News
Chambers & Partners Recognizes Wyrick Robbins with 12 Rankings Across Five Practice Areas in 2026 Guide
In its 2026 edition, Chambers USA, a leading authority in the evaluation of law firms and attorneys, recognizes Wyrick Robbins across four practice areas: Commercial Litigation, Corporate/M&A, Healthcare, and Tax. The guide also highlights eight of the firm’s attorneys in their respective practices.
Commercial Litigation Highlights
Chambers USA ranks Wyrick Robbins’ Commercial Litigation practice among the top in North Carolina, recognizing the group’s work across a broad range of business disputes. The team represents corporate clients in matters involving contracts, employment, securities, healthcare, and environmental issues, and regularly appears in state and federal courts as well as in arbitration and other dispute resolution forums. Sources describe the firm as providing “clear advice” on complex issues and note its “highly professional” and responsive approach, with one client adding that the attorneys are “respectful, smart, collaborative, efficient and overall, just great to work with.” Others highlight the team’s “all-around business law knowledge” and consistent ability to deliver “timely, clear and reliable support” across litigation matters.
Corporate/M&A Highlights
Chambers USA ranks Wyrick Robbins’ Corporate/M&A practice among the top in central North Carolina (Raleigh-Greensboro), recognizing the team’s work across a broad range of transactional matters. The group advises clients at every stage of the deal lifecycle, from structuring and due diligence through negotiation, closing, and post-closing matters, with experience spanning mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, and other strategic transactions. The team represents a wide range of clients, including private and public companies, private equity and venture capital firms, founders, and financial institutions, across industries such as life sciences, technology, healthcare, and financial services. Sources highlight the team’s “exceptional” knowledge and experience, noting its “deep subject-matter expertise,” “excellent responsiveness,” and collaborative, client-focused approach. Others describe the attorneys as “experienced” and “thoughtful,” emphasizing their ability to integrate seamlessly with client teams throughout complex transactions.
Healthcare Highlights
Chambers USA ranks Wyrick Robbins’ Healthcare practice among the top in North Carolina, recognizing the team’s work across a wide range of regulatory, transactional, and litigation matters in the healthcare industry. The group represents hospitals, health systems, physician groups, and other healthcare providers and related entities, advising on operational, compliance, and financial issues. The team’s experience includes regulatory counseling, certificate of need (CON) matters, healthcare transactions, and complex disputes, allowing it to support clients across the full spectrum of industry challenges.
Tax Highlights
Chambers USA ranks Wyrick Robbins’ Tax practice among the top in North Carolina, recognizing the group’s work across a wide range of federal, state, and local tax matters. The team advises individuals, businesses, and nonprofit organizations on complex transactional and planning issues, including structuring acquisitions, reorganizations, and investments, as well as developing strategies to address ongoing tax considerations. With experience across a variety of industries and transaction types, the group works closely with clients to deliver practical, business-focused guidance across both transactional and compliance matters.
Notable Individuals
Eight attorneys are recognized in the 2026 guide:
- Tom Cook – Tax
- Chambers recognizes Tom for his work advising clients on the tax aspects of corporate transactions, particularly in state and local tax matters. His work reflects a strong understanding of complex tax issues and a focus on delivering clear, business-oriented guidance.
- Mike DeFrank – Commercial Litigation
- Known for distilling complex issues into clear guidance, Mike is described by clients as “a very impressive lawyer” with “a unique ability to synthesize and simplify a lot of facts and concepts.” Clients also highlight that he is “creative and effective,” as well as “incredibly responsive and reliable.”
- Elizabeth Johnson – Privacy & Data Security
- Chambers recognizes Elizabeth for her work in privacy and data security, where clients describe her as being “at the forefront of the privacy and data security field.” She is noted as “super sharp, incredibly hard working and strategic,” with “deep practical industry expertise.” Sources also highlight her role in managing complex matters, noting that she drives “day-to-day execution with precision, delivering well-organized drafts and coordinating inputs across workstreams.”
- Frank Kirschbaum – Healthcare
- Chambers recognizes Frank for his work advising clients on certificate of need (CON) matters and broader healthcare regulatory issues, including complex regulatory matters, with sources describing him as “strong in his niche.”
- Don Reynolds – Corporate/M&A
- Don is recognized for his work advising startups from seed funding through initial public offering. He is particularly known for his experience with securities offerings and SEC reporting matters, and for providing counsel across all stages of growth.
- Larry Robbins – Corporate/M&A
- Chambers recognizes Larry for his work advising clients on complex corporate and transactional matters. By reputation, he is described as “a leader in the field,” with sources noting that he is “incredibly astute,” able to “read a room,” and quickly get to the core of an issue.
- Sam Slater – Commercial Litigation
- Sam is recognized for his work advising clients in complex litigation matters. Sources highlight that he “provides excellent counsel to navigate tough business issues” and describe him as “an excellent attorney.”
- Lee Whitman – Healthcare, Commercial Litigation
- Sources highlight Lee’s strength in building client relationships and understanding business needs, noting that he is “very good at the relationship side and understanding the needs of the company.” He is also described as “a good, energetic litigator” and “a zealous advocate for his client,” recognized for being “smart, diligent and creative” in his approach to solving client problems.
- Sources highlight Lee’s strength in building client relationships and understanding business needs, noting that he is “very good at the relationship side and understanding the needs of the company.” He is also described as “a good, energetic litigator” and “a zealous advocate for his client,” recognized for being “smart, diligent and creative” in his approach to solving client problems.
About Wyrick Robbins
Wyrick Robbins is a full-service law firm based in Raleigh, NC advising on financial and corporate transactions, commercial litigation, and other legal needs for a diverse range of businesses and private clients. The firm employs a collaborative, entrepreneurial culture with experience and knowledge of the businesses and industries relevant to its clients to serve as a trusted advisor to founders, investors, directors, management, and individuals. Visit our website to learn more about our firm.