Tag: Firm News

Waldrep Wall Babcock & Bailey PLLC is pleased to announce that partners Jim Lanik and Jennifer Lyday have each been named a 2027 Best Lawyers “Lawyer of the Year” in the Triad.

Lanik was named “Lawyer of the Year” for Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, while Lyday received the honor for Litigation – Bankruptcy.

The “Lawyer of the Year” distinction is awarded to individual attorneys who receive the highest overall peer feedback in a specific practice area and geographic region. Only one lawyer is recognized as “Lawyer of the Year” for each specialty and location in a given edition, making it a particularly distinguished honor.

Jim Lanik focuses his practice on business bankruptcy and related matters. Board-certified in Business Bankruptcy Law by both the North Carolina State Bar and the American Board of Certification, Lanik has represented trustees, creditors, and debtors in all aspects of business bankruptcy cases. He currently serves on the panel of Chapter 7 Trustees for the Middle District of North Carolina and has also served as a receiver in state court matters and as a Chapter 11 trustee.

Jennifer Lyday represents clients in complex bankruptcy, restructuring, and related litigation matters. Her experience includes representing secured creditors, distressed businesses, unsecured creditors’ committees, trustees, and buyers of assets in bankruptcy sales. She currently serves on the panel of Subchapter V Chapter 11 Trustees for the Middle District of North Carolina, and also counsels clients in complex civil litigation and healthcare matters.

Together, Lanik and Lyday’s 2027 “Lawyer of the Year” honors reflect the depth of Waldrep Wall’s bankruptcy practice, with recognition spanning both Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law and Litigation – Bankruptcy.

Lanik and Lyday are among 15 Waldrep Wall attorneys recognized in the 2027 edition of The Best Lawyers in America. Three additional firm attorneys were recognized in the 2027 edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America.

Founded in 2020, Waldrep Wall Babcock & Bailey PLLC is a North Carolina law firm serving businesses, financial institutions, municipalities, and individuals throughout the region. Known for its practical approach and commitment to client service, the firm provides strategic counsel across a broad range of legal matters, helping clients navigate challenges, seize opportunities, and achieve their goals.

Waldrep Wall Babcock & Bailey PLLC is pleased to announce that 18 attorneys have been selected for inclusion in the 2027 editions of The Best Lawyers in America and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America, recognized for their work across a broad range of practice areas. Notably, every Waldrep Wall partner and senior counsel is recognized in this year’s edition of The Best Lawyers in America, reflecting the depth of experience across the firm’s senior ranks.

Published annually since 1983, Best Lawyers recognizes attorneys based on an extensive peer-review process evaluating professional excellence within their practice areas and geographic regions.

The 2027 edition of The Best Lawyers in America recognizes 15 Waldrep Wall attorneys:

• John W. Babcock (Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Commercial Finance Law, Commercial Transactions / UCC Law, Corporate Law, Health Care Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, and Tax Law)
• J. Dennis Bailey (Commercial Litigation, Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants, Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants, and Product Liability Litigation – Defendants)
• Rebekah Biggerstaff (Litigation – Health Care)
• Kelly A. Cameron (Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Bankruptcy, Litigation – Intellectual Property, and Litigation – Labor and Employment)
• Joseph T. Carruthers III (Commercial Litigation, Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants, and Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants)
• Michael L. Drye (Mergers and Acquisitions Law)
• Chris Haaf (Commercial Litigation)
• James Lanik (Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Litigation – Bankruptcy, and Mortgage Banking Foreclosure Law)
• Jennifer Lyday (Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law and Litigation – Bankruptcy)
• John P. McNames (Real Estate Law)
• Ciara L. Rogers (Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law and Litigation – Bankruptcy)
• Kevin Sink (Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law and Litigation – Bankruptcy)
• Thomas W. Waldrep, Jr. (Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law)
• James D. Wall (Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Corporate Governance Law, Corporate Law, and Health Care Law)
• Jan E. Yarborough (Health Care Law)

Additionally, three Waldrep Wall attorneys earned Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America recognition. Ones to Watch recognizes attorneys who have demonstrated outstanding professional excellence early in their careers in private practice.

• Zachary Malnik (Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law and Litigation – Bankruptcy)
• Jack O’Neal (Commercial Litigation)
• Peyton M. Pawlik (Health Care Law and Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants)

Additionally, James Lanik and Jennifer Lyday received 2027 “Lawyer of the Year” honors for the Triad, with Lanik recognized in Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law and Lyday recognized in Litigation – Bankruptcy. The “Lawyer of the Year” distinction is awarded to individual attorneys who receive the highest overall peer feedback in a specific practice area and geographic region.

