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 K. BEHM
CATEGORY: Super Lawyers-Construction Litigation
FIRM: Block, Crouch, Keeter, Behm & Sayed LLP
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. and 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 part of Hall of Fame for Legal Elite in Litigation)
FIRM: Block, Crouch, Keeter, Behm & Sayed LLP
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
SETH BUSKIRK
CATEGORY: Super Lawyers-Transportation/ Maritime
FIRM: Clark, Newton & Evans PA
TITLE: Partner
EDUCATION: Appalachian State University (B.S.); Campbell University (J.D.)
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Buskirk has represented clients in numerous maritime and inland transportation matters including: vessel collisions, fixed structure and cargo damage, personal injuries, wrongful death, limitation of liability actions, vessel arrest and sale, towing and salvage, charter party disputes and shipboard investigations on behalf of protection and indemnity clubs. He has also represented clients in areas of commercial, employment, real estate and planned community governance law.
AREAS OF FOCUS: Maritime and transportation law and general litigation
ALGERNON BUTLER III
CATEGORY: Super Lawyers-Bankruptcy: Business
FIRM: Butler & Butler LLP
See Butler's Legal Elite list profile
STEPHEN E. 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 2016 by Super Lawyers; a Legal Elite by Business North Carolina in 2013; Rated AV Preeminent (the highest possible rating) by Martindale-Hubbell 2015-22; as a Top-Rated General Litigation Attorney by Super Lawyers 2017-22
AREA OF FOCUS: General civil litigation
BRADLEY A. COXE
CATEGORY: Super Lawyers-Personal Injury
GENERAL: Plaintiff
FIRM: Hodges Coxe & Potter LLP
EDUCATION: UNC-Chapel; UNC School of Law (J.D.)
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: In 2005, Coxe started Hodges & Coxe P.C., with friend and fellow graduate Wes Hodges. That firm merged with another highly regarded small law firm and now exists as Hodges Coxe & Potter LLP.
AREAS OF FOCUS: Practice areas are Personal Injury-General: Plaintiff, Business Litigation and Personal Injury-Medical Malpractice: Plaintiff. Coxe has represented both plaintiffs and defendants with all types of civil litigation, including personal injury, medical malpractice, construction disputes, premises liability, dog bites, HOA law, employment and business disputes and other contract disputes.
AULEY CROUCH III
CATEGORY: Super Lawyers-General Litigation
FIRM: Block, Crouch, Keeter, Behm & Sayed LLP
TITLE: Retired
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: Mediation and civil collaborative dispute resolution
A.L. BUTLER DANIEL
CATEGORY: Super Lawyers-Medical Malpractice
FIRM: Daniel, Holoman & Associates LLP
TITLE: Attorney
EDUCATION: Campbell University School of Law (J.D.)
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Daniel was admitted to the practice of law in 1993. Daniel has been recognized by peers for outstanding work and commitment to the spirit of the legal profession.
AREAS OF FOCUS: Personal injurymedical malpractice: plaintiff issues and personal injury-general: plaintiff
G. STEPHEN DIAB
CATEGORY: Super Lawyers-Mergers & Acquisitions (Also part of Hall of Fame for Legal Elite in Business)
FIRM: Murchison, Taylor & Gibson PLLC
TITLE: Member/partner
EDUCATION: UNC-Chapel Hill (B.S. and J.D.)
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Diab is a certified public accountant (N.C. silver medalist, 1986 Uniform CPA Exam) and member of the N.C. Association of Certified Public Accountants. Diab has served on the boards of directors for the New Hanover Regional Medical Center Foundation, Hill School of Wilmington Inc., Wilmington West Rotary Club and The Eshelman Foundation. Also named to Legal Elite Hall of Fame in the Business Category in 2021.
