse Lawyers Influencing White-Collar Crime Litigation in North Carolina 2023.”

Moore & Van Allen PLLC (MVA) is pleased to announce that firm Member Frank E. Schall has been named to the 2023 Benchmark Litigation 40 & Under list – a guide to the most notable up and coming litigation attorneys in the United States.

Moore & Van Allen (MVA) Head of Environmental Mary Katherine Stukes has been elected as a Fellow of the American College of Environmental Lawyers (ACOEL). ACOEL is a professional association of distinguished lawyers who practice in the field of environmental law. Membership is by invitation and members are recognized by their peers as preeminent in their field.

In observance of the United Nations’ World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, Moore & Van Allen PLLC (MVA) is pleased to announce that the Human Trafficking Pro Bono Project, in collaboration with Lexington Law and Credit.com, has developed an online financial wellness tool for human trafficking survivors.

Moore & Van Allen (MVA) Financial Services Associate Hugh Ebb served as a panelist for the Charlotte Freedom School Partners “Net Gala” on July 25. Hugh joined local professionals to share their knowledge to college aged interns about the benefits of networking, relationships, accountability, reading, and so much more.

Moore & Van Allen (MVA) Co-Heads of Financial Regulatory Advice & Response, Neil Bloomfield and Ed O’Keefe have been named to Law360's 2023 North Carolina Editorial Advisory Board. Law360 is the leading primary source of legal news based on award winning journalism in the U.S. and internationally. The Editorial Advisory Board provides feedback on Law360's coverage and expert insight on how best to shape future coverage.

Moore & Van Allen (MVA) White Collar, Regulatory Defense & Investigations Member Frank Schall was named to the 2023 Lawdragon 500 X – The Next Generation list.

Moore & Van Allen (MVA) Litigation Members Tanisha Palvia and Jim McLoughlin’s article titled, “The Fourth Circuit Has the Most Liberal Rule 33 Interpretation” was published by Bloomberg Law on July 18. Tanisha and Jim McLoughlin analyze the Rule 33 standard, the path to the Supreme Court for this important circuit split, and its potential impact on criminal cases.

Moore & Van Allen (MVA) is pleased to announce that the following individuals have been ranked in the 33rd edition of IFLR1000 United States. MVA chairman Tom Mitchell was rated as a “highly regarded” banking in North Carolina, and member Steve Hope was rated as a “highly regarded” M&A lawyer in North Carolina. Member Carolyn Meade was rated as a “notable practitioner” M&A lawyer in North Carolina and member Ed Ivey was rated as a “rising star” capital markets: derivatives and capital markets: structured finance and securitisation. Additionally, Joe Fernandez, Wayne McKinzie, Tripp Monroe and Ryan Smith also being recognized for their respective fields.

Moore & Van Allen (MVA) Public Affairs Practice Amy Murphy Curlis has been named 100 Most Powerful Women: South Charlotte 2023 by South Charlotte Weekly. South Charlotte Weekly launched its 100 Most Powerful Women list a few years ago to provide a who’s who of influential women.

Moore & Van Allen (MVA) has been recognized by IAM Patent 1000: The World’s Leading Patent Professionals, a unique guide that identifies the top patent professionals in key jurisdictions around the globe. MVA members Kate Cole, Jeffrey Gray, Chris Knors, Dick Lupo, Kevin Ransom, Nick Russell, Peter Stewart, Todd Taylor, and Mark Wilson were listed as recommended attorneys in their respective practice areas.

Moore & Van Allen (MVA) moved up three spots to be listed at number 132 on the “Law360 400,” Law360’s annual ranking of the 400 largest law firms in the nation for 2022. The list features the largest U.S.-based law firms as measured by U.S. attorney head count.

Jody Joyner, MVA Corporate Member, was named as a Jim Hart Governor’s School Champion Award winner for 2023 by the NC Governor’s School Foundation. Jody, Governor’s School class of 1972, has served as legal counsel to the NC Governor’s School Foundation (GSF) Board of Directors for well over 30 years. The depth and breadth of Jody’s contributions to GSF and Governor’s School are nearly impossible to overstate. He was there at the beginning, doing the legal work to form the GSF in 1990 and since then he has steadfastly remained a loyal advisor decade after decade, doing everything from amending the GSF’s charter and bylaws to counseling and advising the officers and directors on topics both novel and routine.

Moore & Van Allen (MVA) Financial Services Associate Lauren Burns, Corporate Associate Toni-Ann Hines, Corporate Member Steve Hope and Financial Systems Manager Stephanie Ward have collectively provided 73 hours of tutoring to Charlotte students through Heart Math Tutoring this school year. During the 73 hours of individualized tutoring, Lauren, Toni-Ann, Steve, and Stephanie impacted four schools and supported numerous students with important math practice and mentorship. 

