D. Bowen Heath

Michael W. Ballance is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Workers' Compensation Law - Employers. Michael W., 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 Michael W. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Shirley M. Diefenbach is a partner/member of the law firm of Walker, Lambe, PLLC, where she primarily practices in the areas of Estate Planning, Elder Law and Trust & Estate Administration. Ms. Diefenbach is also the managing partner of the Trust & Estate Administration department within the law firm. For over forty years, Walker Lambe, PLLC has served its clients, in the areas of Estate planning, Trust Administration, Probate, Taxation, Estate and Trust Disputes, Planning for childre...

Howard Cummings is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Criminal Defense: General Practice. Howard, who practices law in Raleigh, North Carolina, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Howard is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Lynn Montgomery is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law. Lynn, who practices law in Cary, North Carolina, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Lynn is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

She concentrates her practice in the areas of estate planning and administration and wealth transfer. She assists individuals with the preparation, revision and updating of estate planning documents including wills, revocable living trusts, irrevocable life insurance trusts (ILITs), charitable trusts (CRATs, CRUTs, CLTs), spousal lifetime access trusts (SLATS), dynasty trusts, trusts for children, grantor retained income trusts (GRATs), qualified personal residence trusts (QPRTs), premarital ...

Joseph Schouten is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation and Litigation - Intellectual Property. Joseph, 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 Joseph is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Eric David focuses his practice on business litigation, constitutional litigation, and media and communications law. Eric represents businesses, public agencies, and individuals in high-stakes litigation in federal and state court, and especially the North Carolina Business Court. Eric represents large and small businesses in complex litigation, particularly in federal court and the North Carolina Business Court. Eric has experience in a myriad of matters, including trade secrets litigation, ...

With a career that has included in-house patent counsel positions at GlaxoSmithKline and Targacept, Inc. (now Catalyst Biosciences), Amy Fix understands the core business issues her clients face. She has spent many years helping clients protect pharmaceutical, agricultural and polymer technologies, and is notably skilled in the growing sector of small-molecule drug development. Amy’s clients range from large international pharmaceutical corporations to smaller companies producing innova...

Joe found his calling in the Federal and State courtrooms of North Carolina over 40 years ago. He has worked as a trial attorney ever since. He is familiar with many of the insurance professionals, defense lawyers, and trial judges that handle these cases in our state. "We only accept cases we think are meritorious and then prosecute those cases with vigor and passion born of a clear conscience." "Seeking justice in an unjust world" is Joe's professional motto. For the plaintiff, truth is our...

A seasoned litigator and counselor, Mark represents businesses and trade associations, with particular expertise in media and communications law. For some clients, he provides specialized regulatory, legislative, corporate, or litigation work. For others, he serves an outside general counsel role. Throughout his career, Mark has developed a capacity for solving complex problems that have stymied others. Mark’s principal clients are media and communications enterprises, such as digital m...