Star Lawyers

Russell D. Babb was born in Wilson, North Carolina. He graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he was a Morehead Scholar and co-captain of the 1995 Carolina football team. A four-year starter as an offensive lineman for the Tar Heels, Mr. Babb was also the winner of the 1995 Jim Tatum Award, which is presented each year to the top Senior Scholar-Athlete in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

After college, Mr. Babb entered the University of North Carolina School of Law. During law school, he participated in the UNC Criminal Law Clinic and served...

Marsha Comeau
A native of upstate New York, Dan Clark moved to Charlotte, North Carolina in 1979 and in 1985 graduated with honors from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He served first as a staff writer and then as an editorial board member on the North Carolina Law Review and upon graduation from UNC Law School in 1988 he joined Tharrington Smith.

Mr. Clark’s areas of practice include employment law, civil and business litigation, intellectual property law, and administrative law. He has counseled businesses and individuals, including legal, medical and other professional practices, individual executives, physicians, attorneys, scientists, engineers,...

Fred Morelock received his bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1974 and his law degree from UNC in 1976. He then practiced as a trial attorney for ten years in the areas of criminal defense and family law litigation before being appointed to the bench. He joined Tharrington Smith in 2001.

In 1986, Mr. Morelock was appointed by Governor James G. Martin to a Wake County district court judgeship. He was reelected three times and served for fourteen years. In 1990, Mr. Morelock became the first judge in Wake County to become a Certified...

Melissa Hill is a native of Asheville, North Carolina. She received her B.A. degree, magna cum laude, as a member of Phi Beta Kappa, from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1984. She also attended law school at UNC, where she was admitted to the Order of the Coif, was on the North Carolina Law Review and received her J.D. with honors in 1987. Ms. Hill is the author of Tennessee v. Garner - The Use of Deadly Force to Arrest as an Unreasonable Search and Seizure, 65 N.C.L. Rev. 155 (1986);...

Roger W. Smith, Jr., was born in Raleigh, North Carolina and attended the Raleigh public schools. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of North Carolina in 1991. While at UNC he was inducted into the Order of Gimghoul.

After college, Mr. Smith moved to Wyoming where, during a period of about two years, he learned to hand-make rough white-pine furniture in the Western tradition. He returned to North Carolina and co-founded Appalachian Designs, a company through which he continued to manufacture and market this furniture.

In the fall of 1996, Mr. Smith entered the Norman A....

Attorney Steve Palme has devoted his practice exclusively to family law since 2005. The Palme Law Firm prides itself on the individual attention it offers to clients and their cases. Steve Palme has extensive experience both in and out of the courtroom and handles all aspects of family law, including: child custody, child support, interstate custody and support, alimony, equitable distribution, domestic violence, separation and prenuptial agreements, and alienation of affection and criminal conversation claims.

I provide support to families navigating the challenging period following the loss of a loved one, focusing on probate, estate and trust administration, and tax-related issues. From 2003 to 2008, I worked as a public administrator in Wake County, where I frequently assumed responsibilities such as Administrator of a decedent’s estate or Guardian of the Estate for an individual deemed incompetent. These positions gave me significant experience in managing estates and guardianships. I was born in Oxford, North Carolina in 1975. I pursued my undergraduate education at North Carolina State University, where I graduated in 1997 with a Bachelor of Arts...

Mark is recognized for excellence by many peer rating organizations such as Best Lawyers in American and Super Lawyers. He is a former president of the Chief Justice Susie M. Sharp Inn of Court and the 2015 president of the 10th Judicial District which comprises all of Wake County including Raleigh and much of Research Triangle Park (RTP)

I'm originally from Buchanan County, Virginia. I graduated from King University in 1994, and from Wake Forest University School of Law in 1997. I started practicing in Raleigh in 1997, and worked for insurance companies for three years. In 2000, I changed sides to represent injury people and have done that ever since. I have tried cases across North Carolina, and have represented thousands of personal injury clients across the southeastern United States, Canada, and Central America. I opened my own firm in April 2000, after practicing with some of the largest personal injury firms in North...

