Williams Mullen represents clients on the development, construction and operation of utility-scale and distributed generation (DG) solar projects, solar + storage projects and standalone energy storage systems throughout the U.S. Our Solar and Energy Storage team assists developers, investors and other clients in practically all aspects of solar and energy storage project development, including real estate, land use, energy (regulation, interconnection and power sales), financing, tax, environmental, construction and corporate law. Through our team’s understanding of the legal, financial and other aspects of solar, solar + storage and standalone storage projects, our ultimate goal is to assist clients in expediting project delivery, mitigating risk and maximizing return.
Williams Mullen represents clients on the development, construction and operation of utility-scale and distributed generation (DG) solar projects, solar + storage projects and standalone energy storage systems throughout the U.S.
Our Solar and Energy Storage team assists developers, investors and other clients in practically all aspects of solar and energy storage project development, including real estate, land use, energy (regulation, interconnection and power sales), financing, tax, environmental, construction and corporate law. Through our team’s understanding of the legal, financial and other aspects of solar, solar + storage and standalone storage projects, our ultimate goal is to assist clients in expediting project delivery, mitigating risk and maximizing return.
We offer clients a full-service team to assist with taking a project from development to commercial operation, and all aspects in between. Our comprehensive team of attorneys includes members of the firm’s Real Estate, Land Use, Energy, Construction, Government Relations, Environmental, Tax, and Corporate practice groups. Whatever type of solar or storage project you are developing, our team can add value to your project by identifying potential legal issues and risk and offering practical results-oriented solutions.
REAL ESTATE & LAND USE
- Real estate contracting, including options to purchase or lease, easements, leases and property acquisitions
- Land use, siting and permitting approvals and permits
ENVIRONMENTAL
- Environmental compliance, auditing and counseling
- Permitting and enforcement
- Environmental impact reviews
GOVERNMENT RELATIONS
- State and Local – Virginia and North Carolina
PROJECT FINANCING
- Equity funding, senior debt and mezzanine financing
- Non-recourse project financing
ENERGY REGULATION
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Federal and state energy regulatory compliance and approvals
- Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN)
- Permit-by-Rule (PBR)
- Qualifying Facility (QF) certification
- Regional Transmission Organization (RTO) regulations
TAXES & INCENTIVES
- Counseling and structuring of federal and state incentives
- Tax rebates, credits and other incentives, including Investment Tax Credit
- Local property tax assessments, exemptions and credits
PROJECT ACQUISITION & SALE (M&A)
- Due Diligence
- Term Sheets/Letters of Intent
- Asset Purchase Agreements (APAs)
- Membership Interest Purchase Agreements (MIPAs)
PROJECT DEVELOPMENT & CONSTRUCTION
- Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) Agreements
- Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs)
- Interconnection requirements and agreements
- Operation and Maintenance (O&M) Agreements
- Construction contracts and disputes
Our Solar Energy team has represented clients on more than 5 GW of solar development projects throughout the U.S. Representative matters include:
- Virginia Clean Economy Act (VCEA). Advised clients on the Virginia Clean Economy Act (VCEA) and new solar laws in Virginia, including implementation of the shared (community) solar program, energy storage, mandatory renewable portfolio standard (RPS), and Dominion and Appalachian Power renewable energy and energy storage targets and request for proposals.
- Land Use. Represented developers on land use and zoning matters involving utility-scale solar projects, including drafting and negotiating solar siting agreements with host localities.
- Real Estate. Represented developers and landowners on solar options, leases and property purchases in MD, NC, SC, TX and VA.
- Purchase/Sale. Represented developers on the purchase and sale of over 45 solar projects located in GA, IL, NC, TX and VA.
- Interconnection. Represented developers on interconnection issues, including PJM New Services Queue and utility issues.
- EPC Construction. Represented developers on the negotiation of EPC agreements for construction of over 45 solar projects.
- Government Relations. Represented developers and solar industry associations on legislative and local government relations matters in Virginia and North Carolina.
- Regulatory. Represented developers on state and federal energy regulatory issues, including matters pertaining to FERC, Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC), North Carolina Utilities Commission (NCUC) and South Carolina Public Service Commission (SCPSC).
- State and Local Tax. Represented developers on Virginia and North Carolina state and local property tax and other tax issues.
- Incentives/Grants. Advised developers on state tax incentives and grant programs.
