Home to the Winston-Salem Journal and former Sentinel newspapers, our new location puts us in the heart of the innovation and energy in our community. Read all about how the move allows our firm to continue to be a source for information, expertise and personalized attention by clicking here.
We look forward to serving you from this historic location.
As one of North Carolina’s leading law firms in the Renewable Energy space, we couldn’t be more excited to announce the results of RTI International’s recent report concerning North Carolina clean energy project development.
According to the NC Sustainable Energy Association (NCSEA),
“RTI International conducted the report to identify associated economic impacts of clean energy development (renewable energy and energy efficiency) in North Carolina and identified that, from 2007-2020, the total economic impact from clean energy and energy efficiency project development in the state was $40.3 billion, with 17 percent of the cumulative clean energy investment over the last 14 years occurring in 2019 and 2020.”
In 2020 alone, there was an impressive $1.6 Billion dollar investment in renewable energy, up from just $26.2 Million in 2007. In addition, “several of North Carolina’s most economically-challenged counties, including Duplin, Robeson, and Halifax Counties, received the greatest amount of clean energy investment from 2007-2020,” the NCSEA website states.
Click here to view the full report and other important information.
Blanco Tackabery’s Renewable Energy Practice Group is a leader in NC and throughout the Southeast. Our experienced team has assisted in the development and financing of over a gigawatt of solar farms nationwide, including North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Oregon, Minnesota, Maryland, Rhode Island and Illinois. We advise clients on every stage of renewable energy project development, from project concept through placement in service, and beyond.
Blanco Tackabery will relocate from their current offices on S. Stratford Road to SENTINELCOMMONS in downtown Winston-Salem mid-Summer of 2021. SENTINELCOMMONS is the redevelopment of the former Winston-Salem Journal property bounded by Marshall, Fifth and Spruce Streets. LAMBERT Architecture + Interiors also a tenant in this space is the designer for the overall redevelopment project and Blanco Tackabery’s new offices. The new offices are currently under construction by Frank L. Blum Construction and are coming along nicely.
SENTINELCOMMONS is unique in its history and layout. Built for the Winston-Salem Journal as their headquarters and printing / distribution operations, the 1927 original building will serve as Blanco’s main entrance. The oldest portion was completed in 1927 and won the NC Chapter of the American Institute of Architects “Building of the Year” award that same year. Designed by architect Harold Macklin, the exterior was modeled on Independence Hall in Philadelphia. Despite the c. 1700’s historic styling, the structure was fully modern for the day with a concrete-clad steel frame and a sprinkler system forming a “fireproof” building. The complex had a significant expansion in 1958 in the mid-Century modern style and a final expansion in 1982 that extended all the way to Fifth Street.
Blanco Tackabery’s entrance and reception lobby will occupy the ground floor of the historic 1927 building at 404 N. Marshall Street. The space features the original paneled wainscot and 13 foot tall arched windows. Three conference rooms convenient for client meetings will be located off the lobby and the majority of the attorneys’ and legal staff offices will be located on the 2nd floor. See the pictures below for how the office space is progressing.
Blanco Tackabery is pleased to announce that Peter J. Juran has been confirmed by the North Carolina state legislature for appointment to the University of North Carolina School of the Arts’ board of trustees. Peter’s service to UNCSA as a Trustee will continue his active support of the university, one of the premier arts schools in the world. Peter has served on the school’s Foundation Board of Directors for the last six years, including serving as Board President in 2019.
The Board of Trustees advises the Chancellor on the management and development of UNCSA, helps the School serve the people of the State of North Carolina, and assists the School in performing at a high level of excellence. The Board also serves as adviser to the UNC Board of Governors.
The University of North Carolina School of the Arts Board of Trustees is composed of 19 distinguished citizens, with eight members elected by the UNC Board of Governors and four appointed by the State Legislature. The membership also includes the CEO of the North Carolina Symphony, the Secretary of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, the President of the UNCSA Student Government Association, an Alumni Representative, one emeritus member, and liaisons from UNCSA’s Foundation Board and Board of Visitors.
