Gearino: North Carolina’s newest corporate resident-to-be, Chiquita Brands International Inc., recently found itself in the odd situation of simultaneously being a boycotter and boycottee.

Business North Carolina's annual ranking of the state’s largest employers shows many have more jobs, indicating less unemployment ahead.

Once again, G.D. Gearino reviews the year that was, putting such a spin on it that 2011 feels quite dizzy.

In December, media outlets reported that Lowe’s Cos. had pulled its advertising from the cable-TV series All-American Muslim under pressure from the Florida Family Association, which claims the TLC program promotes Islamic fundamentalism.

In January, state Transportation Secretary Gene Conti appointed one of his predecessors interim statewide logistics coordinator, a new position that will oversee the state ports and Global TransPark.

High-Point-based BNC Bancorp has agreed to buy four banks since March 31, 2010, greatly expanding its market by acquiring smaller regional banks.

Raleigh-based Progress Energy Inc., which plans to eliminate 700-1,000 jobs after its proposed merger with Charlotte-based Duke Energy Corp., agreed to sublease 380,000 square feet at Two Progress Plaza to Red Hat Inc. through August 2035.

Annie’s Bakery Inc. is expanding faster than a loaf of semolina sesame bread — one of its specialties — left to rise in a warm spot.

2012 Legal Elite winner: Antitrust - JONATHAN HEYL, Smith Moore Leatherwood LLP, Charlotte

2012 Legal Elite winner: Bankruptcy - KENNETH M. GREENE, Carruthers & Roth PA, Greensboro

2012 Legal Elite winner: Criminal - LOCKE T. CLIFFORD, Clifford Clendenin & O’Hale LLP, Greensboro

2012 Legal Elite winner: Business - AMALIE L. TUFFIN, Whitmeyer Tuffin PLLC, Raleigh

2012 Legal Elite winner: Construction - WILLIAM H. GAMMON, Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP, Raleigh

2012 Legal Elite winner: Corporate Counsel - LISA D. INMAN, Waste Industries USA Inc., Raleigh

2012 Legal Elite winner: Employment - N. RENEE HUGHES, Gardner & Hughes PLLC, Charlotte

2012 Legal Elite winner: Environmental - WILLIAM CLARKE, Roberts & Stevens PA, Asheville

2012 Legal Elite winner: Family - D. CALDWELL BAREFOOT JR., Barefoot Family Law, Raleigh

2012 Legal Elite winner: Intellectual Property - E. ERIC MILLS, Ward and Smith PA, New Bern

2012 Legal Elite winner: Litigation - DANIEL L. BRAWLEY, Williams Mullen, Wilmington

2012 Legal Elite winner: Real Estate - GEORGE W. SISTRUNK III, Hamilton Stephens Steele & Martin PLLC, Charlotte