The law firm of Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein LLP announced today that Aretha V. Blake has joined the Firm as a Special Counsel in its Litigation Department.  Ms. Blake is returning to Parker Poe from Baker & Blake LLP, where she was a founding partner and attorney to commercial and not-for-profit institutions.

Ms. Blake will practice primarily in the area of commercial litigation.  Her particular focus will be on business torts, representing clients in disputes involving unfair trade practices, unfair competition, misappropriation of trade secrets, trademark infringement and other commercial disputes.

Licensed in both North and South Carolina, Ms. Blake will be based in Charlotte, where she will continue to serve on the Board of Directors for the Mecklenburg County Bar, the H.L. McCrory Family YMCA and the Council for Children's Rights.  She will also remain an active member of the Special Committee on Diversity and the Minorities in the Profession Committee of the North Carolina Bar Association.

Ms. Blake received her J.D., cum laude, from the University of Georgia (2002) and her B.S., cum laude, from Florida State University (1999).  Ms. Blake is admitted to practice in the state courts of North Carolina, the federal district courts for the Western, Eastern, and Middle Districts of North Carolina, and the state courts of South Carolina.