Peter has been an attorney for over 30 years and practices in the areas of civil litigation, employment and construction law. He also serves on the board of directors of Trellis Supportive Care.
Blanco Tackabery has a long-standing commitment to performing pro bono legal work each year, 2020 being no exception. In February, we shared that Chad Archer had been recognized by the NC Bar for his pro bono contribution. Today, we are pleased to announce that Kelly Otis has been included in the 2020 North Carolina Pro Bono Honor Society. She has been recognized for her “substantial and valuable legal contribution” by providing more than 50 hours of pro bono legal services to North Carolinians last year.
“Each member of this year’s cohort of the Honor Society receives a certificate from the Supreme Court of North Carolina in recognition of their valuable contributions to the people of North Carolina,” according to the recent press release by the NC Pro Bono Resource Center. “This group of attorneys provided nearly 55,000 hours of pro bono legal services in 2020 to North Carolinians living in poverty. In all, 1,648 attorneys, or more than 5.5% of active attorneys in North Carolina, shared information about their pro bono volunteerism, together providing more than 67,750 hours of pro bono legal services in 2020.”
Please join us in celebrating and congratulating Kelly in her efforts to provide equal justice to the people of North Carolina through pro bono legal services.
“Project Birthday,” writes Judge Carrie Vickery, who is President of the Forsyth County Bar Association, “provides a birthday gift and a birthday cake to each child in foster care in Forsyth County. Law firms, solo practitioners and judges volunteer to split the months of each year and take responsibility for purchasing a small gift for each child with a birthday that month.”
Blanco Tackabery is pleased to participate in Project Birthday for the month of May 2021. Together, the firm was able to purchase and wrap gifts for 15 children in foster care. Additionally, each child will be given their own birthday cake, courtesy of Lowes Foods.
The initiative was started by Lily Alexander and the Forsyth County Women Attorney’s Association in 2014, and is a wonderful opportunity to impact the lives of children who are currently living in what Vickery righty calls a “stressful and out of the ordinary situation.”
For the past six years, the SECU Family House of Winston-Salem of has presented a unique annual fundraising event featuring men who cook around the Triad. Blanco Tackabery shareholder, Peter Juran, is a regular participant in the fundraiser, and participated this year as well.
Things were a bit different this time around, though. Due to the pandemic, the SECU Family House decided to create a COVID-19 friendly version of the fundraiser.
The Family House offered 12 different dinner experiences to choose from. Here are just four of them:
Family House provides friendship, support, and affordable family-focused accommodations for adult patients and caregivers who have been referred by one of three local organizations – Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, Novant Health Forsyth Medical Center and Hospice and Palliative CareCenter. Family House is a compassionate, comfortable alternative to a hospital waiting room or an expensive hotel for people facing the challenge of out-of-town medical care.
On March 27, 2021, the temporary increase of the Subchapter V debt ceiling to $7.5 million will expire and revert back to the original $2,725,625.00 cap. Subchapter V became effective on February 19, 2020, right as the COVID-19 pandemic was overtaking the United States. On March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”) became law and, among other things, raised the debt ceiling for Subchapter V. With the expanded debt ceiling set to expire, many businesses are about to lose their eligibility at a time when the future is uncertain due to the pandemic.
Subchapter V was designed to provide a streamlined and user-friendly Chapter 11 reorganization process for small businesses that may lack the sophistication and means of those that typically file for Chapter 11. Numerous features help accomplish that goal, including the following: (1) a 90-day deadline for filing a plan; (2) no requirement for a separate disclosure statement and the solicitation of plan acceptances; (3) no requirement that the debtor obtain the acceptance of one impaired class; and (4) a trustee is always appointed to help develop a plan and administer the plan. These features and others make Subchapter V cheaper, faster, and easier to get through for a small business than a traditional Chapter 11.
