Located in the Triangle area of North Carolina, Raleigh consistently ranks among the nation’s fastest-growing metropolitan areas. In the last 20 years, new industries such as life sciences, finance and technology have grown, while deeply-rooted business sectors such as manufacturing, government services and higher education remain vital. Womble Bond Dickinson has grown with the Triangle. From our four-attorney office in 1982, Womble’s Raleigh office now features nearly 60 attorneys in the following practice areas: Public Finance—Our attorneys have acted as bond counsel on hundreds of state and local bond issues used to build new schools, pave roads and construct airports and hospitals, among other purposes. We also represent financial institutions in the public finance area. Product Liability—Womble offers a product liability litigation strategy forged in science. Our team brings both the scientific experience and legal experience needed to win tough product liability cases. Our practice includes product liability litigation, including large-scale class action suits; appellate work all the way up to the U.S. Supreme Court; and international product liability defense. Government Relations— Burley Mitchell, former Chief Justice of the N.C. Supreme Court and Womble Solutions team leader David Powers, as well as the firm's lobbyists, assist clients in any interaction with state and local government bodies in North Carolina. Real Estate Development—The Raleigh area consistently ranks among the nation’s five fastest-growing markets. Even during the economic slowdown, the region continued to grow. Our team has been at the forefront of helping companies and local municipalities plan this growth. Two emerging areas of our practice are land use/zoning and green development, as companies seek to reduce their impact on the environment. Intellectual Property—In today’s global economy, defending trade secrets is more difficult than ever. Womble’s team has both the legal knowledge and technological acumen to protect and leverage your patents, copyrights and trade secrets. Business Litigation—Business litigation, including antitrust, is at the heart of Womble’s 130-year practice. In addition to the top-notch litigators, we also offer Superior Value Services to support your litigation, which can provide greater value and more favorable outcomes. Capital Markets—In good economic times and bad, we help financial institutions, institutional investors and other corporate clients make smart deals. In addition, we represent governmental bodies in incentives and public financing matters. Labor and Employment—Our goal is to help businesses navigate the complex array of employment laws and avoid trouble. Should a problem arise, we have a proven track record of experience in employment litigation. Womble’s Raleigh office includes several community leaders and the office's attorney and staff support a wide range of community efforts, including Habitat for Humanity, the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina and the United Way.