MORNINGSTAR LAW - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Real Estate Development Lawyer and Construction
Amanda Bambrick is a real estate development lawyer and construction attorney with more than a decade of experience. She works with clients across the real estate spectrum in the areas of real estate development, acquisition, leasing, finance, licensing and compliance, land use, and post-entitlement development approval.
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Raleigh Employment Lawyer
- Writer
Amie is a frequent writer and presenter on employment law and workforce issues.
Annie Turner is a land use and real estate lawyer in Morningstar Law Group's Raleigh office. She assists clients with drafting, negotiating, and reviewing contracts involving a range of real estate transactions, including the acquisition, financing, leasing, development, and sale of commercial real estate projects across North Carolina.
Clients come first for Annie. She fully engages in projects to understand her clients' needs and then works collaboratively with them to achieve the desired outcome. A problem solver who loves complex projects, Annie brings a unique combination of creativity and attention to detail to every challenge.
While a student at the UNC School of Law, Annie gained valuable legal experience working with the Office of University Counsel and a community law clinic. She also worked with Legal Aid of North Carolina and the NC Poverty Research Fund.
Outside of work, Annie enjoys paddleboarding with her dog, gardening, and exploring local breweries around Raleigh.
Job Titles:
- Counsel
- Life Sciences Attorney and Industry Expert
Ben Martie is a seasoned life sciences attorney and industry expert with unique insight and a deep understanding of the needs of pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, and other life sciences companies.
Ben's extensive experience includes serving as lead counsel on an array of matters, such as licensing deals, asset purchases, commercial transactions, manufacturing and supply agreements, wholesaler and distributor agreements, commercial launches, pricing, rebates and discounts, Sunshine Act/Open Payments reporting, promotional policies and practices, compliance programs, and internal investigations.
Ben also provides counsel to life sciences companies on a variety of laws and regulations administered and enforced by federal authorities, such as FDA, FTC, OIG, CMS, and DOJ, as well as state authorities, such as attorneys general, boards of pharmacy, departments of health, and others. Ben assists companies with development and administration of effective compliance programs, particularly with regard to applicable laws, regulations, agency guidance, and industry codes and standards, e.g., PhRMA Code, AdvaMed Code.
Prior to joining the firm, Ben spent more than a decade as in-house counsel with both privately-held and publicly-traded pharmaceutical and life sciences companies in the Triangle. Most recently, Ben served as the General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer for RedHill Biopharma, a commercial-stage pharmaceutical company.
When Ben is not practicing law, he is an avid runner and enjoys traveling and visiting the Crystal Coast with his wife, Meghan, and sons, Jack and Graham.
Britney Weaver is a litigation attorney who uses every tool at her disposal - inside and outside the courtroom - to achieve favorable outcomes for her clients. She brings a meticulous approach to litigation that allows her to resolve matters efficiently, and a personal commitment to service that ensures every client receives the attention they deserve.
Britney's passion for litigation began in law school where she first represented parties in Durham County District Courts. She later honed her litigation skills at Morningstar Law Group and another private law firm in North Carolina, working on cases involving real estate and land use, employment and workforce issues, and family law. Britney now represents clients in a wide range of litigation in state court.
When Britney is not working, she enjoys giving back to the community. She is director of the Farrah Turner Foundation, which protects and serves children to honor the legacy of her cousin - Investigator Farrah Turner of the Florence County Sheriff's Office who died in the line of duty in 2018 while protecting children.
Gene Jones is a corporate lawyer and mergers and acquisitions attorney in our Raleigh office who has served as a trusted adviser to a broad range of public and private companies for more than 20 years. He regularly advises clients on corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, spin-offs, fund formation and investment, corporate finance, private equity, securities offerings and financings, venture capital and complex commercial transactions.
Job Titles:
- Founding Partner
- Partner
- Business Attorney
Grayson Hale is a business attorney with more than two decades of experience representing companies and their owners, investors, and executives in mergers and acquisitions/dispositions; ownership succession structuring and implementation, including employee stock ownership plans (ESOP); financing; and day-to-day business matters as outside general counsel.
Grayson leads the firm's architecture, engineering and construction (A/E/C) practice where he represents regional, national and international engineering, architecture, landscape architecture, geology, and other professional services firms and general contractors in mergers and acquisitions and related issues. He also regularly advises firms on structuring their operations in compliance with regulatory professional and entity licensing throughout the United States and represents them in disciplinary matters before licensing boards. Grayson has unparalleled experience in assisting A/E firms with obtaining North Carolina professional licensure compliance using pre-1969 grandfather corporations.
In addition to a variety of published articles, Grayson is a frequent speaker at local, regional and national business and legal conferences.
Hank Gates is an employment litigation lawyer and construction attorney in Morningstar's Durham, NC office. His experience covers a variety of areas, including complex contract, business tort, insurance coverage, and construction disputes, in state and federal courts.