While Subchapter V provides a number of advantages, filings have been slower than expected even with the expanded debt ceiling. According to data released by Epiq, only 20% of the Chapter 11 cases filed between February 19, 2020 and October 1, 2020 were Subchapter V filings (https://www.epiqglobal.com/en-us/about/news/restructuring-bankruptcy/slow-start-to-chapter-11-subchapter-v-bankruptcy). While filings have been lower than expected, data shows a good chunk of the filed cases have been Subchapter V cases. For instance, data from the District of Delaware indicates that 20% of Subchapter V cases filed between February 19 and October 1, 2020 have debtors with debt between 2.7 and 7.5 million. (https://news.bloomberglaw.com/bankruptcy-law/expiring-debt-cap-to-limit-small-business-bankruptcy-fast-lane).
In addition, data shows that the number of Subchapter V cases filed have gradually increased from May to September of 2020. (https://www.epiqglobal.com/en-us/about/news/restructuring-bankruptcy/slow-start-to-chapter-11-subchapter-v-bankruptcy). In fact, data from Delaware indicates 40 new Subchapter V cases were filed at the end of February 2021, compared to 75 for all of January (https://news.bloomberglaw.com/bankruptcy-law/expiring-debt-cap-to-limit-small-business-bankruptcy-fast-lane).
In total, the data shows that Subchapter V filings are increasing and that the debt ceiling has opened up the streamlined process to a larger number of debtors than would otherwise be eligible. The expiration of the debt ceiling expansion will cut off a great number of businesses from the streamlined process at a time when there may be a greater need for the relief Chapter 11 reorganization can provide. Thankfully, it looks like Congress has seen the need to extend the expansion of the debt ceiling for another year. On March 17, 2021, a bill proposing to extend the debt ceiling for another year passed the in the House (H.R. 1651). While only a few days remain until its expiration, it looks like the expanded debt ceiling is on track to remain in place for another year.
Henry O. Hilston
Henry joined the firm in 2020. He practices in the Business Bankruptcy and Creditor’s Rights practice group as well as the Civil Litigation practice group.
Prominent business law firm Blanco Tackabery will move to downtown Winston-Salem’s SENTINELCOMMMONS in mid-summer of 2021 creating a dynamic boost to the much anticipated redevelopment project. The firm will lease approximately 23,000 SF on the Ground and Second Floors of the complex. SENTINELCOMMONS is the redevelopment of the former Winston-Salem Journal property bounded by Marshall, Fifth and Spruce Streets. The Journal remains a tenant in the complex and has been joined by others including Gemcap Development and Parks Companies. LAMBERT Architecture + Interiors is also a tenant in addition to being the designer for the overall redevelopment project and Blanco Tackabery’s new offices.
George Hollodick, attorney and vice-president of Blanco Tackabery, said “We are very excited about our upcoming move. The move of the firm to downtown will allow for the firm’s growth and enable Blanco Tackabery to continue to play a central role in Winston-Salem’s business community. Over 45 years ago, Don House and David Blanco set out to build a law firm founded on the key principles of trust, exceptional client service and exemplary legal advice. Over the years, our firm has grown, yet we still combine the experience and sophistication of a large firm with a level of personal service that our clients appreciate. This new office space will allow us to expand on that tradition and become even more engaged with our community.” Blanco Tackabery has 26 attorneys including practice groups that cover commercial real estate, civil litigation, estates/trusts, business law, bankruptcy/creditor’s rights, affordable housing and renewable energy development.
Kane Wilkerson, the building manager and project developer for 418 Marshall Street Properties, said, “We are thrilled to have Blanco Tackabery join SENTINELCOMMONS. Having the firm as a prime tenant represents a tipping point for the redevelopment of the property. We have made incremental progress over the past 4 years with interior infrastructure improvements as well as stunning interior spaces for the other tenants here. This will allow us to turn our focus to key renovations on the exterior of the building. We are in final negotiations with additional tenants and will announce more details within the next few months along with plans for the exterior improvements.”
