News Archive

MVA Litigation Associate Sarah Sheridan served as guest speaker for NCBA Antitrust & Complex Business Disputes Law Section CLE on February 2. This CLE provided insight on insurance and the effective use of experts, challenges lawyers face in complex business disputes, mental health issues, and how to build trust with clients and colleagues. 

MVA and CRDA Board of Directors Member Charles Jordan and Associates Michaela Cronin and William Stroud attended the Charleston Regional Development Alliance (CRDA) Quarterly Investor Briefing event on April 11. Attendees heard from a panel of three local entrepreneurs about how they’ve grown their businesses in an unsteady economic time.

MVA Wealth & Estate Planning Member Caitlin Horne was elected as a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC). Established in 1949, ACTEC is a national, nonprofit association of approximately 2,400 lawyers and law professors from throughout the United States and abroad. ACTEC Fellows are peer-elected on the basis of professional reputation and expertise in the preparation of wills and trusts, estate planning, probate, trust administration and related practice areas.

MVA Member Ryan Smith served as a guest lecturer at the UNC Chapel Hill School of Law. The class, Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation, is taught by MVA Senior Counsel Beth Grimes.

Moore & Van Allen Employment and Labor Member John Zaloom quoted in the SHRM article titled, “When Fitness-for-Duty Examinations Are Allowed” which was published on April 7.  

Moore & Van Allen (MVA) was ranked within the 2022 Leopard Law Firm Index ("LLFI") top 200 law firms by legal intelligence provider Leopard Solutions. The top 200 law firms consistently performed well in the Leopard Law Firm Index throughout 2022, resulting in this top-ranking achievement. The Index objectively ranks the overall growth and stability of law firms using hard data. MVA ranked #144 in the 2022 Index.

Moore & Van Allen (MVA) Co-head of Financial Regulatory Advice & Response Ed O’Keefe and Senior Counsel John Stoker served as guest speakers at the UNC Banking Institute CLE for the panel titled, “Developments in UDAAP As an Enforcement Tool” on March 31.

Moore & Van Allen (MVA) Senior Counsel Financial Regulatory Advice & Response Sarah Byrne and Head of Civil Rights & Racial Equity Assessments Valecia McDowell served as guest speakers for the Corporate Counsel Symposium 2023: ESG for In-House Lawyers webinar on Friday, March 31. Sarah and Valecia discussed analysis of opportunities to advance “social” goals through governance mechanisms; Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) external audits, internal privileged reviews, and related interventions; recent backlash to DEI initiatives; anti-human trafficking practices; supply chain due diligence to identify forced labor, and overview of common key performance indicators (KPI) for S-linked loans.

Moore & Van Allen PLLC (MVA) has been recognized as a Global Competition Review (GCR) 2023 “Behavioural Matter of the Year – Americas” award winner. MVA, along with other defense firms, received the award for securing complete acquittals in a high-profile U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) criminal antitrust prosecution of executives in the chicken industry.

Moore & Van Allen (MVA) Co-heads of Trademark Michele Glessner, Members Kate Cole, Arlene Hanks, and Mark Wilson, and Senior Counsel Ellen Andelman receive 2023 World Trademark Review 1000 (WTR 1000) recognition.

Moore & Van Allen (MVA) Financial Regulatory Advice & Response Senior Counsel John Stoker served as guest speaker for The University of North Carolina School of Law CLE titled “ABCs of Banking Law” on March 29. This CLE provided an introduction, or a primer, for attorneys seeking an understanding of the regulatory framework governing the banking industry.

Moore & Van Allen (MVA) Co-head of White Collar, Regulatory Defense & Investigations Valecia McDowell was named to the 2023 North Carolina Lawyers Weekly Power List for Business Defense. The Power List program recognizes top lawyers in a particular practice area. These attorneys are experts in their field, known for their expertise, and accomplishments.

Moore & Van Allen (MVA) Financial Restructuring Member Luis Lluberas served on two panels for the 2023 Southeastern Bankruptcy Law Institute (SBLI) 49th Annual Seminar which took place March 22-24 in Atlanta, Georgia. 

MVA celebrated International Women’s Day Program by gathering for a TED Talk Video titled, “A Girl Who Demanded School” by Kakenya Ntaiya. Dr. Kakenya Ntaiya is the founder and president of Kakenya’s Dream, an international nonprofit organization leveraging education to empower girls, end harmful traditional practices, and transform communities in rural Kenya.

Moore & Van Allen (MVA) Firm Chair Tom Mitchell has been named to the Class of 2023 Leaders in the Law by North Carolina Lawyers Weekly. “Leaders in the Law” is an annual award that celebrates those lawyers who are setting the standard for other lawyers.

Moore & Van Allen PLLC (MVA) is pleased to announce that F. Eugene Allison has joined the firm’s Commercial Real Estate team as senior counsel.

Moore & Van Allen (MVA) Co-head of Financial Regulatory Advice & Response Member Ed O'Keefe served as speaker at the SIFMA C&L Annual Seminar which took place on March 12-15 in San Diego, CA. Ed joined as a panelist for the session titled “Prudential Bank Regulators’ View of Compliance Programs” on March 13.

