Another legal industry accolade that comes out each year is the Super Lawyers list, which is a publication of Thomson Reuters. Super Lawyers is a rating service of lawyers across the nation. Peer nominations and evaluations along with third-party research are used to review candidates.
 

CHRISTOPHER BEHM

CATEGORY: Super Lawyers-Construction Litigation (See Legal Elite profile), Block, Crouch, Keeter, Behm & Sayed
 
See Behm's Legal Elite list profile
 

NORWOOD BLANCHARD III

CATEGORY: Super Lawyers-Employment & Labor
FIRM: Crossley McIntosh Collier Hanley & Edes PLLC
TITLE: Partner
EDUCATION: East Carolina University (B.S., B.A.); Duke University (J.D.)
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Blanchard has argued numerous appellate cases at the N.C. Supreme Court, N.C. Court of Appeals and U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.
AREAS OF FOCUS: Employment, general civil and municipal
 

DANIEL BRAWLEY

CATEGORY: Super Lawyers-Construction Litigation (Also named to Hall of Fame for Legal Elite in Litigation)
FIRM: Block, Crouch, Keeter, Behm & Sayed
TITLE: Of Counsel
EDUCATION: UNC-Chapel Hill (B.A. and J.D.)
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Brawley was a visiting professor at the law school at Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Poland. “The opportunity to work with law students and professors in a post-Soviet Union environment was educational and rewarding and confirmed my abiding appreciation of the American judicial system,” Brawley said.
AREAS OF FOCUS:  Litigation, construction and admiralty
 
See Brawley’s Legal Elite list profile
 

ALGERNON BUTLER III

CATEGORY:  Super Lawyers-Bankruptcy: Business (See Legal Elite profile) , Butler & Butler LLP
 
See Butler's Legal Elite list profile
 

STEPHEN COBLE

CATEGORY:  Super Lawyers-General Litigation
FIRM:  Coble Law Firm PC TITLE:  Attorney, Manager
EDUCATION:  Elon College (B.A.); Appalachian State University (MPA); University of Dayton (J.D.)
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:  Selected as an Emerging Legal Leader in 2010 by North Carolina Lawyers Weekly; as a Rising Star in 2012 and 2014 by Super Lawyers; a Legal Elite by Business North Carolina in 2013; Rated AV Preeminent (the highest possible rating) by Martindale-Hubbell 2015-19; as a top-rated general litigation attorney by Super Lawyers 2017-19.
AREA OF FOCUS:  General civil litigation
 

AULEY CROUCH III

CATEGORY:  Super Lawyers- General Litigation FIRM:  Block, Crouch, Keeter, Behm & Sayed
TITLE:  Partner
EDUCATION:  Citadel (B.S.); John Marshall Law School (J.D.)
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:  Crouch has been a Superior Court mediator since 1993. His representative reported cases include: Sevigny v. Dicksey; Marina Food Associates Inc. v. Marina Restaurant Inc.; and Williams v. Houses of Distinction Inc.
AREAS OF FOCUS:  General civil, including commercial/business disputes, construction litigation, personal injury and condemnation in federal and state courts
 

DON EVANS JR.

CATEGORY:  Super Lawyers- Transportation/Maritime
FIRM:  Clark, Newton & Evans PA
TITLE:  Managing Partner EDUCATION:  UNC-Chapel Hill; Campbell University (J.D.); U.S. Naval Justice School
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:  Evans belongs to the Real Property Section of the N.C. Bar and represents developers and banks in Eastern North Carolina, as well as having a significant wills, estates and maritime practice. Evans is also a retired Navy JAG Commander, providing him insight into land and sea transactions, finance and litigation. While his firm conducts a general practice, it has particular strength in real estate, maritime law, business transactions and estates, and it has two of North Carolina’s six proctors in admiralty.
AREAS OF FOCUS:  Business transactions, maritime law, real estate, wills and estates
 

