Pinnacle Lawyers

I serve as the managing attorney at Maginnis Howard, a civil litigation firm based in Raleigh, NC, in Wake County. Our firm is unique in that we represent both plaintiffs and defendants in legal disputes. On the plaintiff side, my work primarily involves consumer class actions and business litigation. I previously held the position of chair for the Consumer Areas of Practice at the North Carolina Advocates for Justice. Our firm handles consumer cases on a contingency basis, covering issues under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), and related...

Shepard Smith is a managing attorney for the Charlotte office of Stewart Law Offices. Born and raised in Charlotte, Shepard became a lawyer because he wanted to be able to advocate for those who found themselves in overwhelming legal circumstances.

As the youngest of five siblings, Shepard learned the value of hard work at an early age while spending summers earning money as a landscaper and warehouse laborer. He knows how important a paycheck can be to a family, and how an injury can forever change a person’s life.

Shepard brings a unique perspective to personal injury cases and workers’ compensation claims...

Sara Barlowe is an associate attorney at Bagwell Holt Smith where she practices in the Firm’s Family Law department. Sara joined the Firm in July of 2020 shortly after relocating to the Research Triangle area from Astoria, Queens with her family and their two cats. While in New York, Sara worked as an Assistant District Attorney with the Bronx District Attorney’s office where she focused primarily on domestic violence and special victims cases with the exception of a year-long stint in the office’s Special Investigations Division where she handled long-term wiretap investigations. Sara received her Juris Doctor, cum laude, from Benjamin...

Mr. Jacob Goad is a workers’ compensation and personal injury attorney with Law Office of Jacob Goad, PLLC. Mr. Goad graduated from the University of North Carolina (UNC) Chapel Hill where he majored in Spanish and minored in Social and Economic Justice. At UNC, Mr. Goad earned membership in Sigma Delta Pi, a Hispanic Collegiate Honor Society. After earning his undergraduate degree, Mr. Goad lived and worked in Peru, where he got involved with environmental advocacy and also coordinated international delegations. He accompanied CNN producers and Dr. Sanjay Gupta to the town of La Oroya where Mr. Goad introduced Dr. Gupta...

I practice personal injury law focusing primarily on motor vehicle accidents, motorcycle accidents, trucking accidents, construction accidents, and slip and falls. After many years of representing injured clients, I have have a unique understanding of the difficulties and stresses an accident and injury can place on a person's life. I am very passionate about helping my clients through these difficult times and I fight to ensure all of my clients are fairly compensated for their losses. My goal is to provide all of my clients with a boutique law firm experience - I purposefully keep my client list low so...

Steven maintains a varied practice focusing on representing workers who have been injured on the job and people who have been injured due to the negligence of others. His practice also includes representing consumers who have been harmed by unfair or deceptive business practices.

Steven started his legal career with the office of the North Carolina Attorney General, where he worked primarily defending the state of North Carolina in workers’ compensation cases, before deciding to join Martin & Jones out of a desire to help real people who have been injured or harmed. Steven understands how difficult it is for people...

Matthew Burkert was raised in Durham, North Carolina, and still resides in the same area he grew up in. He is a graduate of East Carolina University, where he received a bachelor’s degree majoring in Criminal Justice in 2008. Matt then attended North Carolina Central University School of Law, earning his Juris Doctor degree in 2012. He passed the North Carolina Bar Exam in February, 2013, becoming a licensed attorney in the State. Matt joined the Constantinou Law Group, PA as a law clerk while in law school in 2010. He remained at the firm after passing the bar, becoming...

Ben Hefferon is a highly rated divorce and family law attorney with extensive experience in handling cases related to divorce, equitable distribution, child custody, visitation, and spousal support. A graduate of North Carolina Central School of Law with High Honors, Ben is committed to achieving favorable outcomes for his clients through both court proceedings and negotiations. His dedication to the field and his ability to navigate complex family law issues make him a valuable advocate for those he represents.

Billie Guthrie has spent more than 20 years working with people experiencing challenging life situations and fighting for social justice, first as a social worker and later as an attorney. Billie, who has a master’s degree in social work from the University of North Carolina, worked in the mental health field as an administrator and social worker. One of her primary roles was as a policy advocate, fighting for legal and systemic changes to improve outcomes for disabled adults and people dealing with persistent mental health issues and homelessness. As an attorney, Billie helps her clients navigate the complicated and often frustrating...