Moore & Van Allen PLLC (MVA) is pleased to announce that Financial Services Member Kaitlin D. Powers has been selected as a North Carolina Lawyers Weekly “Icons and Phenoms of Law” winner. Honorees will be recognized at an awards event on July 20.

Moore & Van Allen PLLC (MVA) and Robinson Bradshaw are pleased to announce that Charlotte Legal Initiative to Mobilize Businesses (CLIMB) is the recipient of the North Carolina Bar Association’s 2023 Filling the Justice Gap Award. Part of the 2023 NCBA Pro Bono Awards, the award recognizes "an attorney, law firm or organization making innovative strides with providing legal services to close the legal services gap in North Carolina."

MVA commends the US Attorney’s Office for the District of South Carolina District on the Balcazar Nature Harvesting, LLC (BNH) labor trafficking and fraud in foreign labor contracting case which resulted in significant sentences and restitution for the survivors. Moore & Van Allen (MVA) Senior Counsel Sarah Byrne, who served as a legal navigator for several of the victims, stated “the collaboration among federal agencies, service providers and pro bono counsel in this case meant that the victims’ rights remained protected, and ought to be a model for future forced labor cases.”

Moore & Van Allen (MVA) attorneys who have been named to the Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy (CCLA) pro bono honor roll for 2022 are:

Moore & Van Allen (MVA) Firm Chair Tom Mitchell was profiled by North Carolina Lawyers Weekly (NCLW) for being named to the Class of 2023 Leaders in the Law by NCLW. In this profile, Tom provides insight to his early years, his practice, and advice for aspiring attorneys, among other topics.

Moore & Van Allen (MVA) is proud to support Charlotte Rescue Mission’s Miracle at Cedar Street campaign. The Miracle at Cedar Street campaign is raising funds to build a new facility for their Rebound Men’s Program. The program provides a cost-free residential recovery program for men in the Charlotte community.

Moore & Van Allen PLLC (MVA) is pleased to announce that Corporate Member Lesley Attkisson Lewis has been selected as a winner of The M&A Advisor’s 14th Annual Emerging Leaders Awards. Lewis was chosen from a pool of prominent nominees based on her notable accomplishments in business and service to the community. 

MVA celebrated its longstanding commitment to public service by hosting the 22nd Annual Sally & Bill Van Allen Public Service Award luncheon presentation on June 6. This annual event serves as an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of our employees and community partners who are making significant service contributions.

Moore & Van Allen PLLC (MVA) Members Jim McLoughlin and Frank Schall and Associate Lexi Narducci contributed to an article published in the American Bar Association’s Spring 2023 Antitrust Magazine titled “Why Economics Matters in Criminal Antitrust Cases”. The article focuses on the use of economic evidence in criminal antitrust cases, including having economists testify as expert witnesses.

Moore & Van Allen (MVA) Health Care Member Charles Jordan has been named to the 2023 South Carolina Lawyers Weekly Healthcare Power List which will be published in the upcoming June issue. Charles is one of only 11 South Carolina lawyers being recognized. The Power List program recognizes top lawyers in a particular practice area.

Moore & Van Allen PLLC (MVA) is pleased to announce that three firm practice areas and 11 MVA attorneys are recognized nationwide in the 2023 edition of the Legal 500 United States legal industry referral guide.

Moore & Van Allen PLLC (MVA) is pleased to announce that Tanisha Palvia has joined the firm’s White Collar & Government Enforcement Defense Group as a Member, based in the firm’s Charlotte office.

Moore & Van Allen PLLC (MVA) is pleased to announce that longtime securities lawyer Charles W. Kemp has joined the firm’s Securities & Capital Markets Group. Kemp most recently served as lead securities counsel for CarMax, Inc., and formerly was chair of the Corporate Governance and Securities Department at Williams Mullen in Richmond, Virginia.

Moore & Van Allen (MVA) German Desk Director Daisy Birtalan served as a guest speaker for the AdvantageAustria USA Bootcamp Atlanta in May, focusing on US legal issues and the comparisons between Austrian and US law. AdvantageAustria Atlanta assists Austrian companies interested in doing business in the Southeastern US, identifies business opportunities and partners, and offers guidance regarding US import and Customs procedures.

Moore & Van Allen PLLC (MVA) is pleased to announce that the 2023 Chambers USA legal industry referral guide has ranked the firm and two MVA attorneys as national leaders in Financial Services Regulation: Banking (Compliance). In addition, the firm was ranked nationally in Banking & Finance, and 10 MVA practice areas and 34 firm attorneys were highly ranked in the Carolinas.

