Michael Best is pleased to announce it has expanded the firm’s Raleigh presence with the acquisition of Felton Banks PLLC and the addition of Bernard Brown, previously a senior associate with Brinks Gilson & Lione. The Felton Banks group includes founding partners Ashley Felton and Adam Banks. All three join as Senior Counsel.

“The Raleigh market has experienced significant growth in the pharmaceutical, biotech and aerospace industries. Ashley, Adam and Bernard have deep roots in the region and the mix of IP, startup, labor and employment, and litigation will be a great asset for our clients,” said David Krutz, Firm Managing Partner of Michael Best.

Michael Best has made strategic moves into a number of local markets across the US in recent years. For example, last year it combined with local firm Modus Law in the Denver area. In Raleigh, the firm is building the team to meet the needs of local businesses and offer clients there the full breadth of the firm’s resources. The addition of Banks, Brown and Felton, along with the recent addition of IP of counsel Lucas Osborne in February of this year, reflect the diverse business needs in the community, especially in the Research Triangle.

“We’ve accomplished so much in our time at Felton Banks with small businesses and start ups in Raleigh, and I’m confident that that we will continue that momentum and build on the practice with the strength and talent of the Michael Best team,” said Ashley Felton.

About the Attorneys

Adam P. Banks, co-founder of Felton Banks, joins the firm’s Litigation Practice Group. He focuses on business and corporation transactions, business litigation, and construction litigation. He earned his J.D. from Campbell University School of Law and his B.A. from Duke University.

Ashley L. Felton, co-founder of Felton Banks, joins Michael Best’s Labor & Employment Practice Group and counsels employers of all size on contracts, HR procedures and discrimination claims. She has additional expertise in the laws surrounding drones and unmanned aircraft systems. She serves as Chairwoman of the Small Firm and Technology Section of the North Carolina Bar Association. Felton received her J.D. from Campbell University School of Law and her B.A. with distinction from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Bernard A. Brown II joins the Intellectual Property Practice Group and will focus on patent issues for clients in the life science, biotech and pharmaceutical industries and advises on strategies to protect and commercialize intellectual property. He also has extensive experience with the Hatch-Watchman Act and inter partes review defense and with matters that come before the Food and Drug Administration, the US Patent and Trademark Office and Federal Circuit courts. Brown earned his J.D. from Elon University School of Law, his Ph.D. in biochemistry from North Carolina State University, and his B.A. and B.S., cum laude, from North Carolina State University.