The Legal Industry in North Carolina: A Brief Overview
The legal industry in North Carolina has a rich history and is an integral part of the state’s economy. The first law school in the state, the University of North Carolina School of Law, was established in Chapel Hill in 1845.
Since then, numerous law schools have been established across the state, including Duke University School of Law and North Carolina Central University School of Law. North Carolina is home to numerous large law firms that employ thousands of attorneys, paralegals, and support staff.
These firms provide a wide range of legal services to clients, including corporate law, intellectual property law, litigation, and more. In addition to large national firms with offices in multiple states or countries such as Womble Bond Dickinson or K&L Gates LLP., there are also many prominent regional firms.
The Importance of Large Law Firms in North Carolina
Large law firms play a critical role in the state’s economy by providing jobs for thousands of people and generating significant revenue for the state. These firms also work with many high-profile clients on complex legal matters that can have far-reaching impacts.
Moreover, large law firms often have resources that smaller firms may not have access to such as advanced technology platforms and specialized departments for areas like e-discovery or data privacy which make it easier for them to provide comprehensive solutions for their clients’ needs. Additionally, these large firms often partner with other local businesses to spur economic growth throughout the state.
For example, they may collaborate with real estate developers on new office buildings or support local charities through volunteer work or financial contributions. Overall, large law firms provide valuable services to clients both nationally and locally while contributing significantly to North Carolina’s economy at a macro level.
Top 5 Largest Law Firms in North Carolina
The legal industry in North Carolina has seen significant growth over the years, with the state being home to numerous large and renowned law firms. In this section, we will take a look at the top five largest law firms in North Carolina, highlighting their history, areas of practice, notable cases and clients.
Womble Bond Dickinson
Womble Bond Dickinson is one of the largest law firms in North Carolina with its headquarters located in Winston-Salem. The firm was established in 2017 through a merger between Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice and Bond Dickinson LLP.
Womble Bond Dickinson has a workforce of over 1,000 attorneys across the globe with offices in Europe and Asia. Womble Bond Dickinson is known for its diverse areas of practice which include corporate law, intellectual property litigation, labor and employment litigation, real estate transactions among others.
The firm has represented notable clients such as Duke Energy Corporation and Bank of America. One outstanding case that Womble Bond Dickinson handled is the defense of Bank of America against securities fraud claims brought by investors who had purchased Bank of America’s common stock.
Moore & Van Allen
Founded over 70 years ago in Charlotte, Moore & Van Allen is another large law firm with an excellent reputation across various aspects of business law. The firm comprises more than 300 lawyers serving regional to international clients from offices situated throughout both Carolinas.
Moore & Van Allen primarily focuses on areas such as corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions as well as intellectual property litigation among others. Notably, Moore & Van Allen represented BB&T Corporation on their acquisition by SunTrust Banks forming Truist Financial Corporation after approval by antitrust agencies.
Robinson Bradshaw & Hinson
With headquarter in Charlotte, Robinson Bradshaw & Hinson has also been a major player in the legal industry for years. The firm was established in 1960 and is well known for its representation of public companies.
Robinson Bradshaw & Hinson specializes in various areas of law including corporate transactions, labor and employment, intellectual property litigation among others. Some of the notable clients that Robinson Bradshaw & Hinson has worked with include The Walt Disney Company, Duke Energy Corporation, and Bank of America.
Smith Anderson
Smith Anderson is a highly recognized law firm based out of Raleigh since 1912. It offers services across numerous practice areas such as corporate law, commercial litigation, construction law among others. Smith Anderson’s notable clients include major companies such as IBM Corporation and Cisco Systems Inc. One case they represented includes IBM’s acquisition of Red Hat for $34 billion which closed July 2019.
Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein
Established more than 130 years ago in Charlotte, Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein is another leading law firm focused on delivering exceptional client service to businesses both locally and internationally. The firm practices across many sectors including banking and finance, healthcare law as well as real estate development among others. Notably, Parker Poe advised Wells Fargo Bank on its restructuring plan aiming to streamline the bank’s operations by reducing expenses by more than $10 billion annually.
These five largest law firms are prominent players within the North Carolina legal industry with diverse areas of practice suitable to meet their clients’ needs. Their experience providing high-quality legal services has earned them international recognition over the years with notable cases handled by each one of them making significant impacts within their respective fields.
Other Prominent Law Firms In North Carolina
While the five largest law firms in North Carolina are undoubtedly leaders in the industry, there are several other prominent firms in the state with a strong presence and reputation. Here we discuss three of these firms:
Poyner Spruill LLP: A Firm with a Longstanding Reputation
Poyner Spruill has established itself as one of the most respected law firms in North Carolina. With offices across the state, Poyner Spruill provides comprehensive legal services to both businesses and individuals.
The firm’s focus is on building lasting relationships with its clients by providing top-notch legal advice and personalized attention. The firm’s practice areas include Business Law, Real Estate Law, Employment Law, Government Relations and many other areas.
It is known for its ability to handle complex legal matters while maintaining a steadfast commitment to client satisfaction. The lawyers at Poyner Spruill are dedicated to providing innovative solutions that help clients achieve their goals.
K&L Gates LLP: A Global Law Firm with Local Roots
K&L Gates is one of the largest law firms in the world, but it has maintained deep roots in its local communities through its office locations around the globe. In North Carolina, K&L Gates provides clients with access to a broad range of legal services across many industries.
The firm brings together attorneys who specialize in various practice areas including Corporate/M&A, Intellectual Property, Litigation/Dispute Resolution and more. K&L Gates’ team approach allows them to provide seamless service across all their practice areas and geographic locations.
McGuireWoods LLP: An Innovative Firm for Emerging Industries
McGuireWoods is an international law firm known for applying cutting-edge solutions to the complex legal issues of its clients. The firm has a substantial presence in North Carolina and is committed to providing innovative, strategic advice to their clients. McGuireWoods’ areas of expertise include Antitrust & Trade Regulation, Financial Services Litigation, Healthcare, Technology & Emerging Companies and more.
The firm prides itself on offering practical solutions to help clients achieve their business objectives while mitigating risk. Overall, these three prominent law firms in North Carolina deliver exceptional service to their clients in different ways.
Each one has a unique focus and approach that appeals to different types of clients. Collectively they represent the quality and diversity of legal services available in the state.
Conclusion:
Recap on Largest Law Firms in North Carolina
The legal industry in North Carolina is not only thriving but also competitive. The state’s economy relies heavily on legal services, and the top five law firms that have been discussed in this article play a significant role in shaping the industry. Each of these firms has a rich history and an impressive track record of representing clients in high-profile cases.
Womble Bond Dickinson is currently the largest law firm in North Carolina with more than 500 attorneys across nine offices. Other notable firms include Moore & Van Allen, Robinson Bradshaw & Hinson, Smith Anderson, and Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein.
Importance to State’s Economy and Legal Industry
The importance of these law firms to North Carolina’s economy cannot be overstated. They provide jobs for thousands of people and bring millions of dollars into the state each year.
Furthermore, their work helps to shape policies and regulations that affect businesses across various industries. These firms also serve as a training ground for young lawyers who are just starting their careers.
Many of them offer summer associate programs that allow law students to gain practical experience while working alongside seasoned attorneys. This not only benefits the students but also ensures a steady stream of talented lawyers entering the workforce.
Overall, while competition among law firms can be fierce, it ultimately benefits clients by ensuring quality legal services are provided at fair prices. With its robust legal industry, North Carolina is well-positioned to continue attracting top talent and businesses across various industries for years to come.
