News Archive

Moore & Van Allen PLLC (MVA) is pleased to announce that two firm practice areas and six MVA attorneys are recommended in the 2022 edition of the Legal 500 United States legal industry referral guide.

Moore & Van Allen PLLC (MVA) is pleased to announce that the firm and two MVA attorneys have been ranked by Chambers and Partners in 2022 as national leaders in Financial Services Regulation: Banking (Compliance). This year’s Chambers USA legal industry referral guide also highly ranked 10 MVA practice areas and 32 firm attorneys in the Carolinas.

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 following Intellectual Property Members were recognized as “IP Stars":

Arlene Hanks, Trademark Star 2022

Dick Lupo, Patent Star 2022

Moore & Van Allen PLLC (MVA) is pleased to announce that the firm is a recipient of a 2022 Mecklenburg County Bar (MCB) Pro Bono Award for Outstanding Collaborative Project for its Human Trafficking Pro Bono Project.

Moore & Van Allen (MVA) Managing Partner Tom Mitchell and Co-head of White Collar, Regulatory Defense & Investigations Valecia McDowell were named to Business North Carolina’s Power List 2022. This annual report highlights the state’s most influential leaders from several area industries. Business North Carolina created the list after seeking nominations, talking with dozens of sources, undertaking significant research and spending years covering North Carolina’s business community from their unique statewide perspective.

Moore & Van Allen (MVA) Co-heads of Financial Restructuring Zach Smith and Steve Gruendel, and Member Hillary Crabtree co-author the Chambers article titled, “NORTH CAROLINA: An Introduction to Bankruptcy/Restructuring.”

Moore & Van Allen (MVA) was proud to support the Veterans Bridge Home Star Spangled Salute, which was held at Founders Hall, Bank of America Corporate Center on May 14. In attendance were Litigation Member Tom Myrick, Litigation Attorney Jennifer Braccia and Litigation Summer Associate Reaghan Wooster.

Throughout the month of March, the MVA Charlotte office raised over 165,900 pounds of food in support of Feeding the Carolinas and the Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina by way of the 2022 NC Legal Feeding Frenzy. Overall, the Frenzy raised an astounding $226,646.42 which will be allocated to food banks across the state of North Carolina. This incredible generosity will better the lives of so many and help eradicate hunger in our communities. ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

We are thrilled to announce that Moore & Van Allen has been named the winner of the Legal Feeding Frenzy’s Large Law Firm Division for the second year in a row. North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein – who has championed the work of the NC Legal Feeding Frenzy for several years – announced the winners via Facebook Live in late April.

The Women of Moore & Van Allen (WoMVA) held their 2022 WoMVA Conference: Reflect and Reconnect on May 5 at the Duke Mansion. The conference included breakout sessions on topics titled, “Reflections on Finding a Successful Legal Career”, “Defining Your Success”, “Building Confidence in your Law Practice”, and “Cultivating and Maintaining Client Relationships.” 

Moore & Van Allen (MVA) German Desk Director Livia Daisy Birtalan served as moderator for the GACC South - German American Chamber of Commerce of the Southern U.S., Inc. organized SME Business Development Conference which was held on April 25. Daisy moderated a successful and lively panel discussion for the topic, “How to Succeed as a Manufacturer in the Southeast.” This panel discussed current issues supporting the revival of manufacturing in the United States, and the implications for the future.

Moore & Van Allen (MVA) is pleased to announce that two Charleston office members have been selected to the 2022 South Carolina Super Lawyers list. Financial Restructuring Member David Wheeler has been selected a South Carolina Super Lawyer in the Bankruptcy: Business category. Health Care Member Jessica Simpson has been selected to the 2022 South Carolina Rising Stars list in the Health Care category. 

Moore & Van Allen’s (MVA) Intellectual Property group was named one of North Carolina’s leading intellectual property firms in Managing Intellectual Property’s edition of the 2022 IP STARS, a legal directory that provides state-by-state analysis of the nation’s IP market. The firm’s Intellectual Property group received a “Recommended” ranking. The research for IP STARS covers a variety of IP practice areas and more than 70 jurisdictions, making it the most comprehensive and widely respected IP guide in the legal profession. To learn more and to see the full list of firms recognized, click here.

Moore & Van Allen (MVA) Co-head of White Collar, Regulatory Defense & Investigations Member Valecia McDowell has been appointed one of 11 members to the Law360 2022 Compliance Editorial Advisory Board. The editorial advisory board provides feedback on Law360's coverage and insight on how best to shape future coverage.