Mike has been practicing law with Martin & Jones for more than 20 years and his practice focuses on representing individuals suffering from asbestos-related diseases including malignant mesothelioma, asbestos related lung cancer and asbestosis. His clients include workers who were occupationally exposed to asbestos in industrial settings such as power plants, chemical plants, railroads, shipyards, paper mills and other manufacturing facilities. Mike has represented clients from states all over the United States as well as from various provinces in Canada.

Attorney Peace is a managing partner at the Law Office of Peace & Squires, PLLC practicing in the areas of Business, Contracts, and Personal Injury Law. Attorney Peace has worked extensively negotiating North American and International contracts, and has used her notable negotiations skills to effectuate first-rate results for her clients.

Attorney Peace earned her Juris Doctor degree from North Carolina Central University in 2008, her Master of Business Administration, Cum Laude, from North Carolina Central University in 2004, and her Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance, Magna Cum Laude, from North Carolina Central University in 2002. While attending North Carolina...

John Alan Jones is the founding member and managing partner of Martin & Jones, where he has worked since he began practicing law in 1982. John Alan handles both trial and appellate work in state and federal courts throughout North Carolina and around the U.S. He heads the firm's medical malpractice group, which is comprised of three attorneys and seven staff members. John Alan dedicates a large percentage of his practice to representing individuals catastrophically injured by medical negligence, defective pharmaceuticals, toxic substances or other negligence. He also devotes a significant amount of his work time to consumer...

Forest has been practicing law for more than twenty-five years. He spent the first six years of his career as a partner with a large “defense” law firm mainly defending large corporations in civil lawsuits. Seeing the inequalities that existed in the justice system between wealthy and powerful companies and regular people, Forest was motivated to change his law practice, join Martin & Jones and help level the playing field for ordinary, hard-working men and women and their families.

Mr. Spain was admitted to the State Bar in 2013 and practiced as an estates and business law attorney prior to joining BHSPA in 2018. Jason focuses on Estate Planning and Probate law, helping clients plan for their family’s future and to assist clients in administering the estate of a loved one. He also is proficient in helping small business owners set up business succession plans that will allow their companies to be passed on to the next generation and help provide financial security for their families in the event of retirement, death, or disability. ...

People turn to an attorney when they need help dealing with a problem that has become too large for them to handle on their own. Every day, I see clients in difficult situations they did not create, dealing with pain they didn’t have before, trying to pay for medical expenses they can’t afford. And all the while, a large corporation or auto insurance company is trying to minimize what the victim is going through.

As an attorney licensed in North Carolina, Virginia, and Washington, D.C., Brad represents personal injury clients in cases throughout the Mid-Atlantic States. He began his legal career...

Attorney J. Wallace Pierce was born in the Republic of South Africa. In the course of his tenure as a scholar, he spent much of his time studying, exploring and grasping the complexity that surrounds South Africa's race relations. In early 2001, Attorney Wallace Pierce relocated to Durham, North Carolina with his family. Attorney J. Wallace Pierce acquired his Bachelors in History, Concentration in African American History, from North Carolina Central University in 2006. Attorney Pierce finished this four yearlong program in only three years. His determination and enthusiasm to furthering his involvement in the local community grew as...

John A. Price has over four decades of legal experience, including first chair trial experience on a variety of complex business and commercial litigation matters with special emphasis on the areas of antitrust and unfair/deceptive trade practices, business torts, securities fraud, intellectual property, minority shareholder, regulatory, products liability, environmental, and a wide spectrum of business disputes. He is ranked AV Preeminent with 5 out of 5 for legal ability and ethics by Martindale-Hubbell in a peer-reviewed rating. He is certified in civil litigation by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, licensed to practice law in Kansas, Texas and...

Whether you have been charged with a traffic infraction or are being accused of a major felony, you need someone whose first concern is your best interests. With Brad K. Hodgins, Attorney at Law, you can rest assured that your case will be thoroughly reviewed. Our law offices in Wadesboro, North Carolina are conveniently located directly across the street from the courthouse. Brad knows that no case is minor if it is your case. You can count on Brad to handle your case with the personal attention you deserve. Feel free to to learn more about how Brad...

Weede Law, PLLC is a criminal defense law practice that handles all types of state and federal criminal cases. We serve the Triangle area as well as surrounding communities.