Durham disability, personal injury and traffic lawyer representing clients in Durham, Raleigh, Cary, Hillsborough, Chapel Hill and throughout North Carolina.

I represent clients in the states of Florida, North Carolina & South Carolina in various types of legal matters, including but not limited to business law and real estate law. My career has followed a dual trajectory in litigation and corporate practice. I’ve acted as general counsel to several small businesses with regard to business development and contract work while also representing individuals and entities in complex business litigation matters relating to contract disputes, lender and financial liability matters, and real estate transactions. at both the state and federal level. My previous experience as a judicial clerk gave me insight...

I am a Board Certified Specialist in Family Law, and a Certified Family Financial Divorce Mediator. My practice is intentionally focused on helping each of my Clients work through their separation, divorce, or child custody issues without having to step foot in a Courtroom. I have seen first hand the damage that is done to parents and children going through family law litigation. It is my goal to help each Client navigate their family law issues to move forward with their new, improved life.

Hello, I'm Garistine Simmons, but please, call me "Joy". My parents, Gary and Christine Davis, inspired my name "Garistine" as a blend of theirs, and they nicknamed me "Joy" because I brought so much happiness into their lives. I chose to become a Life and Legacy Planning Lawyer driven by my passion for assisting others in planning, building, and solving problems to ensure their lives are filled with "joy" and "peace". In my legal practice, I concentrate on Business Planning, Estate Planning, and Medicaid Planning. I assist business owners in establishing the foundational and infrastructural aspects of their businesses, including business...

I attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, becoming the first in my family to attend a four-year college. After earning my degree, I relocated to Memphis, Tennessee, to pursue my legal education at the University of Memphis, Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law. While there, I served on the editorial board of The University of Memphis Law Review and published two articles. My time in Memphis was rewarding both academically, as I graduated with honors, and personally, as my wife and I welcomed two children. In 2003, I returned to North Carolina and started my career as a...

Patrick R. Anstead is one of the most sought after litigation attorneys in Southeastern North Carolina. Mr. Anstead prioritizes cases involving the violation of constitutional rights and catastrophic personal injury. If you have been charged with a crime, hurt on the job, or been a victim of police misconduct, call The Richardson Firm and ask for a free consultation with Patrick Anstead to protect your rights. Recent Outstanding Results: $60,000 for a woman falsely arrested by local police $400,000 for a disabled man assaulted by a personal care assistant $85,000 for a medical assistant assaulted by a physician $135,000 for family...

With more than two decades of experience, Melinda Flinn has dedicated her legal career to family law within Cumberland County, North Carolina. Recognizing the emotional toll and strain associated with family law and divorce matters, Melinda is committed to offering her clients compassionate and pragmatic legal guidance. Employing a hands-on approach and drawing upon her comprehensive understanding of the local legal system, she tirelessly pursues her clients' interests in every case. Melinda places great importance on engaging her clients in their own legal journeys. She endeavors to provide them with a comprehensive overview of all potential outcomes, empowering them to make informed...

Meet Matt Richardson, a distinguished partner at The Richardson Firm, renowned for his exceptional legal experience. Matt embarked on his legal journey by attending Campbell University's Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law, following the completion of his undergraduate degree at the prestigious University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Since his admission to the North Carolina Bar in 2009, Matt has been an esteemed practitioner in southeastern North Carolina. Early in his career, Matt served as an Assistant District Attorney in Cumberland County, where he tirelessly prosecuted cases on behalf of the State of North Carolina for nearly two years. This...

Jeannette has 11 years of experience working in the insurance industry in claims handling. She has represented both plaintiffs and defendants and is bilingual in Spanish and English.

Nathaniel “Nat” Smith heads up the firm’s civil litigation practice. He handles serious personal injury and workers’ compensation cases in addition to business litigation, trust and estate litigation cases. He also works on civil appeals on behalf of the firm’s clients. Mr. Smith grew up in Raleigh, where he was a member of Broughton High School’s 50th graduating class in 1979. He attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, graduating in 1983 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics. He graduated with honors from UNC School of Law in 1993. While in law school, he clerked...