Moore & Van Allen (MVA) Financial Regulatory Advice & Response Senior Counsel Sarah Byrne and Litigation Associate Jules Carter co-authored the article, “A Penumbra of Rights at Risk: Human Trafficking Victims’ Rights in Federal Criminal Cases” which was published by the Boston University Law School Public Interest Law Journal Volume 31.2- Symposium 2022.

Moore & Van Allen (MVA) is proud to continue supporting the mission of JDRF for the ninth year in a row. We are proud to sponsor the 21st Annual JDRF Charlotte Hope Gala, which takes place on April 30 at the Westin Charlotte.

Moore & Van Allen (MVA) Corporate Member Joey Norman’s article, “How I Made Partner: 'For Me, It’s All About Client Service” was published by Law.com on April 14. Joey discusses his career as an associate to partner level, key to successful business development, and influences on his career among other topics.

Moore & Van Allen (MVA) Co-head of White Collar, Regulatory Defense & Investigations Valecia McDowell was appointed as Hearing Officer in late 2021 in the proceeding to determine whether to remove Monroe City Councilwoman Angelia James from office. Litigation Associates Fielding Huseth and Raquel Macgregor Pearkes assisted throughout the public evidentiary proceeding that included 12 witnesses and expert testimony and prepared findings of fact and conclusions of law laying out the Councilwoman’s misconduct in office. 

Moore & Van Allen PLLC (MVA) is pleased to announce the arrival of Gregory A. Dodge as a member of the firm’s Corporate group, based in the Charlotte office. He previously was an attorney with McGuireWoods.

Moore & Van Allen’s Co-head of Financial Regulatory Advice & Response Member Ed O'Keefe and Financial Regulatory Advice & Response Senior Counsel Sarah Byrne served as speakers for the UNC Banking Institute’s Virtual Event that was held March 31- April 1.

Moore & Van Allen (MVA) Co-head of White Collar, Regulatory Defense & Investigations Member Valecia McDowell and Co-head of Financial Regulatory Advice & Response Member Ed O'Keefe served as speakers at the SIFMA C&L Annual Seminar which took place March 20-23 in Orlando, FL. Valecia served as a panelist for the session titled "Litigating with Current Employees in the COVID Era: Risks, Strategies and Best Practices” on March 22. Ed joined as a panelist for the session titled "Prudential Bank Regulators’ View of Compliance Programs” on March 23.

Moore & Van Allen (MVA) Co-head of Financial Regulatory Advice & Response Neil Bloomfield and Litigation Associate Aishaah Reed Foster served as guest speakers for the Mecklenburg County Bar’s 15th Annual Increasing Diversity in the Legal Profession Virtual Conference on March 19.

Moore & Van Allen (MVA) Corporate Associate Samuel Gilleran, Financial Services Member Sonny Ha and Litigation Associate Raquel Macgregor Pearkes served as panelist for the Wake Forest Diverse Attorney Career Panel held on March 17. The informal virtual panel was hosted by the Wake Forest Asian Pacific American Law Student Association, the Black Law Students Association, the Latinx Law Student Association, and the First-Generation Law Students Association.

In December of 2020, the Service Employees International Union Pension Plans Master Trust (“SEIU Fund”), which holds several billions of dollars in pension fund assets under management, issued a shareholder proposal to CoreCivic, Inc. (“CoreCivic”) to conduct a racial equity audit. CoreCivic adopted the proposal by agreement that same month and engaged Moore & Van Allen to conduct the audit. The shareholder proposal to CoreCivic was one of approximately 12 such proposals issued to publicly traded companies in the late 2020 and early 2021 timeframe.

Moore & Van Allen’s (MVA) website has been named a 2021 Horizon Award Winner as a silver award placement for websites legal category. The Horizon Interactive Awards, now in its 20th year, has become one of the most prestigious web design awards available today. The competition recognizes, promotes and awards the best web sites and web site design, interactive experiences, video production, online advertising, print media campaigns and mobile applications.

Moore & Van Allen (MVA) has been ranked in the number one spot on the recent Charlotte Business Journal list of largest banking and finance practice groups at Charlotte law firms. The list of the largest banking and finance practice groups at Charlotte-area law firms, were ranked by number of local attorneys in the practice group. To view the full list, click here.