News
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03.21.2023
Virginia SCC Issues Order Establishing Working Groups and Rulemaking to Address DER Interconnection Issues
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08.18.2022
Summary of Key Renewable Energy Provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022
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06.14.2022
President Biden Announces 2-Year Suspension of Anti-Dumping Duties on Certain Solar Panels
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06.02.2022
Virginia SCC Opens Proceeding and Seeks Comments on Distributed Energy Resource Interconnection Issues
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05.10.2022
Chris McDonald Quoted in Virginia Mercury Article on Solar Projects
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04.21.2022
Chris McDonald Quoted in Cardinal News Solar Article
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04.18.2022
Speaker Pollard Quoted in NewsBreak Solar Panel Article
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04.18.2022
Virginia DEQ Issues Implementation Framework for its Recent Stormwater Memorandum for Solar Projects
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03.31.2022
Virginia DEQ Issues More Stringent Stormwater Management Policy for Solar Projects
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11.03.2021
Virginia DEQ Issues Proposed Small Energy Storage Facilities Permit by Rule (PBR) Regulations for Comment
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10.28.2021
Williams Mullen Assists 174 Power Global in Securing Virginia’s First Battery Energy Storage System Permits From the SCC
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10.01.2021
Williams Mullen Partner Alyssa Carducci Dangler to Serve as CREW Network President-Elect for 2022
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01.25.2021
Virginia State Corporation Commission Approves Energy Storage Regulations
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12.28.2020
Virginia SCC Adopts Shared Solar Regulations and Establishes Shared Solar Program
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09.22.2020
Virginia SCC Issues Proposed Shared Solar Regulations for Comment
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09.18.2020
Virginia SCC Issues Proposed Energy Storage Regulations for Comment
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09.15.2020
Recent Virginia Land Use Laws Provide New Tools for Solar Developers
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08.19.2020
Virginia State Corporation Commission Adopts Revised Regulations Governing Interconnection of Small Electrical Generators and Storage
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07.02.2020
Virginia SCC establishes Shared Solar Program Regulatory Proceeding
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07.02.2020
Virginia SCC establishes Energy Storage Regulatory Proceeding pursuant to the Virginia Clean Economy Act
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06.24.2020
Nowak Re-Elected to MDV-SEIA Board of Directors
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05.08.2020
Virginia State Corporation Commission Authorizes Pre-Registrations for Third Party Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) Pilot Program Capacity
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05.04.2020
Dominion Issues RFP for Up to 1,000 MW of Solar, Onshore Wind Generation and Energy Storage Projects in Virginia
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04.23.2020
Back to Business: Land Use Matters & Public Hearings in Virginia - Help is on the Way!
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04.06.2020
Virginia General Assembly Passes the Virginia Clean Economy Act (VCEA) and Several Other Important Renewable Energy Bills
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01.28.2020
Appalachian Power Issues RFP for Up to 200 MW of Solar in Virginia
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07.18.2019
Bob Perrow and John Walker Discuss Virginia's Municipal Net Metering Pilot Program
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06.17.2019
Virginia Seeks Comments on Solar PBR Regulations
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04.19.2019
7 Williams Mullen Attorneys Named to 2019 Washington D.C. Super Lawyers List; 2 Named 2019 Rising Stars
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02.22.2019
Williams Mullen Strengthens Real Estate Practice with Addition of Steve Romine in Hampton Roads
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01.24.2019
Virginia SCC Opens Rulemaking on Revisions to Interconnection Regulations of Small Electrical Generators
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01.14.2019
Valerie Long Named to Inaugural Class of ‘Influential Women of Law’ by Virginia Lawyers Weekly
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11.16.2018
Appalachian Power issues RFP for Up to 200 MW of Solar in Virginia
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11.05.2018
Virginia State Corporation Commission Approves Prudency Determination for 80 MW Solar Power Purchase Agreement
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10.24.2018
Dominion Issues RFP for Up to 500 MW of Solar and Onshore Wind Generation Projects in Virginia
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10.15.2018
Virginia Releases 2018 Energy Plan
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09.05.2018
C-VILLE: Valerie Long helps shape the city’s landscape
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08.29.2018
Preston Lloyd Named to 2018 Class of Up & Coming Lawyers by Virginia Lawyers Weekly
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08.13.2018
N.C. Utilities Commission Extends Tranche 1 CPRE RFP Deadline; Schedules Interconnection Standard Hearing
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08.09.2018
Brad Nowak Elected to MDV-SEIA Board of Directors
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06.28.2018
North Carolina Utilities Commission Approves Duke Energy’s Pro Forma PPA for Tranche 1 CPRE RFP Solicitation
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05.02.2018
Virginia State Corporation Commission Concludes Competitive Service Provider (CSP) May Not Provide Partial Service to Retail Customers
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04.18.2018
Duke Energy CPRE Program – Tranche 1 RFP Solicitation Update
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02.28.2018
Duke Energy’s CPRE Program Approved (with Modifications) for First Solicitation under H.B. 589
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05.23.2017
Virginia Governor McAuliffe signs 11 Bills Promoting Solar and Renewable
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01.31.2017
Business & Corporate Partner Bradley J. Nowak Rejoins Williams Mullen
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12.15.2016
Solar Energy Continues to Shine in South Carolina
Events
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06.06.2023
Renewable Energy Webinar Series: Site Control Issues and Real Estate Diligence for Renewable Energy Projects
