Poyner Spruill LLP is pleased to announce that Dr. Amy Clay, Hannah Munn, Rachel Nicholas, Grace Pennerat, and Rebecca Williams have been elected as partners in the firm.
Dr. Amy Clay (Raleigh) assists school systems in all aspects of education law, with a focus on matters arising under the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. She regularly utilizes her training and experience from obtaining her doctorate in school psychology in her practice. Clay is a Title IX investigator and decision-maker. She has been recognized for her legal dexterity in The Best Lawyers in America® “Ones to Watch” list. Clay serves on the Board of Directors for HOST (Housing Options for Students Today), a nonprofit organization that finds housing opportunities for college students experiencing homelessness.
Hannah Munn (Charlotte) focuses her practice in the areas of employee benefits and executive compensation. She represents public, private, governmental, and nonprofit employers in designing and documenting retirement plans, welfare benefit plans, fringe benefit plans, and executive compensation plans. Munn is very involved within her field, serving as the Chair of the American Society of Pension Professionals & Actuaries (ASPPA)’s focus Committee and as Co-Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Pension Benefits. Munn has been included in The Best Lawyers in America® “Ones to Watch” list for her work with employee benefits and ERISA law.
Rachel Nicholas (Raleigh) assists public school systems throughout North Carolina. Before pursuing a legal career, she taught second grade in Rocky Mount, North Carolina through Teach For America. Nicholas is the 2024-25 chair of the Education Law Section of the North Carolina Bar Association and is a North Carolina Council of School Attorneys at-large representative. Nicholas has been honored for her practice in The Best Lawyers in America® “Ones to Watch” list. In 2019, Nicholas was one of 16 attorneys selected to participate in the North Carolina Bar Association’s Leadership Academy.
Grace Pennerat (Raleigh) advises local boards of education, superintendents, and central office personnel regarding student, employee, and community matters. Pennerat frequently presents to education organizations about the current state of education law and recent changes in state and federal law that impact education. She is a trained Title IX investigator and decision maker. Pennerat also assists clients with employment- and family-based immigration matters, including counseling clients on sponsoring prospective employees for non-immigrant visas and green cards and helping individuals with visa applications, permanent residencies, and naturalizations. For the past two years, Pennerat has been recognized for her education law practice in The Best Lawyers in America® “Ones to Watch” list.
Rebecca Williams (Raleigh) works with public school systems on education law matters. Williams previously taught Spanish at the high school, community college, and college levels, and brings that experience to her practice. Williams is an active member of the North Carolina Council of School Attorneys, the National Council of School Attorneys, and the Education Law Section of the North Carolina Bar Association. As a Title IX investigator and decision-maker, Williams can conduct impartial, objective, and thorough investigations into allegations of Title IX sexual harassment and serve as an independent decision-maker in these matters for public and private schools, colleges, or universities. Williams has been honored in The Best Lawyers in America® “Ones to Watch” list for her education law practice.
“I am delighted that five of our dedicated and talented attorneys are advancing to become partners,” said Poyner Spruill Managing Partner Dan Cahill. “This election not only recognizes their contributions to the firm, but also strengthens Poyner Spruill as we continue to provide excellent service to our clients.”