Moore & Van Allen (MVA) Litigation Associate Jules Carter and Corporate Member Carolyn Meade co-authored the article titled, “How FinCEN Shell Co. Rules Differ From Past BSA Standards” which was published by Law360 on March 11.

Moore & Van Allen (MVA) Financial Regulatory Advice & Response Senior Counsel Sarah Byrne served as the co-keynote speaker for the recent Ensure Justice conference which was hosted by the Global Center for Women and Justice in Costa Mesa, California.

Moore & Van Allen PLLC (MVA) is pleased to announce that Bradford Sneeden has joined the firm’s Public Affairs Group as a director, continuing growth of the team based in Raleigh. Sneeden most recently served as legislative counsel for North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein and previously was a policy advisor to the governor of North Carolina.

Moore & Van Allen (MVA) Litigation Attorney Jennifer Braccia co-authored the judicial profile of Western District of North Carolina Judge Graham Calder Mullen which was published by The Federal Lawyer magazine.

Moore & Van Allen (MVA) Financial Services Senior Counsel Jonathan Murray recently participated as a guest speaker for the North Carolina Bar Association’s (NCBA) CLE program titled Fostering LGBTQ+ Equity, Inclusion and Belonging: Past, Present and Future. Jonathan served as the panel moderator for the program’s discussion around LGBTQ+ workplace best practices and allyship which featured speakers from Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Belk Inc., and Cadwalader Wickersham & Taft LLP.

Moore & Van Allen (MVA) Litigation Associate Jules Carter and Co-head of Data Security & Privacy Member Karin McGinnis served as guest speakers for the ACC CLE virtual event, “Managing Compliance When Using AI and Machine Learning in Your Company” that was held February 24. 

Moore & Van Allen PLLC (MVA) is pleased to announce the arrival of Michele M. Glessner as a member of the firm’s Intellectual Property Group. Glessner is both a trained trademark and a registered patent attorney. Glessner counsels clients in a wide variety of business sectors on complex trademark, patent, copyright, and other intellectual property issues. She was previously a partner at Alston & Bird.

Moore & Van Allen (MVA) Co-head of Commercial & Technology Transactions and Data Security & Privacy Member Todd Taylor served as a guest speaker for the recent Charlotte Smart Business Dealmakers Conference discussing cyber security in M&A: asking the right questions, protecting data and IP, and making sure your company is ready for dealmaking. This virtual conference focused on the topic, “The Growing Concern Of Cyber Security In Deals.”

Moore & Van Allen (MVA) Member and Restructuring Team Co-Leader Zachary Smith served as the Co-chair for this year’s American Bankruptcy Institute (ABI) Caribbean Insolvency Symposium which took place Feb 7-9 at the Ocean Reef Club in Key Largo. A faculty of prominent bankruptcy judges and experienced practitioners provided a top-notch learning experience and ample networking opportunities at this annual ABI conference.

Moore & Van Allen (MVA) White Collar, Regulatory Defense & Investigations Member Frank Schall served as a panelist for the Globalaw webinar titled, “Cross-Border and Multi-Jurisdictional Investigations and Enforcement: Challenges and Best Practices” which was held on February 8.

Moore & Van Allen (MVA) has been ranked the largest area law firm in the most recent Charlotte Business Journal (CBJ) list, ranked by number of local attorneys, and has been ranked #1 in number of women attorneys in Charlotte. MVA grew the most out of the 26 listed firms with the addition of 29 attorneys in 2021.

Moore & Van Allen (MVA) is proud to be ranked at the top of Charlotte Business Journal’s list of Women attorneys at Charlotte's law firms.  The list is ranked by number of local women attorneys with 115 MVA women attorneys. MVA was number one on the list out of 27 Charlotte-area law firms. To view the complete list, please click here.

Moore & Van Allen (MVA) has again been ranked as a top legal adviser on syndicated loans. The firm's Finance team ranked in the top tier of Refinitiv Loan Pricing Corporation’s (LPC) 2021 U.S. Law Firm League Tables for representing Lead Arrangers on syndicated loan transactions. Through all of 2021, MVA advised on 195 syndicated loan transactions, which generated over $123 billion in aggregate gross proceeds and earned the firm a second place position on the league table for all syndicated loans based on number of deals. As further evidence of MVA's ongoing distinction in the secured/leveraged lending market, MVA advised on 87 syndicated leveraged loan transactions, which generated more than $35 billion in aggregate gross proceeds.