AREAS OF FOCUS: Mergers and acquisitions, trusts and estates, corporate law and business and tax planning
DON T. 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 has a busy practice both in marine and trucking litigation, but also belongs to the Real Property Section of the N.C. Bar Association, representing banks and developers in Eastern North Carolina. 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 and transportation law, business transactions and estates.
AREAS OF FOCUS: Business transactions, maritime law, real estate, wills and estates
KATHLEEN SHANNON GLANCY
CATEGORY: Super Lawyers-Workers’ Compensation
FIRM: The Law Offices of Kathleen Shannon Glancy
TITLE: Founding Attorney
EDUCATION: University of California, Irvine (B.A.); Santa Clara University (J.D.)
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Glancy is a board-certified workers’ compensation attorney. She has over 35 years of experience in workers’ compensation and Social Security disability law. Owner and manager of her practice located in downtown Wilmington, she has participated in many local charities including Habitat for Humanity, Dreams of Wilmington and local theater groups. She is an active leader in the N.C. Advocates for Justice’s Workers’ Compensation Section and Workplace Injury Litigation Group.
AREAS OF FOCUS: Practice is limited to representing injured and disabled workers in workers’ compensation and Social Security Disability claims
H. MARK HAMLET
CATEGORY: Super Lawyers-Construction Litigation
FIRM: Hamlet Law
See Hamlet's Legal Elite list profile
JASON R. HARRIS
CATEGORY: Super Lawyers-Transportation/Maritime
FIRM: Cranfill Sumner LLP
TITLE: Partner
EDUCATION: Auburn University (B.A.); Wake Forest University School of Law (J.D.); University of Miami School of Law (LL.M. Ocean and Coastal Law)
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Harris represents and advises clients in a variety of general litigation, transportation, admiralty, maritime and corporate matters. In his litigation practice, Harris frequently represents clients and insurers in maritime and transportation cases, including the defense and prosecution of serious bodily injuries, fatalities, casualties and construction disputes. He also represents select clients facing state or federal criminal charges. He is the chair of the Cranfill Sumner LLP Admiralty and Maritime Law Practice Group.
AREAS OF FOCUS: Admiralty and maritime law; construction law; international business law; white collar, government investigations and special matters
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. Hinnant has recently been inducted as a Fellow in the Litigation Counsel of America.
GEOFFREY W. HOSFORD
CATEGORY: Super Lawyers-Criminal Defense
FIRM: Hosford & Hosford PC
TITLE: Attorney
EDUCATION: Seton Hall University School of Law (J.D.)
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Selected to Super Lawyers 2017-20, Hosford has taken more than 120 felony cases through jury verdict, including first-degree and capital murder cases. Practicing in the Wilmington area since 1997, he has been board-certified in state and federal criminal law by the N.C. State Bar Board of Legal Specialization since 2001.
AREA OF FOCUS: Criminal defense
MELODY JOLLY
CATEGORY: Super Lawyers-Professional Liability/Defense
FIRM: Cranfill Sumner LLP
TITLE: Partner
EDUCATION: UNC-Chapel Hill (B.A. and J.D.)
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Jolly has successfully defended professionals and other clients in our state and federal trial courts and at the appellate level for her entire career. She counsels clients on their ethical obligations and other risk management topics, and she regularly defends clients before their professional licensing boards. Jolly leads Cranfill Sumner’s Professional Liability section and maintains an active leadership role in the Defense Research Institute’s Professional Liability Committee, serving as its chair from 2019-21. She was selected by Super Lawyers in the field of Professional Liability/Defense as a Rising Star from 2010-2019, and has been selected as a Super Lawyer since 2020. Additionally, she has been included among The Best Lawyers in America since 2018 in the field of Professional Malpractice Law, and she was recognized among the Benchmark 40 & Under 2019 Hot List in the field of Professional Liability Defense.