Attorney Patrick B. Weede, a former state and federal prosecutor and an experienced trial attorney, is uniquely qualified to handle your case. He knows how to identify the key issues and how to think like a prosecutor.

As a prosecutor, Mr. Weede handled almost every type of case, including traffic, DWI, drugs, fraud, property crimes, firearm offenses, common law/armed robbery, and murder. In addition, he...

Karina Herhusky is a dedicated professional who strives to provide the best legal representation for her clients. She believes that empathizing with clients is the key to successful representation. Karina understands the importance of keeping clients informed throughout every step of the process.

An immigrant herself, Karina understands a client’s perspective, including the challenges they face to legalize their status and other issues that may have an impact on their legal status. As a wife and mother, Karina empathizes with families who may be facing the threat of separation due to their immigration status. She fiercely advocates on behalf of...

Originally from Grand Haven, Michigan, Andrew Bullard attended the University of Michigan, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science. He later attended Michigan State University College of Law and obtained his J.D. in 2010. Andrew Bullard primarily practices estate planning, estate administration, special needs law and guardianships at the firm. Andrew’s experience includes assisting individuals and families as they navigate the process of planning and administering estates and trusts. Additionally, he guides fiduciaries through their duties in the probate process and helps families plan for the care of loved ones with long-term special needs. Andrew takes...

Navigating the legal process, whether civil or criminal, can be daunting and uncertain. Dmitriy Panchenko recognizes these challenges and places a strong emphasis on maintaining open, prompt communication with his clients, providing step-by-step guidance to ease their concerns. He firmly believes that every case deserves a thorough defense and that each client is entitled to unwavering dedication and personal attention. Dmitriy’s academic journey began at UNC Charlotte, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude with a degree in Finance. He went on to earn his law degree Cum Laude from the Charlotte School of Law, finishing in the top 10% of his...

I am a Supervising Attorney at Lively Law Firm specializing in immigration law.

In developing my philosophy in how I practice law, I realized from the beginning that people are coming to me because they need help and they trust me to help them in their time of need. I enjoy doing what I do because it provides me with an opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives. Quick Facts about Eric Eric is a scratch golfer. Eric is an avid University of Tennessee football fan.

I founded Ellis Family Law, PLLC in 2008 with a clear mission to deliver top-notch legal representation to individuals in North Carolina grappling with complex family law issues. Since then, my firm has successfully advocated for numerous husbands, wives, children, grandparents, and other family members in courts throughout the state. Our efforts have been recognized with awards from both national and local entities including Super Lawyers, Martindale Hubbell, North Carolina’s Legal Elite, NC Lawyer's Weekly Power List, NC Leaders in the Law, and the BBB, among others. As a North Carolina Board Certified Specialist in family law with over two decades...

Rebecca Bee is a family law attorney in North Carolina, specializing in divorce, child custody, child support, equitable distribution, alimony, and premarital agreements. She focuses on resolving family conflicts with the children's best interests in mind and works to ensure fair outcomes for her clients.

Shannon Altamura is a highly reputable and skilled personal injury attorney with a primary office located in Asheboro, North Carolina. Ms. Altamura's personal injury practice assists injured clients in the following areas: car and trucking accidents, nursing home abuse or neglect, wrongful death, pedestrian injury, slip and fall injuries, premises liability, product defect, and worker's compensation. Ms. Altamura regularly battles insurance companies and other large corporations to obtain fair and favorable results for her clients, and she prioritizes providing exceptionally kind and attentive care to every one of her clients. Shannon Altamura has obtained numerous high value settlements in recent...

Attorney Pittman is on staff with iTicket.law and manages our "eastern front" of North Carolina along with fellow associate Attorney Phelps. While previously serving as an assistant district attorney in Pitt County since 2014, Pittman has prosecuted cases ranging from minor traffic offenses, impaired driving offenses, juvenile crimes, non-capital murder cases, and felony drug offenses to felony financial crimes. “In spite of the case, fairness is most important to me,” he says. Now, as a criminal defense attorney with the Hatley Law Office, Attorney Pittman can leverage his unique perspective and experience to seek the best possible outcome for his...