Moore & Van Allen (MVA) Financial Restructuring Member David Wheeler was quoted in the Post and Courier article titled, “SC mortgage rules from last foreclosure crisis fade away,” which was published on May 30.

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. 

Moore & Van Allen (MVA) Litigation Associate Sarah Sheridan was selected to Leadership Charlotte’s 45th class. The Leadership Charlotte program, considered a “backstage” pass to the Charlotte community, was established for emerging and existing leaders. It is a two-part program, starting with ten, once-a-month program days where approximately 50 participants explore current issues with a variety of community leaders.

Moore & Van Allen (MVA) Head of Global Services and Co-head of ESOP Transactions Member Mike Zeller served as a guest speaker at The ESOP Association National Conference in Washington, DC on Friday, May 19. The panel titled, “Private Capital Investments in ESOP’s,” discussed alternative strategies for ESOPs to partner with private equity investors and considerations to factor into your decision making.

Moore & Van Allen (MVA) was recognized as a recipient of the Lawyers of Color (LOC) Aspire Diversity Award on May 18. MVA Financial Services Senior Counsel Jonathan Murray and Litigator Jamea Richardson represented the firm at the LOC awards last week in Washington, D.C. Lawyers of Color is devoted to promoting diversity in the legal profession and advancing democracy and equality in marginalized communities.

Moore & Van Allen (MVA) Zoning, Entitlement & Land Use team was featured in Charlotte Business Journal article titled, “Charlotte law firm Moore & Van Allen adds former city zoning administrator to land-use team,” which was published on May 22. The article discussed MVA Land Use & Zoning Consultant Shad Spencer joining the team and Co-head of Zoning, Entitlement & Land Use Bridget Grant’s recent promotion.

Moore & Van Allen (MVA) Financial Services Member Kaitlin Powers was profiled for the Charlotte Business Journal 40 Under 40 award. Kaitlin provides insight on her greatest accomplishments, current volunteer activities, and living in the Charlotte region.

Moore & Van Allen (MVA) Financial Restructuring Member Gabe Mathless served as guest speaker at the 2023 WDNC Bankruptcy Seminar panel titled, “Cryptocurrency and Bankruptcy,” on May 19. The speakers discussed the recent crypto-related bankruptcies and the crypto-related updates to the Uniform Commercial Code.

Moore & Van Allen (MVA) Litigation Member Tony Lathrop served as moderator for the NC Chamber Transportation & Infrastructure Summit panel titled, “NC DOT Funding,” on May 18. The speakers discussed North Carolina’s transportation funding model, future revenue needs, project delays, and their perspectives on public perceptions and innovative ideas.

Moore & Van Allen (MVA) was proud to sponsor Walk A Mile With Safe Alliance 2023, which took place May 13. MVA Associates Taylor Boyles, Aishaah Foster, Precious McLaughlin, and Alexis Narducci served on the Walk A Mile 2023 committee.

Moore & Van Allen PLLC (MVA) is pleased to announce that Felicia M. Gardner has joined the firm’s Employee Benefits & Compensation team as member. She most recently served as associate general counsel at Bank of America, where she advised on benefits, compensation, and litigation management.

Moore & Van Allen (MVA) General Counsel Caroline Yingling served as a panelist for the NAIOP Commercial Real Estate Development Association’s event, “Reactivating Charlotte’s Central Business District,” on May 9.

MVA was thrilled to once again participate in the North Carolina Legal Feeding Frenzy — a food and fund drive competition among all North Carolina law firms, law schools, and organizations to assist Feeding The Carolinas. The Frenzy, which is held throughout the month of March, is an annual joint program of the NCBA Young Lawyers Division and Feeding the Carolinas food banks that aims to fight hunger across the state. MVA has been named the winner of the Legal Feeding Frenzy’s Large Law Firm Division for three years in a row.

Moore & Van Allen (MVA) Head of Global Services and Co-head of ESOP Transactions Member Mike Zeller served as a virtual speaker for the Winston-Salem Black Chamber of Commerce's Road to Business Resilience Cohort 3-Road to Business Resilience Training on May 9. Mike spoke on the topic titled, “Funding, Leadership & Management.” The Cohort 3 took a deeper dive into the nuts and bolts of the major forms of EO, EO as a succession planning tool, the benefits of EO, and an overview of the conversion process.

Moore & Van Allen (MVA) Chair & Managing Partner Tom Mitchell and Head of Civil Rights & Racial Equity Assessments and Co-head of White Collar, Regulatory Defense & Investigations Valecia McDowell were named to Business North Carolina’s Power List 2023. The annual report highlights the state’s most influential leaders from several area industries.