Corporate Attorneys Serving Businesses Throughout North Carolina
Since 1955, Manning Fulton has helped business owners and their management teams with complex business law matters. Manning Fulton’s Business attorneys advise and assist middle-market companies across a variety of industries on core business law matters, including mergers & acquisitions, supply chain contracts, employment law, health care and intellectual property. We represent a diverse clientele that includes founder and family-owned businesses, financial sponsors and their portfolio companies, publicly-traded companies and well-capitalized private companies.
Decades of experience, paired with teams who focus on the middle market, allows us to understand our clients’ business objectives and provide the strategic advice they need to meet their goals. Today, Manning Fulton’s Business lawyers represent the largest group in the Firm, with approximately half of the Firm’s lawyers focused on helping our clients execute their most important transactions.
Manning Fulton assists a wide range of companies, from technology- and life sciences-based startups to more established businesses in traditional industries, with their legal needs. Our team of Business attorneys help clients structure, negotiate and document corporate transactions and advise on governance, regulatory and operational issues to service the business law needs from initial investment through exit.
Our business law practice covers the following core service areas:
Transactional and intellectual property counsel for farming and agricultural technology clients, from financing and tax strategy to IP protection.
Representation of borrowers, lenders, and investors across the full spectrum of private debt and equity financing transactions.
We regularly advise both domestic and international clients on a broad range of commercial transactions, including:
- Contracts for the sale of goods
- Vendor contracts
- Supply and distribution contracts
- Sales representative contracts
- Secured sales with deferred payment arrangements
- Master supply agreements
- Equipment leases
- Supply chain agreements
- Conditional sales contracts among others
Integrated business, tax, and legal counsel for individual investors, investor groups, and high-net-worth families managing private investments.
Outsourced, ongoing legal advisory support for privately held companies without in-house legal teams.
Our Business attorneys frequently act as general counsel to many privately-held companies that do not have in-house legal counsel. In this capacity, we advise on a wide range complex issues including:
- Supply chain and commercial contracts
- Corporate governance
- Employment agreements, executive compensation and employee incentive plans
- Intellectual property, including trademark and brand protection
- Tax
Regulatory, transactional, and governance counsel for physician practices, hospitals, surgical centers, and other health care providers.
Protection and enforcement of patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets, including licensing and IP-driven transactions.
Counsel for cross-border transactions, subsidiary formation, and international dispute resolution, backed by an affiliate network spanning roughly 100 countries.
Business and IP counsel for life sciences, agricultural science, and medical device companies navigating growth and financing.
One of the largest M&A practices in the Triangle, guiding buyers, sellers, and financial sponsors through complex transactions.
Compliance counsel and breach response for clients navigating state, federal, and international privacy and data security law.
Full-lifecycle counsel to private equity funds, venture capital funds, and investors, from fund formation through exit.
Manning Fulton Business attorneys have represented both investors and issuing companies in a variety of private equity and debt transactions, including:
- Bridge loans
- Convertible debt and warrants
- Preferred stock rounds
- Senior debt and mezzanine transactions
- Subordination and inter-creditor arrangements
Commercial, IP, and transactional counsel for software, SaaS, data center, and other technology-driven businesses
Proactive counsel and defense for North Carolina employers on hiring, policies, restrictive covenants, and workplace disputes.
Ownership transition planning for privately held and family-owned businesses, including buy-sell agreements and tax-efficient transfer structures.
Registration, enforcement, and brand strategy counsel to protect the trademarks and goodwill businesses build over time.
Partner with Manning Fulton
One of the qualities that sets Manning Fulton apart is our collaborative approach. Our corporate attorneys work seamlessly with colleagues across the firm, including tax, finance, intellectual property, health care, employment, estate planning, real estate, and litigation, to provide comprehensive legal counsel tailored to each client’s business objectives.
This integrated team brings the depth and breadth of experience needed to guide companies and business owners through every stage of the business lifecycle and every phase of a transaction. We focus on the issues that matter most, helping clients identify and address material business risks while avoiding unnecessary complexity.
Whether you need assistance with a single legal matter or ongoing outside general counsel services, Manning Fulton’s Business Law attorneys take the time to understand your business, your goals, and your challenges so we can deliver practical, strategic legal advice that supports your long-term success.
