Lawyers in the News – September 2023

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New associations 

Michael Frantz has joined Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein as a partner in its Charlotte office. His practice focuses on financing commercial real estate projects. He joined the firm from Katten, where he also was a partner. 

Gursharon K. Shergill has joined Wagner Hicks as counsel. She will practice on the banking and financial services and the complex commercial litigation teams and maintain a pro bono practice. She previously practiced at Winston & Strawn’s Charlotte office and clerked for Judge Ann Claire Williams of the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. 

Professional groups 

Andy Banzhoff, a partner at Devereux & Banzhoff in Asheville, began his one-year term as the 49th president of North Carolina Advocates for Justice on July 1. A board-certified specialist in state and federal criminal law by the North Carolina State Bar, he concentrates his practice on criminal trial and appellate litigation and has served as president of the Buncombe County Criminal Defense Attorney’s Association.  

Alex J. Hagan of Ellis & Winters’ office in Raleigh has been elected secretary-treasurer of the board of the International Association of Defense Counsel. The association is an invitation-only global legal organization for lawyers who represent corporate and insurance interests. At Ellis & Winters, he leads the litigation group and is a member of the firm’s management committee.  

Patricia A. Markus, a partner at Nelson Mullins office in Raleigh, began her one-year term as the president of the American Health Law Association on July 1. Markus represents health care providers and health technology companies nationwide on regulatory compliance, reimbursement, licensure, operational matters, health information privacy, security, and technology. 

Honors 

Melissa Donovan and Jason Stiles have been presented the Core Value Awards by Cranfill Sumner. Donovan is a senior state-certified paralegal in the firm’s Raleigh office who supports attorneys in its civil litigation and appellate law practice groups and is the case manager for all state and federal appeals in the firm. Stiles is the office services director, where he oversees the service teams across the firm by implementing procedures and training. 

Moses Luski, a partner at Shumaker, has been selected for induction into the North Carolina Attorney Pro Bono Honor Society. His pro bono work includes closing the headquarters of Opera Carolina and the local Make-A-Wish chapter, donating significant legal services to both projects, and assisting the Hebrew Cemetery Association, Habitat for Humanity’s Charlotte region, and Charlotte Ballet with their real estate needs.