JANET GEMMELL

CATEGORY:  Super Lawyers-Family Law
FIRM:  Cape Fear Family Law
TITLE:  Board-Certified Family Law Specialist
EDUCATION:  UNCW (B.A.); Campbell University (J.D.)
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:  Gemmell is a contributing writer and public speaker on divorce law topics for local publications and has been featured in national magazines. She also teaches continuing legal education classes for other attorneys throughout the state. She loves working with divorcing clients and helping them through the process of divorce.
AREAS OF FOCUS:  Divorce, family law, child custody and alimony
 

H. MARK HAMLET

CATEGORY:  Super Lawyers-Construction Litigation(See Legal Elite profile ), Hamlet & Associates PLLC
 
See Hamlet's Legal Elite list profile
 

CHRISTOPHER HINNANT

CATEGORY : Super Lawyers-Civil Litigation: Defense
FIRM:  Barnwell Whaley Patterson & Helms
TITLE:  Member Attorney
EDUCATION:  UNC-Chapel Hill (B.A.); Campbell University (J.D.)
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:  As a commercial litigator, Hinnant has handled many types of cases involving corporations and businesses, from minor contract disputes to one of the largest real estate fraud cases in North Carolina history (his banking client was dismissed on a 12(b)(6) motion). He has been recognized by Best Lawyers in America for work in personal injury litigation-defense. Licensed in both North and South Carolina, Hinnant has handled hundreds of cases in both state and federal courts.
AREAS OF FOCUS:  Business law, civil litigation, construction litigation, medical malpractice defense, insurance coverage, personal injury defense, restaurant and hospitality law

 
JEFFREY KEETER

CATEGORY:  Super Lawyers-Real Estate (See Legal Elite profile ), Block, Crouch, Keeter, Behm & Sayed
 
See Keeter's Legal Elite list profile
 

HAL KITCHIN

CATEGORY:  Super Lawyers-Business Litigation (See Legal Elite profile), McGuireWoods
 
See Kitchin's Legal Elite list profile
 

REBECCA KNUDSON

CATEGORY:  Super Lawyers-Construction Litigation (See Legal Elite profile), Cranfill Sumner & Hartzog LLP
 
See Knudson's Legal Elite list profile
 

PAULA KOHUT

CATEGORY:  Super Lawyers-Estate Planning & Probate (See Legal Elite profile ), Kohut & Adams PA
 
See Kohut's Legal Elite list profile
 

JILL PETERS KAESS

CATEGORY:  Super Lawyers-Estate & Probate Planning (See Legal Elite profile), Fox Rothschild LLP
 
See Kaess' Legal Elite list profile
 

JAMES LEA III

CATEGORY:  Super Lawyers-Family Law
FIRM:  The Lea/Schultz Law Firm
TITLE:  Attorney
EDUCATION:  UNC-Chapel Hill; Campbell University (J.D.)
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:  Lea has been practicing law for over 37 years. He specializes in domestic law and civil litigation. In 1996, he earned the Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating and has maintained the rating for the past 23 years. For over 10 years he has been listed in Super Lawyers and The Best Lawyers in America. His firm has been honored as one of The Best Law Firms in America along with Ryan Schultz and Paige Inman by U.S. News. He also was recently named as a Lawyer of Distinction.
AREA OF FOCUS:  Family law
 

MICHAEL V. LEE

CATEGORY: Super Lawyers-Real Estate (See Legal Elite profile), Lee Law Firm
 
See Lee's Legal Elite list profile
 

ERICA LEWIS

CATEGORY:  Super Lawyers-Workers’ Compensation
FIRM:  Hedrick Gardner Kincheloe & Garofalo
TITLE:  Partner
EDUCATION:  University of California, Davis (B.S.); Wake Forest University (J.D.)
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:  Lewis founded the Wilmington office of Hedrick Gardner. She holds an AV rating with Martindale-Hubbell and was recognized in the 2014 listing in the Bar Register of Preeminent Women Lawyers.
AREAS OF FOCUS:  Workers’ compensation, appellate advocacy and employment law
 