Moore & Van Allen (MVA) Litigation Counsel Tiffany Payne was quoted in the Law360 article, “Mob Mentality: DOJ Wields RICO With Mixed Results” which was published on February 17.

MVA Senior Counsel Beth Grimes continues to serve as Adjunct Professor in her sixth year of teaching Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation at UNC Chapel Hill School of Law. This semester long course focuses on non-cash employer provided benefits designed to help employees save for retirement and cover health care costs through the use of plans that are qualified under the Internal Revenue Code.

Moore & Van Allen White Collar, Regulatory Defense & Investigations Member Frank Schall was quoted in the Law360 article titled, “White Collar Attys Brace For More Latin America FCPA Action” which was published February 8.

Moore & Van Allen Intellectual Property Member Suzanne Gainey served as a guest speaker for the Association of Corporate Counsel webinar on February 9 titled, “Emerging Issues in Third Party Contract Negotiation Webinar.” Over 150 members attended the webinar. 

Moore & Van Allen (MVA) has ranked top for Charlotte largest law firms and most female attorneys in the recent Charlotte Business Journal article for 2023. MVA, which remains Charlotte’s largest law firm, has the most female attorneys in its local office with 126, including 31 partners.

Moore & Van Allen (MVA) represented an investor and executive during the recent transaction of Groundworks, LLC , a leading foundation repair and water management services company, and KKR, a leading global investment firm, in which KKR made a significant investment in Groundworks as part of a new strategic partnership. The transaction was highlighted in M&A Weekly on February 2nd.

Moore & Van Allen’s (MVA) Finance team has ranked at the top of the Refinitiv Loan Pricing Corporation’s (LPC) 2022 U.S. Law Firm League Tables for representing Lead Arrangers on syndicated loan transactions. Through 2022, MVA advised on 185 syndicated loan transactions, which generated over $126 billion in aggregate gross proceeds and earned the firm a first-place position on the league table for all syndicated loans based on number of deals.

MVA Environmental Member Peter McGrath joined myLawCLE on January 30, 2023 for a live webinar titled, “Policy Changes Relating to CERCLA Liability: Status of CERCLA contribution and indemnity law, definition of potentially responsible partis, and CERLCA settlement arrangements.”

On January 31, Moore & Van Allen (MVA) Bankruptcy Member Gabriel Mathless was elected 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).

MVA Senior Counsel Sarah Byrne joined Kym Kurey with Vital4 Strategic as guest speakers for a live webinar that was held on January 26 titled, “CFPB’s New Rule on Human Trafficking: Overview & Updates.”

Moore & Van Allen PLLC (MVA) is pleased to announce that 28 of the firm’s attorneys have been named to the 2023 edition of North Carolina Super Lawyers or North Carolina Rising Stars lists. Additionally, Member Valecia M. McDowell was named to the “Top 25” list of Charlotte Super Lawyers, “Top 50” list of Women North Carolina Super Lawyers and “Top 100” list of North Carolina Super Lawyers. Member Karin M. McGinnis was named to the “Top 50” list of Women North Carolina Super Lawyers and Member James (Jim) P. McLoughlin, Jr. was named to the “Top 100” list of North Carolina Super Lawyers.

The MVA Asian Pacific American Lawyers Association (APALA) kicked off the new year by holding a social at Bad Axe Throwing on January 23.

Moore & Van Allen PLLC (MVA) is pleased to announce that prominent employment and labor attorney has joined the firm as a member and new head of the firm’s existing Employment and Labor Practice.

Moore & Van Allen PLLC (MVA) is pleased to announce that 45 of the firm’s attorneys have been named to the 2023 Business North Carolina “Legal Elite”. This marks the firm’s largest-ever class of honorees for the magazine’s annual list of the top business lawyers in North Carolina.

Moore & Van Allen PLLC (MVA) is pleased to announce that it has elected nine attorneys as members of the firm. The new members are Robert K. Burrow, Suzanne K. Gainey, James “Van” V.C. Gambrell, Matthew “Matt” R. Mollozzi, Kaitlin D. Powers, C. Cowden W. Rayburn, Ben E. Shook, and Emily Pera Stevenson.

Moore & Van Allen Land Use team members Jeff Brown and Bridget Grant were engaged to assist DreamKey Partners, Roers Development, and Winterwood Development with three rezonings designed to provide affordable housing options in Charlotte. All three rezonings were approved by Charlotte City Council on December 19.

Moore & Van Allen (MVA) Senior Counsel Sarah Byrne was profiled for her work at the intersection of financial institution regulation and the fight against human trafficking in the Tech For Good section of Vital4’s December newsletter. Vital4 is a leader in providing global data for corporate risk and compliance.

Moore & Van Allen is excited to announce the 25th anniversary of our Charleston office. As proud members of the Charleston community for over two decades, we have built upon a commitment to growth and entrepreneurial spirit. For the past 25 years, we have provided a broad spectrum of advice, counsel, and local insight to businesses and individuals who call the Charleston region home.