Who We Serve
Founder- & Family-Owned Businesses
Privately held businesses managing growth, operations, ownership, or succession issues.
Financial Sponsors & Portfolio Companies
Sponsors and portfolio companies needing corporate, transactional, or ongoing business counsel.
Public & Well-Capitalized Private Companies
Larger companies handling complex business, governance, or transactional matters.
Middle-Market Companies
Businesses across a broad range of industries needing practical corporate legal support.
Technology & Life Sciences Startups
Startups building, financing, and growing their companies.
Established Traditional Businesses
Mature companies in traditional industries managing operations, transactions, or expansion.
Domestic & International Organizations
Companies operating in the United States, abroad, or across borders.
Companies Without In-House Legal Teams
Businesses needing outside counsel for day-to-day legal guidance.
Business Law Team
Manning Fulton has one of the most established business law practices in North Carolina.
Accolades
In a profession often measured by accolades, we remain focused on what endures: sound judgment, responsive service, and counsel that stands the test of time.
Best Lawyers in America®
Twenty-seven Manning Fulton attorneys were recognized in the 2027 edition of The Best Lawyers in America® across a broad range of practice areas.
2027
Recognized attorneys
- Eugene F. Dauchert, Jr. - Business Organizations; Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law; Corporate Law; Health Care Law; Mergers and Acquisitions Law
- Randolph M. Fletcher - Business Organizations; Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law; Corporate Law; Mergers and Acquisitions Law; Real Estate Law; Tax Law
- Dieter Mauch - Employment Law Management; Labor and Employment Litigation
- Charles L. Steel IV - Corporate Law; Tax Litigation and Controversy; Tax Law; Trusts and Estates
- Reich L. Welborn - Business Organizations; Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law; Commercial Litigation; Corporate Law; Health Care Law; Mergers and Acquisitions Law; Real Estate Law
- Holly B. Martin - Trusts and Estates
- Joseph B. Bass - Real Estate Law
- Stephen T. Byrd - Business Organizations; Closely Held Companies and Family Business Law; Corporate Law; Mergers and Acquisitions Law; Tax Law; Trusts and Estates
- Alison R. Cayton - Commercial Finance Law; Real Estate Law
- William S. Cherry III - Commercial Litigation; Construction Law; Employment Law Management; Insurance Law; Insurance Litigation; Real Estate Litigation; Labor and Employment Litigation
- Sandra Martin Clark - Business Organizations; Closely Held Companies and Family Business Law; Corporate Law; Tax Law; Trusts and Estates
- James H. Clarke - Corporate Law; Healthcare Law; Mergers and Acquisitions Law
- Jessica L. Elliott - Real Estate Law
- William B. Gwyn, Jr. - Business Organizations; Closely Held Companies and Family Business Law; Commercial Finance Law; Corporate Law; Mergers and Acquisitions Law
- Deborah L. Hildebran-Bachofen - Business Organizations; Closely Held Companies and Family Business Law; Corporate Law; Mergers and Acquisitions Law; Tax Law; Trusts and Estates
- Thomas I. Lyon - Business Organizations; Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law; Corporate Law
- Barry D. Mann - Real Estate Law
- Michael T. Medford - Antitrust Law; Appellate Practice; Bet-the-Company Litigation; Commercial Litigation; Insurance Law; Antitrust Litigation; Insurance Litigation; Labor and Employment Litigation; Tax Litigation and Controversy
- Charles H. Munn - Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law
- Kevin A. Prakke - Business Organizations; Closely Held Companies and Family Business Law; Corporate Law; Mergers and Acquisitions Law; Securities Regulation
- Natalie M. Rice - Commercial Litigation
- Douglas J. Short - Real Estate Law
- William C. Smith, Jr. - Bankruptcy and Creditor-Debtor Rights; Commercial Litigation; Construction Law; Construction Litigation
- Ritchie W. Taylor - Business Organizations; Corporate Law; Franchise Law; Mergers and Acquisitions Law
- Jessica B. Vickers - Commercial Litigation; Insurance Law
- Jennifer L. Weaver - Business Organizations; Corporate Law; Mergers and Acquisitions Law; Trust and Estates
- Judson A. Welborn - Appellate Practice; Commercial Litigation; Construction Law; Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law; Franchise Law; Banking and Finance Litigation; Construction Litigation; Land Use and Zoning Litigation; Real Estate Litigation; Tax Litigation and Controversy
Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America
Eight Manning Fulton attorneys were recognized in the 2027 edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America.