AREAS OF FOCUS: Professional liability defense, community associations
JILL PETERS KAESS
CATEGORY: Super Lawyers-Estate Planning & Probate and Top 50 Women
FIRM: Lee Kaess PLLC
See Peters Kaess' Legal Elite list profile
JEFFREY P. KEETER
CATEGORY: Super Lawyers-Real Estate
FIRM: Block, Crouch, Keeter, Behm & Sayed LLP
See Keeter's Legal Elite list profile
REBECCA A. KNUDSON
CATEGORY: Super Lawyers-Construction Litigation
FIRM: Cranfill Sumner LLP
See Knudson's Legal Elite list profile
PAULA KOHUT
CATEGORY: Super Lawyers-Estate Planning & Probate FIRM: Kohut, Adams & Randall PA
TITLE: Shareholder
EDUCATION: University of California, Irvine (B.A.); Wake Forest University (J.D.)
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: “I have the privilege to represent many individuals and business clients,” Kohut said. “Developing estate plans, assisting with the administration of the estates of loved ones, forming business entities, assisting business owners and volunteering with bar organizations each provide opportunities to make a difference.”
AREAS OF FOCUS: Trust and estate planning and administration; business law
JAMES W. 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 41 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 25 years. For over 15 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.
AREA OF FOCUS: Family law
MICHAEL LEE
CATEGORY: Super Lawyers-Real Estate
FIRM: Lee Kaess PLLC
EDUCATION: UNC-Chapel Hill (B.A.); Wake Forest University (J.D.)
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Lee started the Lee Law Firm in 2012. Lee joined with Jill Peters Kaess to form the law firm of Lee Kaess PLLC. He has earned the Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating; Business North Carolina’s Legal Elite 2007, 2009-21; North Carolina Super Lawyers 2009-22; and 2014 Best of the Best, Top 100 North Carolina Super Lawyers. He was also selected by his peers multiple years for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America and U.S. News’ Best Law Firm list and in 2020 was selected as a 26th Edition “Lawyer of the Year” for his work in real estate law in Wilmington. Lee served in the N.C. Senate 2014-18 and is currently serving in his third term in the N.C. Senate. Lee previously served on the N.C. Board of Transportation and N.C. State Ports Authority Board as its chairman.
AREAS OF FOCUS: Commercial real estate, land use and zoning
JOHN D. MARTIN
CATEGORY: Super Lawyers-Personal Injury Medical Malpractice, Defense
FIRM: Cranfill Sumner LLP
TITLE: Partner
EDUCATION: Wake Forest University (B.A.); Campbell University School of Law (J.D.)
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Martin is the managing partner of Cranfill Sumner LLP’s Wilmington office. He defends hospitals, physicians and physician practices and long-term care facilities in litigation. He represents and advises hospitals and medical care providers in pre-suit claims and risk management issues, and represents architects, engineers and related professionals in litigation and claims disputes. He also serves as panel counsel for various professional liability insurance carriers.
AREAS OF FOCUS: Medical malpractice, professional liability, business disputes and litigation
BRUCE MASON
CATEGORY: Super Lawyers-Criminal Defense
FIRM: Mason & Mason
EDUCATION: West Virginia University (B.S.); UNC-Chapel Hill (J.D.)
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Mason 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. He maintains an “excellent” rating by the national lawyer rating service of Martindale Hubbell. Mason 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
FIRM: The McGee Law Firm
TITLE: Owner
EDUCATION: UNCW (B.S.); Campbell University (J.D.)
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: McGee was named the Best Lawyers 2021 DUI/ DWI Defense “Lawyer of the Year” in Wilmington. He is also a published author and served as a faculty member for numerous DUI/DWI seminars in North Carolina and nationwide.
AREAS OF FOCUS: DWI defense, traffic offenses, criminal defense and personal injury
ANDREW MCVEY
CATEGORY: Super Lawyers-Employment & Labor
FIRM: Murchison, Taylor & Gibson PLLC
See McVey's Legal Elite list profile
WILLIAM “WILL” A. ODEN III
CATEGORY: Super Lawyers-Employment & Labor
FIRM: Ward and Smith P.A.
