Released on: January 7, 2008, 8:48 am

Press Release Author: MIke Gauss / Helms Mulliss & Wicker PLLC

Industry: Law

Press Release Summary: Receive Peer-Nominated Recognition from Business North
Carolina in Four Practice Areas

Press Release Body: CHARLOTTE, N.C. (January 7, 2007)- Peter J. Covington, chairman
and managing member of Helms Mulliss & Wicker, PLLC, (HMW) a law firm specializing
in litigation, finance and corporate law, announces today ten members of the firm
have been named Legal Elite by Business North Carolina.

Earlier this year, Business North Carolina asked 18,500 members of the North
Carolina Bar Association to nominate the best lawyers in fourteen practice
specialties. This year, 635 (slightly more than three percent) of State Bar members
earned Legal Elite recognition. All recipients will be profiled in the January 2008
issue.

HMW attorneys named to the 2008 "Legal Elite" include:
. E. Osborne Ayscue, Jr., Charlotte office - Litigation
. Peter J. Covington, Charlotte office - Litigation
. Larry J. Dagenhart, Charlotte office - Business
. Douglas W. Ey, Jr., Charlotte office - Litigation
. David Huffine, Wilmington office - Real Estate
. Henry L. Kitchin, Jr., Wilmington office - Young Guns
. Robert H. Pryor, Charlotte office - Bankruptcy
. Robert W. Simmons, Charlotte office - Real Estate
. Aaron G. Spencer, Raleigh office - Business
. Scott P. Vaughn, Charlotte office - Bankruptcy
"It is always an honor to have members of our firm receive peer-nominated
recognition," said Covington. "Being named a 'Legal Elite' is especially gratifying,
as those you practice with everyday are the ones who cast the votes. At HMW, we see
this recognition as a strong affirmation of our continuing efforts to provide
excellence to our clients and our communities."

For more information on HMW and its legal professionals, visit www.hmw.com.

About Helms Mulliss & Wicker:
HMW is recognized as one of America's Best Law Firms by Corporate Board Member
magazine, ranked as a Top Ten Bond Counsel by The Bond Buyer, ranked Highly
Recommended in Benchmark :Litigation, The Definitive Guide to America's Leading
Litigation Firms and Attorneys and is named a Go-To Law Firm by Corporate Counsel
magazine. The firm is comprised of 145 lawyers, 20 who are designated Super Lawyers
in the 2007 North Carolina Super Lawyers magazine and 23 who are recognized as Best
Lawyers in America. HMW focuses on three practice areas: commercial litigation,
complex finance and corporate law. Within these practices, specialty areas include:
government relations, securities, mergers & acquisitions, employer services, private
equity and others. The firm represents Fortune 100 companies and the nation's
largest financial institutions as well as many high-growth and start-up companies.
Helms Mulliss & Wicker maintains offices in Charlotte, Raleigh and Wilmington, NC.
For additional information, visit www.hmw.com.

About Business North Carolina:
Business North Carolina is a Charlotte-based monthly magazine that focuses on the
people, events and trends that shape business in North Carolina. Since it began
publication in 1981, it has won more than 80 national awards for its writing,
reporting and design. Response to the 2007 balloting was up nearly 20% from 2006,
with more than 2,500 lawyers receiving votes. 2001 was the first year of the
published listing.

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Web Site: http://www.hmw.com

Contact Details: 201 North Tryon Street
Charlotte, NC 28202
704-343-2000
mike@articulon.com