Lou Bissette named in 2013 Best Lawyers in America publication

McGuire, Wood & Bissette, P.A. president W. Louis Bissette, Jr. has been selected for inclusion in the 2013 The Best Lawyers in America, 19^th edition. Selection for the annual Best Lawyers in America publication is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey comprised of more than 4 million confidential evaluations by the top attorneys in the country. Because no fee or purchase is required to be selected for the publication, it is considered a singular honor to be selected. Bissette has been selected for inclusion in the publication based on his work in the practice areas of Administrative/Regulatory Law, Commercial Litigation and Land Use & Zoning Law. Each year’s Best Lawyers in America publication is published in almost 70 countries worldwide.

Having practiced with McGuire, Wood & Bissette, P.A. since 1976, Bissette has been president of the firm since 1999.  He possesses broad experience in many areas of business and real estate development, as well as mergers, acquisitions and wealth creation. In 2011, Bissette achieved certification as a North Carolina Dispute Resolution Commission Certified Superior Court Mediator.

Bissette’s extensive civic and community service includes a term as mayor of the City of Asheville from 1985-1989. He has also served as the President and Chairman of the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce, Chairman of the I-26 Corridor Association, the N.C. Arboretum Society and of the Grove Arcade Public Market Foundation, and as Vice Chairman of the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation. He is a member of the UNC Board of Governors and the Wake Forest University Board of Trustees, and is a past member of the Western Carolina University Board of Trustees. Bissette serves as Chairman of Forest Commercial Bank Board of Directors and Western Carolina Industries, Inc. and as Vice Chairman for Sisters of Mercy Services Corporation. He is a Member of the Board of Directors of the Blue Ridge Sustainability Institute and the Asheville Merchants Corporation, and is a former Board Member of the Buncombe County Economic Development Commission.