Charles Gordon Brown

Upon graduation from law school in 1980, Doug Kingsbery joined the firm of Tharrington, Smith & Hargrove in Raleigh, North Carolina, where he worked as an associate in the areas of education law and criminal defense. He was made Partner in 1985, and has developed an extensive litigation and trial practice which includes trial and appellate work in civil, criminal and administrative law. Over the past 28 years, he has tried dozens of civil and criminal jury trials in numerous state and fed...

Ben is an experienced trial lawyer who earned his law degree from The George Washington University in Washington, D.C. He was trained in trial practice at the nation’s preeminent Public Defender agency, the federally funded Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia, described by United States Attorney General Eric Holder as “the best public defender office in the country.” From 2006 to 2011, Ben worked as an attorney at the Public Defender Service in DC, including...

Charles L. Steel IV is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Corporate Law, Litigation and Controversy - Tax, Tax Law and Trusts and Estates. Charles L. practices law in Durham, North Carolina Best Lawyers has recognized Charles L. Steel IV since 2010. 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 Charles L. Steel IV is held by othe...

Mary Aiken Barrow is a Board Certified Specialist in Family Law. Ms. Barrow earned her undergraduate degree in psychology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2006 and subsequently received her law degree from the Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law at Campbell University in 2012. During her time at Campbell Law School, Ms. Barrow served as a member and as submissions co-editor of the Law Review. Additionally, she was a family law research assistant for Professor Jean Cary ...

Robert Mills Kennedy, Jr. is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Insurance Law and Litigation - Insurance. Robert Mills practices law in Raleigh, North Carolina Best Lawyers has recognized Robert Mills Kennedy, Jr. since 2024. 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 Robert Mills Kennedy, Jr. is held by other lawyers.

Gerald H. Groon, Jr. is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law. Gerald H. practices law in Raleigh, North Carolina Best Lawyers has recognized Gerald H. Groon, Jr. since 2026. 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 Gerald H. Groon, Jr. is held by other la...

Larry L. Coats is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Litigation - Patent and Patent Law. Larry L. practices law in Cary, North Carolina Best Lawyers has recognized Larry L. Coats 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 Larry L. Coats is held by other lawyers.

Devon is one of the firm's Managing Directors. Her practice encompasses a wide range of labor and employment issues, including wage and hour matters, federal contractor compliance, employment discrimination, harassment, and retaliation claims, employee discipline and termination decisions, personnel policies and practices, restrictive covenants, and background checks. Devon regularly counsels HR executives and C-suite officers, navigating them through the many state and federal requirements f...

Rebecca M. Schaefer is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Health Care Law. Rebecca M. practices law in Raleigh, North Carolina Best Lawyers has recognized Rebecca M. Schaefer since 2025. 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 Rebecca M. Schaefer is held by other lawyers.

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill undergraduate (1978) and law school (1981). Early career concentration on civil litigation. Substantial experience in jury trials, as well as every aspect of litigation from depositions, mediation, arbitration, motion practice, and bench trials. Married to Marci High Armstrong, a family law board certified specialist. Practiced together in small litigation firm since 1985. Three children. Oldest and youngest are attorneys practicing law with them in...