Christopher W. "Chris" Jones

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...

As a partner at the firm, Ben Whitley joins his father to provide comprehensive legal representation for their clients. The motivation for the Whitley family’s commitment to law stems from a desire to assist injured individuals, particularly when they face challenges against larger corporations. "Every case proceeds from a position of strength or we don’t proceed at all," says Ben, who has been involved in personal injury law since the beginning of his career for over two decades....

Sonya DuBree is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law. Sonya, who practices law in Raleigh, North Carolina, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Sonya is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Matthew McGuire is a partner in Alston & Bird's Litigation & Trial Practice Group, where his practice focuses on complex commercial and business tort litigation, including class action defense, financial services litigation, and antitrust litigation. He also serves as the Managing Partner of Alston & Bird's Research Triangle, North Carolina office. He has represented companies across a wide variety of industries in the prosecution and defense of claims involving breach of contract...

Susan is a shareholder at Young Moore and member of its health care practice team where she represents hospitals, physicians, and other health care providers in a variety of matters including medical malpractice defense and general liability. She also advises clients on avoiding and managing risk. Susan began her legal career as a law clerk to Chief Judge Arnold at the North Carolina Court of Appeals following graduation from law school in 1997. She had an extensive career in private practice...

Elaine M. Moyer is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Transportation Law. Elaine M., who practices law in Raleigh, North Carolina, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Elaine M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

J. Heydt Philbeck concentrates his practice on complex civil litigation in the areas of civil rights, employment law, commercial litigation, contract disputes, unfair business practices, state and federal personnel law, constitutional law, and occupational licensing. Mr. Philbeck is an experienced trial advocate who has tried over 100 jury and bench trials to verdict. He has successfully represented clients before the North Carolina Supreme Court, the North Carolina Court of Appeals and the U...

Drew Patty is a partner with Phelps Dunbar, LLP in the firm's Intellectual Property and Cybersecurity Groups. He also leads the firm's Artificial Intelligence Working Group. With 30 years of experience in a broad range of transactional intellectual property matters and related litigation, he also has a growing AI and data privacy practice. His chemical patent experience includes patent preparation and prosecution in the fields of oilfield proppants and other downhole chemicals, refinery catal...

A partner at Manning, Fulton & Skinner, P.A., Ritchie W. Taylor focuses his practice on corporate law, with a particular emphasis on franchising. From the firm's offices in Raleigh, North Carolina, he represents companies and individuals throughout the area, including Chapel Hill, Durham, Greensboro, Winston-Salem, Asheville, Charlotte, Wilmington, and other parts of the state. In his practice, Mr. Taylor provides advice and counsel on mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, debt and eq...

Martha L. Sewell is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law and Health Care Law. Martha L., who practices law in Raleigh, North Carolina, has been recognized since 2013. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Martha L. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.