Lesley W. Bennett

Phone: (919) 787-7711
Facsimile: (919) 787-7710
lbennett@w-rlaw.com

Areas of Practice
Business Transactions, Mergers and Acquisitions
Corporate Law
Tax and Tax Controversies
Wills, Trusts and Estates (Probate)

Education
J.D., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 1997
B.S., University of North Carolina at Greensboro,
cum laude, 1991

Bar Admissions
North Carolina, 1997

Professional Activities
North Carolina Bar Association
Wake County Bar Association

Lesley Bennett is, with the exception of a short stint outside of Chicago, a life-long North Carolina resident and has been an attorney with Wilson & Ratledge since the firm was formed in 2001. Ms. Bennett obtained an accounting background through academic study and practical experience with a multi-property hospitality management company prior to attending law school at Chapel Hill. She works with clients on diverse closely-held business matters from start-up to exit, and most everything in between, including buy-sell agreements and sophisticated estate planning techniques to transition a business and/or other significant assets and accumulated wealth to the next generation at significantly reduced transfer tax costs. She also represents both buyer and seller businesses in merger and acquisition transactions and often assists non-business clients, including those with special needs beneficiaries, with basic or sophisticated estate planning and administration.

In all areas of her practice, Ms. Bennett provides representation and advice on tax issues, and has assisted both individuals and businesses in audits by the Internal Revenue Service and the North Carolina Department of Revenue.

During law school, Ms. Bennett was a member of the Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity and served as its Treasurer for the 1996-1997 year. In her free time she enjoys quality time with her husband and two young children, often by playing tennis, riding bikes around the neighborhood, heading to the beach or camping and roasting marshmallows over a fire.