See Oden's Legal Elite list profile
H. SCOTT OVERHOLT
CATEGORY: Super Lawyers-Personal Injury
GENERAL: Plaintiff
FIRM: The Overholt Law Firm PC
TITLE: Attorney, founder
EDUCATION: University of Arkansas (B.A. and J.D.)
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Overholt started his legal career as a law clerk to the Honorable Malcolm J. Howard, U.S. District Court Judge, and has been practicing personal injury and workers’ compensation for 30 years. He is certified a Superior Court Mediator by the N.C. Dispute Resolution Commission and admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of the United States; all North Carolina state courts; and the U.S. District Court for the Eastern and Middle Districts.
JASON R. PAGE
CATEGORY: Super Lawyers-Estate Planning & Probate
FIRM: Law Office of Jason R. Page PLLC
TITLE: Attorney
EDUCATION: N.C. State (B.S.); Campbell University (J.D.)
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Page has helped families at all levels of wealth and at every stage of life navigate issues related to estate and fiduciary law, business and real estate. He also represents forest landowners, farmers, timber companies and forestry consultants across North Carolina in matters related to the management, protection and transfer of land and timber. Page has extensive litigation experience and has tried a wide variety of cases to jury verdict or hung jury. He is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, the New Hanover County Estate Planning Council, the American Agricultural Law Association, the N.C. Bar Association, the Society of American Foresters and the Association of Consulting Foresters. The N.C. State Bar has certified Jason as a specialist in Estate Planning and Probate Law. He is also an North Carolina registered forester and a certified forester.
AREAS OF FOCUS: Litigation, estate planning, estate administration, guardianship
THOMAS PLEASANT
CATEGORY: Super Lawyers-Medical Malpractice
FIRM: Pleasant Law
TITLE: Partner
EDUCATION: Wake Forest University (B.A. and J.D.)
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Licensed in North Carolina, Kentucky, Georgia and Tennessee, Pleasant focuses on catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases, primarily in the medical and nursing home negligence arena, including birth and brain injury cases. Pleasant holds a Lexis Martindale- Hubbell AV Preeminent peer rating.
AREAS OF FOCUS: Medical malpractice including birth injury, nursing home neglect
CONOR REGAN
CATEGORY: Super Lawyers-Business Litigation
FIRM: The Regan Law Firm
TITLE: Founder
EDUCATION: Mary Washington College (B.A.); Campbell University (J.D.)
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Regan represents businesses and individuals in transactions as well as in litigation before North Carolina’s trial and appellate courts, including the N.C. Business Court and all three of the state’s federal district courts. He is a veteran of the U.S. Army having served as a noncommissioned officer in the 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne).
AREAS OF FOCUS: Litigation, business law, real estate, construction law
JOEL R. RHINE
CATEGORY: Super Lawyers-Personal Injury General: Plaintiff
FIRM: Rhine Law Firm
See Rhine's Legal Elite list profile
LISA SALINES-MONDELLO
CATEGORY: Super Lawyers-Elder Law
FIRM: Salines-Mondello Law Firm PC
TITLE: Principal attorney
EDUCATION: (bachelor’s, J.D.) Boston University School of Law (LL.M. in Taxation)
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Licensed to practice in both North Carolina and Massachusetts, Salines-Mondello is certified as an elder law attorney (CELA) by the National Elder Law Foundation and is a NC Bar certified specialist in elder law. Lisa Salines-Mondello is a member of the North Carolina and Massachusetts bars, the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, the NC chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (including in officer roles) as well as the NC Board of Legal Specialization, and the New Hanover County Estate Planning Council.