Prior to joining Morningstar Law Group, Hank was a business litigation attorney at Christian & Barton, LLP in Richmond, Virginia and served as Law Clerk to the Honorable Jackson L. Kiser of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Virginia.
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Real Estate Attorney
Jason Barron is a real estate attorney who focuses on land use and zoning, with a particular emphasis on the towns of Cary and Apex in Wake County, NC. Jason represents land owners and developers on a wide range of development projects, from the rezoning stage through the issuance of building permits and enforcement issues that arise during the life of a development. His practice includes legislative, quasi-judicial and administrative approvals.
Prior to founding Morningstar Law Group, Jason was a partner in the Raleigh office of K&L Gates.
A proud father of two girls and devoted husband, Jason enjoys spending time with his family and watching NC State Wolfpack sports when he is not working.
Jennifer (Collins) Van Doren is a pharma attorney and licensing lawyer with more than 25 years of experience advising clients on intellectual property law and commercial transactions.
Keenan Conder is a land use and commercial real estate lawyer in our Durham and Raleigh offices who advises clients on a variety of issues, including special use permits, property rezoning, variances, and legislative and quasi-judicial hearings. He is equally adept at building relationships and tracking down details, allowing Keenan to effectively help his clients achieve their goals.
A graduate of the UNC School of Law, Keenan gained knowledge and insight into the judicial process while working for members of the state and federal judicial branches. His experience includes working with Judge Lucy Inman (North Carolina Court of Appeals) and U.S. District Court Judge William Osteen Jr. (Middle District of North Carolina). He also gained experience working in government and government relations as an intern for NC Senate Minority Whip Senator Jay Chaudhuri of Wake County, NC Governor Roy Cooper's Office of General Counsel, NC Solicitor General Ryan Park, and the National Restaurant Association.
Keenan's passions extend beyond the law. He is an avid fan of soccer, the Tar Heels, and Ancient and Early Modern European history.
Keith Anthony is an experienced business litigation lawyer in our Durham office who focuses on complex commercial and contract disputes, corporate and partnership disputes, business torts, fraud, unfair and deceptive trade practices, breaches of covenants not to compete, and real estate matters. He regularly represents clients in the North Carolina state trial and appellate courts, including the North Carolina Business Court, in federal court, in arbitration proceedings, and before regulatory and quasi-judicial bodies.
Keith has handled many fights against government overreach and abuse in situations involving property rights. This includes matters ranging from inverse condemnation, alleged nuisance, zoning and code violations, alleged professional licensing board violations, to abuses by state and local law enforcement to shut down lawful business promotions and sweepstakes. As an experienced sweepstakes attorney, Keith has developed a national reputation in handling matters related to electronic gaming and sweepstakes promotions and has handled many high-profile disputes in North Carolina.
Keith works closely with clients at the beginning of any representation to develop clear objectives and strategies for achieving those objectives. He is known for his thoughtful and measured approach to dispute resolution, and his zealous advocacy in the courtroom.
Kip Johnson is an experienced securities attorney who has helped clients raise more than $500 million of venture capital, private equity and angel investments to grow their businesses. He represents clients ranging from early-stage startups to mature operating companies with a focus on information technology, software-as-a-service, apps, gaming, e-commerce, social media, and fintech companies. Kip also works with investment funds on fund formation, syndication and portfolio company investments.
As a business and technology lawyer, Kip also assists clients with strategic alliances, technology transfer and licensing arrangements, mergers and acquisitions, employee recruitment and retention issues, and commercialization strategies for new technologies.
Kip works with college and universities to create and operate alumni angel networks. In addition, he holds a faculty appointment at Duke Law School where he teaches classes on Venture Capital Finance and Structuring Venture Capital and Private Equity Transactions.
Outside the office, Kip is an avid runner. For the last five years, he has completed the Emerald Isle Full Marathon and annually runs in local half-marathons including the Durham Bull City Race Festival, Historic Hillsborough, RDC, Wakefield Skinny Turkey, and Durham Holiday half marathons.
Lee Patterson is an experienced corporate attorney who works with entrepreneurial and middle market companies. He focuses on corporate and securities law, including mergers and acquisitions, general corporate matters and professional licensing. Lee represents clients across many industries, including architecture/engineering, manufacturing, hospitality, technology, and agriculture. He also supports the firm's real estate law practice by reviewing and drafting leases and lease-related agreements.
Outside of work, Lee enjoys spending time with family, traveling, the occasional round of golf, and attempting to smoke the perfect pork shoulder. He is an avid supporter of the UNC Tar Heels.
Leticia Shapiro is a real estate and litigation lawyer who assists clients with legal issues involving development, zoning, and land use.
She is dedicated to client service and building strong relationships that allow her to effectively represent clients in legislative, administrative, and quasi-judicial proceedings.
