Jeff Stahl and James W. Kilbourne, Jr., partners of Dungan, Kilbourne & Stahl are excited to announce that Derek Allen is joining with them to form Allen Stahl + Kilbourne.
Derek Allen recently left Ward and Smith after 10 years to fulfill a career long desire of being in his own law practice here in Asheville. Allen plays a unique role in the craft beer/craft beverage industry in Asheville, and across North Carolina and the U.S.
Derek explained, “Helping to build the Asheville office for Ward and Smith has been the highlight of my career (so far). I am proud of what we have made. We changed the way law is practiced in WNC.”
Derek Allen has deep community connections, doing his undergraduate work at UNC Asheville and returning to Asheville with a couple of colleagues to open an outpost for Ward and Smith. He is president of the board of LEAF, president of the board at the Wortham Center for Performing Arts and a member of the board for the United Way of Asheville & Buncombe County. Allen is counsel to and a board member of the Asheville Brewers Alliance. He is also counsel to the Asheville-Buncombe Youth Soccer Association and had early involvement in the Asheville-Buncombe Regional Sports Commission. He also serves on the UNCA Foundation Board.
Best Lawyers, an organization that produces a respected peer-reviewed recommended lawyers guide each year, named Allen the Lawyer of the Year for 2020 in the land use and zoning law category for Asheville.
Stahl and Kilbourne purchased Dungan, Kilbourne & Stahl from its founder Robert Dungan, who remains with the firm. Dungan was known as one of the early leaders in the representation of community and condo associations.
Allen and Kilbourne have been friends since they met at the UNC School of Law. Kilbourne is the immediate past president of the Buncombe County Bar. He is a member of the Appellate Rules Committee and the secretary of the Appellate Practice Section Council. He is also known for his work on Indian jurisdiction.
Stahl, a commercial litigator, serves as the managing partner of Dungan, Kilbourne & Stahl and Allen Stahl + Kilbourne. Under Stahl’s leadership, Dungan, Kilbourne & Stahl recently moved to new offices on 20 Town Mountain Road, which will be the home of Allen Stahl + Kilbourne. “When we found new space and finally had the ability to expand, Jamie and I discussed possible new ventures. Working with Derek was at the very top of our list,” Stahl explained.
Attorneys Bo Carpenter, Megan Farley, and Ed Flowers will remain with the new entity, which will keep the current telephone number unchanged. The new webpage will be www.asklawnc.com.
In addition to its leading position in craft beer law and property associations, the new firm will represent clients in litigation, land use, construction, appeals, hospitality, real estate, mediation, employment, railroad, and creditor’s rights. The new firm is planning a grand opening in October.