AREAS OF FOCUS: Elder law, estate planning, and special needs planning
LINDA B. SAYED
CATEGORY: Super Lawyers-Family Law
FIRM: Block, Crouch, Keeter, Behm & Sayed LLP
See Sayed's Legal Elite list profile
GARY K. SHIPMAN
CATEGORY: Super Lawyers-Personal Injury
GENERALl: Plaintiff; Top 100
FIRM: Shipman & Wright LLP
TITLE: Partner
EDUCATION: UNCW (B.A.); Campbell University (J.D.)
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Shipman has been practicing law since 1980 and has over 200 jury trials to verdict in his career. He is a recipient of the Order of the Long Leaf Pine award, North Carolina’s highest civilian honor. Shipman has been listed in “Best Lawyers in America,” 2005 to present (Mass Tort; Commercial Litigation; Health Care/Medical Malpractice). He was listed as “Lawyer of the Year” 2020-22. He was also listed in “Super Lawyers of North Carolina,” 2005 to present – Law & Politics Magazine. He was listed as Nation’s Top One Percent and voted by his peers to be included in The Best Lawyers in America. Shipman’s firm was recognized by Encore as Best Law Firm in Wilmington in 2016 and 2017. Shipman is also an NFL-, NBAand NCAA-certified agent.
AREAS OF FOCUS: Complex civil litigation, business law, construction law, HOA law, wrongful death and catastrophic personal injury cases
NICOLE B. SLAUGHTER
CATEGORY: Super Lawyers -Construction Litigation
FIRM: Hamlet Law
TITLE: Partner
EDUCATION: University of Memphis (B.B.A.); University of Tennessee (J.D.)
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Slaughter is licensed in North Carolina, Tennessee and Georgia. She serves on the Board of Directors of the N.C. Association of Defense Attorneys and is a founding member and serves on the Board of Directors of the N.C. Civil Collaborative Law Association. She is a member of the N.C. Bar Association, the New Hanover County Bar Association and the N.C. Association of Women Attorneys, Coastal Women Attorneys chapter. Slaughter has authored a number of articles on construction law matters and has served as a speaker at several continuing legal education programs concerning construction law and collaborative law.
AREAS OF FOCUS: Commercial litigation, construction law, collaborative law, product liability, insurance defense and other complex litigation
HELEN TAROKIC
CATEGORY: Super Lawyers-Immigration
FIRM: Helen Tarokic Law PLLC
TITLE: Attorney, manager
EDUCATION: Lake Forest College (B.A.); Wake Forest University (J.D.)
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Tarokic is currently the only listed North Carolina boardcertified immigration law specialist in Wilmington. She was awarded the AILA National Sam Williamson mentorship award in San Francisco in June 2018 and co-authored the book “Ignite Your Practice with the T Visa,” which became a bestseller on Amazon for its category. She handles all types of immigration cases, ranging from investor and business cases to humanitarian and human trafficking cases. She is an active member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association.
AREAS OF FOCUS: North Carolina boardcertified immigration law specialist; fluent in Spanish, English and Croatian
RYAL TAYLOE
CATEGORY: Super Lawyers-Construction Litigation
FIRM: Ward and Smith P.A.
See Tayloe's Legal Elite list profile
BENTON L. TOUPS
CATEGORY: Super Lawyers-Employment & Labor
FIRM: Cranfill Sumner LLP
See Toups' Legal Elite list profile
EDWIN WEST III
CATEGORY: Super Lawyers-Criminal Defense
FIRM: 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 Trustee 2018-2021; state senator in 2004; Lower Cape Fear Habitat for Humanity Board Trustee 2006-07; New Hanover County Board of Commissioners 2012-20, including as chairman 2012-14 and 2016-18; Legion Stadium Commission 2012-17; and New Hanover County Board of Health 2019-2020. White is also AV rated by Martindale Hubbell, the highest rating available for both ethics and ability.
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 P.A.
TITLE: Attorney
EDUCATION: UNC-Chapel Hill (B.A.); N.C. Central University (J.D.) C
AREER 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, estate planning and administration
RISING STARS
A number of local attorneys also were named to Super Lawyers’ Rising Stars list. To be eligible for the Rising Stars category, candidates have to be either 40 or younger or in practice for 10 years or less.