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Real Estate Attorney
- Writer
Mack Paul is a real estate attorney who focuses on zoning, land use, environmental permitting, public financing, and public policy. He specializes in obtaining regulatory approvals for large, mixed use developments and urban infill projects, negotiating public-private partnerships, and securing public financing for infrastructure to support development projects.
Mack is a frequent writer and speaker on urban planning, transportation and policy matters.
Job Titles:
- Distinguished Rated Attorney
Job Titles:
- Building Committee Member
Mitch Tuchman is a copyright lawyer and intellectual property attorney who helps copyright and trademark owners optimize the value of their intellectual property and defend their intellectual property rights.
His copyright clients include publishers of books and scholarly journals, authors, authors' and artists' estates, nonprofit charitable organizations, architects, photographers, filmmakers, software and web site owners and developers, educational institutions, textile manufacturers, and healthcare providers, among others.
Before becoming an intellectual property attorney, Mitch spent ten years as a freelance writer and editor and 14 years as publisher of exhibition and collection catalogues at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. As a publisher and writer, he understands copyright matters from the client's perspective.
Outside of work, Mitch enjoys several community service commitments, including membership on the boards of the Museum of Durham History and the Durham Literacy Center. He collects 19th- and 20th-century pottery and is the author of several books, including one on pottery. His dog Zena is the world's best.
Nil Ghosh is a land use and zoning attorney who represents landowners in front of elected and appointed boards for legislative and quasi-judicial approvals. He also helps his clients navigate the regulatory processes for development in municipalities across the state.
Nil previously worked in land development and construction - a background that better enables him to understand and meet his clients' needs. He regularly volunteers his expertise by serving on boards and organizations dealing with local development issues.
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Real Estate Lawyer
Patrick Byker is a real estate lawyer who focuses on zoning, land use and municipal law, real estate litigation, and commercial real estate law. He has extensive experience representing clients before local elected officials to obtain approval of high-quality real estate developments throughout the Triangle.
With a master's degree in regional land use planning, Patrick is uniquely suited to advise clients on securing appropriate governmental approvals to move real estate development projects forward. His planning background makes him well versed in zoning and land use issues, including the creation and administration of restrictive covenants and the contractual relationships that govern leading commercial, residential and mixed-use developments in the Triangle.
Patrick has worked on several Transit-Oriented Development projects, focusing on high density residential (50-80 dwellings per acre) and mixed-use developments that combine commercial, office and residential uses. He previously worked at K&L Gates; Kennedy, Covington, Lobdell & Hickman; and Womble, Carlyle, Sandridge & Rice.
Patrick has lived in Durham for 25 years, and now serves as Vice-Chair of the Board for Discover Durham, our community's convention and visitor's bureau, so he takes great pride in welcoming you to Durham.
Randy Whitmeyer is a veteran technology attorney who has spent three decades focusing on technology and intellectual property law and contracts. He regularly serves as outside general counsel to emerging and mid-size technology companies and works with clients on special projects involving technology, intellectual property, and privacy issues.
An entrepreneur at heart, Randy worked at a computer software startup for four years after college before heading to law school. As a business and IT lawyer, he now draws on this technical and business foundation to bring a practical approach to legal matters.
When he's not practicing law, Randy is often practicing tennis. He is a six-time winner of the Wake County Bar Association tennis tournament.
Richard Caira is a software and information technology attorney having more than two decades of experience advising technology and other startups, mid-size businesses, and Fortune 500 companies. He provides strategic, practical and timely advice to tech-focused clients looking to commercialize their offerings and grow, while effectively managing risk.
A former in-house lawyer for a multi-billion dollar software company, Richard negotiates complex and sophisticated commercial agreements and advises clients on technology-related issues, including proprietary and open source software, cloud computing, e-commerce, privacy, data security, social media and digital marketing. He also has considerable experience on the other side of the table, regularly assisting technology licensees and users with getting the best and most protective deal possible. As part of his robust startup practice, Richard advises clients on important establishment and evolution issues, such as formation, protection and commercialization of intellectual property, competition, funding and growth.
Another significant portion of Richard's practice: advising clients on how to structure legally-compliant advertising, branding and promotional campaigns, including sweepstakes, contests, drawings, and loyalty programs. In connection with this and other aspects of Richard's practice, he regularly counsels clients on how to comply with applicable laws, regulations and guidelines such as the FTC Act, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), the California Consumer Protection Act (CCPA), the FTC's Endorsement Guidelines, and negative option and automatic renewal laws, among many others.
Richard has been a car aficionado since his earliest memories, and very much prefers to "row" the gears himself when given the choice. Outside the office, he loves to stay active - often times with friends and his amazingly supportive family - with things like golf, hiking, fishing, endurance events, tennis and softball.