GARY SHIPMAN

CATEGORY:  Super Lawyers-Personal Injury General: Plaintiff
FIRM:  Shipman & Wright
TITLE:  Partner
EDUCATION:  UNCW (B.A.); Campbell University (J.D.)
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:  Shipman has been practicing since 1980. He has handled more than 100 jury trials to verdict during his career. He was recognized by Encore as the Best Law Firm in Wilmington 2016, 2017; Recognized by the National Association of Distinguished Counsel as part of the Nation’s Top One Percent; Voted by his peers to be included in The Best Lawyers in America.
AREA OF FOCUS:  Complex civil, business law, construction law, HOA law, wrongful death
 

JEAN SUTTON MARTIN

CATEGORY:  Super Lawyers-Class Action/ Mass Torts (Also named to Hall of Fame for Legal Elite in Litigation )
FIRM:  Morgan & Morgan Complex Litigation Group
TITLE:  Attorney
EDUCATION:  Wake Forest University (B.S.); University of South Carolina (M.I.B.S.); Wake Forest University (J.D.)
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:  With 20 years of experience in the field, Martin represents consumers and individuals in class actions, pharmaceutical drug cases and medical device litigation.
AREA OF FOCUS:  Consumer class action litigation

 
JOHN D. MARTIN

CATEGORY:  Super Lawyers-Personal Injury: Medical Malpractice/ Defense
FIRM:  Cranfill Sumner & Hartzog
TITLE:  Managing Partner, Wilmington office
EDUCATION:  Wake Forest University (B.A.); Campbell University (J.D.)
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:  Martin has successfully tried numerous medical malpractice and personal injury cases throughout Eastern North Carolina. Many of his cases involve brain injury, birth trauma, paraplegia and wrongful death. Martin also has experience with large construction litigation, premises liability and hospital/workplace security. He has appeared before the U. S. Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit, the U. S. Supreme Court and the N.C. Court of Appeals and Supreme Court. Martin has been named to The Best Lawyers in America list in Medical Malpractice Law, Defendants.
AREAS OF FOCUS:  Business disputes litigation, medical malpractice and professional liability
Editor's note: In the April 5 print edition, the incorrect photo ran with John D. Martin's bio so we are including the correct headshot with the online version of the story.
 

BRUCE MASON

CATEGORY:  Super Lawyers-Criminal Defense
FIRM:  Mason & Mason
EDUCATION:  West Virginia University (B.S.); UNC-Chapel Hill (J.D.)
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:  Bruce founded Mason & Mason in 1993 as a general trial practice specializing in criminal defense with a concentration in personal injury representation. The N.C. State Bar recognizes him as a board-certified specialist in state criminal law. Bruce maintains an “excellent” rating by the national lawyer rating service of Martindale Hubbell. Bruce practices extensively in federal court and is a member of the C.J.A. Panel, made up of attorneys selected by the federal judiciary to represent clients in federal court by appointment.
AREAS OF FOCUS:  Criminal defense, driving while impaired defense, traffic law and personal injury
 

JAMES MCGEE JR.

CATEGORY:  Super Lawyers-Criminal Defense: DUI/DWI (See Legal Elite profile ), The McGee Law Firm
 
See McGee's Legal Elite list profile
 

ANDREW MCVEY

CATEGORY:  Super Lawyers-Employment & Labor (See Legal Elite profile), Murchison, Taylor & Gibson
 
See Mcvey's Legal Elite list profile
 

PATRICK MINCEY

CATEGORY: Super Lawyers-Rising Stars: Criminal Defense/White Collar (See Legal Elite profile), Cranfill Sumner & Hartzog LLP
 
See Mincey's Legal Elite list profile
 

H. SCOTT OVERHOLT

CATEGORY: Super Lawyers-Personal Injury General: Plaintiff F IRM: Overholt Law Firm PC 
TITLE: Attorney, Founder 
EDUCATION: University of Arkansas (B.A.); University of Arkansas (J.D.) 
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Overholt has been practicing law for over 25 years. He specializes in personal injury and workers’ compensation. He is certified a Superior Court Mediator by the N.C. Dispute Resolution Commission. Admitted to practice before all North Carolina state courts, Overholt is also admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina and the U.S. Supreme Court. 
AREAS OF FOCUS: Personal injury, products liability, wrongful death, workers’ compensation
 

