About

Provided by Wyrick Robbins Yates & Ponton LLP

Every successful business will encounter legal disputes and related challenges. Our Commercial Litigation practice group strives to handle such disputes in the most strategic and efficient manner possible to achieve a positive result for our clients.

Our Commercial Litigation practice group includes 15 trial attorneys with extensive and diverse experience across a wide variety of litigation needs, including:

  • disputes arising from contracts, mergers and acquisitions, and other business relationships;
  • government contracting bid protests, claims, and other actions;
  • shareholder derivative litigation on behalf of publicly-traded companies;
  • representation of healthcare providers in contested matters, including certificates of need and challenges to Medicare/Medicaid payment determinations and recoupments;
  • employment disputes, including the enforcement of non-disclosure, non-competition, and confidentiality agreements on behalf of employers;
  • environmental enforcement and compliance matters;
  • intellectual property rights, including trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets; and
  • international manufacturing contract disputes.

Our reputation is built upon years of experience and proven results obtained for our clients, both in and out of the courtroom. We regularly try both jury and non-jury cases in state and federal courts in North Carolina and across the country, as well as litigate in arbitration proceedings and before a wide variety of state and federal administrative agencies.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Litigation: General Commercial - North Carolina

3
Band 3

What the Team is Known For

Wyrick Robbins Yates & Ponton demonstrates considerable abilities across a wide range of litigation for corporate clients. The firm acts in healthcare and environmental cases as well as employment and securities disputes, in addition to an array of business litigation. The team appears in state and federal trial and appellate courts as well as in alternative dispute resolution forums.

Work Highlights

  • Wyrick Robbins Yates & Ponton assisted Nucor Corporation with a $100 million shareholder dispute.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

Lee M. Whitman
3
Lee M. Whitman
3
Band 3
Lee Whitman has a strong track record acting at trial in complex business disputes. He frequently handles securities and healthcare litigation, among other matters.

He is always professional and a zealous advocate for his client. He is smart, diligent and creative in his approach to solving his client's problems.

Lee Whitman is very good at the relationship side and understanding the needs of the company.

Lee Whitman is creative, aggressive when needed and practical.

Lee is outstanding. We highly value his expertise, tenacity and responsiveness.

Lee Whitman is a good, energetic litigator.

Michael DeFrank
3
Michael DeFrank
3
Band 3
Michael DeFrank heads the firm's litigation group and offers impressive experience handling consumer protection disputes.

He is a superb lawyer on whom I can depend.

Michael DeFrank is a valued partner for his legal expertise, judgment, trust and overall positive business impact.

Michael DeFrank is an excellent lawyer, he is creative and effective.

Michael is incredibly responsive and reliable.

Samuel A. Slater
4
Samuel A. Slater
4
Band 4
Samuel Slater is noted for his expertise in a range of commercial litigation matters including contract disputes and merger litigation.

Samuel Slater provides excellent counsel to navigate tough business issues.

Sam is an excellent attorney.

Ranked Lawyers at
Wyrick Robbins Yates & Ponton LLP

Provided by Chambers
Filter by
Band

North Carolina

Litigation: General Commercial

Lee M. Whitman
3
Lee M. Whitman
3
Band 3
Michael DeFrank
3
Michael DeFrank
3
Band 3
Samuel A. Slater
4
Samuel A. Slater
4
Band 4

Members

Provided by Wyrick Robbins Yates & Ponton LLP

Benjamin N. Thompson

Charles George

J. Blakely Kiefer

Josey L. Newman

Kennedy Buechner

Kevin J. Stanfield

Mary Kate Gladstone

Nelson Hughes

Samuel A. Slater

Samuel A. Slater

Head of Department

Scott Hazelgrove

Sophia V. Blair

T. Cullen Stafford