2027
Recognized attorneys
- Matthew Muntean - Business Organizations; Corporate Law; Mergers and Acquisitions Law
- J. Patrick Bailey, Jr. - Real Estate Law
- Angela C. Baldwin - Corporate Law; Mergers and Acquisitions Law; Trusts and Estates
- Cecilia Barreca - Business Organizations
- Chris N. Bobby - Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law; Corporate Law; Mergers and Acquisitions Law; Tax Law
- Lawrence D. Graham - Appellate Practice; Commercial Litigation; Real Estate Litigation
- Corinne E. O’Reilly - Business Organizations
- B. Zack Taylor, Jr. - Real Estate Law
Business North Carolina “Legal Elite”
Fifteen Manning Fulton attorneys were recognized in Business North Carolina’s 2026 “Legal Elite,” with three additional attorneys named “Legal Elite Young Guns.”
2026
Legal Elite
- Mike T. Medford - Antitrust & Complex Business Disputes
- William C. Smith - Bankruptcy
- Judson A. Welborn - Construction
- Jennifer L. Weaver - Corporate Law
- Thomas I. Lyon - Corporate Law
- William B. Gwyn - Corporate Law
- William S. Cherry - Employment
- Jessica B. Vickers - Litigation
- Alison R. Cayton - Real Estate Law
- Douglas J. Short - Real Estate Law
- Joseph B. Bass - Real Estate Law
- Jessica Elliott - Real Estate Law
- B. Zachary Taylor - Real Estate Law
- Sandra M. Clark - Tax & Estate Planning
- Steve T. Byrd - Tax & Estate Planning
- Chris Bobby
- Lawrence D. Graham
- Matthew P. Muntean
North Carolina Super Lawyers
Twenty-three Manning Fulton attorneys were recognized by Super Lawyers in 2026, including 17 Super Lawyers and 6 Rising Stars.
2026
Super Lawyers
- Joseph B. Bass - Real Estate
- Stephen T. Byrd - Estate & Probate
- Alison R. Cayton - Real Estate
- William S. Cherry III - Business Litigation
- Sandra Martin Clark - Estate & Probate
- William B. Gwyn Jr. - Business/Corporate
- Deborah L. Hildebran-Bachofen - Estate & Probate
- Thomas I. Lyon - Mergers & Acquisitions
- Barry D. Mann - Real Estate
- Michael T. Medford - Business Litigation
- Kevin A. Prakke - Securities & Corporate Finance
- Douglas J. Short - Real Estate
- William C. Smith, Jr. - Civil Litigation Defense
- Ritchie W. Taylor - Franchise/Dealership
- Jessica B. Vickers - Business Litigation
- Jennifer L. Weaver - Business/Corporate
- Judson A. Welborn - Business Litigation
- J. Patrick Bailey - Real Estate
- Angela C. Baldwin - Estate & Probate
- Chris N. Bobby - Business/Corporate
- Lawrence Graham, Jr. - Civil Litigation Defense
- Matthew P. Muntean - Business/Corporate
- B. Zachary Taylor - Real Estate
Best Law Firms: Metropolitan Tier 1
The firm secured 26 ranked practice areas, with 19 of those achieving the highest Tier 1 status.
2026
Recognized in:
- Appellate Practice
- Bet-the-Company Litigation
- Business Organizations
- Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law
- Commercial Finance Law
- Commercial Litigation
- Construction Law
- Corporate Law
- Health Care Law
- Insurance Law
- Litigation – Construction
- Litigation – Insurance
- Litigation – Labor & Employment
- Litigation – Real Estate
- Litigation – Real Estate
- Litigation & Controversy – Tax
- Mergers & Acquisitions Law
- Real Estate Law
- Real Estate Litigation
- Tax Law
- Trusts & Estates Law
Industries
If litigation is required, we’re the ones you want on your side. We know how to get results, efficiently and cost-effectively.
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