Department profile
Wyrick Robbins Yates & Ponton LLP

Litigation: General Commercial

USA Guide 2026 : North Carolina


Wyrick Robbins Yates & Ponton LLP

Rankings

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

Band 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

Provided by Chambers

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

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Wyrick Robbins Yates & Ponton understands complex issues and offers clear advice.

    Litigation: General Commercial respondentUSA
  • They are very responsive to requests for assistance and they always keep me up to date on matters that they are handling. In short, it's a highly professional organization.

    Litigation: General Commercial respondentUSA
  • The Wyrick attorneys are incredibly respectful, smart, collaborative, efficient and overall just great to work with.

    Litigation: General Commercial respondentUSA
  • Wyrick Robbins Yates & Ponton has a good all-around business law knowledge with the ability to help its clients through all of their litigation needs.

    Litigation: General Commercial respondentUSA
  • The entire team at Wyrick doesn't seem to miss a beat. We receive timely, clear and reliable support on every matter and issue.

    Litigation: General Commercial respondentUSA

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Band 3Lee M. Whitman
    Band 3Lee M. Whitman

    Lee M. Whitman

    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.

      Litigation: General Commercial respondentUSA
    • Lee Whitman is very good at the relationship side and understanding the needs of the company.

      Litigation: General Commercial respondentUSA
    • Lee Whitman is creative, aggressive when needed and practical.

      Litigation: General Commercial respondentUSA
    • Lee is outstanding. We highly value his expertise, tenacity and responsiveness.

      Litigation: General Commercial respondentUSA
    • Lee Whitman is a good, energetic litigator.

      Litigation: General Commercial respondentUSA
  • Band 3Michael DeFrank
    Band 3Michael DeFrank

    Michael DeFrank

    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.

      Litigation: General Commercial respondentUSA
    • Michael DeFrank is a valued partner for his legal expertise, judgment, trust and overall positive business impact.

      Litigation: General Commercial respondentUSA
    • Michael DeFrank is an excellent lawyer, he is creative and effective.

      Litigation: General Commercial respondentUSA
    • Michael is incredibly responsive and reliable.

      Litigation: General Commercial respondentUSA
  • Band 4Samuel A. Slater
    Band 4Samuel A. Slater

    Samuel A. Slater

    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.

      Litigation: General Commercial respondentUSA
    • Sam is an excellent attorney.

      Litigation: General Commercial respondentUSA

Ranked Individuals at Wyrick Robbins Yates & Ponton LLP (3)

North Carolina

Members

Provided by Wyrick Robbins Yates & Ponton LLP

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