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05.03.2023
Renewable Energy Webinar Series: Environmental Considerations When Siting and Permitting Renewable Energy Projects
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04.27.2023
Renewable Energy Webinar Series: Permit by Rule (PBR) Process for Solar and Energy Storage Projects in Virginia
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04.13.2023
Renewable Energy Webinar Series: Virginia Land Use and Solar Permitting Considerations
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03.29.2023
Renewable Energy Webinar Series: 2023 Virginia Energy Legislative Update
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06.02.2022
Solar Webinar: Overview of Siting Agreements and Land Use Considerations for Solar and Energy Storage Projects in Virginia
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05.19.2022
Energy Storage Permitting and Permit By Rule (PBR) Regulations in Virginia
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05.05.2022
Virginia Solar & Energy Storage Tax and Revenue Share Overview
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04.26.2022
Virginia Solar Summit 2022
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04.14.2022
Solar Webinar: Environmental Considerations When Acquiring or Permitting Utility-Scale Solar Projects in Virginia
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03.31.2022
Virginia Solar & Energy Storage 2022 Legislative Update
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10.18.2021
Williams Mullen Sponsors Virginia Clean Energy Summit 2021
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04.28.2021
Overview of Virginia's Energy Storage Regulations
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03.31.2021
Virginia Solar & Energy Storage 2021 Legislative Update
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03.19.2021
Sunny Days and Fair Winds for Renewable Energy in Virginia, presented by VBA
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11.17.2020
Solar Focus 2020: Breaking Ground
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10.20.2020
Virginia Clean Energy Summit 2020
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04.01.2020
Webinar: Virginia Clean Economy Act - Blockbuster General Assembly Session
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01.29.2020
Solar Webinar: Real Estate Trends and Issues in Solar Leasing and Property Purchase
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11.20.2019
Solar Focus 2019 - Sparking Local Action
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10.30.2019
Webinar: Solar M&A - Key Trends and Issues when Buying & Selling Solar Projects
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09.17.2019
Virginia Clean Energy Summit
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05.29.2019
Solar Power Southeast 2019
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04.30.2019
Webinar: Land Use and Permitting Utility Scale Solar Projects in Virginia
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03.28.2019
Webinar: Virginia Solar 2019 Legislative Update
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10.30.2018
Solar Focus - 2018
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08.01.2018
Webinar: Permit By Rule (PBR) Process for Solar and Wind Projects in Virginia
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Charles B. Alvis
Associate- Phone:434.951.5725
- Email:Email
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Wyatt M. Booth
Partner- Phone:919.981.4031
- Email:Email
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Brian Cashmere
Partner- Phone:703.760.5232
- Email:Email
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Elizabeth S. Chapman
Partner- Phone:757.629.2064
- Email:Email
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Jenny H. Connors
Partner- Phone:804.420.6582
- Email:Email
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Alyssa Carducci Dangler
Partner- Phone:757.629.0631
- Email:Email
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Jonathan A. Frank
Partner- Phone:804.420.6911
- Email:Email
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Philip H. Goodpasture
Partner- Phone:804.420.6904
- Email:Email
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Andrea J. Harlow
Partner- Phone:804.420.6902
- Email:Email
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Thomas H. "Tom" Johnson, Jr.
Partner- Phone:919.981.4006
- Email:Email
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Robert Charles Lawson
Partner- Phone:919.981.4072
- Email:Email
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Valerie Wagner Long
Partner- Phone:434.951.5709
- Email:Email
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Channing J. Martin
Partner- Phone:804.420.6422
- Email:Email
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Richard T. Matthews
Partner- Phone:919.981.4070
- Email:Email
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Christopher J. McDonald
Director of Government Relations- Phone:804.420.6371
- Email:Email
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Jennifer A. Morgan
Partner- Phone:919.981.4051
- Email:Email
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Megan Nedostup, AICP
Senior Land Use Planner*- Phone:434.951.5723
- Email:Email
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R. Joseph Noble
Partner- Phone:804.420.6928
- Email:Email
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Bradley J. Nowak
Partner- Phone:202.293.8143
- Email:Email
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Grady A. Palmer
Partner- Phone:757.629.0606
- Email:Email
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Cari Lyn B. Pierce
Partner- Phone:703.760.5224
- Email:Email
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Henry R. "Speaker" Pollard, V
Partner- Phone:804.420.6537
- Email:Email
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Robert F. Riley
Partner- Phone:202.293.8121
- Email:Email
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Stephen R. Romine
Partner- Phone:757.473.5301
- Email:Email
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Tyler J. Rosá
Senior Associate- Phone:757.282.5052
- Email:Email
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Lori H. Schweller
Partner- Phone:434.951.5728
- Email:Email
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Ken Shevlin
Partner- Phone:434.951.5719
- Email:Email
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Aaron G. Spencer
Partner- Phone:919.981.4032
- Email:Email
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Sean M. Sullivan
Partner- Phone:919.981.4312
- Email:Email
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Garland S. Taylor
Partner- Phone:804.420.6396
- Email:Email
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Liz Williamson
Partner- Phone:804.420.6050
- Email:Email
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Kyle H. Wingfield
Partner- Phone:804.420.6445
- Email:Email
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Richard A. Zechini
Partner- Phone:919.981.4074
- Email:Email