Brooks Pierce is pleased to announce that six attorneys have been selected to become partners (owners) in the firm: Eric David, Clint Morse, Joey Ponzi, David Smyth, Thomas Varnum and Ed West.
“Last week, Brooks Pierce’s partners invited six exceptional professionals to become new partners in the firm, and all six attorneys have accepted their invitations.” said Ed Winslow, Brooks Pierce’s managing partner. “We congratulate and welcome them with enthusiasm, warmth and vigor.”
Raleigh litigator Eric David frequently advises business clients on First Amendment matters and matters involving media and communications. He represents business and individual clients in high-stakes litigation in both federal and state court, including the North Carolina Business Court. He brings extensive experience in cases involving corporate governance disputes, breach of fiduciary duty claims and claims brought under the North Carolina Unfair and Deceptive Trade Practices Act. He received his juris doctorate, master’s degree and bachelor’s degree all from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Greensboro litigator Clint Morse has particular interest in bankruptcy, intellectual property and partnership disputes. He thrives in the prosecution and defense of early, and generally decisive, hearings in the state and federal courts, including preliminary injunction hearings, prejudgment attachment proceedings, receivership hearings, and cash collateral matters. He has tried cases and presented arguments in wide-ranging contexts in front of the North Carolina District and Superior Courts, the North Carolina Business Court, the North Carolina Court of Appeals, and the Federal District Courts of North Carolina. He has also represented debtors and creditors in many Chapter 7 and Chapter 11 bankruptcy cases. He received his juris doctorate from Wake Forest University and his bachelor’s degree from James Madison University.
Joey Ponzi is a litigator in Greensboro with extensive experience in environmental and business litigation. He represents clients in a broad range of regulatory issues and disputes, including environmental permitting and civil penalty assessments, practicing before state and federal courts of appeals, trial courts and administrative agencies. He currently serves on the board of directors of Peacehaven Community Farm in Whitsett, North Carolina. Ponzi received his juris doctorate from the University of Virginia and his bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
David Smyth of Raleigh has a wide-ranging enforcement and litigation practice that focuses on representation of businesses and individuals facing action by federal and state authorities. Smyth also conducts internal corporate investigations and advises companies on compliance with federal and state securities laws and other laws and regulations. Prior to joining the firm, Smyth was an assistant director in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Division of Enforcement. He is also the author of “Cady Bar the Door,” a nationally recognized blog addressing securities enforcement and related issues. He received his juris doctorate from the University of North Carolina and his bachelor’s degree from Davidson College.
Wilmington attorney Thomas Varnum concentrates his practice in the areas of intellectual property, entertainment, civil litigation and corporate counsel. He handles trademark, copyright and trade secret matters and represents individuals and companies in entertainment projects, including film, television and online channels. He serves on the board of trustees for the Cucalorus Film Foundation and is a member of the Wilmington Regional Film Commission. He received his juris doctorate from the University of California, Davis, and his bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Litigator Ed West of Wilmington practices both civil and criminal law and is recognized as one of the leading white-collar criminal attorneys in eastern North Carolina. He also has a significant civil practice that includes a wide variety of business disputes, eminent domain and land title litigation and professional malpractice defense. West also regularly represents professionals under review by licensing boards. He received his juris doctorate from Wake Forest University and his bachelor’s degree from Hampden-Sydney College.