Morris James LLP

3205 Avenue North Blvd Wilmington DE 19803
(302) 888-6800

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Vincent Cannizzaro

Vincent J. Cannizzaro III, chairs the firm’s corporate/mergers & acquisitions practice.

He is a seasoned corporate lawyer, focusing on mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance, alternative entity issues, and other organizational matters.

Vincent represents public and private companies, private equity sponsors, and individuals in a variety of complex US and cross-border transactions, including mergers, acquisitions, investments, dispositions, spinoffs, joint ventures, energy infrastructure projects, restructuring, bankruptcy and distressed M&A. Beyond discrete transactions, Vincent provides counsel to international and domestic clients in connection with their ongoing business and operations. Vincent has extensive experience advising on all areas of Delaware corporate and alternative entity law, including corporate governance and fiduciary duties.

Vincent Cannizzaro

Chair, Corporate/M&A

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Albert Carroll

“Being a Delaware litigator means I am fortunate to collaborate with first-rate businesspeople and attorneys from all over the globe, and assist them with an insider view of the Delaware courts and complex Delaware legal matters.”

Albert Carroll

Vice Chair, Corporate & Commercial Litigation

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Sarah Ennis

“Zealous advocacy, efficiency, and creativity define my approach to the practice of law.”

Sarah Ennis

Counsel, Business Disputes

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Shannon Frazier

Shannon Frazier is a member of Morris James’ finance practice. Shannon provides legal advice to, and offers third-party legal opinions regarding, Delaware statutory trusts, common law trusts, limited liability companies (including special purpose entities), series entities, partnerships, and corporations in the areas of formation, operation, and governance.

She also represents banks, trustees, financial institutions, and other fiduciary parties in securitization, private equity, structured finance, and secured transactions, and offers third-party legal opinions in these matters. Shannon has served as counsel to state and national banking institutions, advising them in a wide range of transactions. These include asset-backed securitization, structured finance, project finance, equipment finance, traditional leveraged lease, trust preferred, and cross-border financial transactions,& aircraft transactions.

Shannon Frazier

Partner, Business Transactions

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Jim Gallagher

Jim Gallagher maintains a comprehensive business and tax practice that includes the preparation of wills, trusts, and other estate planning documents.

In his business practice, Jim counsels and advises clients on business formation and management, including the drafting of operating agreements and stockholder agreements. He is experienced in the preparation, review, and negotiation of documents for the purchase and sale of assets or stock or other equity interests, as well as commercial and employment-related contracts. Through the representation of physicians and physician groups, Jim has also developed a thorough understanding of federal and state healthcare regulatory compliance issues, which accentuates his ability to counsel healthcare industry clients on business and tax matters.

Jim Gallagher

Partner, Tax & Estates

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Cortlan Hitch

Cortlan Hitch is an attorney in the firm’s Intellectual Property Litigation Group. He concentrates his practice on patent litigation, trademark litigation, and intellectual property counseling. He frequently represents companies in Hatch-Waxman litigations and other high-profile patent disputes in the District of Delaware.

Corey is a contributor to the ABA’s ANDA Litigation: Strategies and Tactics for Pharmaceutical Patent Litigators, now in its third edition, AIPLA and Bloomberg Law’s Evidence in Patent Cases, the ABA’s Pre-ANDA Litigation: Strategies and Tactics for Developing a Drug Product and Patent Portfolio, and ALFA International’s Business Litigation – Patent Quick Reference Guide. He is also a co-editor of Biosimilars Litigation and Client Counseling.

Cortlan Hitch

Intellectual Property Litigator

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Kimberly Hoffman

Kimberly Hoffman uses her 20+ years of experience to serve as lead counsel in transactional real estate, land use, regulatory and government relations matters.

Her administrative law experience extends to healthcare, energy, environmental, and transportation matters. She is the only Delaware attorney who has been recognized as a Top Lawyer™ by Delaware Today in the areas of transactional real estate, zoning and healthcare law. She has also been recognized as a notable practitioner by Chambers USA since 2007. Kimberly chairs the firm’s land use practice.

Kimberly Hoffman

Chair, Real Estate & Land Use

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Zachary Hudson

Zachary Hudson

Business Development Manager

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Gretchen S. Knight

“I am committed to finding beneficial solutions that meet the needs of my clients through compassionate legal representation. Your family is my priority.”

Gretchen S. Knight

Chair, Family Law

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Chuck Kunz

“I strive to provide practical, efficient, and economical solutions to my clients.”

Chuck Kunz

Partner, Bankruptcy & Restructuring

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Sherry Leary

Sherry Leary

Chief Operating Officer

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Joe Leonard

“Effective eDiscovery is about more than just technology; it’s about understanding the specifics of each case, the nuances of each client’s data system, and how those two pieces align. I am passionate about delivering tailored solutions that align with my clients’ objectives.”

Joe Leonard

eDiscovery Counsel

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Jennifer Lucas-Ross

Jennifer Lucas-Ross's role involves the strategic recruitment, onboarding, and integration of new legal talent. She identifies attorney growth and development opportunities in collaboration with firm and practice group leaders, and creates, implements, and oversees professional development programs for the firm’s attorneys.

