Haynes Boone Finance Partner Charlie Harris has assumed the position of Charlotte office managing partner, a role in which he will lead strategic growth initiatives, deepen community engagement and continue building on the strong culture and foundation established by prior office leadership.
“As we continue to grow, we’re focused on bringing in top-tier finance talent while also being thoughtful about expanding into other practice areas,” Harris said. “Welcoming litigator Chelsea Corey is a prime example of how we’re building a well-rounded office that reflects the needs of our clients in the market.”
Charlotte’s rapid rise as both a financial and legal hub presents unique opportunities for the firm and its clients. Long known as a major banking center, the city has evolved into a nationally influential market with deep financial services expertise and a strong pipeline of professional talent. That momentum was on full display at the firm’s second annual Charlotte Finance Symposium, which drew many of the city’s leading banking professionals and highlighted the region’s growing influence. The recent additions of prominent Fund Finance Partners Perry Hicks and Morgan Dennis further reflects this trajectory and underscores the firm’s continued investment in the market.
“Charlotte has become a major player in the national legal and financial landscape,” Harris said. “The city has an extraordinary concentration of human capital, particularly in banking and finance, and that continues to attract businesses and legal talent from across the country. As a national firm with an established presence here, we are well positioned to grow alongside the market.”
Harris, who joined the firm in 2023, succeeds Partner Justin Riess, whose leadership guided the Charlotte office through a period of significant growth, including the move into a new, thoughtfully designed office space in 2024.
“Leading the Charlotte office has been a highlight of my career with the firm, and I’m incredibly proud of the growth we’ve achieved,” said Riess. “Charlie is exactly the right leader to carry that forward, and I’m confident his vision and leadership will further strengthen our presence in the market.”
Riess, meanwhile, has assumed a new role as co-chair of the Haynes Boone Leveraged Finance Group alongside Partner Tim Johnston.
Harris emphasized that his focus in leading the Charlotte office will be on sustaining the momentum Riess created. “Justin established a strong foundation while expanding our engagement in the community and the broader legal market,” he said.
He also highlighted the importance of nurturing the office’s collaborative culture. “The culture here is something special,” Harris said. “We have smart, hardworking lawyers who are excellent at what they do and who genuinely enjoy working together. That collaborative spirit – combined with the fact that our people are simply great colleagues – is something we will continue to nurture as we grow.”
Established in 2019, Haynes Boone’s Charlotte office has grown steadily and now serves clients across a range of practice areas, with a particular strength in advising national and global clients on complex financial transactions.