STEPHEN BELL
CATEGORY: Super Lawyers-Rising Stars: Business Litigation
FIRM: Cranfill Sumner LLP
TITLE: Partner
EDUCATION: Clemson University (B.S.); Wake Forest University School of Law (J.D.)
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Bell handles a range of litigation matters including complex commercial matters for plaintiffs and defendants in state and federal courts and before administrative bodies. This includes commercial litigation, class actions and multi-district litigation, securities litigation and arbitration, whistleblower actions, subrogation litigation, real property disputes, highnet- worth estate litigation, premises and product liability litigation and professional liability litigation. Bell has a Martindale-Hubbell AV Rating and is both a North Carolina and South Carolina Super Lawyers Rising Star.
AREAS OF FOCUS: Business disputes and litigation; white collar, government investigations and special matters, including whistleblower representation; class actions; large estate disputes
RICHARD P. COOK
CATEGORY: Super Lawyers-Rising Stars: Bankruptcy/Consumer
FIRM: Cape Fear Debt Relief
See Cook's Legal Elite list profile
HUNTER FRITZ
CATEGORY: Super Lawyers-Rising Stars: Bankruptcy/Business
FIRM: Butler & Butler LLP
TITLE: Associate
EDUCATION: UNC-Chapel Hill (B.S.); Wake Forest University (J.D.)
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Prior to law school, Fritz served as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Navy. He joined Butler & Butler as an associate after serving as a judicial law clerk to the Hon. Catherine R. Aron and the Hon. William L. Stocks with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court.
AREAS OF FOCUS: Representing debtors, creditors and the Chapter 7 Trustee in both consumer and business bankruptcy cases and also has represented creditors and clients in a variety of other civil practice areas
KATHERINE HADDOCK
CATEGORY: Super Lawyers-Rising Stars: Immigration
FIRM: Helen Tarokic Law PLLC
TITLE: Senior Associate Attorney
EDUCATION: N.C. State (B.A.); Wake Forest University (J.D.)
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Haddock prepares U visas, assisting victims of crime and domestic violence, and fights for a spectrum of immigrant rights. Under President Clinton’s Violence Against Women Act 1994 (VAWA statute), Haddock has obtained legal status for immigrant victims of extreme battery and cruelty at the hands of their U.S. citizen spouses.
AREAS OF FOCUS: Immigration law, fluent in Spanish
BRITTANY HALL
CATEGORY: Super Lawyers-Rising Stars: Family Law
FIRM: Cape Fear Family Law
TITLE: Attorney, N.C. board-certified Family Law Specialist
EDUCATION: Campbell University (B.A.); Elon University School of Law (J.D.)
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Aware that she serves as the voice of her clients in the legal process, Hall focuses on being a dedicated advocate, she said. Described by her peers as tenacious, ethical and thorough, Hall said she values her reputation in the community. She is continuously seeking to grow in her profession.
AREA OF FOCUS: Family law
JAMES HENSON
CATEGORY: Super Lawyers-Rising Stars: Personal Injury General/Plaintiff
FIRM: Christina Rivenbark & Associates
TITLE: Attorney
EDUCATION: UNC-Greensboro; Elon University School of Law
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Represented hundreds of individuals in personal injury, workers’ compensation and social security disability matters
AREAS OF FOCUS: Personal injury, workers’ compensation and Social Security disability
DEVLIN HORTON
CATEGORY: Super Lawyers-Rising Stars: Civil Litigation/Plaintiff
FIRM: Horton & Mendez, Attorneys at Law PLLC
TITLE: Attorney
EDUCATION: UNC-Charlotte (B.A.); UNCW (MBA); UNC-Chapel Hill (J.D.)
