Fox Rothschild congratulates Diana R. Palecek and Sarah M. Rozek, who were named to North Carolina Lawyers Weekly’s 2026 Icons & Phenoms list.

Palecek was selected to the “Icons” list, which features distinguished leaders with 30 or more years of legal practice who have made an impact through their legal work and service to the North Carolina legal community.

Palecek, Managing Partner of the firm’s Charlotte office, advises clients on commercial real estate transactions, with particular focus on financing (closing, servicing and enforcement), purchase and sale, ground-up development and leasing.

North Carolina Lawyers Weekly highlighted her commitment to mentoring the next generation of lawyers, noting her pride in seeing younger attorneys achieve “significant accomplishments both within and beyond her team.”

Palecek’s leadership extends to involvement in the American College of Mortgage Attorneys, where she is a co-chair of the Strategic Plan Implementation Committee and a board member of the newly formed ACMA Foundation. She is also a member of the Charlotte chapter of CREW, a global organization of real estate professionals.

Rozek was named a “Phenom,” which recognizes rising stars with 10 years or less of legal practice who have demonstrated excellence early in their careers.

An associate in the firm’s Corporate Department and Mergers & Acquisitions Practice, Rozek advises businesses and individuals on a wide range of corporate and transactional matters. The publication noted her recent work, including the representation of Thesis Capital Partners in its recapitalization of The Ridge Ohio, Twiage in its acquisition by TigerConnect and Sensified in its acquisition by ClinicalMind.

Beyond her legal work, Rozek is engaged in the local community. She is Secretary of the Greensboro Police Foundation and Vice Chair of the Kellin Foundation, a behavioral health services nonprofit focused on strengthening families in Guilford County. She also co-chairs the Greensboro Bar Association’s Scholarship Committee.