Founded in 2020, Waldrep Wall Babcock & Bailey PLLC is a North Carolina law firm serving businesses, financial institutions, municipalities, and individuals throughout the region. Known for its practical approach and commitment to client service, the firm provides strategic counsel across a broad range of legal matters, helping clients navigate challenges, seize opportunities, and achieve their goals.

Waldrep Wall is pleased to announce that the firm has been recognized in Bankruptcy/Restructuring and Healthcare in the 2026 Chambers USA Guide, with eight attorneys also earning individual rankings across Bankruptcy/Restructuring, Corporate/M&A, and Healthcare, including a Band 1 ranking for Tom Waldrep.

Highly regarded throughout the legal industry, Chambers and Partners identifies and ranks the nation’s leading law firms and attorneys through an extensive independent research process. Chambers researchers conduct in-depth interviews with clients, attorneys, and industry professionals to assess legal knowledge, experience, client service, and professional reputation.

In the 2026 guide, Waldrep Wall earned firm rankings in two practice areas:

• Bankruptcy/Restructuring – Band 2
• Healthcare – Band 4

In addition, the following attorneys received individual recognition:

Bankruptcy/Restructuring

• Tom Waldrep – Band 1
• Kevin Sink – Band 2
• Jennifer B. Lyday – Band 3
• Ciara Rogers – Band 3
• Jim Lanik – Band 3

Corporate/M&A

• John Babcock – Band 3

Healthcare

• Jim Wall – Band 2
• Jan Yarborough – Band 3

The rankings reflect Waldrep Wall’s continued commitment to delivering practical, results-driven legal counsel and exceptional client service. Client feedback gathered during the Chambers research process highlighted the firm’s collaborative approach and depth of experience, describing the firm as “a strong team that is easy to work with” and noting its “high level of understanding of regulatory issues.”

“Receiving recognition from Chambers is especially meaningful because it reflects the experiences of the clients we serve every day,” said Jim Wall, co-Managing Partner at Waldrep Wall. “We are honored by this recognition and grateful for the trust our clients place in us. This achievement is a testament to the dedication of our attorneys and staff, and to the strong relationships we have built over the years with our clients, colleagues, and communities.”

Waldrep Wall is pleased to be recognized among North Carolina’s leading law firms and attorneys and extends its sincere appreciation to its clients, colleagues, and peers for their continued trust and support.

Founded in 2020, Waldrep Wall Babcock & Bailey PLLC is a North Carolina law firm serving businesses, financial institutions, municipalities, and individuals throughout the region. Known for its practical approach and commitment to client service, the firm provides strategic counsel across a broad range of legal matters, helping clients navigate challenges, seize opportunities, and achieve their goals.

Winston-Salem, NC – Waldrep Wall Babcock & Bailey PLLC is pleased to announce that John McNames has rejoined the firm as Counsel. John previously served as an Associate and later Partner at the firm from 2017 to 2022 and returns with expanded capabilities to enrich client service at Waldrep Wall.

John focuses his practice on commercial real estate transactions and creditors’ rights matters. He has extensive experience handling acquisitions and dispositions, lease agreements, easements, title searches, survey reviews, 1031 like-kind exchanges, and refinances. He also represents lenders, loan servicers, and private equity firms in foreclosures, receiverships, and workouts involving distressed commercial real estate loans throughout North Carolina.

Following his initial tenure at Waldrep Wall, John served as Counsel at a global AmLaw 100 firm, where he represented loan servicers in the enforcement of distressed commercial real estate loans. This experience complements his earlier work as a Staff Attorney with a transatlantic AmLaw 100 firm, where he focused on creditors’ rights and foreclosure matters.

A Winston-Salem native, John received his J.D. degree from Florida Coastal School of Law in 2012 and earned his B.A. degree in Political Science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2009. He is a member of the North Carolina State Bar and the North Carolina Bar Association.

“I am rejoining a firm that is very team-oriented, a major positive,” said McNames. “My familiarity and comfort with everyone there are a huge factor in returning.”

Winston-Salem, NC – Waldrep Wall Babcock & Bailey PLLC is proud to announce that associate Hector Quesada has been featured in an alumni spotlight by Washington and Lee University School of Law.

 

In the profile, Hector reflects on his journey from law school to his current practice in commercial bankruptcy and insolvency law. A 2021 graduate of W&L Law, Hector discusses how his career path evolved from an initial interest in mergers and acquisitions to discovering his passion for bankruptcy law during his second year of law school. 