AREAS OF FOCUS: Personal injury litigation, business and commercial litigation
JESSICA SOLES HUMPHRIES
CATEGORY: Super Lawyers-Rising Stars: Civil Litigation/Defense
FIRM: Hamlet Law
See Humphries' Legal Elite list profile
MARK IHNAT
CATEGORY: Super Lawyers-Rising Stars: Estate Planning & Probate
FIRM: Atlantic Coast Law
TITLE: Partner
EDUCATION: UNC-Chapel Hill (B.A.); N.C. Central University (J.D.)
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Parks Conservancy of New Hanover County Inc.-vice president, board of directors; New Hanover County Teen Court, volunteer judge; Legal Aid of North Carolina- Lawyers on the Line Volunteer Program
AREAS OF FOCUS: Estate planning, litigation
PAIGE INMAN
CATEGORY: Super Lawyers-Rising Stars: Family Law
FIRM: Ward and Smith P.A.
See Inman's Legal Elite list profile
EMILY JONES QUEEN
CATEGORY: Super Lawyers-Rising Star: Criminal Defense
FIRM: Burney & Jones
See Queen's Legal Elite list profile
ANDREW “ANDY” JONES
CATEGORY: Super Lawyers-Rising Stars: Business Litigation
FIRM: Michael Best & Friedrich LLP
TITLE: Managing partner, North Carolina
EDUCATION: Davidson College (A.B.); Elon University School of Law (J.D.)
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Michael Best & Friedrich LLP (2022-present); Forrest Firm P.C. (2017-21); Rountree Losee LLP (2013-17)
AREAS OF FOCUS: Commercial disputes and complex business cases in North Carolina state and federal courts; general business law and transactional representation for businesses and entrepreneurs in a variety of industries
HEATHER DOLAN KAEMMER
CATEGORY: Super Lawyers-Rising Stars: Family Law
FIRM: Kaemmer Law Firm PLLC
TITLE: Attorney
EDUCATION: Elon University School of Law
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Kaemmer opened her practice in Hampstead in 2017. Other highlights: Rising Stars, Super Lawyers (2018); Pro Bono Publico: New Hanover County Bar Association (2014- 16, 2018-20); Client Satisfaction Award, 10 Best: American Institute of Family Law Attorneys (2016); Top 10 Attorneys Under 40, North Carolina: National Academy of Family Law Attorneys (2014- 15); Legal Elite, Family Law: (2015, 2020); Client’s Choice, Family Law: Avvo (2014)
AREA OF FOCUS: Family law
KEVIN MARCILLIAT
CATEGORY: Super Lawyers-Rising Stars: Criminal Defense
FIRM: Roberts Law Group
TITLE: Partner EDUCATION: Auburn University (B.S.); Campbell Law School (J.D.)
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Also rated “AV Preeminent” by his peers for the highest level of professional excellence, Marcilliat focuses his practice on defending individuals who are targets of government investigations or who are facing serious criminal charges. Two recent notable case outcomes include securing the outright dismissal of a charge of first-degree murder and securing early release from federal prison for a client who was convicted of a complex multi-state fraud scheme.
AREA OF FOCUS: Criminal defense in state and federal courts throughout North Carolina
NICK MENDEZ
CATEGORY: Super Lawyers-Rising Stars: Personal Injury General/Plaintiff
FIRM: Horton & Mendez, Attorneys at Law PLLC
TITLE: Attorney
EDUCATION: UNC-Chapel Hill (B.A.); University of Richmond (J.D.)
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Mendez has extensive experience in personal injury law. He was formerly an insurance defense attorney at a large law firm and handled hundreds of cases for national insurance companies. He now brings his intimate knowledge regarding the inner workings of insurance companies to help his injured clients successfully navigate the insurance claims and litigation process.
AREAS OF FOCUS: Motor vehicle accidents, motorcycle accidents, vacation rental accidents, and premise liability cases
KATHLEEN O’MALLEY
CATEGORY: Super Lawyers-Rising Stars: Bankruptcy/Business
FIRM: Stevens Martin Vaughn & Tadych PLLC
TITLE: Associate
EDUCATION: St. John’s University (B.S.); Campbell University School of Law (J.D.)
