Biography

As a child, A.J.’s parents always owned their own small businesses. Through that, he witnessed the economic impact small businesses have and their essential role in the community. In addition, he has seen the impact an excellent legal team can have on a growing company. He thrives working with small to mid-size businesses and helping them achieve their goals. At heart, A.J. is a builder taking tremendous pride in watching hard work culminate into great achievements.

Given his background, it is not surprising A.J. chairs the firm’s corporate practice where he assists clients in everything from entity selection to multi-million dollar mergers and acquisitions. A.J. has worked with some of the largest companies in the country, serving as outside counsel to financial institutions, private equity funds, investment clubs, medical prosthetic companies, major distributors, and real estate investment trusts.

As a former real estate appraiser and entrepreneur himself, A.J. possesses unique experiences that he applies to his clients’ needs daily. His deep understanding of real estate, finance, and his ability to apply the law in a practical and well thought out way is what makes him a unique and invaluable asset to his clients.

A.J. also chairs the firm’s real estate practice where he regularly serves as closing attorney/settlement agent in both residential and commercial transactions. A.J. is just as comfortable working with first time homebuyers as he is serving as borrower counsel in conjunction with commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS). A.J. also has the pleasure of serving as lender counsel to several global, national, and regional financial institutions, making him inherently well versed to represent any party in a lending transaction.

Given the firm’s robust estate and trust practice, AJ also spends a considerable amount of time advising individuals and families with regard to their estate plans and the administration of their loved one’s estates and trusts. A.J. also serves as trustee for several of his clients through revocable and irrevocable trusts, special needs trusts, and Medicare set-aside trusts. While he is happy to put together an expansive, exhaustive, and highly complex trust, A.J. has one simple philosophy; his clients should be able to fully understand the documents they execute and they should never be more complex (and thus costly) than necessary.

Finally, A.J. has the distinct privilege of serving as an adjunct professor at Wake Forest University School of Law where he teaches a corporate law course on a corporation’s journey from startup to IPO.

When he is not working with his clients, A.J. is usually with his wife, Danielle and their son, Leo, either exploring all North Carolina has to offer or having a relaxing day at home with their dog and two cats. They are huge Florida State Seminole fans and do not miss a game during football season. A.J. is also an avid golfer and loves getting out to the course when he has an opportunity.

Areas of Practice

• Corporate
• Real Estate
• Estate Planning and Probate
• Trust Preparation and Administration

Education

Bar Admission

Honors

• Lawyers of Distinction
• Super Lawyers Rated
• Super Lawyers Rising Star

Community Involvement