
Litigation: General Commercial
USA Guide 2026 : North Carolina
Rankings

Ranked Individuals
Ranked Individuals
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
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 respondentUSAThey 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 respondentUSAThe Wyrick attorneys are incredibly respectful, smart, collaborative, efficient and overall just great to work with.
Litigation: General Commercial respondentUSAWyrick 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 respondentUSAThe 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 3 
Band 3 
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 respondentUSALee Whitman is very good at the relationship side and understanding the needs of the company.
Litigation: General Commercial respondentUSALee Whitman is creative, aggressive when needed and practical.
Litigation: General Commercial respondentUSALee is outstanding. We highly value his expertise, tenacity and responsiveness.
Litigation: General Commercial respondentUSALee Whitman is a good, energetic litigator.
Litigation: General Commercial respondentUSA
Band 3 
Band 3 
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 respondentUSAMichael DeFrank is a valued partner for his legal expertise, judgment, trust and overall positive business impact.
Litigation: General Commercial respondentUSAMichael DeFrank is an excellent lawyer, he is creative and effective.
Litigation: General Commercial respondentUSAMichael is incredibly responsive and reliable.
Litigation: General Commercial respondentUSA
Band 4 
Band 4 
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 respondentUSASam is an excellent attorney.
Litigation: General Commercial respondentUSA
Ranked Individuals at Wyrick Robbins Yates & Ponton LLP (3)
Members
Provided by Wyrick Robbins Yates & Ponton LLP

Sophia V. Blair

Kennedy Buechner

Charles George

Mary Kate Gladstone

Scott Hazelgrove

Nelson Hughes

J. Blakely Kiefer

Josey L. Newman

T. Cullen Stafford

Kevin J. Stanfield

Benjamin N. Thompson


Michael DeFrank
View profile of Michael DeFrank
Lee M. Whitman
View profile of Lee M. Whitman
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