D. Randal "Randy" Ayers

Maria P. Wood is the Managing Partner in our Raleigh office and specializes in medical malpractice, aging services, correctional health care, professional malpractice and ethics, appellate, and general liability matters. In her more than twenty year legal career, she has gained significant litigation and trial experience. Maria has devoted her career to the representation of health care providers. These providers include hospital systems, long-term care facilities (skilled nursing and assiste...

Timothy S. Riordan is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Workers' Compensation Law - Employers. Timothy S. practices law in Raleigh, North Carolina Best Lawyers has recognized Timothy S. Riordan since 2005. 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 Timothy S. Riordan is held by other lawyers.

Jeffrey A. Poley is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Public Finance Law. Jeffrey A. practices law in Raleigh, North Carolina Best Lawyers has recognized Jeffrey A. Poley 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 Jeffrey A. Poley is held by other lawyers.

Drake works with entities and individuals in transactions involving commercial real property. A substantial portion of his practice is focused on representing both landlords and tenants in commercial lease negotiations for a wide variety of spaces, including office locations, retail centers, industrial facilities, and solar farms. In addition, Drake represents buyers and sellers in negotiating and closing purchases and sales, including tax-deferred exchanges. He also represents developers and...

Sabra J. Faires is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Administrative / Regulatory Law and Tax Law. Sabra J. practices law in Raleigh, North Carolina Best Lawyers has recognized Sabra J. Faires since 2013. 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 Sabra J. Faires is held by other lawyers.

Merrill's practice experience encompasses a broad range of business law matters, including start-up businesses, business transfers and acquisitions, transactional matters, and tax matters. He has extensive experience representing contractors, design professionals, and project owners in drafting and negotiating construction, design, and design/build contracts. His practice also includes the representation of health care organizations and their owners in corporate, transactional, and merger and...

Ryan Shuirman is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants and Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants. Ryan practices law in Raleigh, North Carolina Best Lawyers has recognized Ryan Shuirman since 2022. 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 Ryan Shuirman is held by other lawyers.

Forrest G. Read IV is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Employment Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Forrest G. practices law in Raleigh, North Carolina Best Lawyers has recognized Forrest G. Read IV 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 Forrest G. Read IV is held by other lawyers.

Wade Smith has been one of North Carolina's best known and most acclaimed lawyers for nearly 50 years. His trials are recounted in books, magazines and journals. A renowned storyteller, Wade insists that within each case there is a compelling story waiting to be told. In seminars and bar meetings Wade has shared the art of storytelling. His cases offer a fine collection of North Carolina Courtroom lore. In 1979, Wade served as counsel to Dr. Jeffrey McDonald in the much studied and discussed ...

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 ...