“I find great satisfaction in helping small and midsize business owners navigate complex financial challenges and work toward successful restructuring solutions,” Hector shared in the interview.

 

After graduating from W&L Law, Hector clerked for Chief Judge Lena James at the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of North Carolina before joining Waldrep Wall. His practice focuses on representing businesses in corporate restructuring, workouts, bankruptcy proceedings, and receiverships, as well as assisting the firm’s Chapter 7 and Chapter 11 trustees. 

The National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys recently recognized Hector with the inaugural Outstanding Young Consumer Bankruptcy Attorney Award in April 2025 for his previous work representing individual debtors. 

In the alumni profile, Hector also emphasized the importance of adaptability in the legal profession. “Be open to where your interests may lead you. I entered law school with one vision for my career (M&A) and left with another (bankruptcy), almost through pure coincidence,” he advised. His flexibility allowed him to discover his true calling in bankruptcy law and build a fulfilling career in North Carolina’s Triad region. 

To read the full alumni spotlight, visit https://columns.wlu.edu/alumni-spotlight-hector-quesada-21l/. 

Winston-Salem, NC – Waldrep Wall Babcock & Bailey PLLC is pleased to announce that Rebekah Biggerstaff has joined the firm as Counsel. Rebekah will focus her practice on professional licensing defense and litigation for health care professionals throughout North Carolina. 

Rebekah brings more than 15 years of legal experience to the firm. She focuses her practice on defending North Carolina health care professionals before their professional licensing boards and other procedural settings. She has represented health care providers in responding to complaints and provided representation for live interviews with professional board investigators. 

For the first fifteen years of her career, Rebekah concentrated on the defense of complex medical malpractice cases, gaining in-depth knowledge of the health care industry. She now applies this experience to the thorough and efficient defense of health care providers before their professional boards, including: 

• North Carolina Medical Board 
• North Carolina Board of Nursing 
• North Carolina Psychology Board 
• North Carolina Board of Podiatry 
• North Carolina Board of Occupational Therapy 

Rebekah received her J.D. degree, cum laude, from Wake Forest University School of Law in 2009, where she received the American Bar Association and the Bureau of National Affairs Award for Excellence in the Study of Health Law. She earned her B.A. degree from the University of North Carolina Wilmington in 2006, graduating magna cum laude with Departmental Honors in History. 

November 6, 2025 — Waldrep Wall Babcock & Bailey PLLC has been recognized in the 2026 edition of Best Law Firms^®, a testament to its unwavering commitment to legal excellence. Ranked by Best Law Firms regionally in 13 practice areas, Waldrep Wall has distinguished itself in the legal industry, earning this prestigious accolade.

Firms included in the 2026 Best Law Firms^® list are recognized for professional excellence with impressive ratings from clients and peers. To be considered for this milestone achievement, at least one lawyer in the law firm must be recognized in the 2026 edition of The Best Lawyers in America^®.

Achieving a ranking in Best Law Firms signifies high-quality legal practice and a depth of legal proficiency. Recognized firms, categorized into three tiers, receive acclaim on both national and metropolitan levels, reflecting the extent of their practice and geographic reach. Receiving a tier designation represents an elite status, reflecting the integrity and reputation earned by law firms.

The 2026 edition of  Best Law Firms^® includes rankings in 75 national practice areas and 127 metropolitan-based practice areas. The highest-rated firm in each national practice area attains the prestigious “Law Firm of the Year” honor. The transparent, collaborative research process employs qualitative and quantitative data from peer and client reviews, supported by proprietary algorithmic technology, to produce a tiered system of industry-led rankings of the top 4% of the industry.

Waldrep Wall received the following rankings in the 2026 Best Law Firms^®:

• Regional Tier 1
  • Raleigh
    • Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
    • Litigation – Bankruptcy
  • Triad
    • Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
    • Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships)
    • Commercial Litigation
    • Commercial Transactions / UCC Law
    • Corporate Law
    • Health Care Law
    • Litigation – Bankruptcy
    • Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants
    • Mergers and Acquisitions Law
    • Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
• Regional Tier 2
  • Triad
    • Mortgage Banking Foreclosure Law
• Regional Tier 3
  • Triad
    • Commercial Finance Law
    • Litigation – Intellectual Property

About Best Law Firms^®

Best Law Firms^®, ranked by Best Lawyers^® and respected for over 14 years, is the most credible ranking of exceptional law firms globally. It is rooted in a rigorous, peer-to-peer, industry-driven evaluation. A ranking from Best Law Firms signifies a high-quality practice and a breadth of legal expertise. Ranked firms, presented in three tiers, are recognized on a national and metropolitan scale, providing legal professionals with an elevated stature from the Best Law Firms recognition. For more information, visit www.bestlawfirms.com.

