Ben Simpson

Lynn Burleson is a native of Albemarle, North Carolina. He was admitted to the practice of law in North Carolina after receiving his Bachelor of Arts and Master of Public Administration degrees from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and his Juris Doctor degree from the Wake Forest University School of Law. Before joining Tharrington Smith, Mr. Burleson served as a district court judge and was a partner in the law firm of Kilpatrick Stockton. He has served as an adjunct professo...

Douglas J. Short is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Real Estate Law. Douglas J. practices law in Raleigh, North Carolina Best Lawyers has recognized Douglas J. Short since 2018. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Douglas J. Short is held by other lawyers.

Michael S. Harrell is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law, Commercial Litigation and Family Law. Michael S. practices law in Chapel Hill, North Carolina Best Lawyers has recognized Michael S. Harrell since 2019. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Michael S. Harrell is hel...

In joining Hardison & Cochran in 2008, Joel Jackson Hardison made a transition from defending insurance companies in Workers Compensation cases to representing injured and disabled workers. He applies the insights he gained from representing insurance companies to assist the injured workers he represents. There is little doubt about which type of practice he prefers. Hardison received a B.A. degree in journalism from the University of North Carolina in 1999 and a J.D. from the UNC School ...

Rebecca Britton litigates personal injury and wrongful death cases with Britton Law, P.A., in Fayetteville, North Carolina. She has practiced in the Fayetteville community for over 24 years. She is a former President of the North Carolina Advocates for Justice and serves as Vice-President/Treasurer for the Carolina Center for Civic Education which operates the NCAJ High School Mock Trial Competition and serves on the Board of Directors for the National High School Mock Trial Championship. She...

Amy Mackin is a managed care and regulatory attorney at Hall Render who advises hospitals, health systems, clinical laboratories and other providers on contracting strategy and payor relationships across commercial and governmental health plans. Working closely with legal and financial leadership teams, Amy helps clients negotiate stronger contract terms, implement agreements compliantly and respond effectively to payor audits, recoupments and reimbursement disputes. Amy leads Hall Render's H...

3 Things to Know About Elizabeth Ligon Noriega : She is a North Carolina State Bar Board Certified Specialist in Workers’ Compensation Law. She has been recognized on the “Best Lawyers” list for Workers’ Compensation Law – Claimants (2025–2026).* She brings more than a decade of experience representing employers and insurers in workers’ compensation cases. Elizabeth Ligon Noriega is a Partner at the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin , where she focuse...

Alison R. Cayton is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Commercial Finance Law and Real Estate Law. Alison R. practices law in Raleigh, North Carolina Best Lawyers has recognized Alison R. Cayton since 2018. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Alison R. Cayton is held by other lawyers.

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 ...

John Edwards is a skilled personal injury attorney in North Carolina and the founder of Edwards Kirby, LLP. With a background as a U.S. Senator for North Carolina, the 2004 Democratic Vice-Presidential nominee, and a U.S. presidential candidate, John has long been a proponent for civil rights and protecting those who cannot stand up for themselves. He has been practicing law since 1978 and is an established trial attorney. At Edwards Kirby, LLP, he strives to provide clients with the dedicate...