Lesley Bennett has been an attorney with Wilson Ratledge since the firm was formed in 2001. 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. Ms. Bennett has also worked extensively in commercial real estate transactions. In all areas of her practice, Ms. Bennett provides representation and advice on tax issues, and has assisted both individuals and businesses in audits and collections by the Internal Revenue Service and the North Carolina Department of Revenue.
Ms. Bennett was born at Seymour Johnson AFB in Goldsboro, and has lived in North Carolina ever since, except for about two years outside of Chicago, which was great except for the cold! Prior to entering law school at Chapel Hill, Ms. Bennett acquired a business, marketing and accounting background through undergraduate and graduate study, and by working through the ranks with a multi-property hospitality management company. 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.
Ms. Bennett and her husband are Charter Members actively involved with the new and ever-growing All Saints United Methodist Church. Ms. Bennett is also actively involved with the Carolina Dance Foundation and served as its Director of Communications from 2012-2015.
Ms. Bennett enjoys quality time with her husband and two young children, usually by attending and otherwise supporting their daughter’s dance performance events and their son’s athletic events, or traveling to the mountains or the coast, or just curling up with a good movie and some popcorn.