Moore & Van Allen PLLC (MVA) is pleased to announce that Jules W. Carter, an attorney in the firm’s Charlotte office, has been named to the 2022 Lawyers of Color Annual Hot List of early- to mid-career attorneys excelling in the legal profession. Lawyers of Color is a nonprofit devoted to promoting diversity in the legal profession and advancing democracy and equality in marginalized communities.

On Monday, November 28, Charlotte City Council approved a land swap between CRVA and Millennium Capital to swap a portion of 501 S. Caldwell St. for a portion of 401 S. College St which exchange will allow for the addition of a hotel next to the convention center.

Moore & Van Allen (MVA) represented Flywheel Group, a local development company led by Tony Kuhn, during the recent purchase of parcels at Yadkin Avenue and E. 35th Street. This transaction, which was handled by Commercial Real Estate Associate Holly Bannerman, Counsel Robert Allen and Paralegal Alyssa McLean, was highlighted in the Charlotte Observer article titled, “Parking in NoDa’s already a hassle. A local developer just bought a parking lot there.”

Moore & Van Allen (MVA) Corporate Associate Cowden Rayburn was recognized by The MVA Public Service Committee for his contributions within the community and his outstanding commitment to service. Cowden has been helpful in presenting to the Boost Pad cohort over the past several months.

Moore & Van Allen (MVA) Litigation Associate Precious McLaughlin served as a guest speaker for a Southern Politics class at Francis Marion University in Florence, SC on Monday, November 21.

Moore & Van Allen (MVA) Bankruptcy & Restructuring Member Hillary Crabtree has been invited to speak on a panel discussing Subchapter V of the Bankruptcy Code (governing small business reorganizations in chapter 11) at the annual Caribbean Insolvency Symposium presented by the American Bankruptcy Institute (ABI), the nation’s largest association of insolvency professionals. Hillary’s co-panelists include a prominent bankruptcy judge from the Southern District of Florida, and other leading bankruptcy practitioners. 

The MVA Black Attorney Resource Group (BARG) recently hosted a Black Professionals Networking Mixer to connect and re-connect with Black Professionals across the Charlotte community. Over 30 guests gathered for the event at the Grand Bohemian for cocktails and conversations among attendees.

Moore & Van Allen PLLC (MVA) is pleased to announce that the firm received national rankings for seven practice areas in the 2023 edition of U.S. News – Best Lawyers® "Best Law Firms." In addition, the firm garnered 39 Tier 1 rankings among its 53 metropolitan rankings for multiple practices.

MVA is pleased to formally announce the naming of its Civil Rights & Racial Equity Assessments Practice dedicated to conducting public-facing racial equity and other civil rights audits and related confidential, privileged assessments for entities in this evolving arena.

MVA Corporate Associate Tyler Carpenter was recipient of the October Pro Bono Monthly Award by the MVA Public Service Committee for his contributions within the community and his outstanding commitment to service. MVA recently launched its newest pro bono project called the Charlotte Legal Initiative to Mobilize Businesses (CLIMB) which offers transactional legal services to entrepreneurs and small businesses in historically under-resourced communities of Charlotte, especially BIPOC, female, LGBTQ+, veteran, and disabled entrepreneurs. In addition to providing direct legal services, CLIMB offers legal education seminars to its community referral partners that includes the Boost Pad small business incubator.  

Moore & Van Allen Member Ed O’Keefe and Senior Counsel John Stoker were quoted in the Global Data Review on October 19 titled, “CFPB lawsuit could limit regulatory power over algorithms”.  The article discusses how a lawsuit challenging the CFPB’s recent broad-ranging approach to claims and reviews of discrimination could whittle the agency’s focus on algorithms leveraged for financial products.

Moore & Van Allen’s client CCP Capital Strategies, a private equity investment firm, and its newly formed CCP affiliate has acquired 100 percent of the equity of Wireless Maritime Services, LLC (“WMS”) from AT&T and Anuvu on October 17.  The primary MVA attorneys assisting in the representation of CCP Capital Strategies on this matter were Members John Evans and Brian Mesibov and Associates Zach Ainsztein, Kathy Clark, Samuel Gilleran, and Natalie Hilmandolar.

Moore & Van Allen PLLC (MVA) is pleased to announce that the Charlotte Triage Pro Bono Partnership (Charlotte Triage) — developed to expand pro bono services for low-income Charlotte residents — marked its fourth anniversary with CLE training sessions attended by 272 legal and other professionals who learned about Charlotte Triage and participated in training to assist pro bono- clients.

Moore & Van Allen (MVA) is pleased to announce that it has been ranked as a “highly recommended” firm for Dispute Resolution and a “recommended” firm for Labor & Employment in North Carolina in the 2023 edition of Benchmark Litigation. This is the 14th consecutive year in which MVA has earned Benchmark recognitions.

Moore & Van Allen (MVA) Co-head of Litigation and White Collar, Regulatory Defense & Investigations John Fagg was named to Lawdragon’s list of the nation’s “500 Leading Litigators in America.”