D. Cole Phelps manages our office in the northeastern part of the state. Attorney Phelps is a native of Washington County, and he returned to his home community to serve and give back. After winning his first primary election with over 62% of the votes, he later became the youngest county commissioner at the time of his election to serve in any of North Carolina’s 100 counties. During his first term of office, he was selected by his fellow board members as vice chairman and then chairman. Currently, he is serving his second term of office as a member of...

Chad joined Partin, Patton & Brown in July 2004 and became a Partner in January 2009. His practice focuses in the areas of Social Security Disability and personal injury. Chad is a North Carolina Board Certified Specialist in Social Security Disability Law. Chad attended law school at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (1999) where he was an Articles and Notes Editor for the North Carolina Banking Law Institute and Journal. Following law school, he clerked for the Honorable Robert F. Orr on the N.C. Supreme Court and served as an Assistant District Attorney...

I enjoy working with clients to seek a just resolution of their dispute. Sometimes disputes can only be resolved by engaging the legal process through the courts, which I routinely do when necessary. My practice is concentrated on business ownership and control disputes, real estate and construction disputes (liens, payment and performance bonds, defective work claims, mediation and arbitration), summary ejectment and eviction proceedings, employment disputes, personal injury, and contract disputes.

Kimberly Olsinski received her Bachelor of Arts, with honors, in History and Sociology from the College of William and Mary, where she completed her degree in three years. She attended Hofstra University School of Law, where she graduated in the top fourteen percent of her class. At Hofstra, she participated in the Law Reform clinic, and was an editor of the Labor and Employment Law Journal. Mrs. Olsinski has completed a ten-day intensive seminar emphasizing effective trial advocacy techniques.

While in law school, Mrs. Olsinski worked for the legal department of a big insurance company. Upon graduating, she switched sides and...

Mr. Olsinski went to law school with one focus, to become a criminal defense attorney. Upon graduation and moving down to Charlotte North Carolina, he spoke with other attorneys in the area and decided to open his own practice. He opened the firm in January 2010 and has been growing his experience and the firm throughout the years. Mr. Olsinski has successfully defended cases from B1 Felony First Degree Sex Offenses all the way down to Misdemeanor marijuana charges. He has been named a Top 40 under 40 Attorneys in North Carolina by the National Trial Lawyers as well as...

Tim is a Trial Lawyer that you can trust when you or a family member has been injured. He has dedicated his career to representing individuals and families facing the uncertainty of how to navigate the process of filing and successfully pursuing a claim against the at-fault party and their insurance company when an injury occurs. Tim is grateful to be able to work with the professional staff and attorneys who make up the Law Offices of Jason E. Taylor, P.C. as they demonstrate daily their commitment to excellence in law. The firm has locations in multiple...

Attorney Andrew Sabourin is the Owner of Lake Norman Wealth Counsel. Lake Norman Wealth Counsel, is a full-service estate planning law practice based in Huntersville, North Carolina. Lake Norman Wealth Counsel focuses exclusively on helping clients with estate planning matters. By concentrating on this single area of law, they have developed deep and broad knowledge to apply to every client need. They represent clients who seek to protect assets now and into the future, preserving their hard-earned legacy for their heirs.

Lake Norman Wealth Counsel can set up trusts for yourself, your spouse or your children so that your assets...

Serving North Carolina, Boone and the High Country since 1987

If you have been injured in an accident that was not your fault, or if a loved one has been killed because of the negligence of someone or a company, you may be wondering how you can get the compensation you deserve. A personal injury or wrongful death lawyer can help you seek the damages you are owed, whether it is through negotiation with the insurance company or by taking your case to court. An experienced personal injury or wrongful death lawyer will have the knowledge and resources necessary to help you get the best outcome for your case. They will...

After graduating from high school in Charlotte, Trey attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Focused on attending law school and becoming a litigator, he pursued degrees in philosophy (with a focus on the ethicists) and political science. He graduated with Highest Distinction (ranking in the top three percent of 3% of his class) and was inducted as a member of Phi Beta Kappa. Trey returned to Chapel Hill for law school and Trey served on the Attorney General’s Staff for the law school’s Honor Court and was a member of the North Carolina Law Review. Upon graduating...

Originally from Union County, NC, Samantha Jackson pursued acting before shifting her focus to law. She graduated with honors in Political Science and International Affairs from UNC Wilmington and later attended UNC School of Law. After passing the bar, she returned to Charlotte to practice family law, focusing her practice on divorce, child custody, support, alimony, domestic violence, and equitable distribution.