After practicing briefly with a small Raleigh law firm, James Vann began his own law practice as a sole practitioner in 1993. Paul Sheridan joined the firm in 1996, and in 1997 a partnership was formed and the firm name became Vann & Sheridan, LLP. The partners head up a 18-member staff of attorneys, paralegals and support staff. The firm concentrates in the areas of commercial creditors rights and commercial collections, business disputes and negotiations. The firm also represents clients in the areas of construction law, business law and planning, and civil litigation.

A majority of the firms practice is in the area of commercial collections. Vann & Sheridan, LLP represents a number of commercial suppliers of building products within the construction industry. "When our clients need our help collecting money from general contractors for supplies delivered, we work with our client and the debtor in determining how the money can be repaid and what options and alternatives are available. We are willing to persevere on our clients behalf, be creative! Our clients know that and appreciate the extra effort," says Vann.

When speaking at seminars conducted by professional trade associations throughout the United States, both James Vann and Paul Sheridan have been able to educate their membership, and in turn, many clients in the complex nature of commercial collections, construction law, contract law and general business law. For the employees of several of the firms larger clients with national distribution, the attorneys teach seminars in, among other issues, collections, creditors rights, e-commerce purchase and contract law, payment bond claims and lien law. The North Carolina Bar Association and other groups have called upon the firm to lead sessions of the Continuing Legal Education in general construction law, commercial collections, creditors rights and bankruptcy law within the construction industry as well.

"We help our clients understand that if they protect themselves from the beginning, it makes it much easier to collect money later on," adds Sheridan. "We review contracts and try to be very proactive in addressing our clients collection problems."

Both partners, as well as one other attorney in the firm, are certified mediators. "Through our mediation experience, weve learned to be better advocates for our clients," Sheridan says. "The mediation process is invaluable."

The attorneys of Vann & Sheridan, LLP use their business sense and economic know-how to help clients on general business issues such as contract formation, asset purchases and employment matters. It is all part of the umbrella of services that the firm offers their various clients which include individuals, privately held family businesses and corporations with national and international distribution.

"Helping our clients meet their personal and business goals is the focus of our firm as a whole, and of each individual attorney and staff member," Vann says. "We get to know our clients on a personal level and strive to build long-term relationships in order to provide quick, sound legal advice and representation for long-term planning."

"We build a partnership with our clients," adds Sheridan. "Theyve come to know what to expect from us. We value the relationships we have built with them."