The law firm of Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein LLP is pleased to announce that Michael A. Almond has joined the firm as Counsel in its Charlotte office. Mr. Almond joins Parker Poe after serving as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Charlotte Regional Partnership since 1999. The Charlotte Regional Partnership is a non-profit, public/private consortium that supports the economic development of 16 counties in North and South Carolina that constitute the Charlotte region.
Prior to joining the Charlotte Regional Partnership, Mr. Almond was a Partner with Parker Poe from 1984 to 1999. Mr. Almond led the firm’s international business practice during that time. Mr. Almond will focus his practice in the areas of economic development and international business, particularly assisting United States and foreign corporations and individuals with the legal aspects of both inbound and outbound transactions and investments.
“We are delighted that Mike is joining the firm as Counsel. Mike has been a strong force in economic development for Charlotte and the state of North Carolina and is a preeminent international lawyer. He will prove to be a valuable resource for our clients,” said Parker Poe’s Managing Partner, William P. Farthing, Jr.
“While at the Charlotte Regional Partnership, I maintained close relationships with many of my friends and colleagues at Parker Poe. I am looking forward to working with them again,” said Mr. Almond.
Mr. Almond received his J.D., with honors, from the University of North Carolina School of Law (1975) and his B.A., with highest honors, from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (1971). While at Chapel Hill, Mr. Almond was a Morehead Scholar (undergraduate), Morehead Fellow (law school) and a Fulbright Fellow (University of Mannheim, Germany). Mr. Almond is admitted to the North Carolina Bar.
Mr. Almond was recently awarded the Knight’s Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany (“Bundesverdienstkreuz”) by the President of the Federal Republic of Germany for “outstanding commitment in fostering the relations between the United States and the Federal Republic of Germany.” This award, the highest award bestowed upon individuals by the German government, was presented to Mr. Almond in Charlotte by the German Consul General in April 2005. Mr. Almond ranked #15 among “The Power 50” by Charlotte Magazine in March 2004.
In addition to his responsibilities at Parker Poe, Mr. Almond also serves as Special Assistant to the Chancellor for Economic Development at Appalachian State University in Boone, NC, and was recently named a member of the Senior Advisory Board of Deutsche Bank's Private Wealth Management/German-American Business unit in New York.
Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein LLP currently has more than 170 lawyers, with five offices in the Carolinas. Parker Poe has North Carolina offices in Charlotte and Raleigh and South Carolina offices in Charleston, Columbia and Spartanburg. The firm provides a complete range of legal services and has extensive experience in antitrust and business torts, banking and finance, bankruptcy, reorganization and creditors’ rights, commercial litigation, corporate and commercial law, employee benefits, employment, environmental, government, health care, international, mergers and acquisitions, public finance, real estate and commercial development, securities, tax and torts, trial and insurance. www.parkerpoe.com.