Kenneth Van Winkle, Jr.

"They understand our business very well, they understand our concerns. It's a symbiotic relationship." - Chambers USA

As Vice Chair of Womble Bond Dickinson, Ken guides the strategic direction of the firm and focuses on developing innovative approaches to client service and value that enhance our long-standing reputation of excellence. Ken has created a collaborative platform that provides the firm’s lawyers and legal professionals with the resources they need to showcase the firm’s legal services to the market.

An unwavering commitment to client service has long been a guiding principle for the firm. Ken recognizes that delivering an exceptional experience requires nuanced understanding that priorities can shift, and this adaptability is the cornerstone of successful client relationships. A proactive leader, Ken continuously engages with clients across all markets, gaining firsthand insights into the firm’s strengths and areas of improvement.

Ken's leadership extends beyond the legal realm, as he actively fosters a culture within Womble Bond Dickinson that thrives on diversity and embraces differences. His commitment to community involvement aligns with the firm's core values, emphasizing a sense of social responsibility and contributing to causes that matter. Ken's appreciation for diverse perspectives is not limited to the workplace; it extends to the broader community, recognizing that a variety of voices enrich the fabric of society. In his roles as Chair and General Counsel for Greater Phoenix Leadership and Board Secretary for Downtown Phoenix, Inc., Ken focuses on improving the greater Phoenix area and the State of Arizona by bringing together talent and resources to enhance and strengthen equity across a broad portfolio of issues and initiatives critical to economic prosperity.

Furthermore, Ken encourages the use of cutting-edge technology not only to align client service and quality standards but also to innovate in ways that benefit both clients and the broader community. By fostering a culture of technological advancement and community engagement, Ken ensures that Womble Bond Dickinson not only excels in legal services but also actively contributes to the betterment of the communities it serves. This dual commitment reflects Ken's belief that a successful firm should not only meet the needs of its clients but also actively contribute to the well-being of society.

As a practicing lawyer, Ken is a member of the firm's Real Estate Practice Group and focuses his practice on real estate equity and debt financing, joint venture development, sales and acquisitions, and leasing. Ken represents clients in a variety of real estate finance transactions, including equity joint venture development transactions, mortgage based lending, and leasehold mortgage transactions. Most of his work involves representation of institutional clients, including insurance companies and REIT’S as well as investors and developers.

Ken has a particular focus on ground up development work for investors. He has represented clients in developing, financing, acquiring, and disposing of multifamily, commercial, retail, and industrial real estate, both developed and undeveloped on a national, regional, and local scale. He has experience handling the venturing and purchase and sale of multifamily, retail centers, office complexes, industrial buildings, and residential land developments.

In the area of Real Estate leasing, Ken has represented several restaurant chains in connection with their leasing agreements, licensure issues, and disputes on a local, regional, and national scale. His experience has provided extensive exposure to the requirements and posture of many local, regional, and national retail landlords.

As a highly effective communicator, Ken can establish relationships of trust with clients and deal constituents. Clients and peers value his skills at de-escalating transaction pressure points and finding solutions that produce mutually beneficial results. Ken is consistently committed to the task at hand, and clients trust him to anticipate issues, identify solutions, and navigate around impediments to expeditiously and efficiently achieve their specific goals. Ken’s collaborative, client service-focused approach ensures that clients are always heard no matter the size of the matter at stake.

Ken enjoys outdoor sports, including running, sailing, skiing, and cycling.