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: O’Malley focuses her practice on bankruptcy, bankruptcy litigation and appellate advocacy. She has represented clients in appeals in both the state and federal courts. O’Malley represents bankruptcy clients in Chapter 11 and Chapter 7 bankruptcies, and related debtor/ creditor litigation and appeals. She was selected as a North Carolina Rising Star by Super Lawyers in business bankruptcy 2020-22. She is on the board of the Carolinas chapter of the International Women’s Insolvency & Restructuring Confederation.
AREAS OF FOCUS: Business bankruptcy, bankruptcy litigation and appeals
DIANE PAPPAYLIOU
CATEGORY: Super Lawyers-Rising Stars: Insurance Coverage
FIRM: Butler Snow
TITLE: Attorney
EDUCATION: Davidson College (bachelor’s); Elon University School of Law (J.D.)
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Pappayliou practices in the firm’s Tort, Transportation and Specialized Litigation group. She is a member of the American Bar Association, the N.C. Bar Association, the N.C. State Bar, the New Hanover County Bar Association, the N.C. Association of Women Attorneys Coastal Chapter and the Defense Research Institute.
AREAS OF FOCUS: Pappayliou has served on civil litigation teams in a variety of contexts, including maritime law, corporate law, insurance defense, municipal law and transportation law
ZACHARY RIVENBARK
CATEGORY: Super Lawyers-Rising Stars: Family Law
FIRM: Law Office of Zachary S. Rivenbark P.L.L.C.
TITLE: Attorney/owner
EDUCATION: Methodist University; Appalachian School of Law
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: “Returning home practice law and being able to help the community through a variety of legal needs and situations [and] securing my first million-dollar resolution in a medical malpractice case,” are among highlights for Rivenbark, who also serves as attorney for the town of Burgaw.
AREAS OF FOCUS: Family law/divorce, personal injury, medical malpractice, traffic tickets
WILLIAM GRAY SMITH
CATEGORY: Super Lawyers-Rising Stars: Criminal Defense
FIRM: Mason & Mason Attorneys at Law
TITLE: Associate Attorney
EDUCATION: Randolph- Macon College; Campbell University School of Law
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Since joining Mason & Mason in 2017, Smith has advocated for his clients both in and out of state and federal courtrooms. In addition to all criminal matters, he provides representation in administrative hearings, school disciplinary hearings, restraining orders, firearm restorations and expunctions.
AREA OF FOCUS: Criminal defense
ALLEN N. TRASK III
CATEGORY: Super Lawyers-Rising Star: Business Litigation
FIRM: Ward and Smith PA
See Trask's Legal Elite list profile
THOMAS VARNUM
CATEGORY: Super Lawyers-Rising Star: Intellectual Property
FIRM: Brooks Pierce McLendon Humphrey & Leonard
See Varnum's Legal Elite list profile
JEREMY M. WILSON
CATEGORY: Super Lawyers-Rising Stars: Personal Injury General/Plaintiff
FIRM: Ward and Smith P.A.
TITLE: Attorney
EDUCATION: UNC-Chapel Hill (B.A.); Duke University (M.P.P.); UNC School of Law (J.D.)
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Wilson leads Ward and Smith’s Personal Injury and Wrongful Death practice. He has extensive experience litigating claims for wrongful death, serious personal injury and a broad range of civil litigation before state and federal courts. Wilson’s wide-ranging experience also includes other areas of litigation such as business, insurance coverage and eminent domain cases.
AREAS OF FOCUS: Personal injury and wrongful death, medical malpractice, premises liability, product liability, nursing home liability, class actions, business litigation, insurance coverage litigation, eminent domain and appellate law
To see who was named to Business North Carolina's Legal Elite list this year, click here.