JOEL RHINE  

CATEGORY: Super Lawyers Top 100 list and Super Lawyers-Personal Injury General: Plaintiff (See Legal Elite profile), Rhine Law Firm
 
See Rhine's Legal Elite list profile
 

LINDA SAYED  

CATEGORY: Super Lawyers-Family Law (See Legal Elite profile), Block, Crouch, Keeter, Behm & Sayed
 
See Sayed's Legal Elite list profile
 

HELEN TAROKIC  

CATEGORY: Super Lawyers-Immigration (See Legal Elite profile), Helen Tarokic Law PLLC
 
See Tarokic's Legal Elite list profile
 

RYAL TAYLOE  

CATEGORY: Super Lawyers-Construction Litigation: Business 
FIRM: Ward and Smith P.A. 
TITLE: Attorney
EDUCATION: UNC-Chapel Hill (B.A.); Wake Forest University (J.D.) 
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Tayloe is an experienced litigator. He has handled a wide range of litigation cases in state and federal courts, many of them jury trials. Tayloe has extensive construction law experience, including lien law, federal and state bond claims and defective workmanship cases. He also has significant experience with agribusiness litigation, property owner association disputes, personal injury and all types of real estate disputes, including title insurance claims, trespass, adverse possession, condemnation, easement rights and wrongful timber cutting. 
AREAS OF FOCUS: Contract litigation; eminent domain/condemnation; construction litigation; real estate litigation; personal injury litigation
 

EDWIN WEST III  

CATEGORY: Super Lawyers-Criminal Defense (See Legal Elite profile), Brooks Pierce McLendon Humphrey & Leonard
 
See West's Legal Elite list profile
 

WOODY WHITE  

CATEGORY: Super Lawyers-Criminal Defense 
FIRM: Woody White Law Firm PLLC 
TITLE: Senior Partner 
EDUCATION: Southern College (B.A.); University of Nebraska (J.D.) 
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: White is a board-certified specialist in state and federal criminal law. He has served as a: New Hanover Regional Medical Center Trustee 1999-2002; Cape Fear Community College Trustee 2012-15; 2017; UNCW Board of Trustees 2018-present; chief legal counsel for the N.C. Republican Party 2002-04; state senator in 2004; Lower Cape Fear Habitat for Humanity Board Trustee 2006-07; New Hanover County Board of Commissioners 2012-present including as chairman 2012-14 and 2017-19; Legion Stadium Commission 2012-17; and New Hanover County Board of Health 2019-present. 
AREAS OF FOCUS: Criminal (both state and federal), serious personal injury cases, wrongful death, civil, DWI/DUI
 

ROBERT WILLIAMS JR.  

CATEGORY: Super Lawyers-Real Estate 
FIRM: Price & Williams 
TITLE: Attorney 
EDUCATION: UNC-Chapel Hill (B.A.); N.C. Central University (J.D.) 
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Williams has extensive experience in real estate law, having represented clients in thousands of residential and commercial transactions. His clients have included first-time homebuyers, small businesses, builders and developers. In addition, Williams regularly acts as an adviser and counselor to homeowners’ associations regarding assessments and other matters. 
AREAS OF FOCUS: Real estate
 

WILLIAM WRIGHT  

CATEGORY: Super Lawyers- Personal Injury General: Plaintiff 
FIRM: Shipman & Wright 
TITLE: Partner 
EDUCATION: UNCW (B.A.); Campbell University (J.D.) 
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Wright has been practicing since 1999. He is licensed to practice in all state and federal courts in North Carolina. He is certified a Superior Court Mediator by the N.C. Dispute Resolution Commission. He is also a certified athlete agent in the state of North Carolina. 
AREAS OF FOCUS: Complex civil, workers’ compensation, domestic and alternative dispute resolution