About Best Lawyers^®

Best Lawyers^® is the oldest and most respected peer-review research and marketing company in the legal profession. Best Lawyers compiles extensive recognitions by conducting exhaustive peer-review surveys in which tens of thousands of leading lawyers confidentially evaluate the work of their fellow legal professionals within their local market and specialty. Lawyers are not required or allowed to pay a fee to be listed; therefore, recognition by Best Lawyers is considered a singular honor. For more information, visit www.bestlawyers.com.

WINSTON-SALEM, NC – Waldrep Wall Babcock & Bailey PLLC was proud to serve as a sponsor of the Children’s Law Center of Central North Carolina’s 20th Anniversary Celebration, held on October 24, 2025, at Wake Forest Biotech Place.

The milestone event honored two decades of advocacy and life-changing legal representation for children in crisis throughout Central North Carolina. The evening featured a cocktail reception, auction, program, and raffle, bringing together attorneys, volunteers, donors, and community advocates committed to protecting vulnerable children.

Over the past twenty years, the Children’s Law Center has protected hundreds of children from abuse, neglect, and instability through tireless legal advocacy and support. The celebration recognized the organization’s past achievements while renewing its commitment to ensuring every child has access to safety, support, and opportunity.

For more information about the Children’s Law Center of Central North Carolina, visit childlawnc.org.

RALEIGH, NC – Waldrep Wall Babcock & Bailey PLLC is pleased to announce that Bobby Decker has joined the firm as an Associate, growing the firm’s bankruptcy practice.

Bobby brings valuable experience in business insolvency and commercial bankruptcy matters to the firm’s bankruptcy team. He previously served as a Summer Associate with Waldrep Wall, where he gained hands-on experience in complex bankruptcy proceedings and litigation strategies across the firm’s practice areas.

Bobby graduated summa cum laude from North Carolina Central University School of Law in 2025, where he received the Daniel G. Sampson Award for Academic Excellence and served as Senior Editor of the North Carolina Central Law Review. He holds dual Bachelor of Arts degrees in English and Political Science from the University of North Carolina, earned in 2017. He is admitted to practice in North Carolina.

Bobby will focus his practice on business insolvency, commercial bankruptcy, and litigation matters from the firm’s Raleigh office.

About Waldrep Wall Babcock & Bailey PLLC

Waldrep Wall Babcock & Bailey PLLC is a leading law firm specializing in business insolvency, commercial bankruptcy, and litigation matters. With offices in Winston-Salem and Raleigh, North Carolina, the firm provides comprehensive legal services to businesses and individuals throughout the state.

WINSTON-SALEM, NC – Waldrep Wall Babcock & Bailey PLLC is proud to announce that Hector Quesada has joined the firm as an Associate, enhancing the firm’s business bankruptcy team in the Winston-Salem office.

Hector previously practiced as an Associate with The Law Offices of John Orcutt in Greensboro, NC, where he represented individuals in Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy cases and adversary proceedings. He also served as a judicial law clerk for The Honorable Lena M. James at the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of North Carolina.

Hector earned his Juris Doctor from Washington & Lee University School of Law in 2021, where he served as an editor for the Washington and Lee Law Review and received the American Bankruptcy Institute’s Medal of Excellence. He was also the winner of the Virginia State Bar’s Bankruptcy Law Writing Competition in 2021. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, cum laude, with a minor in Philosophy from Virginia Tech (2014).

Hector has been recognized with several prestigious honors, including the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys “Outstanding Young Consumer Bankruptcy Attorney Award” in 2025 and selection for the National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges NextGen Program, Class of 2025. He currently serves as a Council Member for the North Carolina Bar Association’s Bankruptcy Section (2024-2027).

Hector is admitted to practice in North Carolina and New York, as well as the U.S. District Courts for the Middle, Eastern, and Western Districts of North Carolina. He is an active member of several professional organizations, including the American Bankruptcy Institute, Turnaround Management Association, and Hispanic National Bar Association.

Hector will practice in the areas of business insolvency, commercial bankruptcy, and litigation from the firm’s Winston-Salem office.

About Waldrep Wall Babcock & Bailey PLLC

Waldrep Wall Babcock & Bailey PLLC is a leading law firm specializing in business insolvency, commercial bankruptcy, and litigation matters. With offices in Winston-Salem and Raleigh, North Carolina, the firm provides comprehensive legal services to businesses and individuals throughout the state.