Stuart McCormick, President of LAMBERT Architecture and Interiors, outlined the design for the law firm’s new office space: “Blanco Tackabery’s entrance and reception lobby will occupy the ground floor of the historic 1927 building at 404 N. Marshall Street. The space features the original paneled wainscot and 13-foot-tall arched windows. Three conference rooms convenient for client meetings will be located off the lobby and the majority of the attorney and legal staff offices will be located on the 2nd floor of the building complex. All offices will incorporate glass fronts allowing natural light to permeate the interior.”
SENTINELCOMMONS is unique in its history and layout. Built for the Winston-Salem Journal as their headquarters and printing / distribution operations, The oldest portion was completed in 1927 and won the NC Chapter of the American Institute of Architects “Building of the Year” award that same year. Designed by architect Harold Macklin, the exterior was modeled on Independence Hall in Philadelphia. Despite the c. 1700’s historic styling, the structure was fully modern for the day with a concrete-clad steel frame and a sprinkler system forming a “fireproof” building. The complex had a significant expansion in 1958 in the mid-Century modern style and a final expansion in 1982 that extended all the way to Fifth Street.
Frank L. Blum Construction continues as construction manager for the redevelopment of the complex. Jeff Andrews of Commercial Realty Advisors represented Blanco Tackabery in the transaction. Nick Gonzalez of Linville Team Partners represented the building owners.
Contact:
Mike Reed, Marketing Manager
Email: mgr@blancolaw.com
Blanco Tackabery, Attorneys and Counselors at Law
Blanco Tackabery is proud to, once again, participate in the North Carolina Legal Feeding Frenzy, a food and fund drive competition among all North Carolina law firms to assist North Carolina’s Feeding America Food Banks.
According to a COVID-19 Food Bank Impact report released by Feeding the Carolinas, there is a dramatic and immediate need to support our local food banks:
They have also seen food shortages and reduced lead times on providing food to those who need it:
The report indicates that there is a lack of volunteers due to sheltering at home:
Finally, the report reveals that “on average, 30-40% Partner Agencies shut their doors during the pandemic; in some areas, Food Banks lost three-quarters of their distribution network.”
For the above reasons and more, Blanco Tackabery feels more compelled than ever to do our part in providing the items these food banks need to be effective.
The Legal Feeding Frenzy is a friendly competition for a very worthwhile organization that helps a large number of families in our city and it is a great way for us to share with our community.
Blanco Tackabery is pleased to announce that James F. Goodwin has been named shareholder at the firm effective January 1, 2021. James focuses his practice on representing clients in the development and operation of affordable housing projects financed with low income housing tax credits. He assists for-profit and non-profit clients in obtaining multifamily project financing from federal and federally assisted sources, including HUD-insured loans and loan modifications, the HOME Investment Partnerships program, and multifamily loan programs administered by USDA-Rural Development and the Federal Home Loan Bank.
He also advises multifamily property managers on a range of topics, including reasonable accommodation and modification requests, assistance animals, and other Fair Housing Act issues. He is dedicated to helping clients keep their properties in compliance with HUD regulations and requirements imposed by state housing finance agencies.
Blanco Tackabery is proud to sponsor the 11th Annual Kentucky Derby Party hosted by Trellis Supportive Care Foundation Leadership Council on Saturday, May 6, at The Atrium Biotech Place.
This annual event serves as a fundraiser to support the mission of Trellis Supportive Care, which shares a passion for community involvement and philanthropy, and a strong drive to positively impact end of life care in our community.
11th Annual Kentucky Derby Party
Trellis Supportive Care Foundation Leadership Council
The Atrium At Wake Forest Biotech Place
May 6, 2023 | 5-7pm
To learn more and to purchase tickets, visit: https://trellisderbyparty.org/
