Two Van Winkle Law Firm attorneys recognized as Business North Carolina Magazine's 2017 Legal Elite

The Van Winkle Law Firm announced today that attorneys Ryan W. Coffield and Michael M. Thompson have been recognized as Business North Carolina magazine’s 2017 Legal Elite. Coffield was honored in the “Young Guns” category and Thompson was honored in the “Real Estate” category. 

Coffield is a member of The Van Winkle Law Firm’s Business Practice, where he works with small and mid-size businesses on all phases of corporate life, including entity choice, formation, ongoing operations, reorganizations and owner transition strategies. Coffield’s expertise in the areas of corporate and nonprofit taxation allows him to provide a valuable, unique perspective on his clients’ legal issues. 

Thompson is a principal with The Van Winkle Law Firm, where he focuses his practice on commercial and residential real estate transactions in Henderson, Buncombe, Polk and Transylvania counties. Since joining the firm in 1989, he has represented local, regional and national developers in the procurement, planning and implementation of commercial and high-end residential projects. 

 “On behalf of the firm, I would like to congratulate Ryan and Michael on this significant accomplishment,” said Caroline Knox, president of The Van Winkle Law Firm. “The fact that they were selected for this honor by their peers throughout the state highlights their commitment to excellence in the legal profession. We are proud to have them on our team.” 

Since 2002, Business North Carolina magazine has honored Tar Heel lawyers by publishing Business North Carolina’s Legal Elite, a listing of the state’s top lawyers in business-related categories. Winners are chosen not by BNC editors, but by the state’s lawyers. Business North Carolina’s Legal Elite has become the model for other awards and lists, but it remains unique as the only award that gives every active lawyer in the state the opportunity to participate. Business North Carolina’s Legal Elite includes the top lawyers chosen using this statewide ballot. 

Each year, Business North Carolina magazine sends ballot notices to every member of the N.C. State Bar living in North Carolina asking each a simple question: Of the Tar Heel lawyers whose work you have observed firsthand, whom would you rate among the current best in these categories? Voters are not allowed to vote for themselves. They may select members of their firms only if they pick out-of-firm lawyers in the same categories, with the latter votes weighted more heavily. The top vote-getter in each category becomes a member of Business North Carolina’s Legal Elite Hall of Fame and is ineligible to win again.