Trivino Law is a female-owned and operated law firm, dedicated to providing reliable, experienced, and professional legal services.
Focusing in the areas of Criminal Defense, Traffic Tickets, DUI, DWI, Suspended License, Domestic Violence, and Uncontested Divorce.
Serving the Charlotte, Matthews, Indian Trail, and Mint Hill communities.
Trivino Law strongly believes that all individuals are entitled to effective, honest, and zealous legal representation regardless of race, ethnicity, socio-economic status, class, sexual preference, or gender.

#FightingForYou

Attorney Rebecca Poole brings a powerful combination of skill, passion, and advanced training to the practice of law. Certified by both the North Carolina Board of Legal Specialization and Center for Cooperative Parenting, Rebecca has established a reputation for excellence – and results – in the areas of mediation, arbitration, litigation, and the collaborative divorce process. She also assists the firm’s clients in developing comprehensive estate plans that ensure family members and financial affairs are protected and preserved. Over the course of her legal career, Rebecca has maintained an unwavering commitment to achieving client goals, even when faced with challenging...

The Law Office of John C. Fitzpatrick helps people through the following difficult times: Criminal Law – Our Durham attorney focusing will aggressively defend you from allegations of North Carolina criminal violations, ranging from traffic tickets for speeding or Driving While Impaired (DWI/DUI), to misdemeanors like shoplifting or domestic assault, to drug charges or white collar crime, and serious felonies, including homicide. Personal Injury – If you have been injured in an accident, you may be entitled to financial compensation for your medical bills, pain, and even your time lost from work. An injury from a car accident, trucking accident, bicycle accident...

Trained as a real estate and estate planning attorney initially in my career, my practice areas have expanded to encompass estate administration, special proceedings, and corporate formation, as well as, real estate and estate planning. I am a young, energetic attorney determined to become the best in my field through excellent representation of each and every client. I am constantly learning new aspects of the law and surrounding myself with opportunities for growth. Have you reviewed your estate plan lately? If not, maybe it’s time we take a peek at it!

I am Jeremy Bradford, the founding and managing attorney of Bradford Law. From my offices in Charlotte, NC, I travel all across North Carolina helping injured people fight against insurance companies, in what could be life-altering circumstances. I have made a point to develop strong relationships with my clients. I take the trust my clients put in me personally and put myself into every case. If my client calls, my client will always be able to speak directly with me. You will get to know me as we work our way through the personal injury process. So when we make...

North Carolina personal injury lawyer Brenton D. Adams has represented individuals against insurance companies since 1973. Mr. Adams is board certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy and is a member of the Million Dollar Advocacy Forum. He has been selected as one of the top 100 trial lawyers in North Carolina by the American Trial Lawyers Association. Mr. Adams has given lectures to trial lawyers at numerous seminars dealing with trial advocacy and trial practice issues. Among the trial lawyer organizations at which Mr. Adams has lectured are the North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers, The North Carolina Bar Association,...

Concentrating in consumer and business Bankruptcy with over 25 years experience in the law. I limit the number of cases so that I know my clients and cases. Also experienced in tax issues, civil and criminal trials, both bench and jury, settlement, mediation, and all means to empower clients and produce a favorable result. My knowledge also includes contracts, adoptions, domestic matters, wills, estates, and most matters which may arise. Let me and my assistants tend to your matter. By practicing bankruptcy law I am a debt relief agency under federal law and proudly represent persons with debt problems.

I have been a practicing attorney since 1987. I began my legal career in Los Angeles, California. I joined the Office of the Public Defender in 1990. During my 18 year career as a Deputy Public Defender, I was able to gain invaluable trial experience. I was promoted to the highest trial level position and was assigned death penalty cases. I lectured at attorney training seminars on the topic of juvenile mitigation and fitness and taught a felony trial series for new felony lawyers.
Upon relocating to North Carolina, I worked as an Assistant District Attorney for the County of Durham...

James Darren (J.D.) Byers jdbyershs Education Wake Forest U, JD, 1992 The Citadel, BA, 1989 Bar Admissions North Carolina State Bar All Federal Courts in North Carolina Biography Practicing in North Carolina since 1994, J.D. Byers is an attorney dedicated to serving clients in legal practice areas where he has strong qualifications and experience. A diligent and aggressive criminal defender, he looks at all defense angles, visits scenes of accidents when necessary, and communicates actively with clients. His track record includes success in both state and federal courts, on offenses ranging from traffic...

