Daniel C. "Dan" Higgins

Dan Smith focuses his law practice on matters involving environmental, commercial, education, and state constitutional law. A former educator and environmental scientist, Dan represents businesses, boards of education, and individuals in state, federal, administrative, and appellate courts. Dan uses his scientific training and background to help clients solve complex problems related to environmental laws, frequently working as part of a larger Brooks Pierce team. Dan has represented and advi...

Elizabeth advises and defends health care providers in matters involving patient care issues and risk management issues. She has successfully handled numerous medical malpractice cases and has taken many of them to trial. She has obtained numerous defense verdicts in cases of alleged medical malpractice, a few of which are summarized on her “Milestones” page. Many of these cases involved catastrophic injury or death. Elizabeth represents clients before the North Carolina Medical B...

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...

Jessica L. Elliott is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Real Estate Law. Jessica L., 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 Jessica L. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

G. Ryan Willis is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Criminal Defense: White-Collar and DUI / DWI Defense. G. Ryan, who practices law in Raleigh, North Carolina, has been recognized since 2016. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which G. Ryan is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

A Board Certified Specialist in appellate practice, Charles Coble handles complex business litigation and appeals across a range of courts and jurisdictions. He has represented businesses and individuals in a wide variety of matters at the trial and appellate levels, including bet-the-company litigation, franchise disputes, intellectual property matters, and class actions. Charles has handled numerous complex business litigation cases in federal court and the North Carolina Business Court. Hi...

Daniel Lord works with real estate developers and institutional investors in all aspects of commercial real estate transactions. He approaches complex legal problems with a solutions-oriented mindset, focusing on identifying practical solutions to move transactions forward while remaining mindful of the client’s best interest to foster long-term relationships. He represents purchasers, developers, and users of commercial real estate in all aspects of the acquisition, financing, and disp...

Alison R. Cayton is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Real Estate Law. Alison R., who practices law in Raleigh, North Carolina, has been recognized since 2018. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Alison R. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Amy's litigation practice focuses on complex commercial disputes, fiduciary duty claims, unfair and deceptive trade practices claims, and community association matters. Amy also has significant experience representing policyholders in a broad range of first- and third-party coverage litigation with their insurance carriers and co-chairs the firm's Insurance Counseling and Recovery Practice Group. That experience includes litigating coverage disputes pertaining to commercial property insurance...

Connie Elder Carrigan is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Labor Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Connie Elder, who practices law in Raleigh, North Carolina, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Connie Elder is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.