With deep sadness we share the news that our longtime partner, colleague, and friend Randy Avram in our Raleigh office passed away on January 14, 2021 after a long illness. For over 17 years, Randy contributed greatly to the success of our firm. He was the Team Leader or Co-Team Leader of our outstanding Labor & Employment Team for many years. His success as a lawyer was well-known—he was regional or national counsel for numerous Fortune 100 companies throughout his career. Randy earned just about every top legal accolade a lawyer could achieve including being annually recognized by Chambers and Best Lawyers (he was twice named Best Lawyers “Raleigh Lawyer of the Year”) and was a go-to resource for media and thought-leaders throughout the country.

Some of us got to know Randy as a young summer associate in the mid-80’s in Atlanta. While he didn’t join the firm after attending Wake Forest Law School, Randy did come on board in 2003 to “rectify this early mistake” as some of his colleagues and friends would say. Many of you got to see firsthand his legal acumen and experience his big and loving heart. The community also benefited from Randy’s generous spirt where he was on the Board of Directors of the Triangle Area Red Cross, a member of the American Bar Association Committee on the Development of the Law under the National Labor Relations Act, and a member of North Carolina Bar Association, Labor and Employment Section Governing Council. Among many other things, we will miss his quick laugh, affectionate smile, and great stories.