Molly M. Schertzinger is a dedicated personal injury attorney and Vice President at Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers in North Carolina. She is a passionate advocate for the injured, focusing her practice on car accidents, slip and fall cases, and dog bites. Ms. Schertzinger earned her J.D. from Florida Coastal School of Law in 2010. She has since been recognized for her legal excellence, being named a "Rising Star" by Super Lawyers from 2022-2023 and a "Top 40 Under 40" by The National Trial Lawyers. As a key member of her firm, she has been instrumental in securing significant settlements and verdicts...

The Law Office of Sarah Young is providing services in person in Clemmons, NC, by phone and video conference. Estate Planning Law, Personal Injury Law, Startup Law, Property Law, Trust and Estate Litigation, Wills Planning Law and Real Estate.

Michael DeMayo is Founder and CEO of the DeMayo Law Offices in North Carolina.

Mr. DeMayo is a very experienced attorney, having over 25 cases where he has recovered $1 Million dollars in a verdict or settlement.

Mr. DeMayo is consistently ranked as one of the top attorneys in North Carolina and Nationally. He is ranked annually as a Top 100 Trial Lawyer by the National Trial Lawyers, is rated AV Preeminent from Martindale-Hubbell, a member of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, has been named the Nation's top One Percent by the National Association of Distinguished Counsel and locally he is...

Kirk Sanders litigates estate & trust disputes. Kirk handles condemnation cases (Eminent Domain Lawyers). He and his old firm represented hundreds of clients statewide and led the challenge of the N.C. Map Act as an inverse condemnation by the NCDOT and collected $300,000,000 for clients since 2018. See landmark decisions in Kirby v. NC Department of Transportation, Chappell v. NCDOT, Beroth v. NCDOT, Stimpson v. NCDOT et al. Kirk Sanders handles estate and trust litigation cases and eminent domain matters. Kirk Sanders has successfully litigated Will Contests cases (will caveats) for both the caveators (challengers of the will) and propounders...

Founded Stewart Law, P.A. in 1995

Drawing on my skills as an Attorney and CPA, I have a passion for working with business owners who are looking to grow and improve their companies. Personal estate planning is a natural extension to ensure that the company’s growth benefits the entrepreneur and his family. I have been personally involved with Strategic Coach in Chicago and other entrepreneurial coaching and am a Board Certified Specialist in Estate Planning and Probate Law. I am admitted to practice law in Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina and maintain active licenses in both of the Carolinas.

In addition...

For Joey DeMartin, officially joining the team at Hardison & Cochran, Attorneys at Law feels like a homecoming. He worked at the law firm, writing motions and assisting in the call center while attending Campbell Law School in Raleigh. DeMartin graduated from the Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law at Campbell University in 2018 and passed the North Carolina Bar Exam in 2019. The Washington, N.C., native is the first attorney in his family. “My grandfather was pretty happy with that,” DeMartin said, noting that the law had interested him from a young age. “I was definitely the family debater. … I...

I love competition and thrive on being a trial lawyer. I'm known as the 'DWI Guy' and 100% own it. It's what I do. I'm in the Legal Elite Hall of Fame as my colleagues voted me as North Carolina's Top Criminal Law Attorney in 2016. I appreciate all the awards and recognition, from serving on Law Review to Business NC's Top 30 Under 30, to Super Lawyers, to the National Trial Lawyer's Top 40 Under 40, but it's helping people that makes me truly happy.

What will become clear after speaking with me?

[1] I'm direct and...

Sara Willingham is an experienced trial attorney. Ms. Willingham has extensive experience handling motor vehicle cases, including complex motor vehicle accidents where liability is contested. In addition, Ms. Willingham has handled numerous product liability cases, medical malpractice cases, negligent security cases and premises liability cases. In addition to her extensive courtroom litigation practice, Ms. Willingham arbitrates uninsured and underinsured motorist cases on behalf of injured policy holders.