Jennifer has more than two decades of management and legal experience. Her prior experience includes roles in higher education, including as a law school Associate Dean of Professional Development and an Adjunct Faculty member and Advisor for paralegal studies students. Jennifer has counseled law students and young attorneys and has presented on topics such as embracing vulnerability in the practice of law, networking, and developing the competencies necessary to practice law. She is licensed to practice law in Florida and previously served as an attorney representing clients on matters of civil rights, contract law, and family law.

Jennifer Lucas-Ross

Director of Attorney Recruiting & Professional Development

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Jim McMackin

Jim McMackin chairs the firm’s employment law and education practices.

He provides comprehensive legal representation to Delaware’s school districts, numerous municipalities, and private employers.

Jim routinely functions as primary counsel in state and federal court and arbitrations concerning wage and hour claims, constitutional claims, discrimination claims, labor grievances, alleged unfair labor practice actions, and employment contract disputes. His clients frequently consult with him for advice and counseling, policy drafting, and compliance audits and reviews.

The depth of Jim’s legal experience distinguishes him and gives his clients a unique advantage. Jim’s peers recognize him as a leader in the field of employment litigation. Chambers USA describes Jim McMackin as a knowledgeable and well-rounded lawyer for his enforcement of post-employment restrictions and his defense of discrimination claims.

Jim McMackin

Chair, Labor & Employment

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Alyssa Meldrum

“Navigating family law matters can be daunting. With a systematic and compassionate approach, I guide my clients through complex issues such as divorce, child custody, and guardianship. My goal is to provide strong advocacy and support, ensuring that each client’s unique needs are met with dedication and care.”

Alyssa Meldrum

Family Law Attorney

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Mike Owen

“This is a complex process, and I understand how overwhelming it can be. My focus is always on my client—developing a tailored legal strategy to achieve the best possible outcome.”

Mike Owen

Chair, Personal Injury & Workers' Compensation

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Dawn Sheiker

Law firm growth challenges are rarely marketing problems alone. More often, they reflect leadership dynamics, cultural signals, and decision-making patterns that shape how strategy is executed.

After more than 20 years inside law firms, I’ve observed a consistent theme: revenue stalls not because lawyers lack talent or opportunity, but because strategy, incentives, and day-to-day behaviors are not fully aligned. In partnership environments, consensus-driven cultures can unintentionally slow execution. Incentive structures sometimes send different signals than strategic plans intend.

I focus my work on the intersection of leadership behavior and financial performance.

Dawn Sheiker

Chief Client Strategy Officer

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Michelle Spitelli

I am dedicated to cultivating a positive workplace culture and a supportive environment where our people can thrive and achieve success.

With nearly 15 years of HR experience, I lead the firm’s Human Resources department and am responsible for staffing, recruiting, performance management, employee relations, compensation, and training and development while ensuring compliance with the firm’s employment policies. I hold an MBA in Human Resources Management from Wilmington University and am certified in Mental Health First Aid.

Michelle Spitelli

Director of Human Resources

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Morris James LLP

Rep/Contact Info

Vincent Cannizzaro Chair, Corporate/M&A

Albert Carroll Vice Chair, Corporate & Commercial Litigation

Sarah Ennis Counsel, Business Disputes

Shannon Frazier Partner, Business Transactions

Jim Gallagher Partner, Tax & Estates

Cortlan Hitch Intellectual Property Litigator

Kimberly Hoffman Chair, Real Estate & Land Use

Zachary Hudson Business Development Manager

Gretchen S. Knight Chair, Family Law

Chuck Kunz Partner, Bankruptcy & Restructuring

Sherry Leary Chief Operating Officer

Joe Leonard eDiscovery Counsel

Jennifer Lucas-Ross Director of Attorney Recruiting & Professional Development

Jim McMackin Chair, Labor & Employment

Alyssa Meldrum Family Law Attorney

Mike Owen Chair, Personal Injury & Workers' Compensation

Dawn Sheiker Chief Client Strategy Officer

Michelle Spitelli Director of Human Resources

Kaci VanSant Senior Marketing Specialist

Vincent Cannizzaro

Chair, Corporate/M&A

Albert Carroll

Vice Chair, Corporate & Commercial Litigation

Sarah Ennis

Counsel, Business Disputes

Shannon Frazier

Partner, Business Transactions

Jim Gallagher

Partner, Tax & Estates

Cortlan Hitch

Intellectual Property Litigator

Kimberly Hoffman

Chair, Real Estate & Land Use

Zachary Hudson

Business Development Manager

Gretchen S. Knight

Chair, Family Law

Chuck Kunz

Partner, Bankruptcy & Restructuring

Sherry Leary

Chief Operating Officer

Joe Leonard

eDiscovery Counsel

Jennifer Lucas-Ross

Director of Attorney Recruiting & Professional Development

Jim McMackin

Chair, Labor & Employment

Alyssa Meldrum

Family Law Attorney

Mike Owen

Chair, Personal Injury & Workers' Compensation

Dawn Sheiker

Chief Client Strategy Officer

Michelle Spitelli

Director of Human Resources

Kaci VanSant

Senior Marketing Specialist