Moore & Van Allen Litigation Member Tom Myrick was quoted in the Law360 article titled, “Justice Breyer On State Tax: Key Moments To Know” which was published on January 28. The article discusses how Justice Stephen Breyer, who announced Thursday that he would retire at the end of the U.S. Supreme Court's current term, made a distinctive mark on several key state tax cases heard by the court. One specific case mentioned was that of North Carolina Department of Revenue v. Kimberley Rice Kaestner 1992 Family Trust in which Tom represented the Kimberley Rice Kaestner Family Trust.

Moore & Van Allen (MVA) Managing Director & Head of Public Affairs Walter Price’s role as one of the  lead executives on the Mayor's Racial Equity Initiative for the Corridors of Opportunity was highlighted in the Triangle Business Journal article, “Charlotte leaders launch public-private initiative to raise $250M for racial equity’ published on January 26.

Moore & Van Allen Litigation Counsel Jonathan Prytherch discusses a regulatory notice by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority that reviews a rule requiring broker-dealers to prepare for business disruptions in his Westlaw Today article titled, “FINRA closes out 2021 with further guidance on pandemic-related issues for member firms.” To view the article, please click here. 

Moore & Van Allen has been recognized by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Corporate Equality Index as a Best Places to Work for LGBTQ+ Equality for its commitment to advancing inclusion in the workplace. The firm received its rating for the 2022 Corporate Equality Index and achieved a perfect score of 100 which earned the honored designation. Human Rights Campaign Foundation's Corporate Equality Index is the national benchmarking tool on corporate policies and practices pertinent to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer employees. 

Moore & Van Allen (MVA) Financial Regulatory Advice & Response Senior Counsel Sarah Byrne examines the recently enacted Debt Bondage Repair Act and other financial sector measures to support trafficking survivors in her co-authored article titled, “Can New US Law Help Increase Financial Recovery and Reintegration of Survivors of Human Trafficking?” which was published by The United Nations University Centre for Policy Research (UNUCPR) on January 27.  Please click here to view the article.

Moore & Van Allen (MVA) Co-head of Commercial & Technology Transactions and Data Security & Privacy Todd Taylor served as a panelist for the ABA Consumer Financial Services Committee virtual Winter Meeting: Privacy and Data Security Considerations in Vendor Relationships which was held January 20. 

The Moore & Van Allen website has been awarded a 2021 Best In Class award for the 2021 Interactive Media Awards. Designed and built by Firmseek, the new website was launched in early 2021. The Interactive Media Awards recognize the highest standards of excellence in website design and development and honor individuals and organizations for their outstanding achievement.

Moore & Van Allen PLLC (MVA) is pleased to announce that 15 of its attorneys have been named to the 2022 North Carolina Super Lawyers list and 13 of its attorneys were named to the 2022 North Carolina Rising Stars list. 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 North Carolina Super Lawyers digital magazine can be found here.

Starting this year (2022), most private, domestic U.S. entities formed from and after January 1, 2021 will be required to self-report to the U.S. Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (“FinCEN”) certain basic information about themselves, their beneficial owners and those individuals authorized to act on their behalf. These new requirements were enacted on January 1, 2021 as part of the Corporate Transparency Act (the “CTA”).[1] They represent a major departure from the United States’ historic approach to business entity operation, as most private companies have not previously been subject to any beneficial ownership reporting requirements outside the context of a business relationship with a regulated financial institution. The stated purpose of the CTA is to “discourage the use of shell corporations as a tool to disguise and move illicit funds,” part of a broader federal initiative to prevent and combat money laundering, terrorist financing and tax fraud.

Moore & Van Allen (MVA) Co-head of Environmental Mary Katherine Stukes was profiled for the Business North Carolina Legal Elite 2022: Environmental category which was published on December 29. Mary Katherine shares insight on her first job as a lifeguard, and career choices among other topics.

Moore & Van Allen PLLC (MVA) is pleased to announce that 14 attorneys have been elected as members, the largest class of new members in firm history. The new class of members includes: Courtenay C. Clark, Sangwan “Sonny” Ha, Kerry O. Irwin, Edward “Ed” H. Ivey, Aaron A. Marshall, Sarah H. Negus, Richard I. Simons, Jessica J. Simpson, and Kathryn “Kate” G. Wellman.

Moore & Van Allen (MVA) is pleased to announce that 22 attorneys were included in Business North Carolina magazine’s Legal Elite.